Few high school athletes have the chance to take their game to the collegiate level, so when the opportunity arose, these Antioch teachers took it and ran. They now draw from their previous experiences from college sports to help students be successful. In doing so, the determination, work ethic and leadership skills learned on a college level team have carried into coaching and teaching.

MARNI POLAKOW | University of Nevada—Las Vegas

Marni Polakow is on her tenth year as an Antioch Community High School physical education teacher. When she is not on the weight deck with her physical best classes, she is on the soccer field as the head coach of both girls and boys varsity soccer. Growing up, Polakow learned about life with a soccer ball always at her feet. Polakow attended Stevenson High School where she began getting recruited by many Division I schools for soccer. Accepting a full ride scholarship, Polakow started the next chapter of her life as an outside back for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

“I loved traveling all over the country and internationally to play the sport that I loved more than anything else,” Polakow said.

For Polakow, there was no amount of fitness that could prepare her for the demands of the transition into the college game.

“I expected pre-season to be hard, but it was way harder than anything I had ever done in my life,” Polakow said. “Every practice was a competition for a spot on the field. There were many days when I doubted myself.”

Proving herself, Polakow became a starter for all four years of her career, earning an All-Conference honor as a senior. Since the first day, Polakow had made instant friendships that will last her a lifetime. Today, she continues to inspire kids to work their hardest to accomplish any dream that they have in sports and in life.

CHARLIE TROUT | Monmouth University

Years pass, but memories last forever. Charlie Trout of the social studies department graduated from both Carl Sandburg Community College and Monmouth University where he played basketball and soccer. Trout started soccer his senior year at Monmouth college when he decided to try a new sport.

“I enjoyed playing at the college level because everybody was their high school’s best player so the play quality and speed was much higher,” Trout said.

Trout is currently concluding coaching his 52nd season coaching both girls and boys and soccer; he also spent five years coaching basketball and four coaching track.

TERI KLOBNAK | Eastern Illinois University

P.E. department chair Teri Klobnak came in with her freshman class as a forward walk-on for Eastern Illinois University. While the college level was not what she was used to, college soccer quickly became the best days of her life.

“My freshman year was really hard,” Klobnak said. “There were so many other athletes that were really skilled that I often questioned if I was good enough to play with them. My skill work was not up to the ability of many of them, but I had the work ethic to become better.”

Three out of her four years at Eastern, Klobnak and her team made it to the NCAA tournament as an automatic bid to the top 64 teams in college soccer. Klobnak’s favorite memory was being the conference MVP after making the fifth penalty kick to win it for her team.

MITCHELL MUNDA | University of Wisconsin—Platteville

Mitchell Munda has been welcomed to the Sequoit family this year as he fills new shoes in the Physical Education department. Munda uses his experience as an assistant football coach for the Sequoit varsity football team. Before hanging up the cleats, Munda played football as a Division III wide receiver for the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. College football was a huge change for Munda entering as a freshman.

“Everyone was bigger, faster and stronger than me but I had to play against those upperclassmen everyday,” Munda said. “Unlike high school athletics, no one is pushing you to improve, go to class or workout, everything is up to you.”

One of his greatest accomplishments is becoming a starter for three years as well as helping lead his team to their first playoff win.

“There was so many memories throughout my college sports career, it is hard to narrow it down to one,” Munda said. “I would say just being to able suit up every Saturday afternoon and playing the sport I love with my Platteville teammates that turned into my life-long brothers.”

TERRY DEWING | Ohio University

Head varsity field hockey coach Terry Dewing attended many camps that exposed her to colleges for field hockey. Dewing committed to Ohio University as a sweeper on the defensive line. Coming from a highly successful high school team, the transition into the college game was easy for Dewing.

“My freshman year I was fortunate to earn a starting position and we won the MAC title beating Ball State,” Dewing said.

Playing at such a high level before college helped Dewing to have confidence in herself, which had translated into her game. Winning the MAC title and being fortunate enough to have put her impact in that game will remain her favorite memory from her college experience.

JULIA WIEDA | Northern Illinois University

P.E. and Driver’s Education teacher Julia Wieda tried out for a sport that takes a lot of dedication as well as physical and mental strength. Wieda had a three day tryout that put her at the top 25 out of 50 to become a Northern Illinois University cheerleader.

“Lifting in the morning, typically at 6:00 am, I would then attend my classes for that day, followed by a 3 hour practice later in the evening,” Wieda said. “Thursdays to travel and get to where we needed to be for the football team. During basketball season, we cheered for both men and women home games multiple times per week.”

