The Central AAU District is proud to announce 10 recipients of the 2026 Central AAU Scholarship. Central AAU awarded scholarships to ten athletes at $10,000 each. These scholarships are awarded directly to the recipient’s college/university. 

The AAU is committed to providing opportunities to develop athletes both on and off the playing surface. The winners of this year’s scholarships are truly the complete athletes, showcasing good academic standing as well as strong community and volunteer involvement. This year's winners are:

Nicole Kuchyt, Lockport, IL – Diving

• Will be attending University of Illinois – Chicago with a major in special education.
• Earned a scholarship to continue diving at the D1 level.
• Earned high honor roll recognition each year.
• Captain of her HS Dive team all 4-years and MVP
• A 3-year ISHA qualifier
• Started with AAU Gymnastics then moved to AAU Diving

Nate Jackson, Frankfort, IL - Diving

• Will be attending the University of Pennsylvania with a major in economics
• Earned high honor roll and awards such as
• National Top School Recognition Award
• National Hispanic Recognition Award
• IHSA All State Honors
• NISCA All American
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Besides being on the Varsity Dive Club, coaches, lifeguards
• Is part of the Future Business Leader of America and Future Lawyers of America societies.
• Has competed at AAU Diving National Championships, earning AAU All-American honors 6x

Shaniyah Rutledge, Chicago, IL – Track & Field

• Will be attending Tennessee State University with a concentration in criminal justice on a scholarship for track & field
• Was on the honor roll
• Besides track & field, also participated in cheerleading
• Active in the community, volunteering with Delta Sigma Theta and Feed the Hopeless
• Has run AAU Track & Field since 2023

ADDISON KESSLER, Cary, IL – Volleyball

• Will be attending University of Wisconsin – Stout concentrating on early childhood education
• Was named as Northwest Herald All Area Honorable Mention
• Honored for my hard work and dedication to playing volleyball for Cary Grove
• Volunteered as a coach for Balance Buddies Volleyball Club as well as deliver holiday gifts to families in need
• Has played AAU Volleyball for 5 years
• Coaches a 12U team for the last 2 years

Yuriy Rogachev, Oak Park, IL – Taekwondo

• University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in applied mathematics
• High Honor Roll, WGPA and other awards including:
• ISAC 2026-27 IL State Award for exemplary college assessment examination scores
• School Recognition Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, College Board National Recognition Program
• Scholar with Distinction College Board Award
• Spanish National Honor Society Award
• Illinois State Biliteracy Seal for Russian and English
• AP Scholar with Honor College Board Award
• Has volunteered at local food pantries and as a Church Service Accompanist
• First place for Olympic Sparring at 2022 AAU Taekwondo National Team Trials and First place at 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games.

Abriana Bruns, Johnsburg, IL – Volleyball

• Concentration of Chemistry and Education attending Monmouth College
• Received two (2) scholarships: Academic Dean's Scholarship and the Richard "Doc" Kieft Scholarship for Chemistry
• Ranked 1st in class, top 10% of honor roll
• AP Scholar with Distinction and received the Spanish Seal of Biliteracy Accommodation.
• Four-year academic all-state in volleyball
• AVCA Team Academic Award in 2024.
• National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society for both years, and the National Honor Society President.
• Involved with student council all 4 years
• Attended AAU Volleyball Nationals for last 4 seasons

Gabriel Moy, Chicago, IL – Karate

• Majoring in business; undecided on university yet
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• College Board National Recognition
• Illinois State Scholar
• National Honor Society
• National Chinese Honor Society
• Numerous clubs and organizations including:
• Boys with Books promoting literacy skills
• Chicago Dragons Athletic Association
• Chicago Chinatown Special Events promoting Chinese culture and diversity
• Midwest Asian Health Association and many more
• Competed in AAU Karate since 1025 earning a 3rd degree black belt

Lilyana Prentiss, Mendota, IL – Gymnastics

• Will be attending North Central College for exercise science then onto a doctorate in physical therapy
• Honor roll recognition all 4 years
• Multi-sport athlete, ran track, cheered and competed in gymnastics in high school
• Ran numerous fundraisers, raffles, popcorn sales etc to raise money
• Volunteered with Little Kids Cheer Clinic
• Earned multiple first place All-Around finishes including 2025 Midwest Regional Champion

Logan McCabe, Pontiac, IL – Track & Field

• Attending North Central College studying electrical engineering on scholarship
• National Honor Society
• National Technical Honor Society
• Digital Media Junior Award - 2025
• Digital Media Senior Award - 2026
• High Honor Roll 2022 – 2026
• Besides running track, played Men's Volleyball
• Also worked on the School Newspaper, School Yearbook Club as School Photographer/Videographer
• Volunteered as a school office aid and banner designer
• Competing in the AAU Junior Olympic Games in cup staking in 2018 and 2022 and pole vaulted at the 2024 and 2025 AAU Junior Olympic Games, placing 9th in 2025

Kaleigh Bell, Urbana, IL – Track & Field

• Attending Davenport University, Michigan to study medical biology science.
• Earned an achievement and athletic scholarship to college
• AAU Junior Olympic qualifier in 2025
• Athlete of the month                        
• Outstanding runner                        
• Academic monogram award                      
• MVP Girls Varsity Track                        
• Outstanding academic achievement                
• Outstanding academic achievement of art            
• Sang in community choir, volunteered as a camp counselor and a peer leader
• AAU Track & Field member since 20212

The AAU is honored to celebrate these exceptional student-athletes for their impact on their respective communities. We look forward to seeing where they go from here and are grateful to be able to aid them in beginning their collegiate journey. 

In 2027, the award will be re-named in honor of Sheldon Staubitz, a longtime Central AAU and National AAU volunteer. Information on the 2027 scholarships will be available in the coming months.