8 North Shore Country Day Seniors Sign To Play College Sports

WINNETKA, IL — Eight graduating seniors from North Shore Country Day who have committed to playing college sports were recognized last week at a ceremony on the campus of the Winnetka private school.

The prospective college athletes — in baseball, golf, soccer, track and cross country — include residents of five North Shore communities.

“Each of you is joining a new team and you'll be making lifelong friends and memories," said Athletic Director Patrick McHugh in opening remarks at the ceremony.

"Embrace this new challenge with enthusiasm, and never forget where you came from,” he said. "And remember, success is not just measured by wins and losses, but also by the impact you make on others, the lessons you learn, and the person you become. So work hard, stay humble and enjoy the journey.”

The following seniors took part in the May 2 signing ceremony:

Daniel Becker, Glenview — Soccer (Hamilton College, Clinton, New York)
Becker started on the varsity team for four years and was the leading scorer on the school's first Class 1A state championship-winning team last year.

Jackson Berner, Glenview — Baseball (University of Chicago)
Berner heads to Hyde Park after establishing himself as the best defensive outfielder in the Independent School League, or ISL, according to school officials.

Aram Dombalagian, Glenview — Baseball (Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota)
Dombalagian is regarded as the ISL's best defensive player and is also a force with a bat.

Smith Flickinger, Winnetka — Soccer (Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York)
Flickinger was captain of the varsity team, notching two goals in the super-sectional game that sprung the title-winning team to last fall's final four.

Max Greenberg Winnick, Evanston — Golf (Hamilton College, Clinton, New York)
Greenberg Winnick represented the NSCD Raiders at the state golf tournament for three years in a row, finishing in 17th place at the recent IHSA Class 1A golf championships.

Owen Keyt, Wilmette — Track and field, cross country (Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, California)
Keyt qualified for state twice in track and once in cross country, captaining both programs.

Trafton O’Brien, Wilmette — Baseball (Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts)
O'Brien, a pitcher and first basemen, is expected to contend for the ISL Player of the Year Award, according to school officials.

Aramis Thai-Garcia, Northbrook — Track and field, cross country (Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California)
Thai-Garcia, a two-time state to run track and field state qualifier and one-time cross country qualfier captained both programs and has shown ability in sprinting and long distance running. School officials said he will take a year off school before heading to college on the West Coast.