3A Champions Bring the Trophy Home!
Barb Dawson • March 20, 2025
Congratulations to our Girls Basketball State Champions!
Montini Catholic Girls Varsity Basketball celebrated their 5th IHSA State Championship (March 8th) with their classmates on Wednesday, March 12th at a 'celebration rally' held in their honor. The 2025 Montini Broncos came out extremely strong this season while facing tough opponents and having one of the most difficult schedules in the state according to Coach Shannon (Herold) Spanos '99 - starting their season competing in the Willowbrook Thanksgiving Tournament and celebrating a 3rd Place finish in the GCAC Conference. The team recognized three All-Conference selections, seniors Peyton Farrell, Lily Spanos and Nikki Kerstein.
In their road to the final four, the girls continued their command by winning the Regional title for the 21st year in a row by defeating Elmwood Park. They went on to win the Sectional title, defeating Trinity High School and Depaul Prep and grabbed the Super sectional game by six points against Grayslake Central. Montini then headed to Illinois State to participate in the 3A State Finals at Red Bird Arena, capturing the IHSA State championship trophy with a win over St. Ignatius and triumphantly ending their season 27-10 . . . and with a 3A State Championship trophy!
At the rally, fans were treated to a 'State Championship Game recap video' and Coach Spanos recognized each team member, thanking them, their parents and Montini fans for a historic season.
Most Notable Individual Accolades of the 24/25 Season:
The IBCA recognized Nikki Kerstein (IBCA All-State 1 st Team)
Peyton Farrell (IBCA All-State 2 nd Team and Lily Spanos (IBCA All-State Honorable Mention)
Nikki Kerstein reached 2,195 career point this season (1st in program history).
Nikki was nominated for Gatorade Player of the Year and Ms. Illinois Basketball
Academic Accolade: The varsity rostered players have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Image above
- Front row: Kaelyn Zumdahl '28 (Plainfield), Audrey Kinney '25 (Glen Ellyn), Natalie Gartlan '25 (Downers Grove), Nikki Kerstein '25 (Naperville), Lily Spanos '25 (Glen Ellyn), Juliana Neustadt '26 (Lombard), Miley Brunski '26 (Wheaton); Second row: Peggy Pacelli '28 (Downers Grove), Anne Paciga '28 (Villa Park), Ava Lombardi '26 (Lisle), Cedona Barrett '27 (Woodridge), Brooke D'Amico '27 (Lombard), Sophia Maquet '27 (Downers Grove), Lauren Mellish '26 (Downers Grove) and Peyton Farrell '25 (Downers Grove)
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This month, Montini Catholic's Band is celebrating a National Champion (Class A) title in the National Catholic Band Association's national band competition. "We are incredibly proud," said the Lasallian college preparatory high school's Music Director Donnie Glowinski. "This is the first time in school history that Montini Catholic has earned this title." Each year, Catholic high schools from across the country are invited to submit performance recordings to be adjudicated by a panel of expert judges. "This prestigious honor is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of our student musicians. Their commitment to excellence has brought great pride to our school community," added Glowinski. "Every year, we work on becoming better musicians, and every year, the band rises to the challenge. I am so unbelievably proud of the work this group has done this year and everything they have accomplished. I am really looking forward to the future to see what these students will be able to do!" In the summer of 1953 a small group of concerned band directors, led by Director of Bands Robert F. O’Brien, met on the campus of the University of Notre Dame to discuss the Catholic School Band, its particular problems, and what might be done to further its development. Fr. Theodore Hesburgh Notre Dame President, gave the welcome speech. Mr. O’Brien then proposed goals for the organization and the NCBA was born. Today, NCBA's office is located at Villanova University Office of Music Activities. The NCBA recognizes the value of music within the Catholic school community. Their mission is to establish high musical, educational and ethical standards in Catholic schools' band programs. Image Above: Montini Catholic band members front row l to r: Olivia Marin, Kayli Gergen, Maggie Cyze, Miranda Meier, Sarah Gudmundson, Camile Arnold and Abby Milas; Second row: Roberto Williamson, Margaret Palkoner, Chris Reyes, Michael Patacsil, Maddy Aguilar, Lailah Stubblefield, Simon Poulin, Raphael Patacsil, Mason Maldonado, Cristian Alcantara, Kevin Barrett and Andrew Shin; Back row: Colin Murray, Tyler Whitlock, EJ Schicker, Lucas Van Witzenburg and Oghosa Idemudia Not pictured: Julia Gergen and Eric Hu
