SouthtownStar Athletes on Campus: Jessie Marinec earns all-region nod
By Mike Walsh For Sun-Times Media July 13, 2012 8:28PM
Jessie Marinec, Valparaiso softball. | File photo
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Updated: August 17, 2012 6:41AM
Alsip resident Jessie Marinec was one of three Valparaiso University softball players chosen to the 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s All-Midwest Region Team, helping the Crusaders set a new program record for players receiving the honor.
Marinec, a redshirt sophomore, garnered the first All-Region honor of her career after hitting .331 with 44 runs and 23 RBI during the 2012 season. The second baseman tied for third in a single season in Valpo history with her 44 runs.
The Marist graduate also ranks among the Crusaders’ single-season top 10 in hits (58, tied for 5th) and total bases (90, 9th), and also had 16 extra-base hits, including seven home runs.
Defensively, Marinec committed just seven errors on the season while registering 100 assists, good enough for a fifth-place tie in the Horizon League.
Kudos for Kevin
Kevin Bayles, a Homewood-Flossmoor grad, was named one of the winners of the John R. Olson Most Valuable Player Award for Augustana College’s men’s tennis team for the 2012 season.
Bayles, a sophomore, helped the Vikings finish 16-11 overall as he split his time between fifth and sixth singles, concluding the season with a 21-7 record. The Flossmoor resident was just two singles victories shy of the single-season school record of 23.
For his career, Bayles has a 27-11 record.
Conditioned response
Lewis University men’s volleyball player Matt Gallik (Brother Rice) was named a 2012 All-American National Strength and Conditioning Association Athlete of the Year.
The NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year program is in its 33rd season. The honor is given to 225 collegiate and high school athletes in the nation. The award recognizes athletes for their dedication in their training and their work ethic. Gallik was nominated by Brad Leshinske at Athletic Edge Sports Performance.
Gallik helped the Flyers to the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Championship and a trip to the national semifinals. Lewis was 26-7 and finished the season ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Gallik, an Evergreen Park native, was an All-MIVA Second Team selection. He finished his career third in Lewis history in block assists (320) and fourth in total blocks (361). His 11 block assists in the Flyers’ win over Ohio State in the 2012 MIVA championship were a career-high.
