Through four years starting for the Nazareth Academy baseball team, senior shortstop Landon Thome had 2025 graduate Jaden Fauske among his numerous role models. Somewhat to his surprise, Thome emulated Fauske in many honors this past season.
Thome was named first-team All-America by the American Baseball Coaches Association after earlier being named Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year.
Lyons Township senior pitcher Jack Slightom was named third-team All-America.
Fauske received the same two awards as Thome in 2025. Fauske currently is among the top Chicago White Sox prospects playing in Class A Kannapolis.
“I wasn’t expecting (All-America) at all and then (Nazareth coach Lee Milano) texted me. It’s pretty awesome to hear that I’m in that select few in the high school group,” Thome said. “(Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year) is something I’ve heard about for a few years, especially seeing Jaden won it last year. It really was kind of like a dream come true.”
Both Thome (Florida State) and Slightom (Cincinnati) are college recruits but also are expected to be selected in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft. Thome and Brother Rice junior Brady Cunningham were the only Illinois players to be named first-team All-America.
Slightom was the only Illinois player on the second or third teams. Both also were named to the respective Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association’s All-State Teams for Class 3A (Thome) and 4A (Slightom).
“(All-America) was cool. All of the work and the way it pays off,” Slightom said. “All of the recognition of yourself by other people, it’s special.”
Slightom had a breakthrough season for the Lions, going 7-0 with a 0.38 earned-run average and 73 strikeouts and seven walks in 37.1 innings. As junior, Slightom was 5-4 with a 3.38 ERA. Slightom not only grew in size and strength but also improved by dedicating more time to pitching.
“I’ve always been a pitcher but I always haven’t been a PO (pitcher only),” Slightom said. “I caught my entire life until last spring. I focused on pitching last year.”
Thome started as a freshman for the Roadrunners’ 2023 3A state champions. He achieved seven career and three single-season individual school records in various offensive categories. This past season, he had a .532 batting average with eight home runs and 32 runs batted in as the leadoff hitter. He also had single-season records with 63 runs scored, nine triples and 54 stolen bases in 56 attempts.
All-America teams were announced after the postseason. For Thome, the Gatorade award really was like a dream come true when he found out just after the Roadrunners won regionals.
“I woke up and my parents tell me,” Thome said. “I appreciate Coach Milano playing me and all he’s done to help me and all of my teammates. I’d like to say it’s a team award rather than individual. It’s awesome.”
Nazareth sophomore third baseman Gavin Hartigan earned 3A all-state for the first time after hitting .411 with two home runs and 32 RBIs out of the No. 2 spot in the batting order.
“It’s truly an honor. It’s unreal and I’m so thankful to all of my teammates, all of my coaches. We had such a fun season,” Hartigan said. “With the culture all of the seniors built, this was probably the most fun season I’ve ever had. And Coach Milano is always doing his thing.”
As a freshman, Hartigan started at second base and batted No. 9. Hartigan progressed in the offseason working with Chris Cunningham at the Willowbrook Burr Ridge Sports Performance Center and by playing traveling baseball with Sparks North.
“I definitely tried to improve my game defensively. I’m happy with how I honed my skills at third base,” Hartigan said. “With hitting, I feel like I took a step up. Small things, like relaxing my hands, a better approach.”
Riverside Brookfield’s All-Upstate Eight Conference East Division players were seniors Eli Costello, Damian Noa, Marco Villardito and junior Nick Baca.
Slightom, senior Lon Roberts, junior Blake Ragsdale and freshman Tommy Cavaliere were the Lions’ members of the All-West Suburban Conference Silver Division Team. The Lions shared their first conference title since 2019.
Thome and Hartigan were joined on the All-East Suburban Catholic Conference Team by seniors Connor McKay of Riverside and Kam Alikhan. Thome was the ESCC Offensive Player of the Year.
