Loyola Certamen Team Claims ILJCL State Championship

Facing strong competition from across the state, the Ramblers secured a decisive victory over Walter Payton College Prep by nearly 200 points, an emphatic finish to a season defined by dedication, teamwork, and academic excellence in the classical languages.

"This has been our goal for the last two years," said senior Ben Olsen ‘26. "We finished second in the state at the lower level our sophomore year, so it’s great to close our career at Loyola with a win."

The championship team includes (pictured left to right) Dr. Bill Lowe, Ben Olsen '26, William Doonan '26, Juan-Carlos Chiwah '27, Jenna Crosswhite '26, and Jackson Humphrey '26 (not pictured). Earlier in the evening, Olsen was also recognized as the Northern Region’s Most Valuable Upper-Level Player, honoring his outstanding performance throughout the regular season.

The victory marks a significant achievement for Loyola’s Certamen program, culminating years of preparation and a shared commitment to excellence. Competing against top teams from the Northern Region, the City of Chicago, and across Illinois, the Ramblers rose to the challenge and “rambled on to victory.”

With their state title, the team has qualified for the National Certamen Tournament, to be held this July at Indiana University in Bloomington. While scheduling conflicts will prevent the team from attending, since the majority will be headed to their respective universities to begin their post-secondary education journey, the qualification underscores the strength of their accomplishment on the state stage.

Faculty moderators Dr. Bill Lowe, Mr. Buddy Dolan, Ms. Amanda Pagnotta, and Ms. Becki Wick, praised the team's perseverance and focus, noting that the students set their sights on a state championship last year, and followed through with determination and hard work.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding scholars on an exceptional achievement.