Oak Brook President’s Club names Athletes of the Year

Hinsdale Central's Justin Katzovitz was a state qualifier at 220 pounds in wrestling. | Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media

Updated: July 22, 2012 7:52PM

The Oak Book President’s Club has named just-graduated high school students Tessa Bosman of Timothy Christian and Justin Katzovitz of Hinsdale Central as winners of the annual Oak Brook Athletes of the Year.

Bosman participated in cross country, girls basketball and track at Timothy Christian, earning all-conference honors in cross country and girls basketball in the Metro Suburban Conference.

She qualified for the 2011 Class A State meet and placed 86th there. Bosman also was the second-leading scorer and rebounder on Timothy’s 19-8 girls basketball team, averaging 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game.

Katzovitz was a lineman in football at Hinsdale Central and a state-qualifier at 220 pounds in wrestling. He is headed to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Katzovitz considered attending West Point before deciding to make the Air Force Academy his choice.

“I took a tour of West Point during the summer going into my junior year and loved it, but it’s not where I wanted to be,” he said. “The appeal for me of the Air Force Academy is planes. There are so many opportunities around engines and aerospace; I want to build airplanes.”

Katzovitz also is excited about the opportunity for top-notch leadership training at the Air Force Academy.

“I want to be a leader,” he said. “I know the expectations are very high, but I know exactly what I’m getting into.”

The Athlete of the Year awards were initiated in 1974 by Oak Brook founder Paul Butler and have been presented annually since then.

Athletic directors of public and private high schools serving Oak Brook residents are asked to nominate an outstanding senior girl and boy athlete who live in the village and participated in at least one individual or team sport.

Athlete of the Year winners receive certificates of achievement and have their names engraved on a trophy that is on permanent display at the Oak Brook Park District’s Family Center.

The winners were announced at their schools prior to graduation and are scheduled to be recognized again July 3 at the fireworks display at Taste of Oak Brook.

Bosman and Katzovitz follow 2010-2011 Athlete of the Year winners Brianna Borsellino from Montini and Luke Schurbert from Downers Grove North.

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