The drive from Oak Lawn to Iowa City takes a little over three hours and covers approximately 220 miles.
But there’s a lot more to it than that for Iowa defensive back and former Richards star Sebastian Castro.
“Playing at Iowa changed my life,” Castro said. “I came in naïve about everything. But I grew up a lot and became a man here.
“I was out here by myself. But I wanted to start at this level and make the NFL and so I stuck it out. If not for Coach (Phil) Parker, (Iowa’s defensive coordinator), I wouldn’t have made it. It was tough coaching and I didn’t want to hear it. But at the end of the day, this is my guy and I really respect him.
“I’ve learned a lot through football and a lot of life lessons. There are a lot of correlations between life and football. There are a lot of great people here and they look out for you. I love this place and it will forever be a second home.”
Castro had a memorable final season for the Hawkeyes (8-5), whose year ended with a 27-24 loss to Missouri in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 in Nashville.
He finished fourth on the team with 57 tackles and had three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry.
“My strength is understanding the game and knowing what it takes to be a good player and use the talents I’ve been blessed with,” Castro said. “I feel like I have more understanding of the game and what it takes to be good.
“There are different areas I need to be aware of and I need those football traits. I’m able to understand the Xs and Os and know what it takes to get it done on the field.”
Castro was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team for the 2024 season by both the coaches and the media. In 2023, he was named All-Big Ten Second Team by the media and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches.
“When I got those awards last year, I felt better,” Castro said. “That doesn’t help my game. It’s nice to be recognized but I try to be a humble kid. … It’s nice to get it, but I can be better. I just like football for what it is.
“It’s a kid’s game. That’s the way I see it. I was really modest and humble when I was younger and I’ve come out of my shell more because I came from a humble family and upbringing.”
— Carroll soccer player Caitlin Fitzsimons was named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin’s Goalkeeper of the Year while also earning a place on the United Soccer Coaches’ All-Region Second Team.
Fitzsimons, who prepped at Mother McAuley, led the CCIW in both goals-against average (0.996) and shutouts (10). In eight CCIW matches this season, the Oak Lawn resident allowed just three goals while posting six shutouts. Fitzsimons, a graduate student, also set the program’s career record for shutouts with 25.