Another athletic season has gone by in a flash, and several Cyclone athletes are moving on. Some will graduate, transfer and continue competing in their sport while others will focus more on school at the next level. They've all positively impacted Moraine Valley Athletics and will be missed.

Hannah Markiewicz played on the women's tennis team (No. 1 and No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles) for the last two years. She helped the fall squad win an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and NJCAA Region IV championship before competing May 6-9 at the national tournament in Tyler, Texas. She'll attend the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago and major in aerospace engineering.

"This season, especially, was an incredible experience, and I'm really sad for it to be over so soon, namely our trip to Texas. I wish that could've lasted forever. I'll miss the friends I've made along the way."

"I actually got my acceptance letter to IIT right after I came off the court of my last match in Texas. I'm hoping to use that degree to get into a career with 3D design and making parts for rovers, telescopes, rockets, anything really that could help space exploration."

Gavin Hampton has run cross country the last two years, helping his team earn two consecutive conference championships. He also is one of 10 Moraine Valley runners to earn All-Conference and All-Region honors as well as compete at the national tournament both seasons. He is transferring to Governors State University where he'll run cross country and track while majoring in graphic design, marketing and printing.

"I enjoyed my time running here at Moraine Valley. My experience on the team was a positive one with how coach trained us and the overall dynamic. What I will miss the most is coach and being close to the forest preserves when running."

Gilberto Hernandez played two years of baseball at Moraine Valley either at first base or throwing from the mound. He will graduate and attend Judson University, where he'll continue playing ball. He plans to major in accounting and become a CPA.

"I loved my teammates and coaches, they really added to the experience. I enjoyed my time being at Moraine Valley. I'll miss my teammates and the amount of fun we had."

Jaelyn Donald was an outside hitter for the last two years earning a number of conference and region honors. She helped her 2022 team earn a conference and region title before competing at nationals in November. She has one summer class to complete before transferring to Purdue Northwest University, where she will pursue dance before attempting to compete on the volleyball team. Donald is majoring in sport and fitness administration/management with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.

"Being a student-athlete at Moraine Valley was a little challenging, but it was a good challenge because I pushed myself very hard to succeed at being both an athlete and student. Moraine Valley is by far the best program I have ever experienced in my life. One thing I will miss is definitely meeting new people and interacting with coaches and the whole Athletic Department. They helped me out in ways I cannot even express."

Nikodem Kurzeja is a third-year defensive All-Region player on the men's soccer team. He plans to continue his education and play soccer at a four-year college or university and major in business.

"Being a student-athlete at Moraine Valley was very fun. I enjoyed the last couple of years playing and going to school. I got to meet a lot of new friends and learned a lot about responsibilities and managing time. I will miss going on campus and playing on the fields. I wish my soccer team the best of luck next year."

Natalia Wrobel was the top runner for the cross country team both years and is one of the most accomplished runners ever in the women's cross country program. She helped earn two conference championships, one region championship, was the second fastest runner in the region and an All-Conference and All-Region runner both years, and was 2022 conference Runner of the Year. Wrobel also ran at nationals both seasons, most recently finishing 73rd out of 218 runners. She is attending Loras College, where she'll run cross country and track and field while studying kinesiology.

"My time at Moraine Valley has really guided me to what I want in the present and future. The main thing I'll miss will be my coach, Dimitri Dimizas! He's taught me so much and has become more than a coach to me."

"I dream of being a physical therapist and cross country coach on the side. I want to help people become the best versions of themselves and help them discover their potential in their fitness or mental health."

"Our student-athletes continue to do amazing work at their sport and in the classroom. They truly represent Moraine Valley Athletics and our community very well," said Bill Finn, Moraine Valley Athletics director. "We're very proud of them and know they will move on to great things and achieve a lot of success, as many of our alumni do. We wish them all the best in their future and want them to know Cyclone Athletics is always here for them."

This is only a small sampling of our Cyclones bidding farewell, but Moraine Valley wishes them the best in whatever they pursue. And don't forget, once a Cyclone, always a Cyclone!