Meet Some Staff
Sara Hokin
Director of Operations
FORMERLY: Former Director of Softball and Camp Director
- Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls Assistant Camp Director and Softball Station Head inaugural summer 2007;
- Graduated from University of Tampa, May 2006, Bachelors Degree in Sports Management;
Member of University of Tampa Spartan Varsity softball team 2002 – 2006;
- Member of the USA Women’s Softball team – member of gold medal team, 2005 Maccabiah International Games, Israel;
Member of USA Women’s Softball team participating in the 2007 Maccabiah Pan American Games in Argentina;
- Past coach of JCC Maccabi Softball Team (2 yrs)
- Currently girls travel softball coach on the Northshore;
- Softball instructor for girls of all ages, group and private;
- Years of experience as summer camp counselor;
- Community Relations Intern for Chicago RUSH, Arena Football League, 2006
Heather Refenes
Director of Communications
A child of the 80s, Heather’s athletic career started in leotards and leg warmers participating in kids aerobics. It was followed by cheerleading uniforms and track uniforms as a teenager and then on to less structured but killer treadmill workouts in college. Post college, she found a passion for CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting, earning her the transition from leotards to Lululemon and singlets.
With regard to her career, Heather entered the business arena after college graduation, first working for a law firm, and then for an investment bank. While she enjoyed the challenges of the corporate world, she sought personal fulfillment in her day job analogous to that which she was finding in athletics outside the office.
Heather is now proud to announce that she is leaving the formal corporate environment behind in favor of the team camaraderie and empowerment offered at Game On! Sports Camps 4 Girls. As the new Director of Communications, she can’t wait to meet and work with our Game On! girls and their families.
- Masters Degree in English from DePaul University, May 2005
- Bachelors Degree in English from Southern Illinois University, May 2002
- Adjunct Composition Professor at Columbia College Chicago, 2011-2013
- Adjunct Composition Professor at Aurora University & McHenry County College, 2006-2009
- CrossFit & CrossFit Kids certified coach
- Certified USAW Sports Performance coach
- Certified Concept 2 Rowing instructor
- Olympic Weightlifting National Competitor, 2012
- Gym instructor at Noble Charter High School, 2011
- 6th grade cheerleading coach at Trinity Lutheran School, 1999
- Volunteer work in kids programs: WITs, Junior Achievement
Favorite color: Hot Pink
Most influential person in her life: Her mom
Favorite food: Sweet potatoes with coconut oil; Apples with almond butter
Dog’s name: Bristow (aka The Poopa - a nickname earned due to extra messy cage clean up when she was a puppy!)
Favorite exercise: Picking up heavy stuff (Olympic Weightlifting)!!
Least favorite exercise: The treadmill – During my undergraduate years, I ran on the treadmill to the extent that today I can barely stand the sight let alone the noise. Fortunately, I have found a variety of replacements that keep me in shape.
Amy Gorzynski
Camp Director- Lake Forest
- Graduated magna cum laude, Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) 2002, bachelors degree in Business Administration;
- Played varsity basketball and softball for IWU, team captain for basketball team;
- 2004 earned Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Roosevelt University;
- Currently teaches in the Business Department at East Leyden High School;
- Assistant Girls’ Varsity Leyden Basketball coach for the last three years;
- Adjunct faculty member at Roosevelt University in the College of Education;
- Extensive experience with summer sports camps including 6 years at Hi-Five Sports Camp, Northfield (coach, station head, and division leader).
Kate Flanagan
Lacrosse Station Head & Assistant Camp Director- Lake Forest
SCHOOL: Carthage College
HOME TOWN: Wheeling
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 2 Years
SPORTS YOU PLAY: I am a 2 sport athlete at Carthage College. I play Lacrosse & Volleyball and enjoy badminton in my free time.
QUOTE: “Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”- Lou Holtz
FUN FACT: I hate candy corn.
Nicole Druktenis
Coach- Lake Forest
SCHOOL: University of Illinois – Urbana/ Champaign
HOME TOWN: Highwood
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 4 years
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Soccer, Cross Country, & Track
QUOTE: “I love Game On!”
FUN FACT: I went skydiving.
Rachel Mohr
Coach- Lake Forest
SCHOOL: St. Louis University
HOME TOWN: Antioch
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 2 years
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Soccer, Field Hockey, Basketball
QUOTE: “Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”
FUN FACT: I am related to Joseph Mohr, the man who wrote “Silent Night”
Megan Frieling
Softball Station Head- Chicago
School: Ashford University
Hometown: Lansing, IL
Years at Game On!: 1
Sports I play/enjoy: Softball
Quote: "I make my weaknesses my strengths and my strengths stronger." -Lisa Fernandez, Pitcher, Team USA
Fun Fact: I love shoes!
Libby Winter
Volleyball Station Head- Lake Forest
SCHOOL: Indiana University
HOME TOWN: Northbrook
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 1 year
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Volleyball
QUOTE: “Do what you love and love what you do.”
FUN FACT: I’ve gone scuba diving with a shark.
Jenn Grage
Coach- Lake Forest
SCHOOL: University of Illinois- Urbana/ Champaign
HOME TOWN: Deerfield
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 1st year
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Soccer, Cross Country
QUOTE: “Life’s what you make it so let’s make it rock!”
