Dion Martorano

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The Conant High School community is honoring one of their own over the next few weeks after Samantha “Sammie” Gadomski, 25, tragically lost her battle with brain cancer Feb. 20. Gadomski played softball at Conant from 2014-17 and she came back to be the JV softball coach at Conant from 2020-23. Sammie Gadomski holding up a regional plaque during her playing career at Conant. Outside of her playing and coaching career at Conant, Gadomski played travel softball for the Illinois Sluggers in Schaum...

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Prospect High School recently announced two head coaching changes for the 2025-26 school year a few months early. The Knights announced Peter King will replace legendary coach Mike Riedy as the boys volleyball head coach after Riedy retires at the conclusion of this year. Prospect also announced Chad Froeschle will be the new girls bowling head coach, replacing Justin Engelking. King, a 2000 Prospect alum, has served as an assistant coach for Riedy since 2015. It isn’t the first time King has c...

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

A small group of highly successful locals have passed away in recent months, including a state champion cheerleader and football player, along with a Hall of Fame football coach and a state champion gymnastics coach. Here’s a look at some of the recent Journal-area losses:Jack “Bug” Cadre (Dec. 4, 2004-Feb. 26, 2025): The 2023 Buffalo Grove alum died unexpectedly Feb. 26 a few months after turning 20 years old. He played varsity football at Buffalo Grove and was a leader during the 2022 season....

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Maine South boys volleyball has competed in the Warren Invite in Gurnee since 2003. They won the invite five times in their first decade competing in the tournament, but they hadn’t won it since 2012. South is back on top after going 5-0 last Friday-Saturday, April 11-12 to win the 22nd annual invite. Journal-area teams had an amazing invite, with all five teams finishing in the top nine out of the 24 competing teams. Maine South went 5-0 to win the title, but Journal-area teams won at least tw...

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Palatine boys water polo head coach Joe Grzybek is celebrating his 20th season as head coach of the Pirates and he added a grand milestone with his 300th career win Friday, April 11. Grzybek took over the program in 2006 after a successful 4-year run by Brigitte Kusevskis (nee Bayster) as head coach (71-31-1 record) and he has coached the program through a lot of highs and lows over the last 20 seasons.