Wauconda senior running back Cole Korycanek has approached life differently over the past 14 months.
Since his friend and former lacrosse teammate Giovanni D’Agostino died on June 11, 2024, Korycanek has pushed himself.
“When Gio passed away, I learned to live with intention,” he said. “His passing inspired me to create many goals for myself and to pursue my passion in honor of a teammate.
“I also learned resilience. I knew I had to bounce back. I learned how to keep moving forward and to adapt to this world without him. I used it as motivation to be better. I wanted to make him proud. I know he’s watching down on us.”
The 5-foot-9, 168-pound Korycanek went to work to get stronger and faster, particularly since last season, when he made his debut as a starter and rushed for 583 yards and six touchdowns. Among his gains, he packed on nearly 25 pounds and has lowered his 40-yard time from 5.0 seconds last year to 4.6 seconds.
“My speed will really pay off this year,” he said. “I knew I had to grind to get better for my senior year. I put in a lot of time in the weight room and with speed and agility classes.
“It’s actually really crazy on the field now. I can compete with these bigger kids because I’m faster and feel more confident running the football and blocking bigger guys.”
Wauconda (8-3), which returns five starters on offense and seven on defense after making the playoffs for a program-record fourth straight year, will ask Korycanek to shoulder more responsibility in an offense that features senior running back Jackson Rudolph. The Bulldogs (8-3) start the season at Hinsdale South on Aug. 29.
“Cole really committed to the weight room this offseason,” Wauconda coach Chris Prostka said. “He was in the weight room all winter after school and during lifting class. His summer attendance was phenomenal. He definitely put in the work.
“He’s bigger and also faster, so with the way we run the football inside, he’s able to handle that. He has noticeably more meat on his frame from all the work he put in.”
Wauconda’s Cole Korycanek (36) carries the ball during a Northern Lake County Conference game against Antioch in Wauconda on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Mark Ukena / News-Sun)
Prostka said multipositional players like Korycanek are indispensable for a Class 6A program.
“Cole has not played defense, but this year it might be a little different,” Prostka said. “He might help us out. He also long-snaps and returns punts.
“It’s amazing to have a kid like him capable of doing a lot of things. He’s willing to do anything we ask of him, and he does it with a positive demeanor and brings a lot of energy.”
Wauconda senior quarterback/linebacker Jake Thorstenson said he worked out regularly with Korycanek during the offseason and expects a banner season from him.
“Cole improved tremendously this offseason,” Thorstenson said. “Last year his main advantage was juking or just plain speed, but now this year he will definitely be adding more yards after contact due to his new weight.”
Korycanek said he’s ready to show what he can do.
“I’ve worked really hard and really couldn’t me more excited to play one more time with my boys,” he said. “I’m going to carry the football more and hopefully not go down on the first hit and can run away from defenders.
“I’m looking forward to Week 1.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/14/football-wauconda-cole-korycanek/