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Athletes Honored as 2025-26 MVPs at Varsity Athletic Awards

Congratulations to these nine exceptional Bronco athletes! 
Montini Catholic proudly recognized its student-athletes for their outstanding achievements, honoring top performers as Most Valuable Players (MVP) during the Lasallian high school’s Varsity Athletic Awards held on May 11th. The celebration highlighted excellence across multiple sports and specifically recognized MVPs for their incredible individual and team accomplishments throughout their seasons.

The Female Fall Sports MVP was presented to senior golfer Ava Mendez.  "This fall, for the second consecutive season and just the second time overall in Montini history, the Bronco Girls Golf team qualified for the IHSA State Sectional," said Athletic Director Brian Casey '20.  "Leading the way for the Broncos was Ava Mendez who is a three-year varsity starter!"  Ava placed in the top ten at invitationals three times and celebrated a fourth place overall finish at the IHSA Regional Championship.  She then placed eighth at the Sectional becoming the second female golfer in Montini Catholic history to qualify for the IHSA State Finals. Ava will be attending Miami of Ohio in the fall, majoring in Speech Pathology.
 
This year, the Male MVP honor was shared by two standout student-athletes - senior Charlie Paciga and junior Israel Abrams.  
 
"Charlie turned in one of the more clutch performances of the school year," said Casey.  "Needing to birdie the 18th hole at the IHSA Sectionals in order to qualify for the State Finals, he did just that sticking his approach shot within five feet - sinking the putt to become our State Qualifier!"  Overall on the 2025-26 season, Paciga had seven top ten finishes including winning both the Marmion Invitational and the Metamora Redbird Invitational, taking first out of 120 golfers.  He also earned Chicago Catholic League (CCL) Player of the Year accolades - becoming the first golfer in Montini history to earn the honor.  Charlie will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall pursuing a career in Finance/Accounting.
 
"In the storied history of Montini Catholic Football, few players have been as physically and statistically dominant than Israel Abrams," said Casey.  "He has set school season records in completions, completion percentage and passing yards!"  With still one season to go, Abrams is already the all-time leader in passing touchdowns and passing yards and is currently 24-0 as the Montini starting quarterback.  On October 3rd Abrams set a new school record throwing for an astounding 600 yards in a game, leading Montini to a thrilling 55-54 victory over Carmel Catholic.  On November 8th, he continued making history as he threw his 56th career touchdown pass, setting the new school career record.  He would go on to throw twelve more over the next three weeks, extending the new school high to 68. During Montini's IHSA State Championship game on November 29th, Israel completed a historic season with 4,072 passing yards - the most in a season by a quarterback in Bronco history.   He was named CCL Green Player of the Year, he earned All-Conference, All-Area and All-State honors helping the Broncos to a second consecutive State Championship this year.  (Montini's 2025 State Championship game victory marked the 24th consecutive win for the team - the longest winning streak in the history of Montini Catholic's Football program.)
 
The Female Winter Sports MVP was awarded to sophomore Abby Milas. "Abby had one heck of a busy schedule this winter both as a Broncette (dancer) and gymnast" said Casey, stating that Abby has proven herself to be a dedicated athlete who can successfully balance and excel in both team and individual sports.  "She constantly moved between practices, meets and competitions, marking an unmatched work ethic."  As a dancer, Abby participated in the highly competitive arena, helping the Broncettes return to the IHSA State Finals where they finished 5th.  In addition, she also made school history representing Montini in Gymnastics, becoming just the second gymnastics student-athlete in school history and became the first to qualify for the IHSA State Finals in the All-Around Competition.
 
Two male athletes were chosen for Male Winter Sports MVP, junior Allen Woo and sophomore Erik Klichurov.  "The dominance of both of these athletes throughout their season made it impossible to select just one," said Casey.  Allen and Erik finished their wrestling seasons with a combined individual record of 115-13.  Both were place winners and finalists at the Cheesehead Invitational earlier in the season. "Despite being 'success factored' up to Class 3A, Woo and Klichurov won the Individual Regional Championship, a Sectional Championship and both were narrowly defeated in the State Championship match, finishing 2nd and earning All State honors.
 
Two females shared MVP accolades for Spring Sports category, sophomore Cameron Fox and senior Miley Brunski.  

“Cameron has simply been a dominant force on the softball diamond,” said Casey. “Whether at the plate or in the circle, she has delivered time and time again for our Broncos.”  This season, through 102 at-bats, Cameron hit .510 with 52 hits​ (4 HR) and 36 RBIs and, even more impressively, struck out just six times. In the circle, she was equally dominant, recording 236 strikeouts to only 29 walks in 140 innings pitched. She posted a 1.9 ERA while holding opponents to a .196 batting average, helping lead the Broncos to a 23-win season which includes a IHSA 3A Regional State Championship. Cameron was named the GCAC Red Athlete of the Year with her record of 19-5 and earned GCAC All-Conference honors. She also received ICA (Illinois Coaches Association) 2nd Team All-State recognition. 
 
Miley celebrates a very successful Bronco Lacrosse career.  "She is the undisputed leader and captain on the field," said Casey. "Miley has scored 93 goals, has 23 assists and tallied 116 points this season.  In total, she has 359 career goals, 152 assists and 511 career points (assists and goals), making her Montini's all-time leader in both career goals and points."*  Brunski has earned All-Conference and All-Sectional honors for all of her four seasons as a Bronco. Miley plans on continuing her lacrosse career at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia this fall while also pursuing a career in Professional Sales and Marketing.
 
Senior Blake Heyer earned the Male Spring Sports MVP honor.  "Blake is the ace of the baseball pitching staff, taking the baseball and shoving every 5th game," said Casey. "Between his size and stature, he is an intimidating force on the mound!"   In his 55.1 innings pitched this season, Blake has struck out 97, nearly two per inning, while only walking twenty-four.  His 2.024 ERA and .940 whip rank near the top in prep pitchers in the Chicagoland area. Heyer finished his senior career 6-3 on the season, earning CCL White Division All Conference accolades as well as the Anthony Lawless Player of the Year recognition.  He played an integral role in helping the Broncos win the Chicago Catholic League White Division title for the first time in five years.  Blake and the Broncos topped off their season earning the IHSA 3A Regional Championship.  Blake will continue his athletic pursuits at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts this fall where he will be majoring in Economics.
 
"Montini Catholic's 2025-26 MVP honorees reflect the depth of talent, leadership, and dedication across Montini Catholic athletics," said Principal Chris Tiritilli.  "From record-setting performances to championship moments, these student-athletes exemplify the commitment, character and excellence that define Bronco pride.  Congratulations go out to all of our most valuable athletes!"

Montini Catholic is a Lasallian college preparatory high school located in Lombard, Illinois (DuPage County).
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