Seven Father Ryan High School seniors recently signed to play sports in college during a recent ceremony.
The seven seniors include:
- Eva Graham, who has signed to join the women’s golf team at Christian Brothers University in Memphis.
Graham, the daughter of Steve and Caroline Graham, plans to study business at CBU.
A parishioner and graduate of St. Rose of Lima Church and School in Murfreesboro, Graham helped lead the Lady Irish to the 2019 Division II Region Championship and finished in the top 10 in the state last year.
“I am most excited about CBU because it was an opportunity to play for a coach whom I really like at a Catholic university that is a nice distance from home,” Graham said.
Christian Brothers University in Memphis competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Gulf South Conference.
- Lucy Green has signed to play volleyball at Kennesaw State University.
Green, who was named the Most Valuable Player for volleyball in the region this year, is looking forward to the opportunity to continue playing at a strong NCAA Division I program, one that claimed the conference title last year.
“The campus is amazing and the people there are so supportive,” Green said.
She plans to study business, leading to a career in real estate.
Green, the daughter of Julie and Jody Green, is a St. Henry School and Church graduate and parishioner and is proud of her time at Father Ryan. “I have had an outstanding relationship with my friends and the faculty,” she said, “which made me excited to come to school every day.”
Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.
- Riley Grindstaff has signed to play golf at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Grindstaff finished as the state runner-up at the Division II-AA state tournament after sinking birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes to force a playoff for the state championship.
While his playoff birdie putt just missed, his runner-up finish was the highlight of his four-year Irish golfing career.
A graduate of Hillsboro Middle School and a parishioner at the Church of the Nativity in Thompsons Station, Grindstaff has appreciated the atmosphere at Father Ryan. “I have received nothing but love and care throughout my time here,” he said.
Undecided about his course of study, he is looking forward to playing at Western Kentucky. “I love Bowling Green,” he stated. “The town made me feel at home immediately, the facilities are outstanding, and it’s a young team, so I am hopeful of contributing early on.”
Grindstaff is the son of Mary and Brian Grindstaff.
Western Kentucky University competes in NCAA Division I as a member of Conference USA.
- Maggie Holst has signed with the swimming team at St. Bonaventure University, in St. Bonaventure, New York.
Holst came to Father Ryan at the start of her junior year after her family moved to the area from Colorado. She quickly established herself as a talent and team leader, setting a new school record for the 100 backstroke last season.
Father Ryan has been “an important place for me to grow in my faith, my academics, and my athletics,” said Holst, a parishioner at Christ the King Church and the daughter of Kevin and Sarah Holst.
She plans to study health sciences at St. Bonaventure with a planned career in physical therapy.
“I like that it is a smaller school in a competitive conference, and I’m looking forward to exploring another part of the country in the process,” Holst said of St. Bonaventure, which competes in NCAA Division I as a member of Atlantic 10 Conference.
- Mason Morrow has signed to play volleyball at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.
Morrow has been one of the stalwarts of the volleyball program during her time at Father Ryan. “This is a special environment with a feeling of being part of a big family,” Morrow said. “There is always someone I could go to for advice or just to talk, and that means so much.”
A graduate and parishioner of St. Henry School and Church, Morrow is the daughter of Todd and Christine Morrow. She plans to study biology or human physiology at Transylvania. “I really like the city of Lexington and the opportunity to compete at a college program,” she said. “In addition, the proximity to the University of Kentucky campus gives me a taste of a big school experience while enjoying the advantages that a small school like Transylvania provides.”
Transylvania competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
- Clint Regen has signed to join the rowing team at the University of California-Berkeley.
The opportunity to compete at one of the nation’s – and the world’s – top rowing programs is a special achievement for Regen. A St. Bernard Academy alumnus, he is “looking forward to being at a school that provides a challenging environment, both academically and athletically, and enables me to compete against the top schools in this sp ort.
“While undecided about my specific studies, I know I have a wonderful opportunity, and I look forward to being a part of this school,” he said.
Regen is the son of Jennifer and Benjamin Regen.
University of California-Berkeley competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Pac-12 Conference.
- Jade Zaleski has signed to play volleyball at Lipscomb University in Nashville.
Zaleski has been an All-Region performer for the Irish volleyball program, helping to lead the Irish to the State Final Four in both 2017 and 2018.
She chose Lipscomb because of its atmosphere and program. “This is a strong, competitive team in a tough conference, and I am looking forward to that challenge. In addition, I like the school size and its location, which means I’ll be able still to play in front of my family in the coming years,” Zaleski said.
Her plan is to study sports marketing and management with the goal of being a part of any Chicago sports organization.
Zaleski is a graduate and parishioner of Christ the King School and Church and is the daughter of Maria de Varenne and Mark Zaleski.
Lipscomb competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.
“These are outstanding athletes and even better people who have been leaders in and out of the classroom,” said Father Ryan Director of Athletics Ann Mullins. “We are proud of these accomplishments and eager to see them succeed at the next level.”
