Foreign futbol

Following his arrival to the U.S. in August, Spanish foreign exchange student Guillermo Alonso ‘18 quickly caught the attention of the LT soccer program. With past experience playing on Spanish teams in Madrid, Alonso has incorporated his unique skill set and style of play at the center-midfield position on the junior varsity team.

“I have been playing soccer since I was 7 years old,” Alonso said. “I played on many club soccer teams with friends growing up.”

Encompassed by soccer while growing up in Madrid, Alonso spent much of his time watching and studying the game. Soccer was not only a way to have fun and socialize for him, but also a challenge and a way to escape problems, Alonso said.

“In Spain, the soccer is more than just kicking the ball, it involves knowing all the moves and passes,” Alonso said. “It is very nice to watch the professionals play because you see them doing all the things you train for and also learn things you did not know before.”

The LT team has had a triumphant season with 15 wins, two ties, and two losses. Alonso has been a crucial part of the team’s success, JV Head Coach José Fregoso said.

“Guillermo is one of my most important players on the team,” Fregoso said. “He has great vision, knowledge of the game, and lots of experience from playing on club teams in Madrid.”

For many foreign exchange students, playing a sport for a high school team is becoming more common.

“Coach Paul Labboto and I have coached a lot of exchange students on the JV and varsity soccer program,” Fregoso said. “Many of the kids that come from Europe end up playing soccer here and it’s a great way to get involved and make friends.”

Despite living over 4,000 miles from home, Alonso instantly made friends. His teammates helped him adjust to school and Fregoso, a Spanish teacher, explains American play to him in Spanish.

“He brings a very new perspective to our style of play,” Defender Jeffery Stejskal ‘17 said. “He is very fun to play alongside at practice and in games.”

With his first successful American soccer season under his belt, Alonso will be aspiring towards continuing his studies at LT for the year.

World class hockey player

After being denied the opportunity to play for Western Springs and LFC football, Corinne Lavaty ’20 saw her freshman year as a chance to finally play the game she loves: football.

“I’ve been through a lot this year with my family and I feel like I needed to do something to get myself out of that little groove,” Lavaty said. “I thought I’d try out for football and have a second family I could rely on.”

Although uncommon, the LTHS football program allows anyone the chance to play and compete, ensuring a spot for Lavaty on the freshman B-team for this fall season.

“Throughout my 21 year coaching career, we’ve had a few girls on the freshman level,” freshman B-team Coach Keith Bailey said. “We’re a no-cut sport and embrace all who want to try out. If they have the competitive spirit, they want to work hard, they know the team environment and want to work together, it’s a lot of fun.”

The first day of summer camp everyone receives their own shoulder pads and helmet, a scary and eye-opening experience, Lavaty said.

“I didn’t know how to work anything, I couldn’t memorize plays, and even though I’ve been watching football for years before this, I was still lost,” she said. “Eventually I realized that I don’t care what people think of me. It’s okay if I mess up.”

From that point on, she made it her mission to work harder than ever and prove herself on the field at both the cornerback and receiver position, she said.

“At night, I memorize and go over all my plays and I really work hard and train outside of football,” she said. “I knew if I worked harder, I’d get in a few plays. Eventually I did, but I want to get in more. I love playing.”

Lavaty acknowledged that sometimes determination is not enough and that people are going to judge her no matter what.

“I understand I am the only girl, I understand it’s a man’s sport and I am not trying to offend anybody,” she said. “They can keep hating but it’s as simple as I just don’t have enough time to think about the people who don’t like me. While they’re making fun of me, I’m out there working and practicing hard.”

Passion and effort are never understated in football, Bailey said. Lavaty’s ability to come out everyday and focus on improving is a trait the coaches look for, regardless if they are a boy or a girl.

“She’s an awesome young lady and very respectful. She does what she’s asked to do as far as coaching and she executes her positions to the best of her ability,” Bailey said. “She has a little bit of a tough character in her.”

Regarding whether or not she is planning on trying out for the team next year, Lavaty’s response was short, yet very clear.

“Yes, definitely.”

