Libertyville’s Hernandez earns honor for Penn State

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Craig Hernandez

Updated: April 2, 2012 1:55AM

MEN’S GYMNASTICS — He’s making an immediate impact.

Libertyville’s Craig Hernandez, a freshman gymnast at Penn State, was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday.

Hernandez, who competed for the Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center, was honored for his standout performance at last weekend’s West Point Open.

He took top honors on pommel horse with a score of 15.650. His score not only tied the Penn State program record, held by 2009 Nissen-Emery Award winner Casey Sandy, but it also stands as the best score in the nation.

Helped out by Hernandez, Penn State has posted the nation’s best score of the season (352.000), and it won the West Point Open for the 14th straight year. The squad also has set a team program record on the pommel horse (59.300).

Corning, Gaebler heading to Mundelein’s Hall of Fame

BASKETBALL — Two ex-stars, Matt Corning and Jake Gaebler, from Mundelein High School will be inducted into the school’s Basketball Hall of Fame on Feb. 12.

Corning is a 2004 graduate. Gaebler is a 2005 grad.

They will be introducted at the Feb. 10 game against Libertyville. A recepion — Come for the Hoops, Stay for the Hoopla — in the cafeteria will follow the game. It will be open to the public.

Nine Eclipse teammates
sign on dotted line

GIRLS SOCCER — Nine players on the Libertyville-based Eclipse Select (Class of 2012) were set to sign national letters of intent on Wednesday.

The list includes Vernon Hills’ Carly Manso (Colorado), Green Oaks’ Kaila Mack (Ball State), Deerfield’s Megan Sky Perna (UW-Milwaukee), Hawthorn Woods’ Lauren Hall (Arkansas), Park Ridge’s Olivia Papparlardo (Colorado), Mokena’s Teig Palmateer (Morehead State), Kelsey Patera (Morehead State), Ashleigh Ellenwood (Arkansas) and Kelsey Zawada (Indiana State).

Krawzak takes over
for Halloran at Carmel

SOCCER — Ray Krawzak has been named varsity boys soccer coach at Carmel Catholic.

The former assistant coach replaces longtime head coach John Halloran, who stepped down to spend more time with his family.

In seven years, Halloran’s teams at Carmel were 96-49-20, with two East Suburban Catholic Conference titles, three IHSA regional titles, one sectional title and one berth in the Round of 16.

Halloran will continue to coach the Corsairs’ varsity girls team this spring.

Krawzak, who teaches biology and chemistry at Carmel, played his high school soccer at one of Carmel’s biggest rivals — St. Viator — and was a member of the 2003 state championship team.

He also played club soccer at the University of Illinois.

Besides being an assistant coach at Carmel, Krawzak’s also coached at St. Viator and logged many years in the Algonquin/Lake in the Hills-based ALITSHA youth soccer program.

Stevenson’s Miller
will play at Air Force

FOOTBALL — Carl Miller, who had an outstanding senior season for Stevenson, will be heading to the Air Force Academy.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound linebacker led the Patriots (9-3) in tackles (169) this fall. He had 5 1/2 sacks and was credited with 21 tackles for loss to go along with three forced fumbles.

And, according to Stevenson head coach Bill McNamara, Matthew Micucci will be a preferred walk-on at Northwestern University. Micucci was incredibly valuable this season for the Patriots. He was a starter at three positions: quarterback, placekicker and punter.

As a kicker, he made six field goals and went 17-for-18 in PAT kicks. He also threw for 1,545 yards. And his punting average was 33.0.

McNamara also announced that senior defensive lineman Michael Kuhn will play his college ball at the Division III level: UW-Oshkosh. Despite missing some games with an injury, Kuhn was in on 78 tackles, including 23 for losses.

Galanopoulos will
play at DePauw

BASEBALL — Stevenson High School senior Stephen Galanopoulos will be playing at the next level.

According to the Prep Baseball Report, the Buffalo Grove native has committed to DePauw University.

Galanopoulos, a catcher/third baseman, had a solid junior season for the Patriots. He hit .380 with four extra basehits and 13 RBI. He also possesses a good batting eye. He drew 16 walks.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Galanopoulos plays his club ball with the Northern Knights.

Chavez, Gooden set to
sign letters of intent

Two Lake Forest Academy soccer players will be signing national letters of intent next week.

Manny Chavez, who plays central midfielder, will take his game to University of Illinois-Chicago.

Jourdain Gooden, a Florida native, will play his college socceer at Florida Gulf Coast.

Chavez is ranked No. 4 in the Midwest by TopDrawersoccer.com. He played his club ball with the Chicago Fire.

Gooden, who played for Chicago Fire Juniors, is listed No. 16 in the Florida region.