![Victory Light]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746554741/jcaonlineorg/j9jfeqzhlubvgerwmdnk/Brown-Victory-Light-JCA.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746554741/jcaonlineorg/j9jfeqzhlubvgerwmdnk/Brown-Victory-Light-JCA.jpg","width":294}])
By: Dick Goss
The Joliet Catholic Academy spring sports season featured a girls state track champion in Symone Holman, winning seasons for the Hilltoppers’ baseball and boys volleyball teams and a mildly successful splash for the bass fishing team. In addition, the future is bright for many of the Angels’ and Hilltoppers’ squads.
Let’s take a look:
Baseball
JCA features one of the leading baseball traditions in Illinois history, including numerous state
appearances and a few state titles. Despite all that success, however, what this team
accomplished puts it among veteran coach Jared Voss’ favorite groups.
The word adversity sometimes is overused, but without a doubt these Hilltoppers faced more
than their share of injury issues.
“The 2026 Hilltoppers demonstrated what Joliet Catholic Academy baseball has always been
about: perseverance, sacrifice, toughness and brotherhood,” Voss said. “Faced with injuries
that would have derailed many teams, this group refused to make excuses. Instead, they
turned an 8-12 start into a regional championship season.”
JCA had won 12 of its last 13 games when a 21-15 season ended in the sectional semifinal.
The Hilltoppers went 10-6 to finish second in the strong East Suburban Catholic Conference.
But about all those injuries…
Senior shortstop Lucas Simulick, an all-state caliber Eastern Illinois University commit, suffered
a season-ending shoulder injury in preseason. Senior right-handed pitcher Kyle Christensen,
bound for Illinois Wesleyan, was lost for the season with an elbow issue. Senior first baseman
and left-handed pitcher Brady Tunkel, a Wisconsin-Platteville commit, broke his hand during
the WJOL Tournament in Week 3. The pitching staff also lost junior standout Max Rathbun to a
season-ending back injury in the preseason and junior pitcher/oufielder Anthony Kilimnik to an
arm injury in Week 3 of the season.
Butler bound senior left-handed Rocco Szambelan, an all-conference choice, won six games,
posted a 2.60 ERA and filled in at first base because of the injuries. Senior AJ Perez, who will
play at Lewis, batted .283. Senior all-conference outfielder/catcher Steve Martin batted .352
with 27 RBIs. Senior relief ace Barrett Diaz posted a 0.82 ERA. Senior Jacob Wojciechowski,
committed to Loras, had a 2.74 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings.
Among underclassmen of note was freshman shortstop and leadoff hitter Cody Busch who had
30 hits, scored 33 runs and stole 15 bases. Junior third baseman Johnny Curbis made allconference
after batting .382 with a .507 on-base percentage, 27 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.
Junior catcher Derrick Pomatto, despite missing time with a wrist injury, earned all-ESCC
recognition as he hit .396 with 30 RBIs and a .477 on-base percentage. Junior center fielder
Nick Koontz also was all-conference after hitting .475 in league play and .345 overall. His
absence in the sectional semifinal with a knee injury was a significant loss.
Junior outfielder Josh Perez had a six-week arm injury but still hit .333. Junior second baseman
Koen Lynes hit .290 with four home runs and struck out 29 in 25 1/3 pitching innings. Junior
lefty Evan Wills won five games and struck out 50 in 48 2/3 innings. Sophomore Jack Spain
was called up during the season and went 3-1 in his conference starts.
Boys Volleyball
The Hilltoppers finished 16-14 and in fourth place in the rugged East Suburban Catholic
Conference. “We had a fantastic year that ended in the regional semifinals,” coach Jeffrey
Budz said.
JCA featured all-conference senior outside hitter Aydan Garcia along with junior libero
Benjamin Alessio, an honorable mention all-conference selection. Alessio was all-tournament
at the Joliet West Tournament in March.
“We have two starters returning and have a lot of up-and-comers who will make great impacts
next year,” Budz said.
Bass Fishing
The bass fishing program at JCA is on the rise. “We had a positive year in many aspects
while building toward a more rewarding future,” coach Jake Ziesmer said. “The team had its
highest number of different anglers taking part in one or more tournaments.”
Boat 1 of juniors Jack Skole, Andrew Kemp and Frank Schuler finished in the top five in the
Biggest Bass category in several tournaments and qualified for a state tournament known as
the Clash. Boat 2 of juniors Jackson Kodiak and Leo Jesiolowski also finished their second
year of competitive fishing. Boat 3 of juniors Patrick Marmoll and Henry Keenan gained
experience in their first year of competitive fishing.
