UPDATE: Sandburg's Rachel Ruzevich is Patch MVP

Sandburg's Rachel Ruzevich outpolled seven others in voting for Southland Patch's MVP, Dec. 17-23. She is now eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month honors.

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here).

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Joe

7:30 am on Saturday, December 29, 2012

Ron, did you know Rachel is the first Sandburg basketball player to receive a full college basketball scholarship in over 5 years. Rachel signed her letter of intent to play at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Rachel will be playing for Coach Cari Lohr.   more ›

UPDATE: Oak Forest's Nour Salah is Patch MVP

Oak Forest's Nour Salah outpolled 10 others in voting for Southland Patch's MVP, Dec. 10-16. She is now eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month honors.

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here).

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Athlete of the Month: Andrew's Friel Enjoys the Last Laugh

Watch: Andrew freshman Caily Friel recreates her state-finalist performance in the 100-yard breaststroke in a Patch video.

Kelly Matusik created the environment. Caily Friel created the excitement. Friel, an Andrew High School freshman, powered to a 12th-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke event at the IHSA girls state swimming meet. She recorded a season-best and school-record time of 1:06.01 in the prelims on Friday, Nov. 16, at Evanston Township High School. Then, she was clocked in 1:06.31 on Saturday, Nov. 17, while becoming the first Andrew freshman to reach the girls swimming state finals since Olympic silver medalist Christine Magnuson at the turn of the new millennium. Friel is recognized today for her fast work as Southland Patch’s Athlete of the Month for November. She started shaving precious seconds off her time in the 100 breast as soon as …

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John Parli Photography

2:49 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012

Great write-up! Such an amazing achievement by Caily! Well done!!! -John   more ›

UPDATE: Oak Lawn's Brianna Markusic is Patch MVP

Oak Lawn's Brianna Markusic outpolled 10 others in voting for Southland Patch's MVP, Dec. 3-9. She is now eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month honors.

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here).

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LAST CHANCE: Vote for Jubril Adekoya for Patch MVP

Adekoya recently earned Andrew High School records for free throws and rebounds last week. Will that earn him Athlete of the Week? Voting ends at 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6.

UPDATE: Stagg's Paige Pierson is Patch MVP

Stagg cheerleader Paige Pierson outpolled six others in voting for Southland Patch MVP, Nov. 26-Dec. 1. She is now eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month honors.

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here). Jubril Adekoya, Andrew, boys …

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LAST CHANCE: Vote for Andrew's Tiana Karopulos for Patch MVP

The junior guard/forward for the Andrew High School girls basketball team is up for Athlete of the Week. But she can't win unless you vote. Deadline is 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29.

Update: Marian's Abby Kresal is the Patch Athlete of the Week

Kresal, a Marian Catholic sophomore, made it to the state swimming competition in two events, placing 16th in the 100-yard breaststroke and 24th in the 200-yard individual medley in the state preliminary races. 

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here). *Correction: Oak Forest's Katie …

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UPDATE: Lincoln-Way West's Josh Glover is Patch MVP

Lincoln-Way West's Josh Glover outpolled 11 others in voting for Southland Patch's MVP, Nov. 12-18. He is now eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month honors.

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here).

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LAST CHANCE: Vote for Andrew's Caily Friel for Patch MVP

The freshman swimmer won the 100-yard breaststroke event recently at the Sandburg Sectional. Now you can help her win Athlete of the Week. Voting deadline is 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15.