FUN FACT: My favorite aisle in the grocery store is the cereal aisle.
Max Burgess
Coach- Lake Forest
SCHOOL: Lawrence University
HOME TOWN: Bannockburn
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 1st year
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Basketball
QUOTE: “Two roads diverged in the woods and I took the one less traveled and it has made all the difference” –Robert Frost
FUN FACT: I play college basketball at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.
Karen Ibata
Soccer Station Head- Lake Forest
SCHOOL: Trinity International University
HOME TOWN: Arlington Heights
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 1st year
SPORTS YOU PLAY: I played soccer for Trinity International University and I also enjoy Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Swimming, Track and Softball
QUOTE: “Some people succeed because they are destined to, others because thy are determined to.”
FUN FACT: I got married on July 3, 2011.
Sarah Grage
Coach
SCHOOL: University of Illinois- Urbana/ Champaign
HOME TOWN: Deerfield
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 5 years (I finally earned my 5 year jacket !)
SPORTS YOU PLAY: I play it all but soccer is probably my favorite.
QUOTE: “I don’t do mornings”
FUN FACT: When I grow up I want to work for a foundation.
Chelsea Lee
Coach
SCHOOL: Denison University
HOME TOWN: Lake Bluff
YEARS AT GAME ON!: 2 years
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Golf, Swimming, Volleyball, Softball
QUOTE: “Veni, Vidi, Vici” “I came, I saw, I conquered”
FUN FACT: I sang at the initiation of the Illinois state quarter.
Rebecca Hall
Coach- Chicago
School: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Hometown: Moncks Corner, SC
Years at Game On! : 1
Sports you play/enjoy: Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball
Quote: "The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle" -Unknown
Fun Fact: So far, I have lived in 6 different states and 16 different houses.
Sarah Curci
Coach- Chicago
School: University High School
Hometown: Chicago
Years at Game On!: 1
Sports I play/enjoy: Cross Country and Track & Field
Quote: "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." -Steve Prefontaine
Fun Fact: I have gone swimming with Beluga whales.
Katie Angulo
Lacrosse Station Head- Chicago
School: Columbia University in NYC
Hometown: Chicago
Years at Game On!: 1
Sports you play/enjoy: lacrosse!
Quote: "Is the hokey pokey really what it's all about?"
Fun Fact: I'm afraid of whales and butterflies and I LOVE Justin Bieber
Stephanie Bailen
Coach - Lake Forest
Stephanie is joining Game On! to bring the joy she felt during her camp experiences as a child to all our Game On! girls. She hopes to serve as a positive role model and provide the girls with a fantastic camp experience.
-Current School: Senior at Highland Park High School
-Will be Attending: College of Business at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
-Work Experience: Lifeguard, Lake Shore Country Club
-Camp Experience: Counselor in Training; Camp Sunshine, Park District of Highland Park Sports Accolades: Varsity Tennis; Central Suburban League North: Conference Champion; Qualified for CSLN Sectionals; Recipient of 2011-2012 Giants Award (tennis); Varsity Soccer; FC United Soccer League; Selected to Moline Tounament All-Tournament Soccer Team
-What Stephanie says about sports: "Sports have shaped me into what I am today"
-What Stephanie's tennis coach says about her: "She is a great athlete and an even better person"
-Favorite Athlete: Hope Solo (American soccer goalkeeper and a 2 time Olympic gold medalist)
Veronika Leszayova
Tennis Station Head - Chicago
Veronika is a tennis coach and tennis professional. In addition to her tennis prowess, Veronika is fluent in 4 languages. When we asked her what she is most looking forward to this summer, she said, "Sharing my love for tennis with the campers, and Water Wars!!!!"
-Experience: 2012 Game On! Tennis Director; Director of Adult Programming and Tennis Professional at Midtown Athletic Club; Midtown Athletic Club Summer Camp, XS Tennis, and Drake Summer Camp - all for girls 4+; O'Gorman High School Girls Tennis Coach
-Certifications: United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) with a focus on junior players
-Current Jobs: Tennis Professional at XS Tennis; Tennis XSpress Educational Program Instructor
-Coaching Experience: 2012 & 2013 Game On! Tennis Director; Volunteer as a coach for O'Gorman High School; Midtown Athletic Club Summer Camp, XS Tennis, and Drake Summer Camp - all for girls 4+; Tennis XSpress Educational Program Instructor; Midtown Athletic Club- Director of Adult Programming/Tennis Professional
-Sports Accolades/Tournaments: National Winner of the KIA Amateur Australian Open in 2011; Only female U.S. representative at the KIA Amateur Australian Open in Melbourne in 2012; Singles and Doubles winner of the Midwest Open Series Championship 2012
-Favorite Famous Athlete: Alberto Tomba (Alpine skier)
Asia Niforos
CIT- Chicago
School: Lane Tech Highschool
Hometown: Chicago
Years at Game On!: 2 years
Sports you play/ enjoy: Play soccer, volleyball, run track and cross country and snowboard
Favorite Quote: "Work Hard Play Hard"
Fun Fact: Traveled to Greece, Italy, Hawaii, Riviera Maya, Marco Island Florida, Tempe Arizona and New York (8 times)!!!