Six Lemont High School athletes commit to college sports programs

Six student-athletes from Lemont High School have announced their commitments to compete at the collegiate level starting in Fall 2026. The group includes Judah Heeg (wrestling, California Baptist University), Nora Miller (women’s volleyball, North Central College), Kenzie Purgatorio (softball, University of South Carolina Beaufort), Joey Scott (men’s golf, University of Iowa), Brett Tucker (baseball, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville), and Amanda Vileikis (women’s swimming, Vanderbilt University).

Judah Heeg has earned one varsity letter in wrestling under head coach Egan Berta and will serve as team captain in his senior year. He is the defending IHSA Class 2A State Champion at 190 pounds with a record of 41-3 in his first season at Lemont. He previously wrestled at Stillwater High School in Oklahoma and Simley High School in Minnesota. "Will wrestle for head coach Derek Moore at California Baptist University, an NCAA Division I institution that is located in Riverside, Calif., and is a wrestling-only member of the Big 12 Conference. Now in his fourth year as head coach, Moore led the Lancers to three wins over ranked foes last season and saw his program advance a qualifier to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year."

Nora Miller has been recognized as a two-time all-conference performer and has played three varsity seasons for head coach Chris Zogata. As a libero and defensive specialist, she helped Lemont achieve an overall record of 81-32 across three seasons and win multiple conference titles. "Will play for head coach Ray Gooden at North Central College, an NCAA Division III institution located in Naperville, Ill., and a member of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin. Gooden has led the Cardinals to 39 victories in two seasons, including a 17-9 mark in 2025."

Kenzie Purgatorio contributed as an outfielder during her junior year under head coach Chris Traina. She batted .310 with seven triples during her debut varsity season while helping Lemont win its conference division title. "Will play for head coach Codee Yeske at the University of South Carolina Beaufort, an NCAA Division II institution that is located in Hardeeville, S.C., and is a member of the Peach Belt Conference. Yeske led the Sand Sharks to 29 wins in 2025, the most in her four-year tenure."

Joey Scott earned four varsity letters—one with Justin Weidler and three with Mark Hollatz—and became only the second player from Lemont to compete at four IHSA State Finals events. He holds school records including lowest career nine-hole average. "Will play for head coach Tyler Stith at the University of Iowa, an NCAA Division I institution located in Iowa City, Iowa, and a member of the Big Ten Conference. Stith is in his 12th season, and has led the Hawkeyes to three Big Ten Championship runner-up finishes, as well as five NCAA Regional appearances."

Brett Tucker is a two-year starter at shortstop coached by Brian Storako who will be team captain next season. Over two years he posted a .259 batting average with four home runs while helping Lemont finish as state runner-up once during his tenure. "Will play for head coach Sean Lyons at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, an NCAA Division I institution that is located in Edwardsville, Ill., and is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference. Lyons has led the Cougars to 188 wins in nine seasons, including a 26-28 record in 2025."

Amanda Vileikis swims nationally with FMC Aquatics since eighth grade and holds several age-group records; she competed one high school season for Lemont where she was named MVP as a freshman." Will swim for head coach Jeremy Organ at Vanderbilt University, an NCAA Division I institution that is located in Nashville, Tenn., and is a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Commodores have advanced swimmers to the NCAA Championship each of the last two seasons."

Lemont Township High School serves grades nine through twelve with an enrollment reported at 1,378 students during the 2019–2020 academic year according to Illinois Report Card. Of these students during that period: about one-quarter were seniors; grade eleven had slightly more than any other class (source). The school's demographic makeup included over eighty percent white students along with smaller percentages identifying as Hispanic or Asian (source).

The commitments reflect ongoing participation by Lemont athletes across different sports on both regional high school teams and travel clubs.