JJ McCarthy Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings

Nazareth Academy proudly celebrates the news that JJ McCarthy was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 10th pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. JJ is now the second Nazareth Academy student-athlete to be drafted into the National Football League. In celebrating this achievement, President Deborah Tracy said, “JJ McCarthy is an outstanding young man. Equal to his football talent is the maturity, respect and kindness he consistently extended throughout his time at Nazareth. I am proud to watch his career develop and to see the positive ways he continues to represent himself, his family and Nazareth Academy. We are proud to call him our own.”

JJ entered Nazareth Academy in the fall of 2017 as a member of the Class of 2021. He played Football all three years of his Nazareth career, leading the Roadrunners to the State Finals in 2018 and 2019, including an IHSA Class 7A State Title in 2018 and a Class 7A State Runner-up finish in 2019. He earned numerous accolades those seasons, including:

2018 Football Season - Chicago Tribune/Suburban Life Athlete of the Month, ESCC All Conference - Quarterback, IHSFCA Class 7A Academic All State, Chicago Sun-Times All Area, MaxPreps All American, Rivals All State Selection, U.S. Army-All American Combine Invite

2019 Football Season - ESCC/CCL Orange Division All-Conference, ESCC/CCL Orange Division Overall MVP + Player of the Year, IHSFCA Academic All State, IHSFCA Class 7A All State, Gatorade Player of the Year Finalist, Daily Gazette Illinois Player of the Year, Daily Gazette 1st Team All State, Chicago Sun Times All Area 1st Team. Chicago Bears Player of the Week, Country Companies Athlete of the Month, U.S. Army-All American Combine Invite, Rivals Five Star Challenge Selection, Pro Football Hall of Fame “Top 50” Selection

Beyond Football, JJ was a strong student, taking honors courses and consistently achieving Honor Roll recognition. He participated in the larger life of the school through his service to the community, including volunteering as a “buddy” for Nazareth’s FISH Prom for Teens with Disabilities.

When the Covid pandemic led to the cancellation of the fall 2020 Football season in Illinois, JJ transferred to IMG Academy in Florida where he earned a 2021 Under Armour All American Game Invite. He attended college at the University of Michigan, earning an NCAA National Championship in 2024, after which he declared for the NFL Draft.

“JJ McCarthy is an elite athlete on the field and an equally elite young man off of the field. All of his football accolades have been a result of his intense preparation and uncommon work ethic,” said Nazareth Head Football Coach Tim Racki. “What truly separates JJ is his ability to connect with and lead his teammates. His selflessness, grit and team-first attitude influenced the entire football program during his tenure at Nazareth. Off of the field JJ was a model student-athlete. He excelled in the classroom and treated all of his classmates with respect and kindness. JJ’s positive influence and legacy will forever be embedded within the Nazareth Football program.”

Principal Therese Hawkins added, “JJ is a young man of exceptional character and talent. During his years at Nazareth Academy, he embraced our school pillars of Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity. It was a joy to watch him play at the University of Michigan and I look forward to watching him in the NFL. He will always be part of the Nazareth family.”

Nazareth Academy is proud to recognize students who have earned academic recognition at the state and national level.* Congratulations on this recognition of Nazareth’s Pillar of Scholarship.

National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Scholars

34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers among students who took the 2022 PSAT/NMSQT.
Congratulations Scott Creviston, Andrew Fowler, Francesca De Fina Hillman and John Ryan Nelson

College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars

Students achieve this honor based on their remarkable academic achievements, maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT and/or AP Exams. Students must list their race and ethnicity as Hispanic American or Latinx on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10 or AP answer sheet to be considered for the program. Congratulations to:
Class of 2024: Nayeli Munoz, Nathaniel Rios and Diego Trejo
Class of 2025: Isabel Cervantes, Isabela Flores and Victoria Gonzalez

Illinois State Scholars

Principal Therese Hawkins is pleased to announce that 41 Nazareth seniors have been recognized as 2024 Illinois State Scholars. “These students are true models of our Pillar of Scholarship and demonstrate extraordinary character inside and outside the classroom. We congratulate them and their parents on this wonderful achievement.” Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors from high schools across the state based on a combination of exemplary ACT scores and class rank. Nazareth Academy congratulates the following students on this outstanding academic achievement:

