Nine Morris athletes sign with colleges

MORRIS — A total of nine Morris Community High School senior athletes have signed to continue their athletic careers in college. Seven of those athletes were on hand Thursday when MCHS held a cermony to honor their achievements.

Maddie Noon parlayed her academic success into a chance to play softball at Iowa Wesleyan.

“I got a Presidential Scholarship there for full tuition, so it made my choice pretty easy,” said Noon, who plays various positions for Morris, including pitcher. “I am not sure what my position there will be exactly. They said I would probably be a utility player. I haven’t decided on a major yet, but I am just happy for the chance to play.”

Another softball player, Maddy Shannon, will continue her career about an hour away from Noon, as she will attend Central College in Pella, Iowa. Shannon, a three-sport athlete at MCHS, plans to major in elementary education.

“I visited the campus and I liked what they offered,” Shannon said. “It’s a nice college, and, for now, I want to be a teacher and maybe a coach.

“They told me I would be on the JV my first year, but they like my defense at catcher. I am excited because softball has always been my No. 1 sport. Even though it will be nice to just concentrate on one sport, I will miss playing all three sports.”

Brennan Johnson plans to study nursing at University of St. Francis while he is a member of the Saints’ golf team, which plays its home meets on the three Joliet Park District courses - Inwood, Wedgewood and Woodruff.

“At St. Francis, I can get into the nursing program right away,” Johnson said. “That was a big factor. Their coach saw me at the regional, and talked to me, and I went to visit and I loved it. I like the courses up there. I shot an 84 at Wedgewood this year.”

Zach Romak will continue his football career as a quarterback at Bemidji State University in Minnesota.

“I went to visit up there, and it felt good,” he said. “They have a real nice coach and a good program. I will stay at quarterback, which is where I want to be.

“I plan to study business. They have a good program for that. I will probably red-shirt my freshman year, so I will have five years and I hope to be able to get my Masters in that time.”

Romak’s main target last fall, Myles Johnston, will continue to be a wide receiver for Western Illinois University. Johnston, also a standout basketball player for Morris, plans to study business at WIU..

“I am going to miss playing basketball,” he said. “But, the better opportunity for me to play in college was in football. It’s going to be fun, for sure. It will be nice to focus on one sport for my four years.”

Jorge Loza, who was the Kishwaukee River/Interstate Eight White Defensive Player of the Year, will take his linebacking talents to McKendree.

“I love the game of football,” Loza said. “I wanted to continue playing in college and McKendree was a good fit. I think if I try hard, I will have a good chance to play.

“I am undecided on my major right now, but I would like to be a teacher and a coach. I would love to be able to come back to Morris and coach in this program.”

Cameron Hatcher, a two-way standout for the Morris football team last fall, will play for Saint Xavier University.

“They want me as a wide receiver right now,” Hatcher said. “But, I could play defense. I will play anything they want me to as long as I get to play.

“I am going to study business and it’s a good school for that. I am excited to be able to keep playing football. I am not ready to give it up.”

Also signing but not in attendance at the ceremony were Will Lawyer (football, Loras College) and Ryan Fischer (baseball, North Central College).