PARK RIDGE, Ill.

Few quarterbacks in high school girls flag football have built a resume as accomplished as Maine South standout Aribella Spandiary.

A state champion, nationally recognized quarterback, and future collegiate athlete, Spandiary has helped establish Maine South as one of Illinois' premier flag football programs while earning recognition at the state, regional, and national levels.

The senior quarterback recently signed with Mercyhurst University, where she plans to continue both her academic and athletic career while pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 145 pounds, Spandiary has become one of the most productive passers in the country. According to her athlete submission, she has thrown for more than 11,000 career passing yards while leading one of Illinois' most successful programs.

Her accomplishments continue to grow.

Among the honors listed in her submission are:

• 2025 Illinois Player of the Year
• 2025 Illinois First Team All-State
• 2024 Illinois First Team All-State
• 2023 Illinois Honorable Mention All-State
• Three-time All-Conference selection
• Three-time All-Area selection
• 2025 Illinois State Champion
• MaxPreps Second Team All-American
• Maxwell Football Player of the Year Finalist
• USA Select Bowl invitation
• Green Bay AAU Junior Olympic MVP
• NFL Regional Champion
• NFL Regional Franklin Sports MVP

Those accomplishments reflect years of consistent production, leadership, and competitive success while helping elevate girls flag football throughout Illinois.

Spandiary's impact has also been recognized by the Chicago Bears.

During the 2024 season, she was selected as the Chicago Bears Girls Flag Football Player of the Week after leading Maine South to an undefeated record while surpassing 3,000 passing yards and guiding one of the nation's top-ranked teams. The Bears recognized not only her production on the field, but also her leadership and community involvement.

Her season culminated with another major honor when she was named the Chicago Bears Girls Flag Football Player of the Year, recognizing her as one of Illinois' premier student-athletes. As part of the award, she also received a scholarship to support her collegiate journey.

Those recognitions reflect what coaches and teammates have long seen -- a quarterback who combines production, preparation, leadership, and a genuine passion for growing the game.

Beyond the accolades, Spandiary has become a visible ambassador for girls flag football in Illinois. Her success has helped shine a spotlight on one of the fastest-growing sports in the country while creating opportunities for younger athletes to see what's possible through dedication and hard work.

Now, with her high school career nearing its conclusion and college football ahead, Spandiary enters the next chapter as one of the Midwest's most accomplished quarterbacks.

HER 7v7 will continue following Aribella Spandiary's journey as she begins her collegiate career and continues contributing to the growth of girls flag football nationwide.