Runner overcomes impairment

David Kopp ’20 prepares for his first cross country meet against Proviso West on Aug. 30 just as any other runner would. He warms up with a jog and stretches before getting to the starting line, with nervous butterflies filling his stomach. Just as the gun sounds, Kopp focuses on one other thing that sets him apart from his teammates.

“While most people have 20/20 vision, my acuity is 2800, which makes me legally blind,” Kopp said. “I can see a lot of things, just not details further away, such as holes in the ground, flags marking turns and bumps.”

Running alongside Kopp is Tim Hogan, a paraeducator who joined the coaching staff this year to assist David. Although it is against IHSA rules to run the entire race with Kopp, Hogan can be seen every practice next to Kopp, verbally directing him around obstacles.

“Mr. Hogan pops in and out during races. On the straight parts I run by myself and on curvy parts of the course he runs with me,” Kopp said. “He’s a great man with a great personality and without him I probably wouldn’t be able to run with the team.”

David’s work ethic illustrates to his entire team that he is focused on improving, Hogan said.

“It’s incredible to see how much he’s grown,” Hogan said. “David is super hard working and is always willing to go the extra mile. It’s great to have somebody I can run with too and it makes me feel good I am helping him out. I’m glad he has this opportunity.”

Kopp, although facing more challenges than others, never lets his disability get in the way, running sub eight-minute miles. He credits perseverance and the support of the team to his success.

“It’s been really awesome that my teammates and coaches have all helped me and let me be on the team,” Kopp said. “They’re all kind and it’s fun to be there with all of them.”

Kopp’s dedication is evident not only at cross country, but at school as well, Kopp’s teammate Benjamin Mathis ’20 said. Kopp excels in many Honors classes as well as participating in the American Blind Skiing Association (ABSA), golf and other various sports.

“He shows that no matter what happens, you can always get up and do greatness,” Mathis said. “His sense of happiness and adventure is contagious and he never gives up.”

The pressing inspiration throughout his whole cross country season is his love of running, Kopp said. Even with the intimidation of a team consisting of 140 runners, nothing could stop him from doing what he loves.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a disability, you can still play a sport,” Kopp said. “If you love it, just go for it because it will all turn out alright.”

World class hockey player

After lacing up her skates, center forward Emma Jurusik ’18 steps foot onto the ice in September 2016. She is about to play the Chinese women’s national U-19 team alongside her teammates on the Chicago Mission, ranked second in the nation this year. After a long and hard-fought battle, the Mission left the ice victorious, finishing with a score of 4-1.

“It was really cool because we know that those girls are going to be on the Olympic team, and they’re so successful,” Jurusik said. “Being able to come together as a team to beat them was really special.”

Quickly after learning to skate at age 3, Jurusik began playing hockey at age 5. With the influences of her father, who played hockey at Hamilton College and brother Matt Jurusik who now plays for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the choice seemed inevitable. She is now surrounded by players from one of the most competitive teams in the nation and set on playing for Northeastern University in the near future, after verbally committing her sophomore year. Right now, however, the focus is on winning nationals.

“We have the team, we have the skills, we have the depth, we definitely should win this year,” Jurusik said. “It’s a culture of winning at [the Chicago Mission].”

Playing alongside Jurusik at right wing is Katie Cipra ’17. Cipra and Jurusik have played together since age 13 and will both continue their hockey careers at Northeastern. Jurusik’s strength is her ability to balance her offensive and defensive presence, both scoring and covering for teammates, Cipra said.

“She is very aggressive when she needs to be, but she also stays very composed and knows how to control herself,” Cipra said.

The players are aware of their abilities and train five days a week to ensure they remain sharp and continue to improve. Their season this year will consist of a tournament almost every weekend, traveling all around the U.S. and Canada in the hopes of continuing their success. Jurusik and Cipra have never won a national title together, however, The Mission has a history of winning, having been to the final Nationals round nine times over the past 10 years, Jurusik said.

“We all know how good we are, we know how good we can be, but sometimes we don’t always put that out there,” Jurusik said. “When we play weaker competition there’s that room where we think we can slack off. But if we want to be the team that we need to be in April and March, then we need to work and focus now.”