Nine Lemont student-athletes make college commitments

Nine Lemont High School student-athletes have announced their commitments to play collegiately beginning in Fall 2025. They include women’s bowler Claire Young (Aurora University); football players Nevan Bufka (Illinois Wesleyan University), Chase Indestad (Olivet Nazarene University), Chase LeFevers (McKendree University) and Jake Sulzberger (United States Air Force Academy); men’s soccer players Tyler Chrisman (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) and Billy Eliadis (Upper Iowa University); and women’s volleyball players Izabella Kowalczyk (Aurora University) and Sophia Swiderski (Morton College).

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Nevan Bufka – Career Highlights

• Earned three varsity letters, including two playing for head coach Willie Hayes
• Helped Lemont to a composite 23-10 record over three seasons, as well as three South Suburban Conference-Blue Division titles and three IHSA Playoff berths
• Defensive back who totaled 59 tackles, three interceptions, seven pass breakups and one fumble recovery in his career
• Suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener as a senior in 2024
• Lemont went 6-4, captured the SSC Blue, and qualified for the IHSA Class 6A Playoffs
• Moved into the starting line-up as a junior in 2023, earning All-SSC accolades
• Collected a career-high 31 tackles (15 solo) while adding two pass breakups and an interception
• Earned Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Academic All-State honors
• Lemont went 5-5, captured the SSC Blue, and qualified for the IHSA Class 6A Playoffs
• Made his varsity debut as a sophomore in 2022
• Totaled 27 tackles (17 solo), and posted career highs with two interceptions, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery
• Lemont went 12-1, posted a perfect regular season, won the SSC Blue, and reached the IHSA Class 6A Semifinals
• Also lettered in track and field and was an alternate on the team’s 4 x 400 state qualifier in 2023
• High Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Jared Williamson at Illinois Wesleyan University, an NCAA Division III institution that is located in Bloomington, Ill., and is a member of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin. Williamson enters his first season as head coach this fall. The Titans went 5-5 and placed fourth in the CCIW in 2024.

Illinois Wesleyan University Football

Tyler Chrisman – Career Highlights

• Earned four varsity letters playing for head coach Rick Prangen
• Four-year starter in the midfield who helped Lemont to a composite 55-25-17 record, as well as two South Suburban Conference-Blue Division titles, three IHSA Regional crowns, and one state trophy
• Four-time All-SSC honoree who totaled 87 points on 18 goals and a school-record 51 assists over four seasons
• Ranks fourth on Lemont’s career games played list (96) and is tied for second in career starts (94)
• Led the team in assists four straight years and owns two of Lemont’s top five single-season assist totals
• Is Lemont boys’ soccer’s first-ever two-time Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State honoree
• Repeated as an IHSSCA All-State selection as a senior in 2024, and became the program’s second United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest selection
• Earned All-SSC accolades after totaling a career-high 25 points on five goals and a career-best 15 assists
• His assist total ranks third on the program’s single-season list, while his 1954 minutes played are fourth all-time
• Team captain who also picked up all-area honors from the Joliet Herald News and Daily Southtown
• Lemont posted the best season in school history, setting a school record for wins while finishing 23-5-1
• It also won the SSC Blue with its 10-1 league record
• Captured IHSA Regional, IHSA Sectional and IHSA Super-Sectional crowns and earned the program’s first state trophy with a fourth-place finish at the 2024 IHSA Class 2A State Finals
• Was cited with IHSSCA All-State honors for the first time as a junior in 2023
• Totaled 23 points on six goals and 11 assists on his way to All-SSC honors
• Tabbed with all-area accolades from the Joliet Herald News and Daily Southtown
• Lemont went 8-9-4 overall and placed third in the SSC Blue
• Cited with All-SSC honors after posting 21 points on five goals and 11 assists as a sophomore in 2022
• Lemont finished with a 14-4-7 record, was the SSC Blue Runner-Up, and won an IHSA Regional title
• Tabbed as an All-SSC performer as a freshman in 2021
• Scored two goals and dished out 14 assists, which ties for fourth on Lemont’s single-season list
• Lemont posted a 10-7-5 record, won the SSC Blue, and captured an IHSA Regional crown
• Has played club soccer for Galaxy Soccer Club and Sockers FC
• High Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Tony Guinn at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, an NCAA Division III institution that is located in Whitewater, Wis., and is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Guinn has led the Warhawks to four NCAA Tournament appearances in 13 seasons. UW-Whitewater went 10-7-4 and reached the semifinals of the WIAC Tournament last fall.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Men's Soccer

