Senior wide receiver Jake Cestone was determined to elevate his game for the Nazareth Academy football team. The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association noticed.
The Illinois State University recruit was honored as a member of the association’s Class 6A all-state football team. Cestone had a team-high 17 receiving touchdowns for the Roadrunners’ 6A state semifinalists with 999 yards on 48 receptions.
“It meant a lot to me, seeing all of the work I’ve put in for the offseason finally showed. I would say this was my best season,” Cestone said. “I feel like I improved on my leadership skills, battling through, leading the charge. I’ve always had a role but this year meant a lot more, especially being a senior. There was a lot of leadership with everybody looking up to me.”
Receiving IHSFCA honorable mention all-state were Lyons Township senior tight end/linebacker Brady Rusk and Nazareth junior two-way lineman Christian Malachuk. Rusk caught 27 passes for 316 yards and three TDs and had 2 tackles with three for loss. Rusk said he found out about his honor while in class when he was contacted by LTHS head coach Jon Beutjer.
“It completely came out of the blue,” said Rusk, who hopes to attend the University of Colorado but not play football. “It means everything. To be recognized with something like that by the coaches means a lot but I couldn’t have done it without [our coaches]. Their guidance and expert coaching is the reason I was the player I was.”
Boys soccer
Lyons Township senior midfielder Ryland Avants was named all-state by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association.
Avants was among the scoring leaders for the Lions’ 3A regional champions with eight goals and five assists.
Girls flag football
Lyons Township senior defensive back/wide receiver Anna Bigenwald was named honorable mention all-state for the second year in a row. Bigenwald stood out on both side of the ball for the Lions’ regional champions with 18 TDs, 135 receptions and 11 interceptions. Also a soccer goalie who will play at Loyola University, she again was honored at ceremonies hosted by the Chicago Bears.
“It was super-exciting and a huge honor,” Bigenwald said. “It was a cool feeling. I wouldn’t say it felt different [this year] because I still had to work really hard to get that. It meant the same.”
Girls volleyball
Lyons Township junior outside hitter Taylor Carroll was named 4A second-team all-state by the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association. Carroll, who has verbally committed to Xavier University, had a team-high 289 kills for the Lions’ regional championship team with 25 total blocks.
LTHS junior setter Colleen Chambers and junior libero Julia Ahrens were honorable mention all-state.
