The ESPYS are annual awards, sponsored by ESPN, presented to the most deserving teams and or individuals throughout the world of professional sports. The basis of the awards vary greatly, from MVP of their respective sports, to the more intangible qualities like the Jimmy V Award for Perserverence. Due to the success of all of Nazareth’s fall sports teams this past season, the NazPYS were born. Coaches were asked to select a recipient for the following awards. They selected players that they felt not only embodied the qualifications of their respective awards but also the Nazareth traditions of scholarship, service, spirit and unity.

The awards are as follows:

Best Moment- presented to the moment/play or series of moments/plays adjudged to be the most remarkable, compelling or entertaining of the season.

Best Upset- presented to the individual or team adjudged to have completed the best, most impressive, or most significant upset in a given year.

Best Comeback Athlete- presented to the athlete adjudged to have made the most significant or impressive comeback from illness, injury, hardship or any other type of roadblock.

Best Leader- presented to the player who always lead the team by example, on and off the field.

Best Breakthrough Athlete- presented to the individual adjudged to have made the best or most significant breakthrough or improvement in his/her sport.

Boys Soccer: Coached by Mr. Doug Hunt

Best Comeback Athlete: Senior Patrick Murphy
After missing his junior season due to a severe ankle injury, Pat Murphy returned stronger than ever for his final season at Nazareth. Despite all the rehabilitation and adjustments that Pat had to make, he always kept a positive outlook and refused to let anything hold him back. Coach Hunt has said of Pat, “I always admire an athlete who does not let a setback keep him down; not only coming back but becoming a contributor.”

Breakthrough Athlete: Junior Chris Tovar
With 75% of the varsity offense graduating last May, the soccer program was left to fill that huge void. That is when Junior, and returning starter Chris Tovar stepped up. He gave it his all scoring 26 goals and notching 9 assists, not to mention his several hat tricks and game winning goals.

Football: Coached by Mr. Tim Racki
Best Comeback Athlete: Senior Tommy Gray
Tommy Gray might have impressed the Nazareth football fans, but he astounded the doctors as well. He fractured a bone just above the ankle during week two of the season. He returned week 7, healed and ready to play just five weeks after sustaining his injury. This left the doctors amazed, as they had never seen an injury of that caliber heal so quickly.

Best Breakthrough Athlete: Freshman Chris Simmons
It was the first time in Coach Racki’s twenty one years of coaching that a Freshman made the regular season varsity roster. Not only did Chris make varsity, but he contributed and lettered as well.

Boys Golf: Coached by Mr. Mike Morris

Best Moment: IHSA State Tournament
The team was led by seniors Jay Karas, Bob Lively, Joe Mara, Dan Saladino, Ian Smith and freshman Matthew Clark on the first day of state tournament play. At the end of day one, the Roadrunners were just 4 shots out of first place. Unfortunately, the second and final day of the tournament was rained out and the Roadrunners brought home fifth place.

Girls Cross Country: Coached by Mr. Joe Weijman

Best Moment: The best upset, and therefore moment of the season was beating Benet to claim the Frosh/Soph Conference Championship Title.

Breakthrough Athlete: Freshman Gianna Lovato
Qualifying for the state cross country meet is an enormous accomplishment for runners of any year. The fact that Gianna Lovato did so as just a Freshman makes it that much more impressive.

Boys Cross Country: Coached by Mr. Kevin Milos

Best Moment: The IHSA Regional team was comprised of mostly underclassmen and they certainly made Nazareth proud. Each runner ran a personal best, allowing Nazareth a spot at the IHSA Sectional. The seasons hard work paid off when the team claimed fourth place at Sectionals the following week.

Best Upset: At the Pre-ESCC meet, the Frosh/Soph team took fourth, which helped to build confidence going into the actual ESCC meet. There they beat out St. Viator by four points, to take third place.

Best Comeback Athlete: Junior Ethan Flanagan
Second year runner Ethan Flanagan turned heads this year, and became one of Varsity’s faster members. He proved himself by overcoming all of the injuries that plagued his Sophomore season.

Best Newcomer: Senior Eddie Ashe
Inundated by schoolwork and other activities, Eddie did not run his first three years at Nazareth. This made his season that much more special. Despite not running before, Eddie continuously ran personal bests and made the post-season roster because of his excellent times.

Best Leader(s): Senior Mitch Rubino and Sophomore Austin Brown
These two members define ‘leading by example’. They never miss a practice and are constantly giving 100%, pushing themselves and their teammates, and helping to set the tone for each day.

Best Breakthrough Athlete(s): Sophomore Bobby Schneider and Senior Mitch Rubino
To finish his season, Bobby broke into the seventeen minutes for a three mile race and ran a personal best at the IHSA Sectional. As Mr. Milos put it, “HE DID IT.” Mitchell capped off his high school cross country career by running his personal best for a three mile race. Mitch is the first Naz student to ever compete in the IHSA Regional all four years.

Girls Volleyball: Coached by Mr. Wayne Saunders

Best Leader- As a returning varsity member, Emily Milligan led by example. Day in and day out, she brought a positive attitude and an unbeatable work ethic. Emily is proof that with hard work, comes success.

Best Moment- Some would say that the best moment of the season came when the girls captured the Regional title. Although, this could be easily argued. After two long days of play, the girls prevailed and were able to go home satisfied, knowing they got the win at the Bradley-Bourbonnais Tournament. However, they were not going home just yet. Frantically, the girls primped for the Homecoming dance and eventually made it to Naz in time to dance the night away

The NazPYS: Part 2 to come this winter…