Billy Eliadis – Career Highlights

• Earned two varsity letters playing for head coach Rick Prangen
• Two-year starter in the midfield who helped Lemont to a composite 37-9-8 record, as well as a South Suburban Conference-Blue Division title, two IHSA Regional crowns, and one state trophy
• Totaled 38 points on 16 goals and six assists over two seasons
• Earned All-SSC accolades as a senior in 2024
• Posted career highs with 11 goals, five assists and 27 points, and tied a program record with 28 starts
• Was second on the team in points and tied for second in goals scored
• Lemont posted the best season in school history, setting a school record for wins while finishing 23-5-1
• It also won the SSC Blue with its 10-1 league record
• Captured IHSA Regional, IHSA Sectional and IHSA Super-Sectional crowns and earned the program’s first state trophy with a fourth-place finish at the 2024 IHSA Class 2A State Finals
• Did not play as a junior in 2023
• Made his varsity debut as a sophomore in 2022, totaling 11 points on five goals and an assist
• Lemont finished with a 14-4-7 record, was the SSC Blue Runner-Up, and won an IHSA Regional title
• Plays club soccer for Galaxy Soccer Club
• Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Jason Carlson at Upper Iowa University, an NCAA Division II institution that is located in Fayette, Iowa, and is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Johnson has coached the Peacocks for seven seasons over two stints. Upper Iowa went 2-12-3 last fall.

Upper Iowa University Men's Soccer

Chase Indestad – Career Highlights

• Earned two varsity letters playing for head coach Willie Hayes
• Helped Lemont to a composite 11-10 record over two seasons, as well as two South Suburban Conference-Blue Division titles and two IHSA Playoff berths
• Two-year starter at offensive guard
• Lemont averaged 36.7 points per game in SSC Blue play during his senior year in 2024
• Lemont went 6-4, captured the SSC Blue, and qualified for the IHSA Class 6A Playoffs
• Made his varsity debut as a junior in 2023, as Lemont averaged 36.7 points per game in the SSC Blue
• Lemont went 5-5, captured the SSC Blue, and qualified for the IHSA Class 6A Playoffs
• High Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Avante Mitchell at Olivet Nazarene University, an NAIA institution that is located in Bourbonnais, Ill., and is a member of the Mid-States Football Association. The Tigers went 6-4 in Mitchell’s first season in 2024 and tied for third in the MSFA.

Olivet Nazarene University Football

Izabella Kowalczyk – Career Highlights

• All-conference performer who earned two varsity letters playing for head coach Chris Zogata
• Outside hitter who helped Lemont to a composite 56-19 record in two seasons, as well as two South Suburban Conference-Blue Division titles and an IHSA Regional crown
• Averaged 2.15 kills and 1.51 digs per game over 99 career games
• Totaled 213 kills, 140 digs and 21 blocks during her career
• Cited with All-SSC honors and was an Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State Honorable Mention selection as a senior in 2024
• Led the team with a career-high 202 kills, was third on the team with 140 digs, and added 21 blocks
• Averaged 2.59 kills and 1.79 digs per game
• Tabbed with team’s “Best Hitter” honors and was named to the Metea Valley All-Tourney team
• Named to the IVCA All-Academic Team
• Lemont was 30-8, won both the SSC Blue and an IHSA Regional title, and was an IHSA Sectional Runner-Up
• Appeared in a limited role while making her varsity debut in 2023
• Totaled 11 kills, nine digs and eight blocks
• Lemont went 26-11 and won the SSC Blue with a perfect 13-0 league record
• Cited with American Volleyball Coaches Association First Team Best and Brightest honors
• Plays club volleyball for 1st Alliance Volleyball Club
• High Honor Roll and National Honor Society student
• Will play for head coach James Seitelman at Aurora University, an NCAA Division III institution that is located in Aurora, Ill., and is a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Seitelman has guided the Spartans to 240 wins, six NACC regular-season titles and five NCAA Tourney berths in 12 years. Aurora was 19-13 and the NACC runner-up in 2024.

Aurora University Women's Volleyball

Chase LeFevers – Career Highlights

• Earned three varsity letters, including two playing for head coach Willie Hayes
• Helped Lemont to a composite 23-10 record over three seasons, as well as three South Suburban Conference-Blue Division titles and three IHSA Playoff berths
• Saw significant action on both sides of the ball during his career
• Suffered a season-ending injury in the summer before his senior season in 2024
• Lemont went 6-4, captured the SSC Blue, and qualified for the IHSA Class 6A Playoffs
• Served as a starting wide receiver as a junior in 2023
• Totaled seven receptions for 110 yards (15.7 yards per catch) and a touchdown
• Lemont went 5-5, captured the SSC Blue, and qualified for the IHSA Class 6A Playoffs
• Made his varsity debut as a sophomore in 2022
• Serving as a defensive back, totaled 21 tackles (eight solo), one interception and three pass breakups
• Lemont went 12-1, posted a perfect regular season, won the SSC Blue, and reached the IHSA Class 6A Semifinals
• Also has competed on the track and field team
• Will play for head coach Jason Refjek at McKendree University, an NCAA Division II institution that is located in Lebanon, Ill., and is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Bearcats went 5-6 in Refjek’s first season in 2024 and placed fifth in the GLVC.

