Nick Farmakis and his teammates from Libertyville’s baseball team have achieved significant success on the field in recent years. They have won back-to-back Class 4A state titles. However, their achievements extend beyond sports. The American Baseball Coaches Association announced that Libertyville is one of 20 high schools in Illinois to earn the Team Academic Excellence Award. They are the only school in Lake County to receive this recognition.
Farmakis emphasized the connection between academics and athletics. “A lot of areas that lead to success in baseball overlap with academics,” he stated. Qualities like discipline, accountability, and time management are crucial. “Staying ahead in our classes paves the way for athletic success,” he added.
The Team Academic Excellence Award has straightforward criteria: a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Libertyville’s coach Matt Thompson highlighted the importance of academics. “We get academic reports on students struggling, and it’s always a short list,” he noted. “Grades help open other opportunities for them,” he said.
Farmakis, a pre-business student at Indiana, accrued 15 credit hours thanks to passing multiple Advanced Placement exams over the past three years. These credits allow him to explore courses he might not have considered. “Already having these credits might lead me to find something I like,” he mentioned.
“Knowing that we have a lot of really good people to work with is a great starting point,” Libertyville coach Matt Thompson said.
The Wildcats adapted team activities to accommodate players taking AP exams in spring. This required balancing as exams occurred near the school year’s end. Farmakis, who also played football and basketball, excels at time management. He explained, “The big thing I learned was to finish schoolwork early and use resources like study halls and getting things done on bus rides.”
On the field, Farmakis wasn’t a primary player. As a reserve outfielder, his appearances were limited. However, he excelled as a defensive replacement and pinch runner, scoring 24 runs in 20 plate appearances and making nine steals. “He accepted his role and thrived, contributing significantly,” Thompson said.
Farmakis prepared diligently, observing pitchers to understand their tendencies. “I would try to read the pitchers’ tendencies from the dugout,” he explained. Noticing pitcher habits helped him gain an edge in base running.
Though he spent much of the 2025 season on junior varsity, Farmakis joined varsity for the playoffs. He scored the decisive run in the Wildcats’ 1-0 victory over Prospect in a key semifinal game. His aggressive base running caused a pivotal throwing error, leading to the win. Reflecting on the play, he said, “That was probably the best result I’ve ever had from getting hit in the head.”
Using his head is nothing new for Farmakis. His proactive mindset in both academics and athletics sets an example for others. The Libertyville Wildcats continue to be models of excellence on and off the field.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.