Tom Welch
Tom Welch
Naperville North star forward Tom Welch has committed to attend Loyola University next season.
Welch, who averaged 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Huskies last season, posted his decision on Twitter.
Welch, who led the Huskies to a 26-3 record and conference and regional titles last season, settled on the Ramblers from out of roughly 20 scholarship offers, including overtures from Mississippi and Southern Illinois, the Chicago Tribune stated.
Welch joins Paxson Wojcik, a guard from La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana, in Loyola’s Class of 2019. Both play for the Illinois Wolves club team for Mike Mullins, father of Loyola assistant Bryan Mullins.
A two-sport star, Welch also led Naperville North to the Class 3A boys soccer state championship last season. The star goalkeeper, who didn’t allow a goal all postseason, was named Illinois’ Gatorade Player of the Year, recording a state-final-record 14 saves in his team’s 1-0 win over Libertyville in the title game.
Loyola’s roster already features local stars Cameron Krutwig of Jacobs and Lucas Williamson of Young, as the school continues to build on the momentum of having won the Missouri Valley Conference title and advanced to the Final Four last season.