“The team goals going forward are simple — take the experience gained this year, both good
and bad, and raise themselves to the next level next year,” Ziesmer said. “This year, the team
had some great days and enjoyed themselves competing against the best teams in the state
and region.”
Girls Track
There is no higher honor than a state champion, so kudos to Symone Holman! The Angels
senior jumped 17 feet, 11.75 inches to break her own school record and win the Class 2A long
jump championship. That effort capped a strong outdoor season for the Angels, and the
preceding indoor season also had its share of highs.
JCA competed in three indoor meets. At Plainfield South, sophomore Paris Duncan-Djondo
broke the school record in the high jump. At Romeoville, sophomore Sadey Magana broke the
school record in the shot put. At Lemont, the Angels placed second overall and broke school
records in the 55 hurdles (Duncan-Djondo), 400 (Holman) and 4x800 relay (senior Ella Heinen,
junior Haylie Bernhard, sophomore Kate Munday and junior Mary Kate Moran. Moran and
Heinen qualified for a huge distance event at Batavia where Moran ran a 5:20.00 in the 1600 to
break the school indoor record. Holman qualified for the Illinois Top Times meet where she
placed first in the long jump and 60 and second in the 200.
During outdoor season, Duncan-Djondo set a new school record in the 100 hurdles with a time
of 18.92 seconds. Moran broke the school record in her 3200 debut in 11:32.03. At the
sectional, JCA finished second, its highest-ever sectional finish. State qualifiers were Holman in
the 100, 200 and long jump; Heinen, Bernhard, Munday and Salma Gallegos in the 4x800 relay;
Moran in the 1600, and Duncan-Djondo in the 100 and 200. Holman, of course, topped it off
with her long jump state title.
“Our team has continued to grow and develop over the past few years,” coach Rachel Reyes
said. “Next year, we’re looking forward to having most of our team return and hopefully recruit
some new team members as well.”
Softball
The Angels’ softball season featured a bevy of challenges. But when you consider the entire
pitching staff consisted of four freshmen who had to face some of the top competition in the
area and state, their 11-20 final record is not a surprise.
Senior shortstop Addy Rizzatto, who batted .569 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs, was a firstteam
Class 3A all-state selection. That marks the fourth time she received all-state recognition,
including the second straight season as a first-team pick, and also was named all-area and
was first-team all-ESCC all four high school seasons. She is continuing her career at Lipscomb
University in Tennessee where she will major in Education with concentration in English.
Sophomore Callan Kinsella was a first-team all-conference selection for the second time while
senior Emma Mackey and freshmen Ella Nurczyk and Lexi Rezzardi were honorable mention.
“While this season was filled with tests and challenges, the girls never gave up. They’re
fighters,” coach Tina Kinsella said. “We’re optimistic in a bright future. Pair the freshman
pitchers with the leadership of Kinsella, Nurczyk and Rezzardi, and the bumps and bruises of
this year will turn into success and victories.”
Boys Track
The JCA boys track team featured three state qualifiers — senior Craig Peacock in the 100,
junior Dylan Travis in the triple jump and sophomore Phil Larson in the pole vault. The
Hilltoppers finished sixth in the ESCC and ninth in the sectional.
“Even though we were a very young team, predominantly freshmen and sophomores, we kept
making improvements throughout the year and competed well against much larger veteran
teams,” coach Erik Carlson said. “We are very excited about next year given the young team
we had this year and the improvements they made.”
Boys Tennis
The Hilltoppers closed with a 6-14 record and were led by juniors Frank Schuler and Declan
Wagner, who built a 26-6 overall record at first doubles. They finished second in the sectional
to qualify for state, where they went 2-2. Wagner was named to the ESCC all-conference team
and Schuler was an honorable mention selection.
“We are excited to bring back most of the team and look to build on what we started building
this year,” coach Tyler Eakle said.
Girls Soccer
The Angels finished 0-6 in the rugged ESCC and 5-15 overall but that does not tell the whole
story. “The players showed great effort every time they stepped on the field,” coach Oscar
Valdez said. “With 10 seniors leaving next season will be a major rebuilding effort, relying on
returning players. But I am very optimistic for next season.”
Senior defender Ava Giarrante received all-conference recognition.