Local Soccer and Softball Players Commit to Colleges

Two local high school students recently have made commitments to continue their athletic careers at Midwestern universities.

BRIDGET HILLSMAN
Soccer, St. Louis University
Hometown: Elmhurst
Travel Ball: Elite Soccer Club
High School: Fenwick High School, Oak Park
Playing honors: State Cup Champion (2011); ECNL Nationals Challenge A Group Final Four (2010); Illinois State Cup Semifinalist (2009, 2010); Illinois State Cup Finalist (2008); Illinois ODP State Team (2008, 2009), Region II Camp participant (2008, 2009)

Eclipse Select Soccer Club U-17 midfielder and Elmhurst resident Bridget Hillsman has made a verbal commitment to play for St. Louis University. The Fenwick High School junior will join the Billikens for their 2013 campaign.

"It's a huge relief. I'm so excited," Hillsman said of making the commitment. "I've been looking forward to this since I was really little."

The St. Louis program was in a rebuilding mode this year. But by the time Hillsman joins, it should be a mostly veteran team. This year's Billikens roster featured three seniors and five juniors, and the top two scorers were underclassmen. They finished around the middle of the pack in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

"I'm pretty optimistic," Hillsman said. "I know they have a young team, but looking at how they played throughout the season, they have a lot of freshmen who will be juniors when I get there. It will be a little bit of a different situation."

Hillsman will play for St. Louis head coach Tim Champion, who has been with the program since its inception in 1996.

"I met him and he's a really nice guy," Hillsman said. "I like his coaching style and positive attitude. From what I've seen, their approach depends on the type of game and situation they are facing, but they're very aggressive."

When Hillsman first joined Eclipse Select, she was used to playing primarily forward. But she has taken on a role of outside midfielder and anticipates playing that position when she joins the Billikens.

"My position changed a bit and I've learned to be more versatile," Hillsman said. "I really like outside mid and I'm able to see the field a lot better. I might not score as many goals as I used to, but I've become more of a passing player, getting some assists with through balls."

Hillsman is in her third year with Eclipse Select.

"It's been a great experience," Hillsman said. "I love the club. I love the coaches, and everything they get across is done to motivate you."

She also is part of an accomplished U-17 Elite Clubs National League roster.

"Playing on a team with such a high level of play has been so much fun," Hillsman said. "Our team progressively has gotten better, and that makes this experience even more fun. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this season."

KATELYNN CONENNA
Softball, Indiana University
Hometown: Addison
Travel Ball: DuPage Diamond Dawgs
High School: Immaculate Conception
Playing honors: Conference Player of the Year, three-time Daily Herald All-area Honorable Mention, Pioneer Press all-area team, three-time academic honor roll.

Indiana University Softball Head Coach Michelle Gardner announced the signing of Katelynn Conenna, a student at in Elmhurst, to the 2012 signing class. She will be freshmen for the 2012-13 academic year.
 
“I am thrilled to announce this 2012 signing class for many different reasons,” Gardner said as she prepares to enter her fourth year at Indiana. “One reason being all of our signees have had extensive travel ball experience and have competed against the highest level of competition across the country.  This is a great young group coming in, both academically and athletically, and I'm excited to have them as Hoosiers."

Conenna of Addison plays for Immaculate Conception High School head coach Frank Reaber. She helped ICHS win back-to-back conference championships for the first time in school history and hit .548 as a junior to set the school record. She drove in 37 RBI and was named the Conference Player of the Year. She posted a .535 average at the plate and drove in 47 runs as a sophomore to set a school record. She was named to All-conference Team and was Third Team All-State.

Conenna played her freshman year at Driscoll Catholic High School in Addison before the school was closed following the year. She hit .430 and collected 42 RBI as a freshman, and led Driscoll Catholic to the 2009 IHSA 2A state basketball title.

She also played travel ball for DuPage Diamond Dawgs, where her father, Dominic, was the head coach. The team placed 25th at 2011 ASA Northern Nationals, and finished the 2009 season tied for ninth at USSSA Nationals. She also was named to the All-Tournament team.