Cervantes “Catches” On At Illinois
Former Sandwich Baseball Star To Play For Fighting Illini This Spring
By Bill Lidinsky
Northern Illinois Sports Beat Contributor
After graduating from Sandwich High School in 2008, Matt Cervantes didn’t want his
athletic career to end.
As an Interstate Eight All-Conference wrestler and baseball player during his senior
season, he always felt he could compete at the collegiate level. But never in his wildest
dreams back in 2008 did Cervantes think that he’d be playing Division I college baseball
less than two years later.
Recently however, this became a reality for Cervantes as he walked on during tryouts for
the University of Illinois baseball team and remarkably made the 33-man Fighting Illini
squad as a backup catcher for the upcoming 2010 Big Ten Conference campaign.
“I was shocked actually. I knew that I had a pretty good tryout, but I really didn’t think I was
going to make it,” Cervantes said. “When I did find out I made the team I was on cloud
nine and I was really stoked to know what I actually accomplished. I’m glad I stuck with it
and that I now will have an experience not a lot of people get to have. To call myself a
division one college athlete is certainly a great privilege.”
Cervantes set the stage for his huge accomplishment back at Sandwich where he was a
three-year varsity starter on the diamond for head coach Derek Avery and the Indians.
In his senior season, Cervantes served as a Sandwich team captain along with garnering
all IEC honors as well as team MVP, best pitcher and best defensive kudos. He batted
.366 with 37 hits, 23 RBI, and he also had a sparkling .932 fielding percentage playing
either behind the plate, on the mound, at shortstop, or at third base.
“Matt was very versatile when he was with us in high school so we used him to play a lot of
positions. We knew he was a strong catcher, but we needed him to pitch a lot for us that
year and he could do a lot of things defensively for us at third or short that other kids
couldn’t,’ Avery said. “I’m very proud of Matt and happy for him. I always knew that he
could play baseball after high school at some level. I just wasn’t sure it would be at the
division one level. Obviously he’s worked quite hard since he graduated to get stronger
and make a great program like the one he’s now with at Illinois. I couldn’t be happier for
just a great kid that has a ton of drive and desire.”
Cervantes first took his talents to the wrestling mat as a college freshman in the fall of
2008 when he competed as an Illini club wrestler. Then in 2009, he decided to go back to
the diamond where he excelled for Illinois Club baseball hitting .444 before the big tryout
come late in the year and his hard work was rewarded.
“Matt is a great kid and I really enjoy him as a person. He’s worked extremely hard to
make this team and he’s truly made the most of his opportunities,” said University of
Illinois fifth year head baseball coach Dan Hartleb. “We’ve kept him as a bullpen or
backup catcher for now, but with his work ethic, there’s no telling how he’ll progress. He
comes in early every day for practice and I believe he’ll be a good player to have on our
team in 2010 and hopefully beyond.”
The Fighting Illini posted a respectable 34-20 overall record in 2009 and finished fourth in
the Big Ten with a 16-8 mark.
This season is scheduled to start February 20 when the Illini will play host to Bradley at
Illinois Field with Cervantes ready, willing, and able to contribute behind the plate or in any
way possible.
“I really credit coach Avery for helping me get to where I’m at right now. He’s always been
great to me and has helped me realize my potential and that’s certainly comes with
making this Division One baseball team,” Cervantes said. “I’m just going to take every day
one by one from here, show up extra early for practice, and do things on my own to make
myself a better baseball player. I won’t take this opportunity for granted. My dad always
tells me hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. That’s been my motto and I
want to take full advantage of this great opportunity that I’m so privileged to have.”
Bill Lidinsky is a Northern Illinois Sports Beat contributor. He can be reached in care of
NISB at Northernillinoissportsbeat@yahoo.com. --- Talk about what's written on our
Message Boards!
Northern Illinois Sports Beat Contributor
After graduating from Sandwich High School in 2008, Matt Cervantes didn’t want his
athletic career to end.
As an Interstate Eight All-Conference wrestler and baseball player during his senior
season, he always felt he could compete at the collegiate level. But never in his wildest
dreams back in 2008 did Cervantes think that he’d be playing Division I college baseball
less than two years later.
Recently however, this became a reality for Cervantes as he walked on during tryouts for
the University of Illinois baseball team and remarkably made the 33-man Fighting Illini
squad as a backup catcher for the upcoming 2010 Big Ten Conference campaign.
“I was shocked actually. I knew that I had a pretty good tryout, but I really didn’t think I was
going to make it,” Cervantes said. “When I did find out I made the team I was on cloud
nine and I was really stoked to know what I actually accomplished. I’m glad I stuck with it
and that I now will have an experience not a lot of people get to have. To call myself a
division one college athlete is certainly a great privilege.”
Cervantes set the stage for his huge accomplishment back at Sandwich where he was a
three-year varsity starter on the diamond for head coach Derek Avery and the Indians.
In his senior season, Cervantes served as a Sandwich team captain along with garnering
all IEC honors as well as team MVP, best pitcher and best defensive kudos. He batted
.366 with 37 hits, 23 RBI, and he also had a sparkling .932 fielding percentage playing
either behind the plate, on the mound, at shortstop, or at third base.
“Matt was very versatile when he was with us in high school so we used him to play a lot of
positions. We knew he was a strong catcher, but we needed him to pitch a lot for us that
year and he could do a lot of things defensively for us at third or short that other kids
couldn’t,’ Avery said. “I’m very proud of Matt and happy for him. I always knew that he
could play baseball after high school at some level. I just wasn’t sure it would be at the
division one level. Obviously he’s worked quite hard since he graduated to get stronger
and make a great program like the one he’s now with at Illinois. I couldn’t be happier for
just a great kid that has a ton of drive and desire.”
Cervantes first took his talents to the wrestling mat as a college freshman in the fall of
2008 when he competed as an Illini club wrestler. Then in 2009, he decided to go back to
the diamond where he excelled for Illinois Club baseball hitting .444 before the big tryout
come late in the year and his hard work was rewarded.
“Matt is a great kid and I really enjoy him as a person. He’s worked extremely hard to
make this team and he’s truly made the most of his opportunities,” said University of
Illinois fifth year head baseball coach Dan Hartleb. “We’ve kept him as a bullpen or
backup catcher for now, but with his work ethic, there’s no telling how he’ll progress. He
comes in early every day for practice and I believe he’ll be a good player to have on our
team in 2010 and hopefully beyond.”
The Fighting Illini posted a respectable 34-20 overall record in 2009 and finished fourth in
the Big Ten with a 16-8 mark.
This season is scheduled to start February 20 when the Illini will play host to Bradley at
Illinois Field with Cervantes ready, willing, and able to contribute behind the plate or in any
way possible.
“I really credit coach Avery for helping me get to where I’m at right now. He’s always been
great to me and has helped me realize my potential and that’s certainly comes with
making this Division One baseball team,” Cervantes said. “I’m just going to take every day
one by one from here, show up extra early for practice, and do things on my own to make
myself a better baseball player. I won’t take this opportunity for granted. My dad always
tells me hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. That’s been my motto and I
want to take full advantage of this great opportunity that I’m so privileged to have.”
Bill Lidinsky is a Northern Illinois Sports Beat contributor. He can be reached in care of
NISB at Northernillinoissportsbeat@yahoo.com. --- Talk about what's written on our
Message Boards!
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