Gabrielle Acosta, Layden Almer, Charles Austin, Olivia Austin, Ava Bucur, Cormick Byczek, Robert Capiak, Ava Coghill, Scott Creviston, Daniel D’Andrea, Kevin Dalton, Ryan de Jonge, Joseph Drda, June Foley, Andrew Fowler, Matea Hewitt, Francesca De Fina Hillman, John P. Hughes, Kacey Hughes, Salvatore Imbarrato, Grace Jania, Claire Layden, Sara Mazur, Hannah McCarthy, Jane McNamara, Audrey Moster, Faith Mouw, Nayeli Munoz, Neeve Olson, Kevin Prosen, Colleen Ramicone, Stefanie Rodriguez, Samantha Rozmus, Soleil Salgado, Leah Sautkus, Colin Schaeffer, Evelyn Siffermann, Diego Trejo, Gustavo Villasenor, Nicolette Weiss, Alexander Wutzke

AP Recognition

In May, 2023, 191 Nazareth students took 252 AP exams in 12 different areas. Thirty-seven of those students earned Advanced Placement Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement. Recognition includes students who graduated with the Class of 2023 as well as current seniors who will have another opportunity for recognition in 2024..

AP Scholars with Distinction

Earn an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
Class of 2023: Maribel Crespo, Noah Guzman, Sophie Hynes, Frank Schlehofer, Patrick Titzer
Class of 2024: Scott Creviston

AP Scholars with Honors

Earn an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
Class of 2023: Amber Constante, Gabriella Estrada, Colette Kinsella, Elizabeth Selove, Alexander Soto, Vincent Valera de Barrett
class of 2024: Daniel D’Andrea, Jane McNamara, Neeve Olson, Samantha Rozmus, Alexander Wutzke

AP Scholars

Complete three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher.
Class of 2023: Ryan Clifford, Margaret King, Molly McNamara, Kelsey Smith Class of 2024: Layden Almer, Olivia Austin, Robert Capiak, Joseph Drda, June Foley, Andrew Fowler, Hannah Hesser, Kacey Hughes, Hannah McCarthy, Audrey Moster, Ryan Nelson, Stefanie Rodriguez, Evelyn Siffermann, Diego Trejo, Nikolette Weiss

AP School Honor Roll

Nazareth Academy is pleased to announce being named to the College Board’s 2022-2023 AP® School Honor Roll. The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. In 2023, 191 Nazareth students took 252 AP exams in 12 different subject areas. Nazareth Academy is proud to be recognized as a school committed to offering robust and equitable access to AP courses.

National Support Music Award

Bravo! Nazareth Academy has been nationally recognized by the NAMM Foundation with a SupportMusic Merit Award. We are one of only 13 Illinois schools to receive this distinction and the only Catholic high school selected. The award recognizes our commitment to ensuring music learning opportunities are available for every student and providing an example for other communities to follow. A big round of applause for our students, teachers, administrators and families.

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Congratulations Naz Artists! Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are the country’s longest-running and most prestigious competition. Art educators from around the country submit their students’ best and most creative work. From that pool, 5 Nazareth students have been recognized as artists who excel in their field:

Kevin Prosen ‘24 - Silver Key
Gianna Ramirez ‘24 - Silver Key Digital Art (Book Jacket)
Valentina Marijan ‘25 - Honorable Mention
Juliet Olson ‘25 - Gold Key Digital Art (Lily)
Margaret Anos ’25 - Honorable Mention Mixed Media (The Robotic Woman)

U.S. History Honors Students Excel at History Fair

After the Chicago Metro History Day in March, two U.S. History Honors projects were honored. Evelyn Rosenberg's "The Neo-Nazi March that Shook Chicago" won the Josephine Baskin Minow Award of Excellence. "Women in the Workforce," presented by Margaret Anos and Deirdre May was selected to advance to the state competition on April 24 at the Bank of Springfield Convention Center in Springfield.

Math Team to State

Nazareth’s Math Team continued its streak of sending students to the State Competition! The following students represented Nazareth at Illinois State University on April 6.

Jack O’Gorman ‘27 - individual Algebra 1 and frosh-soph team
Roxanne Stasch ‘26 - individual Geometry and frosh-soph team
Erin Briars '25 - individual Algebra 2
Sean Parkes ‘25 - individual Algebra 2
Liam Smith ‘25 - individual Algebra 2


*This page will be updated as honors and recognition are announced.

Nazareth Academy is committed to academic and athletic excellence while integrating learning and competition with Christian values and faith. We are proud of our growing legacy of success in the postseason at state levels, including Regional, Sectional and State Titles for teams and individual student-athletes.

The Roadrunners had much to celebrate in 2022-23, including State Championships for Football, Girls Basketball and Baseball. Roadrunners earned 4 individual State medals in Girls Cross Country, Wrestling, Boys Diving and Girls Track & Field.
We look forward to continued postseason success in 2023-2024.*

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Congratulations to our Girls Basketball team who finished the 2023-24 season as IHSA Class 4A State Runners Up. While this was their first season competing in 4A, it was their third consecutive State Finals appearance (and 5th since 2018). These young women and their coaches are wonderful examples of our Four Pillars and have created a magnificent legacy at Nazareth. We are so proud of them.

