NILES, Illinois — The Northridge community gathered to celebrate eight Knight athletes who have committed to continue their athletic careers at the college level during the school's high school awards ceremony.
Athletes from the Knights baseball, basketball, cross country and track & field programs will represent the Knights at the next level.
Ben Hunt, a four-year member of the Knights varsity baseball team, committed to continue his career at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Named the 2023 ISL Pitcher of the Year, Hunt has struck out 29 batters over 25.0 IP this season. "Ben is a student of the pitching craft," his father and head coach Pat Hunt said. "The Yellowjackets are gaining a player always open to learning and one with great upside."
Connor Lolli, a three-year varsity baseball team member, will play his college ball at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Leading the Knights offense with a .486 BA in conference play, Lolli should be in line for his first all-conference selection in 2024. "Franciscan is getting a player that puts others before himself and will do whatever it takes to achieve his potential," Coach Hunt said.
TJ Gorman committed to continue his basketball career at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. One of the Knights' hardest workers in recent years, Gorman was a two-time all-conference forward for Northridge.
Joining Gorman in Minnesota will be fellow team captain Javi Christoffel, who also committed to suit up for Saint Mary's next season. Christoffel, also a multiple time all-conference forward for Northridge, improved each of his years in the program and will begin his collegiate career with more room to grow. This marks the first time in Knights program history that two classmates will begin their college careers together.
Knights athletic director and head varsity basketball coach weighted in on Gorman's and Christoffel's decisions.
"I am thrilled by TJ's and Javi's decisions to continue their educations and basketball careers at Saint Mary's in Minnesota," Rey said. "They have been close friends since elementary school so their desire to continue as teammates in college comes as no surprise. I'm also happy for Coach Fano, the coach at Saint Mary's. TJ and Javi were key contributors to the championship success our basketball program has enjoyed during their tenure as varsity players. They're both very hard workers and hard-nosed competitors. They're also team players of the highest order and have always sacrificed personal glory for the good of the team. I think they will fit nicely into Coach Fano's program. I'm excited for TJ and Javi and eager to follow their careers."
CJ Pronek committed to continue his running career in the city with the cross country program at North Park University in Chicago. CJ owns a top 20 fastest 3-mile time in Northridge history.
Brady Kataoka will continue his cross country and track & field career at the Division I level with the University of Illinois-Chicago. Brady joins the Flames after a decorated high school career, capped off by an impressive 17th place finish at State cross country this past fall.
Brennan McNamara, also of the Knights cross country and track & field programs, will compete at the collegiate level at the University of Dallas. McNamara recently qualified for State in the two-mile distance.
Finally, John Heyden, another one of Northridge's impressive track & field athletes, will take his talents to Michigan and continue his athletic career at Hillsdale College. A shot put and discus specialist, Heyden recently qualified for State in both events. He is the Knights program record-holder for each respective event, as well.
The Northridge community is incredibly proud of these young men and cannot wait to see what they all accomplish while representing the maroon and gold at the next level.
