PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

CUMULATIVE GPA: 4.38

National Honor Society, 1st Honors Honor Roll Every Year, 2021 Math Academic Award

*2022 Illinois ALL State-1st Team Infield

*2022 GCAC-Chicago Catholic Athlete of the Year

*2022 Providence Catholic Most Valuable Player

*2022 Chicago Tribune/ Shaw News ALL Area

*Chicago Tribune Top 25 Softball Player Watchlist

2021 Illinois ALL STATE 3T

2021 All Conference- Chicago Catholic League

2021 Chicago Tribune All Area Honorable Mention

PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC SOFTBALL

Providence Catholic High School Softball

2022 Highlights:

9 Home Runs (2 HR in 1 Game-2 times!)

13 Doubles 52 RBI's

ALL State- 1st Team

Batting Average: .458 Slugging %: .869

2021 Highlights:

Illinois All State Infielder, Chicago Catholic League All Conference Infielder,

Chicago Tribune All Area Honorable Mention

5 Home Runs, 1 Walk Off Home Run, Led team in Doubles (18), Led team in Rbi's (37)

*2020 : Season was Cancelled due to Covid-19

2019 Highlights: 2 Grand Slam Home Runs, 2 Home Runs in 2 innings, 10 Home Runs,

Batting Average: .454 Rbi's: 44

NLI Signing Day Celebration

Gianna Russo of Mokena, Illinois, daughter of Michael and Christina Russo, has been recognized for committing to Abilene Christian University to play softball on athletic and academic scholarship. She plans to major in Business Administration and minor in Human Resources. Russo is a member of Hickory Creek Community Church and a graduate of Heritage Christian School. A member of the honor roll and the National Honor Society, she is also involved in SAVI (Student Augustinian Values Institute), Scholastic Bowl, and has played softball all four years. She has earned several accolades for her skills on the field as a junior, including All-State Infield; Chicago Catholic League All-Conference; and Chicago Tribune’s All-Area Honorable Mention. In addition, Russo has three grand slams; three walk-off home runs; more than 34 home runs total since freshman year; 2021 Ranked Legacy & Legends Top 150 Players, Class of 2022; and an Extra Innings Softball Ranked Top 300 Softball Prospect, Class of 2022. “Providence Catholic has definitely prepared me for college academically. Because of their rigorous academic challenges, I was able to receive the highest academic scholarship offered at Abilene Christian University,” says Russo. “I am blessed and beyond excited to play Division 1 Softball at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas!”

(Taken from the PCHS Website) The Girls Softball Program at Providence Catholic provides an environment where students will learn commitment, passion, pride and trust. We will provide an opportunity for all players to receive quality instruction and to play excellent competition. Our program is based on the core values of Hard Work, Loyalty, Dedication, Unity, Respect, Competitiveness and Passion.

We currently field a JV Team and a Varsity Team. Jay Biesterfeld enters his 16th season as the Head Softball Coach at Providence. The current staff includes Jim Holba (Asst Varsity), Frank Cavallone (Head JV), and Dawn Gura (Asst JV). The goal of our lower level programs is to prepare as many players as possible for a future on the Varsity. It is only through hard work and 100% effort that this can be accomplished.

Providence Girls Softball competes in the very competitive GCAC. We face top teams like Mother McAuley, Montini, Trinity, and others.

Over the past 15 seasons we have had girls go on to play at the collegiate level for many different schools. That list includes the University of Arkansas, DePaul University, Florida Atlantic University, Oklahoma State University, Lewis University, Saint Leo University, Carson-Newman University, Colgate University, Olivet Nazarene, Eastern Illinois, Carthage College, Lawrence University, St Mary's University, Lake Forest College and many others.

Providence Catholic 8 to 18 Softball link

Providence Catholic Softball Twitter link

GCAC Red Conference Champions

2019

Regional Champions

1997, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018

Sectional Champions

2012, 2018

State Appearances

2012, 2018

3rd Place State

2012, 2018

PCHS ACADEMICS & ACTIVITIES

“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

– St. Augustine of Hippo-

Academic Achievements

National Honor Society, Math Academic Award 2021, 1st Honors, Honor Roll Every Semester since Freshman Year

Cumulative GPA: 4.38

Providence Catholic Clubs: Scholastic Bowl (2019), Augustinian Youth Ministry (2019-2020)

Providence Catholic Recognition: Achieved the academic status of High Honors Honor Roll since freshman year. SAVI-Student Augustinian Values Institute Representative (2019-current): I was 1 of 6 students chosen out of the Sophomore class to represent PCHS at a conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma and then use the knowledge to represent & implement the core values of Truth, Unity & Love at Providence Catholic High School. I have been honored to do three "All School Prayers."

Providence Catholic High School Softball: 2019 JV/ Varsity, 2020 Varsity, 2022 Varsity All State 1st team, 2022 Chicago Catholic Athlete of the Year, 2022 All Conference, 2021 Varsity 2021 All State Selection- Infield, 2021 All Conference- Chicago Catholic League, 2021 All Area Honorable Mention-Chicago Tribune

Hickory Creek Youth Group & Volunteer: I am part of Reach Student Ministries Youth Group at Hickory Creek Community Church. In our youth group, we learn about the Bible and do many community outreach activities such as helping the homeless, work at food pantries, help the elderly, general community landscaping, and pack food for hungry children. I also help my Grandpa with the Lions Club and volunteer when he needs me to collect donations, help serve food to the community or help out anywhere they need me.

DAILY PRAYERS at PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC

" Love, Me." Podcast

(My Prayers Recorded for School)

The Providence Catholic community prays together every morning. Students, faculty and staff volunteer to share a personal reflection over the public address system, followed by the recitation of the Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and concluding with the Pledge of Allegiance. We invite you to listen to the prayers offered up by our community and pray with us! (Taken from the PCHS website)