'College Achievers': Updates on local athletes at the next level

It's like a super-super senior edition.

Back in the day, three times a year the prep sports-based Sidelines column would be devoted to something called “College Achievers.”

Aligned toward postseason college awards for fall, winter and spring sports, these columns noted many DuPage-area and at times Tri-Cities athletes who had been honored for their accomplishments.

Or maybe they were highlighted for spectacular one-time performances, or record-setting events, or academic pursuits.

However, a semester's worth of deeds made for ungainly, 60-inch articles that taxed editor and reader alike.

Here, intended as a weekly return of “College Achievers,” they will be broken down into more palatable versions featuring athletes from throughout the Daily Herald coverage area.

Only so many schools submit information; should you, the reader, have insight into other “College Achievers,” contact the writer at the email address below.

Here's how it goes ...

Alex Santiago (Buffalo Grove), a junior at Southern Illinois, on Nov. 15 was named Mid-American Conference swimmer of the week for his swims at the A3 Performance Invitational, Nov. 11 in Carbondale. The men's swimmer of the meet, Santiago won the 50-yard freestyle (19.92 seconds), the 200 freestyle (1 minute, 38.63 seconds) and the 100 freestyle (44.31).

At the Big Ten men's cross country championship Oct. 27 in Verona, Wisconsin, Wisconsin junior Bob Liking (St. Charles East) became the seventh Big Ten men's runner to win three straight individual conference titles. He covered 8 kilometers in 23 minutes, 57 seconds. Liking went on to win the Great Lakes regional on Nov. 10. His Badgers teammate, Micah Wilson (St. Charles East), was named Big Ten freshman of the year.

Anna Cup (South Elgin), a defender on Valparaiso's women's soccer team, made the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman team this fall. Starting all but one game for the 11-6-6 Beacons and all 10 in MVC play, Cup helped limit opponents to 0.87 goals per game and a .070 shot percentage.

Valparaiso teammates Allie Anderson (Wheaton Warrenville South), a fifth-year player, and senior goalkeeper Nikki Coryell (Metea Valley), a second-team MVC pick, each were named Academic All-District. Anderson has a perfect 4.00 grade-point average in exercise science.

The College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin all-conference first team was a bounty for area football players. Heading the list was coach of the year Brad Spencer (Naperville Central) of North Central College, who has the Cardinals in the Stagg Bowl on Friday. On offense, selections included Carroll quarterback Josh Raby (Dundee-Crown), Wheaton College receiver Seth Kortenhoeven (Wheaton North) and offensive lineman Trevor Gabriele (Wheaton North), and three local North Central players — running back Joe Sacco (St. Edward), receiver DeAngelo Hardy (Lakes) and offensive lineman Sam Pryor (Kaneland). Kortenhoeven was the CCIW's first-year offensive athlete of the year.

On defense, first-team all-CCIW picks included Carthage linebacker Chris DiVito (Rolling Meadows), Carroll defensive lineman Nick Mantas (Glenbrook North), and Wheaton College defensive lineman Peter Johanik (Wheaton Academy) and defensive back Max Wilson (Wheaton Warrenville South).

Several other players earned the CCIW Respect Award, including: Elmhurst's Antonio Carillo (York), Millikin's Aidan Lombardo (Lisle) and North Central's Nick Rummell (Hampshire).

Please stay tuned ...

doberhelman@dailyherald.com