CEF scholarships help student-athletes earn titles

Last school season, 16 Diocese of Joliet student-athletes earned state championships from the Illinois High School Association thanks in part to a Catholic Education Foundation scholarship.

The Benet Academy boys basketball team won the Class 4A boys basketball title, joining the Benet girls tennis team (1A), the Montini Catholic football (3A) and girls basketball (3A) teams, Immaculate Conception’s team wrestling (2A) and Providence Catholic’s competitive dance (1A) as Joliet Diocese champions.

Individually, Benet’s Finn Richards won the 3A boys cross country title and Shane Delaney and Clare Lopatka took home the 1A girls tennis doubles title. They were joined by Class 2A wrestlers Allen Woo (Montini, 113 pounds), Max Cumbee (IC Catholic, 116), Deven Casey (IC Catholic, 132), Kam Luif (Montini, 138), Justus Heeg (Providence, 150) and Brody Kelly (IC Catholic, 175), who all won state titles.

The accomplishments in sports complement the academic achievements the Diocese of Joliet schools have in the classroom, making it crucial that all students have the opportunity to enjoy success.