Andrew Signing Ceremony Has the Feel of a 'Rich' Experience

During a college signing-day ceremony Wednesday morning at Andrew High School, athletic director Rich Piatchek made like a proud parent. He served as emcee and staff photographer for the T-Bolt shindig.

He introduced 12 Andrew standouts who announced plans to continue their academic and athletic careers in college next school year. He snapped photos of the athletes with their coaches and family members.

And he asked principal Robert Nolting to say a few words.

“This IS a great day,” Nolting said. “It’s all about you guys. Congratulations.”

T-Bolt softball standout and three-year starter Katie Christner was the headliner in the group of signees—and not only because of her work on the field. She is top-ranked in her senior class out of 560 students and is a National Merit commended student. She also has logged more than 100 hours of community  service.

“We are thrilled to have Katie Christner join the Wisconsin softball family,” said UW coach Yvette Healy in a news release announcing the Badger recruits. “Katie exemplifies the type of highly motivated, driven, over-achievers that we are building the Wisconsin softball program around.

“She’s a leader on and off the field both for Andrew High School and Jim Abbott’s New Lenox Lightning organization. Her defensive skills at shortstop, speed and athleticism will help us right away.”

The complete list of Andrew signees

Dana Bestwina: Softball, Cornell College.

Maureen Carls: Women’s volleyball, Loyola University.

Katie Christner: Softball, University of Wisconsin.

Gabby D’Oronzo: Softball, Marian University.

Brooke Hofer: Softball, Washington University (St. Louis).

Danielle Hoffman: Women’s tennis, University of St. Francis.

Mark Kane: Baseball, Prairie State Junior College.

Mike Keller: Men’s cross country, Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

Mike Love: Football, Western Illinois University.

Julia Perkins: Women’s Soccer, Purdue University.

Justin Silverman: Baseball, Prairie State Junior College.

Kate Truesdale: Women’s Soccer, Loras College.

The entire ceremony was filmed by Andrew students and posted later on IHSA.TV.