In a way of talking, it’s good to see Marmion senior Anthony Kuceba really kicking again and having fun with himself.
As he described it to me, it’s his method “to take my foot off the gasoline.”
Kuceba has put collectively fairly a resume at Marmion. It consists of spectacular tutorial, athletic and extracurricular achievements in addition to standout charitable work and repair to his college and group.
It’s why the Chicago Bears just lately named Kuceba their fourth of 9 Neighborhood Excessive Faculty All-Star award winners. The gamers are being honored from March by way of Could for making a constructive influence of their group.
The NFL staff, working together with Athletico Bodily Remedy, additionally introduced a $500 donation to the charitable group of the participant’s selection. For Kuceba, that was Area C of Particular Olympics Illinois.
It’s not shocking to those that know him properly that, even in stepping again, Kuceba stays a younger man on the go.
In his ultimate season of highschool, Kuceba has taken up a brand new sport — lacrosse.
In earlier springs, he competed in volleyball and monitor, all whereas sustaining his predominant concentrate on soccer.
“It’s quite a lot of enjoyable,” Kuceba stated of lacrosse. “Actually, it’s as a result of quite a lot of my buddies are doing it. It permits me to take my foot off the gasoline.
“By that, I imply I don’t must be the very best and push like I do in soccer. It’s like soccer with a stick or hockey on turf or grass.”
Understood.
It’s in all probability not a foul coaching different for soccer, both.
Kuceba performed defensive again on the varsity for 3 seasons and added duties at large receiver and operating again in his ultimate two seasons for the Cadets, incomes all-conference honors these two years.
He’s going to take it to the following degree too.
Kuceba has dedicated to NCAA Division III Washington in St. Louis, which is a member of the CCIW. Loads of his highway video games might be nearer to his Aurora house for his mother and father, Tom and Jennifer, and youthful sister, Mia, than his house video games.
Final season, Kuceba additionally dealt with punting duties for the Cadets and stuffed in as an emergency quarterback for one recreation.
“He simply is a busy, busy man and so multifaceted with a lot vitality and positivity,” Marmion coach Dan Thorpe stated.
Kuceba instantly got here to thoughts earlier this college 12 months when Thorpe acquired an e-mail from the Bears in search of nominations for the award from highschool coaches.
An Illinois State Scholar, Kuceba is the coed council vp and chief of Marmion’s pep membership who will graduate within the high 10% of his class with a 4.55 GPA. He’s additionally concerned within the college’s JROTC, outreach ministry, youth soccer camps and Particular Olympics.
“I’ve executed some form of group service since center college, and my mom has in all probability been the largest affect relating to that,” Kuceba stated. “That and my expertise at Marmion, which has helped me understand and admire the alternatives they provide us.
“I simply love working with Particular Olympics, interacting with these athletes and seeing what they get out of it working with occasions like monitor and area, powerlifting and golf. It’s simply my favourite factor to do.”
Kuceba plans to participate in Washington’s ROTC program, which requires a navy dedication of 4-5 years after commencement. He’s nonetheless unsure if he'll pursue a level in regulation or enterprise.
The jury remains to be out amongst members of the teaching workers whether or not he'll play protection or offense for Washington, which is coming off a 7-4 season that included a 7-2 end within the CCIW behind North Central School and Wheaton.
“I simply wish to play,” Kuceba stated. “I’d want no matter will get me on the sphere as quick as doable.”
Thorpe feels the Washington workers can’t go flawed with Kuceba, who was a captain for the Cadets.
No shock there, huh?
“Anthony’s only a nice staff participant,” Thorpe stated. “He blocks his butt off and he caught the ball each time it was thrown to him.
“His positivity and work ethic are spectacular. It may be raining, however Anthony would be the man who says, ‘We want rain.’”
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