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Jeff Chonko '17 Makes Dayton Baseball Roster

By Joe Ginley, 12/07/17, 1:15PM EST

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One of the most hard-working and great young men to graduate in 2017 will be playing baseball at the college level in 2018. 

Jeff Chonko, a standout catcher and outfielder for the Wildcats as a junior and senior, has made the baseball roster at the University of Dayton. 

Chonko served as a team leader and a platoon catcher in 2017, alternating with talented senior Drew Asadorian. 

Chonko performed well behind the plate and did his job as a hitter, notching a .270 average for the Baseball Cats. Chonko recorded a total of 49 putouts in his duties as a catcher and a part-time outfielder. He threw out two baserunners in the Wildcats' District Final game vs. Strongsville last season. 

A humble, do-it-all player, Chonko was awarded the Coaches Cup twice – after his junior and senior seasons – by Manager Brad Ganor and the Wildcats coaching staff. 

Off the field, Chonko did plenty in the Saint Ignatius community, serving as a Kairos retreat leader and partaking in other service activities. 

At graduation, Chonko received the Jesuit Schools Network (JSN) Recognition Award. Sponsored by the JSN, the distinction is "awarded to seniors at Jesuit institutions who have demonstrated the five characteristics of Ignatian education and have served their schools as leaders and role models for the entire school community."

Chonko made a significant impact at Saint Ignatius, and will have the chance to do so at Dayton.

Congratulations to Chonko – we wish him the best of luck with the Flyers this spring!