Seven Lemont Student-Athletes Make College Commitments

LEMONT, IL — Seven Lemont High School student-athletes have announced their commitments to compete collegiately beginning in the 2021-22 season. The district said lacrosse player Justin Dian (Seton Hill University), wrestler Apollo Gothard (University of Arkansas-Little Rock), baseball player Austin Murray (Rockhurst University), softball player Kaylee Purgatorio (Lake Forest College), tumbler Alyiah Ward (Georgetown College), and football players David Niemyjski (University of St. Francis) and Al Pontrelli (Eastern Illinois University) will all compete at the collegiate level.

Student information was provided by Lemont High School:

Justin Dian – Career Highlights

• Expected to be a team leader in the upcoming season for head coach Tyler Zaremski
• Has served as a starting midfielder since his freshman season
• Through two varsity seasons, has totaled 130 points on 87 goals and 43 assists, while adding 240 ground balls and 137 face-off wins
• Despite playing just two seasons, already ranks third on the school’s all-time goals scored list
• Also currently the school’s career leader in shooting percentage at .433 (87-201)
• Also a two-year letterwinner as a wide receiver in football, totaling 34 catches for 405 yards and three touchdowns
• Plays travel lacrosse for True Lacrosse, and has six years as a True State Premier player and five seasons as a True National team player
• Participated at the Under Armour Midwest Showcase and the D2 National Showcase
• Twice has played in national championship games, scoring two goals in each contest
• High Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Brian Novotny at Seton Hill University, an NCAA Division II institution that is located in Greensburg, Pennyslvania, and is a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

Apollo Gothard – Career Highlights

• Earned three state medals in as many years for head coach John St. Clair, and is primed for an outstanding fourth season while wrestling for new head coach Erik Murry
• Already ranks among the school’s all-time top 10 in wins, having compiled a 133-11 record
• One of only three Lemont wrestlers to post an undefeated record and win an individual state title in the same season
• Has won three IHSA Sectional titles, as well as two IHSA Regional and two South Suburban Conference crowns
• Helped Lemont to its first IHSA Class 2A Dual Team State Championship as a junior in 2020, which included a victory in the title match against four-time defending state champion Washington
• Won the 220 pound title at the 2020 IHSA Class 2A Individual State Championship, posting a 3-1 victory in overtime in the title match
• Finished his junior year with a 49-0 record, eclipsing his own school record for victories in a season, and won IHSA Regional, IHSA Sectional and SSC titles
• Also has enjoyed an outstanding club wrestling career competing for Izzy Style Wrestling
• Won Illinois Greco-Roman State Championships in 2018 (Cadet 220) and 2019 (Junior 220)
• Won the 2018 Illinois Freestyle State Championship (Cadet 220) and was the state runner-up in 2019 (Junior 220)
• Honor Roll student
• Will wrestle for head coach Neil Erisman at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, an NCAA Division I institution that is located in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is an affiliate member of the Pacific-12 Conference in wrestling.

Austin Murray – Career Highlights

• Expected to start at shortstop for head coach Brian Storako’s team in 2021
• Gap hitter and a speedy runner (6.73 in the 60-yard dash) who should steal plenty of bases
• Made his varsity debut late in his sophomore year in 2019, appearing in five games and picking up his first career hit
• Plays travel baseball for Longshots Baseball
• Starting shortstop for Longshots Baseball Teal, which is ranked No. 6 in the Midwest
• A .303 hitter the last three seasons who has racked up 97 stolen bases
• High Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Gary Burns at Rockhurst University, an NCAA Division II institution that is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

David Niemyjski – Career Highlights

• Has earned one letter playing for head coach Bret Kooi
• Expected to compete for playing time at quarterback in the upcoming season
• Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Joe Curry at the University of St. Francis, an NAIA institution that is located in Joliet, and is a member of the Mid-States Football Association.

Al Pontrelli – Career Highlights

• Hard-hitting linebacker who enters his third season as a starter for head coach Bret Kooi
• Two-time all-conference honoree and an honorable mention all-state performer
• Over two varsity seasons, has totaled 149 tackles (70 solo), 44 tackles-for-loss, 14.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries
• Repeated as an All-South Suburban Conference honoree as a junior in 2019
• Cited as a Class 6A honorable mention all-state honoree by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association, while also earning all-area accolades from the Daily Southtown
• Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Adam Cushing at Eastern Illinois University, an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision institution that is located in Charleston, and is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.

Kaylee Purgatorio – Career Highlights

• Expected to play a key role in the middle infield for head coach Chris Traina in 2021
• Gritty player who excels defensively and holds her own at the plate
• A natural right-handed hitter, she has learned to hit from the left side over the past year and creates problems for opponents with her speed
• Seasoned travel softball player who has played the last two seasons with the Chicago Cheetahs 18U Bowman squad
• Helped the Cheetahs capture the Comeback in Crown Point 18U title earlier this year
• High Honor Roll student
• Will play for head coach Joe Kinsella at Lake Forest College, an NCAA Division III institution that is located in Lake Forest, and is a member of the Midwest Conference.

Alyiah Ward – Career Highlights

• Accomplished tumbler and cheerleader who has been a vital performer on coach Bree Grady’s squad
• Has helped Lemont to three IHSA State Final appearances, including one state championship
• As a junior in 2020, helped Lemont to a sectional title and a fifth-place finish at the IHSA Medium Division State Finals
• Was the lone freshman on the squad in 2018, as Lemont won the sectional title and captured the program’s sixth IHSA Medium Division State Championship
• Won gold in the junior coed division as a member of USA Cheer at the 2019 International Cheer Union World Championships
• Part of the 2017 World Champion Lady Lightning squad
• Twice has been ranked among the top 50 tumblers in the nation
• Two-time National Cheerleaders Association and Summit champion
• Has been a brand athlete for both Flipn Ampd and GK
• Honor Roll student
• Will compete for head coach Michael Edelen at Georgetown College, an NAIA institution that is located in Georgetown, Kentucky, and is a member of the Mid-South Conference.