 

DIVING

Huge congratulations to Naz Diver Cooper Kosanovich ‘25, who won the IHSA Sectional Championship on February 17, to 3-peat as a Diving State Qualifier. This was the first Sectional Championship for Nazareth Academy in Boy’s Diving and a high score for Cooper and Naz. At the IHSA State Swimming and Diving Finals on February 23 & 24, Cooper successfully finished all 11 1-Meter dives to finish as the State Runner-Up, an amazing jump from his 2023 7th Place finish. Nazareth congratulates Cooper for representing us so well and a shout out to all of the fans who showed up to cheer him on.

 

WRESTLING

Congratulations to our Wrestling State Qualifiers. Charlie Dvorak (113), Drew Fowler (150) and Alek Ramos (106) all finished 4th at Sectionals to earn a chance at the State Meet in Champaign. This is a return trip for Charlie and Drew who both qualified in 2023 as well. The Class 1A IHSA State Finals will take place February 15-17 at State Farm Center in Champaign. We send our student-athletes off with our best wishes and an enthusiastic GO NAZ!

 

COMPETITIVE DANCE

Nazareth Academy’s Varsity Competitive Dance Team made program history by finishing the season in the IHSA Class 1A Top Ten in State. This season also saw them with their first ever Sectional Championship and advance to the second day of competition in the State Finals for the first time. This is the third consecutive year the program has qualified for State. “Led by an alumni coaching staff, this program has continued to grow and flourish, continuing to exceed their own high expectations each year,” said Principal Therese Hawkins. Congratulations to all of the student-athletes, coaches and families on this amazing accomplishment.

 

FOOTBALL

Back-to-Back State Champions! On Saturday, November 25, Nazareth Football came from behind to defend their 5A State Title against JCA at Hancock Stadium at ISU. This program has already created an amazing legacy which grows with their 5th State Title! We congratulate the players and coaching staff for their tenacity, work-ethic and sportsmanship. And we thank our entire Naz Family, including parents, Athletic Trainers, Freddie Fanatics, Cheer, Poms, Band and ColorGuard. What an incredible season.

 

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

The legacy of success for Girls Cross Country continued with the 2023 team as they qualified for IHSA 2A State competition for the fifth consecutive year. At the State Meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria on Saturday, November 4, the team of Sophia Towne, Allie O’Halloran, Jane McNamara, Julia Parkes, Hannah McCarthy, Sarah Owen and Ashley Kenna tied for 13th place. The team employed an impressive 1 – 5 split of 33 seconds. Owen and Kenna each defeated the 6th place runner from Champaign to break the tie and secure the lucky spot. Mathematically it marks the top finish in school history! A special shout out to Coaches Wejman and Gonzalez and the entire Girls Cross Country Program!

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Daniel Lewis ‘26 qualified as an individual runner for the IHSA Class 2A State race, the program’s first State qualification since 2018. Daniel is the first sophomore from Nazareth Boys Cross Country to qualify for State. In a fast race, Daniel recorded the 3rd fastest time in program history and now holds the record for fastest race by a sophomore. Out of 51 sophomores in the race, Daniel finished in the upper half of this competitive field by finishing in 25th amongst his age group.

 

GIRLS TENNIS

Congratulations to Girls’ Varsity Tennis who had a strong showing at Sectionals on October 13. Doubles pair Claire Witte ‘24 and Matea Hewitt ‘24 and singles player Margaret Anos ‘25 all finished in the top 8. Special congratulations to the State-bound players: seniors Layden Almer, Audrey Moster and freshman Elaine McNamara. Doubles pair Layden Almer and Audrey Moster finished in 3rd place at Sectionals, securing their spot at State for the second year in a row. Singles player Elaine McNamara finished in 4th place and will make her State debut. The State Tournament begins Thursday, October 19.

 

GIRLS GOLF

On Monday, October 2, Girls Golf won the program’s first IHSA Class 1A Sectional Title and qualified for State Competition. This is the second consecutive team qualification for the State Tournament. Congratulations to Anna Bukovac, Kacey Hughes, Claire Krema, Gianina Montoro, Caitlin Sullivan and Maryssa Zielinski.

At the IHSA Class 1A State Tournament on October 6 & 7 at Red Tail Run Golf Course, the Roadrunners battled the elements for a best-ever Naz finish, 7th Place in State. Way to make history Girls Golf.


*This page will be updated regularly throughout the year.