If Wieda could give any advice, it would be to be ready to work. While collegiate sports are exciting and fun, they are by no means easy. While Wieda’s biggest accomplishment throughout her four years was making it to Nationals in Daytona, her most memorable event was when the NIU football team made the GoDaddy Bowl game.

“We flew out to Mobil, Alabama, where we spent the weekend,” Wieda said. “We spent time working charities and going to events with the football team. We were also in the Mardi Gras parade, and in front of hundreds of people the entire weekend.”

RYAN HLINIAK | University Of Chicago

Ryan Hlinak, of the math department, was a wrestler in the 149 lb weight class at the University of Chicago. Out of season, Hlinak worked hard to keep his fitness up in order to have a smooth transition into the college level.

“Make sure you come into school in the fall in great shape,” Hlinak said. “The learning curve was pretty steep for me, so it really helped that my conditioning was good coming in.”

Senior year, Hlinak became a captain, helping lead his team to qualify for the NCAA tournament by winning the Midwest Regional. Hlinak was a two-time UAA Conference Champion.

“The countless great times with my teammates going to and from meets, staying in hotels and grinding out practice after practice would have to be my favorite memory,” Hlinak said. “To this day, my best friends are the guys I wrestled with in college.”

HILARY O’DONNELL | Valparaiso University

Hilary O’Donnell is new to the Sequoit family and P.E. department this year. Outside of becoming a P.E. teacher, O’Donnell had big dreams that she made a reality when she committed to play Division I softball at Valparaiso University.

“I dedicated so many days, weekends and years of my life to the sport and to be told that I was worthy and capable of playing at the next level was truly amazing,” O’Donnell said. “I am forever grateful and indebted to the game.”

O’Donnell believes that every athlete should take care of their body in preparation for college sports because being able to play at the collegiate level is a once in a lifetime opportunity that has the power to change one’s life forever.

“Love and respect the game that you play and be grateful that someone, somewhere, believed in you,” O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell knew that she was not the best, but she fought every day to prove that she deserved to be on the team and that she belonged.

“You fight for everything you want; nothing is handed to you,” O’Donnell said. “I had many moments when I felt out-played by someone and it gave me the drive to work even harder.”

JAMIE WALTON | Carroll University

Jamie Walton of the P.E. department was a well-rounded athlete at the Division III level. Walton attended Carroll University as a three-sport athlete. In the fall, Walton was an outside hitter for the volleyball team her freshman and sophomore year, followed by golf her junior and senior year. In the fall, Walton was an outfielder and catcher for Carroll’s Women’s Softball team.

“I am a firm believer in being a multi-sport athlete in high school,” Walton said. “So many athletes specialize in one sport these days and I think playing multiple sports has more benefits. By the time I graduated high school I was the only female athlete that played three sports all four years of high school.”

Walton felt very prepared for the transition into the collegiate level of sports. She worked extremely hard in the offseason to prepare for her next sport. To this day, her favorite memories are those that she had made with all of her teammates.

NEIL FARLOW | Benedictine University

Special education teacher Neil Farlow was a tight end and fullback for Benedictine University’s football team. Transitioning into the college game, Farlow found that the speed and complex play book were the most difficult to adjust to.

“Playing sports in college is like a part-time job,” Farlow said. “To make it, you definitely have to love and be dedicated to the sport.”

According to Farlow, his biggest accomplishment was maintaining and graduating with a 3.0 GPA for all four years of college. Farlow has many memories from the playing field, but the ones he has kept close to his heart were those with his teammates.

“What I remember most is the camaraderie with all of my teammates and all of our inside jokes,” Farlow said. “The bonds that are formed on and off the field are something that lasts a lifetime.”

CHAD RUSK | Ball State University

As head of the world languages department, Chad Rusk is on his third year as a Sequoit. Following a very self-appointed recruitment process, Rusk chose to attend Ball State University as a sprinter on the swim team.

“College sports were way better than I could’ve imagined,” Rusk said. “I learned so much about training, management [of time, nutrition, sleep, goals], technique, the importance of cultivating a good team, and gain a ton of self-confidence.”

The transition was rough for the freshman walk-on. Rusk doubted himself frequently due to the fact that he did not swim all year round or have any major training until the collegiate level.

“I stopped making excuses for myself and worked really, really hard,” Rusk said.

Working his way up, Rusk had a successful year as a junior at Ball State. Leading the team as a captain, Rusk became the best sprinter on the team, finishing third in the 50 freestyle at the MAC Championship and making first-team All-Conference and top 75 in Division I 50 freestyle.

Gallery • 9 Photos

JR Johnson

Neil Farlow - Division III Football