McKendree University Football

Jake Sulzberger – Career Highlights

• Earned three varsity letters, including two playing for head coach Willie Hayes
• Helped Lemont to a composite 23-10 record over three seasons, as well as three South Suburban Conference-Blue Division titles and three IHSA Playoff berths
• Three-year starter and two-time all-conference honoree as an offensive tackle
• Cited with Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-State honors as a senior in 2024
• Team captain who was tabbed with team MVP and All-SSC accolades
• Also received all-area mentions from Suburban Life, the Joliet Herald News, and the Daily Southtown, and was a Champaign News-Gazette all-state selection
• Led the team with 106 knockdowns, allowed just one sack, and was not penalized for holding
• Repeated as an IHSFCA Academic All-State honoree
• Lemont went 6-4, captured the SSC Blue, and qualified for the IHSA Class 6A Playoffs
• Earned All-SSC honors as a junior in 2023
• Cited as an IHSFCA Academic All-State selection and was a Suburban Life all-area performer
• Lemont went 5-5, captured the SSC Blue, and qualified for the IHSA Class 6A Playoffs
• Made his varsity debut as a sophomore in 2022
• Lemont went 12-1, posted a perfect regular season, won the SSC Blue, and reached the IHSA Class 6A Semifinals
• Also participated on the school’s baseball and wrestling teams
• High Honor Roll and National Honor Society student
• Will play for head coach Troy Calhoun at the United States Air Force Academy, an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision institution that is located near Colorado Springs, Colo., and is a member of the Mountain West Conference. Over 18 seasons, Calhoun has guided the Falcons to eight bowl wins, as well as the first-ever four-season win streak of nine or more games for a service academy. Air Force was 5-7 in 2024 and won its last four games.

United States Air Force Academy Football

Sophia Swiderski – Career Highlights

• All-conference performer who earned two varsity letters playing for head coach Chris Zogata
• Outside hitter who helped Lemont to a composite 56-19 record in two seasons, as well as two South Suburban Conference-Blue Division titles and an IHSA Regional crown
• Averaged 1.83 kills and 1.11 digs per game over 167 career games
• Totaled 306 kills, 185 digs, 55 service aces and 28 blocks during her career
• Cited with All-SSC honors and was an IllinoisPrepVolleyball.com Special Mention All-State selection as a senior in 2024
• Also earned all-area recognition from the Daily Southtown
• Was third on the team with a career-high 188 kills, second on the team with a career-high 50 service aces, and added 134 digs
• Averaged 2.24 kills, 1.60 digs and 0.60 service aces per game
• Tabbed with the team’s “Best Server” honors, as well as with the inaugural Lemont 16 Award
• Lemont was 30-8, won both the SSC Blue and an IHSA Regional title, and was an IHSA Sectional Runner-Up
• Moved into the starting line-up as a junior in 2023
• Was third on the team with 118 kills, while adding 51 digs and 18 blocks
• Averaged 1.49 kills per game on her way to earning the team’s “Most Improved” award
• Lemont went 26-11 and won the SSC Blue with a perfect 13-0 league record
• Appeared in four games while making her varsity debut in 2022
• Plays club volleyball for Belusa United Volleyball Club
• High Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Steve Dowjotas at Morton College, a National Junior College Athletic Association Division II institution that is located in Cicero, Ill., and is a member of the Skyway Conference. Dowjotas has led the Panthers to 20-win seasons twice in four years. Morton was 14-16 last fall.

Morton College Women's Volleyball

Claire Young – Career Highlights

• Earned four letters bowling for head coach Mark Hollatz
• Led the team in average four straight seasons
• Twice qualified as an individual to compete at the IHSA State Finals
• Earned All-South Suburban Conference-Blue Division honors twice
• Served as a team captain as a senior in 2025
• Placed third individually at the SSC Meet and helped Lemont to a third-place finish in the team standings
• Was eighth individually in IHSA Regional competition, and sixth individually in IHSA Sectional play
• Advanced to the IHSA State Finals for the second straight season
• Posted a career-best state finals finish of 49th after totaling 2,225 pins over 12 games (185.4 average)
• Was named a team captain as a junior in 2024
• Was 11th individually at the SSC Meet as Lemont finished fifth in the team standings
• Was 15th individually in IHSA Regional competition, and ninth individually in IHSA Sectional play
• Made her state finals debut and totaled 2,181 pins over 12 games (181.1 averaged) to tie for 67th
• Earned All-SSC honors as a sophomore in 2023
• Made her varsity debut as a freshman in 2022 and helped the team to a fourth-place finish at the SSC Meet
• High Honor Roll and National Honor Society student
• Will bowl for head coach Rich McElmeel at Aurora University, an NCAA Division III institution that is located in Aurora, Ill., and is a bowling member of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin. McElmeel has coached Aurora for seven seasons. The Spartans were seeded third in the CCIW Tournament this spring and finished as the runner-up.

Aurora University Women's Bowling