Faith Christian honors student-athletes at annual award ceremony

Faith Christian Academy wrapped up one of its best athletic seasons in 19 years of FCA sports programming by honoring student-athletes in girls volleyball, co-ed volleyball, track, boys basketball and girls basketball at its end-of-year award ceremony on Tuesday in Geneva.

Faith Christian, which has provided rigorous Christian education for families in the Tri-Cities region since 1982, presented a variety of awards to fourth- through eighth-grade students for their athletic achievements. Earning the Kelly Learned most valuable player award in girls basketball was Anneliese Lockner. Anneliese led the Falcons' girls basketball squad in scoring and rebounding while helping the team to a 9-3 season record, the Falcons' eighth consecutive winning season. The award is named in recognition of Kelly Learned, Faith's girls basketball MVP in 1999 who went on to earn two varsity letters at Wheaton Academy before passing away from leukemia in 2009.

Lauren Caprini earned the hustle award for her standout defensive play, leading the Falcons in steals and defensive deflections. Jessica Smith won the unsung hero award, Nicki Smith was named WWJD award winner for Christ-like character, and Grace Hansen won the most improved player award. Becca Smuk, Samantha Nosewicz, Mackenzie VanDerSnick and Brooke Hermes received participation medals for their outstanding contributions to the team.

Leading Faith Christian's award winners for its first-ever co-ed volleyball team was Jessica Smith, who was named MVP for her standout play as a back-row passer, setter and server. VanDerSnick earned the most improved player award, Osten Lockner won the hustle award, Ben Riner was named rookie of the year, Nicki Smith received the unsung hero award, and Paige Petty earned WWJD honors.

Participation medals went to an enthusiastic group that included co-captain Anna Verhage (whose season unfortunately was cut short early due to injury), Taylor Tinnes (another unfortunate victim of injury), Grace Hansen, Josiah Gartner, Cole Schulze, Ethan Hansen, Mikey Hanley, Julia Turek, Bryce Riner and Rachel Wiedman. The young co-ed squad enjoyed an exciting first season of action, winning four JV matches against primarily seventh-grade boys competition and claiming three victories in varsity matches with mostly eighth-grade boys opponents. The future is bright for this program, which will be co-ed for one more season in 2015 before transitioning to boys volleyball in 2016. Lockner, Ben Riner, Grace Hansen, Petty and VanDerSnick will captain next year's team.

FCA's 2013 girls volleyball season smashed the school's single-season record for wins when the Falcons went 39-8, with the varsity going 24-4 and the JV compiling a 15-4 record. The Falcons finished in seventh place at the Lutheran Sports Association state tournament in Springfield while winning the championship at the Aurora Central Catholic Invitational, tying for first place at the Aurora Christian Tournament and taking third at the St. John Lutheran Tournament in Elgin. 

Highlighting the girls volleyball award winners was Gigi Crescenzo, who earned MVP honors after leading the varsity squad in kills and finishing among the leaders in serving, passing and court coverage. Other award achievers were Caprini for most improved player, Anneliese Lockner for hustle, Ally Will for WWJD, Jessica Smith for unsung hero and Liz Watson for rookie of the year. Participation medals were awarded to a talented group of players who each made important contributions to the team's season: Tinnes, Clara Demaray, Julia Turek, Bethany Nielsen, Petty, Jessica Kohlmeyer, Jess Chiaro, Corrin Schulze, VanDerSnick, Grace Hansen, Rose McCormick, Verhage, Meagan Clemens and Nicki Smith. Schulze and Crescenzo will serve the squad as team captains next season.

The boys and girls track team enjoyed an exciting spring season, highlighted by qualifying five girls for the LSA state meet held May 17 and 18 at Concordia University in River Forest. The five qualifiers were Anneliese Lockner, who reached the finals in the 100 and 200 meters and anchored the 800- and 1,600-meter relays while also qualifying for state in the 400 and 4 by 100; Jessica Smith, who qualified for state in three relays and was a finalist in the 800- and 1,600-meter relays; Gigi Crescenzo, a state qualifier in the 100-meter hurdles, 200 meters and 400-meter relay and a finalist in the 800-meter relay; Hanley, who qualified in three relays and reached the finals in the 800- and 1,600-meter relays; and Kohlmeyer, who qualified for state in two relays and was a finalist in the 1,600-meter relay.

Hanley also made history as the school's first fifth-grade girl to qualify for the LSA state meet. Ben Riner and Osten Lockner set a similar feat as Faith's first fifth-grade boys to reach state last year. The Falcons finished 21st out of 46 teams at state, scoring 19 team points.

Track coach Val Weeks also honored Chris Nosewicz with the team's annual spirit of track and field award for his team-first attitude and commitment to giving his best effort in practices and meets. Participation certificates were awarded to a hard-working crew comprised of Charlie Heredia, Ally Will, Watson, VanDerSnick, Grace Hansen, Ethan Hansen, Ben Riner, Ethan Winkler, Will Gately, Derek Haaf, Bryce Riner, Nosewicz, Michael Heredia and Sam Tiedke.

Faith's boys basketball team earned several awards following a thrilling 12-4 season that included six consecutive victories to close out the 2014 schedule. The Falcons surprised many fans with their wins and competitiveness against primarily 7th- and 8th-grade opponents due to the team's youth; 13 of the Falcons' 15 players were in fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Faith thrived on the court behind a stingy 2-3 zone defense, strong execution of its halfcourt offense and a quick-striking fast break style that yielded numerous layups and easy jump shots.

Participation medals went to a dedicated group of players: Cole Schulze, Henry McGowen, Charlie Heredia, Michael Heredia, Johnny Psyhos, Winkler, Bryce Riner, Haaf, Tiedke and Andrew Conrad. Award winners included Josiah Gartner for rookie of the year, Chris Nosewicz for WWJD, Ethan Hansen for unsung hero, Ben Riner for hustle and most improved player and Greg Betzelos for MVP. Betzelos and Ben Riner will serve as team captains next season, Coach Smith announced.