Reavis

Some of today’s top student-athletes at Reavis include (first row, from left): Sarah Mackowiak, Melanie Serritella and Lauren Klenn. In the middle row are (from left): Ryan Seper, Nicole Baffin, Kim Benitez, Christine Puchalski, Karolina Komperda and Brian Klein. In the top row are (from left): Urim Demirovski, Kyle McKinley, Paul Rychtarczyk, Greg Letocha, Bobby Schmidt, Jim Ficker and A.J. Jerkovich.
(Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)

November 3, 2009 BY TAYLOR BELL

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TOP SPORTS MOMENTS

1. Football champs

In three years, coach Dennis Wierzal’s team won 34 of 39 games and finished 2-2-1 in the state. The 1982 squad (12-1) ousted Thornton, East St. Louis and Glenbard North, then beat New Trier 20-7 for the Class 6A title as RB/LB Joe Karmeris rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns. Other standouts were Ray Cook, Ed Bucz, Tim DeBow and Joe Mendez.

2. Wrestling trifecta

Coach John Fitzgerald produced state championship wrestling teams in 1961, 1962 and 1965. Five individuals won state titles — Willy Roy (145), Dave Jackson (103) and Don Graf (133) in 1961, Jackson (112) and Bernie Mehaljevic (95) in 1962 and Chet Mirus (133) in 1965. Mehaljevic, Rich Wood, Vic Marcucci and Tom Giambarberee were runner-up finishers.

3. Baseball runner-up

In 1984, coach Ron Czarnecki’s baseball team finished second in the state tournament. The Rams (33-5), featuring a dominant pitching staff led by John Sabbatino, Mike Pietras and Jim Schultz, beat Fremd 11-0 and Oak Park 6-5 in a dramatic semifinal before losing to Downstate Morton 9-7 for the title. Chris Gray and Ed Gudewicz were the hitting stars.

4. Doubles champs

In badminton, the 2007 doubles team of Ni Van and Joanna Stachulak swept the state championship. They were so dominant that none of their matches extended beyond two sets as the talented duo completed a 36-0 season. Coach Del Smith’s 2004 and 2005 doubles team of twins Anna and Mary Bielanska finished second in the state meet.

5. Back-to-back

In girls bowling, Don Bylut and Glenn Marin coached the girls team to third place in the state meet in 1988 and second in 1989. The 1989 squad (12-2) was led by six seniors: twins Chrissy and Kathy Kamenske, Sue Kincade, Theresa Ratke, Doreen Shaven and Becky Gaines. The squad knocked down 10,173 pins while state champion Fenton had 10,233.

WHAT REAVIS MEANS TO ME

By Willie Roy: A 1961 grad, he was a state wrestling champ, played pro soccer, coached the Sting to two NASL titles and coached at Northern Illinois.

My older brother Erick and I didn’t speak a word of English when we emigrated from Germany when I was 13. We were lucky to get into a school like Reavis, where the teachers took a special interest in us. The teachers really cared about the student body.

Reavis never did well in football and basketball in those days. Wrestling was the biggest sport. I had played youth soccer in Germany but high schools didn’t play soccer in those days. So I kicked and punted for the football team and followed my brother to the wrestling team.

John Fitzgerald never wrestled. He was a track and field guy at the University of Chicago. But he was an outstanding motivator. As wrestling coach, he hired great assistant coaches, George Ihnat and John Bisbikus. I won the state title at 145 pounds as a senior and earned a scholarship to Illinois.

Fitzgerald was a great man. We lived near Midway Airport and couldn’t get home for meals before meets. So he took us to a diner and bought us a meal. I thought I was in heaven. After I started to play pro soccer in 1967, he paid for me to fly back from Europe for Reavis’ homecoming. He ran for mayor of Burbank unopposed and served as mayor for several years.

I had other teachers who cared about their students. Darlene Stengele taught typing and baked cakes when I won wrestling titles. She made me promise to dance with her at the senior prom. I also remember Ray Erbes, the library teacher, and Paul Eilers, my wood shop teacher.

That’s what I will always remember about Reavis ... how the teachers cared, how Coach Fitzgerald and his assistants motivated us, how wrestling got me to college. College wasn’t that important to me. But I’m glad I went. If it wasn’t for my experience at Reavis, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

• Paul Ciolino: CBS News analyst.

• Norbert Diaz: Highest ranking Hispanic, Chicago Fire Department.

• Lance Dreher: Former Mr. America bodybuilder.

• Ray Hanania: Journalist, comedian.

• Ken Haas: ‘‘Mayor of Storyville,’’ public access TV.

• James Hernandez: U.S. champion, sombo wrestling.

• Joe Karmeris: Former professional baseball player.

• Tom Lemming: Host of CBS College Sports’ Lemming Report.

• Michael Lydon: Artist.

• Bobby Madritsch: Former major-league pitcher.

• Vic Marcucci: Former NCAA Division I wrestling champion.