For Ryan senior,
sports can be twice as nice

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Most high school senior athletes treasure their final season because it’s almost time to bid farewell to their team.
But Archbishop Ryan High School’s Chris Wilk will have to say goodbye to more than just the Raiders after graduation.
He’s planning to say goodbye to basketball.
The 6-foot-2 center has been part of the Raiders’ varsity basketball squad since freshman year. During that time, he sank more than 300 points and helped his team earn four consecutive appearances in the playoffs.
But in a few months, Wilk’s basketball career will be nothing but a memory.
"I know I’m going to miss it," said Wilk, who has been a regular on the court since he was 5 years old. "I’ll miss my teammates the most. But right now, we’re in the middle of the season, so I’m trying not to think that far ahead."
Wilk’s decision to retire his basketball sneakers after high school was not an easy one. But for the seven-letter varsity athlete, bigger things are at hand.
He also played football at Ryan, as a 225-pound running back for the Raiders. Wilk is looking at the sport as he considers his college options, among them the offer of a scholarship to play Division I football at the University of Albany.
"They made me an offer," said Wilk, a four-year honor student at Ryan who plans to study accounting next year. "I went up and had a visit with them and I really liked it up there."
His skills on the gridiron and intelligence in the classroom have opened many doors for Wilk, but the student-athlete has not decided which one to enter just yet.
"I’m also considering West Chester, Villanova, Stony Brook and (The College of) William and Mary," said Wilk. "I want to make sure I end up at the right place."
In the meantime, he is working hard to ensure that his final year with the Raiders is a successful one.
On the football field, he led the Raiders in scoring this season with 32 points. The team captain also rushed for 150 yards and caught 10 passes for 107 yards.
"Football has always been my main sport, but I love basketball too," said Wilk. "Sports are my life, and I’ll play non-stop if I can."
His focus now is on basketball, and he likes the Raiders’ chances for a good season. "I think we have a good chance to make it far this year," said Wilk. "I’m optimistic. We have a talented team and a solid core of people with a lot of experience."
Although Ryan has six seniors on the squad this year, the Raiders are having a rough start. After compiling a 5-3 record in non-league play, they have gone 0-2 in the Catholic League.
Ryan opened the season with a 45-43 loss to LaSalle, followed two days later by a 68-58 loss to North Catholic. As the Times went to press last weekend, the Raiders were scheduled to play Lenape at the Wildwood Christmas Tournament.
"The team is continuing to work hard and improve," said coach Bernie Rogers, who has led the Raiders for eight years. "Right now we’re getting ready for the next league game. The team doesn’t have a lot of height, so we’re working a lot on rebounds."
Wilk said the Raiders have put themselves in their early-season predicament.
"We seem to put ourselves in the hole early," he said. "Then we’re catching up the rest of the game. Now we’re concentrating on doing what we do right, for the entire game."
Wilk sank 20 points against North Catholic on Dec. 23, increasing his season total to 90. Fellow senior Andrew Rogers — a guard who scored more than 300 points last year — also is off to a fine start this year, with more than 120 points.
"The seniors really want to lead this team," said WIlk. "I had a chance to see the guys before me lead, and now is my chance to step up and fill that role. This is the time. I want to win." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com