Athlete of the Week: Glenbrook North seniors

The Glenbrook North seniors didn’t go out the way they had wanted, but they ended their careers with the Spartans having left their mark and as Pioneer Press Athletes of the Week for Northbrook.

A 5-4 loss in nine innings to sixth-seeded Lake Zurich on May 23 ended the season for 11th-seeded Glenbrook North, which won the CSL North for the third time in four years after going 10-0 in conference play. The Spartans were 16-9 overall entering the postseason.

“We landed in a tough sectional,” coach Jenn Mau said. “We were hoping things would come together, but unfortunately they didn’t.”

For catcher Alena Marovitz and pitcher Jenny McTague, who have played four years on the varsity team, it was the first time the team had failed to win its regional during their tenure.

“It was disappointing, but it’s been a great four years,” McTague said. “And I think the experience it gave the younger players … that will be key going forward (for them).”

Marovitz said it was easier to see the positives in the loss with a little time having passed, including the potential motivation it may have provided the younger players.

“There’s a lot of amazing players who will be able to step in and our fill roles,” she said. “If there’s anything good (out of the loss), it’s that they saw how we were able to hold our own against a good team.”

It’s that type of leadership that McTague and Marovitz, who were captains on this year’s team, have become known for, according to first baseman Stefanie Katsnelson.

“They were just really good role models,” said Katsnelson, Glenbrook North’s third senior. “As captains, they were such great leaders.”

Mau added: “They’ve meant so much. They’ve worked so hard. Jenny and Alena played for four years, and didn’t really want to go out like that. … They’ve shown what this program is all about. They showed the younger kids how much hard work goes into it.”

For the two captains, their softball careers will continue next year. Marovitz will play softball at Amherst College, McTague at Lake Forest College. Katsnelson is headed to Missouri but won’t continue softball.

“I’m going to miss the sense of community (softball gives),” Katsnelson said. “The relationships — I’ll take those with me.”