The Sentinel: IHSA

Tyler Luchinski and Savanna Franzen earn All-State Mention from IHSA

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Savanna Franzen runs around the track O'Brien Field at the IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals in May 2024. The Spartan senior was named an All-State Academic by the IHSA on March 4.

BLOOMINGTON — The Illinois High School Association announced the 26 members who were selected for the 2025 IHSA All-State Academic Team. Two area student athletes, one Charger and one Spartan, made this year's list released today.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Savanna Franzen and Centennial's Tyler Luchinski earned Honorable Mention recogition and will be recognized at a banquet held in Bloomington on April 13.

Each year, IHSA member schools can nominate one female student and one male student to be a part of this prestigious team. Nominees needed to possess a minimum 3.50 grade point average on a 4.0 scale after their seventh semester, have participated in at least two IHSA sponsored sports or activities during each of the last two years of high school, and demonstrated outstanding citizenship.

"The IHSA All-State Academic Team truly represents the best that Illinois has to offer," IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacy Lambert said in a press release. "When you look the credentials of these team members, you are not only going to see outstanding grades and incredible test scores, but participation in multiple sports and activities, as well as significant contributions to their school and community. The ability to not only balance but also simultaneously excel in all these endeavors is inspiring. We are proud to have these future leaders represent the IHSA and Illinois."

The nominations were evaluated by a committee up of IHSA principals, athletic directors, and activities directors. One male winner and one female winner from each of the seven IHSA Board of Directors Divisions were selected initially, while the final 12 spots on the team were then rounded out with at-large candidates from anywhere in the state.

A complete list of all award winners is below.

2024-25 All-State Academic Team

Reid Bodine
Williamsville High School

Joseph Bregenzer
Barrington High School

Cole Buchanan
Benton High School

Zoe Carter
University High School | Normal

Emily Cheng
Walter Payton | Chicago

Taylor Davidson
Stillman Valley High School

Hadley Ferrero
Crystal Lake Central

Payton Frey
Highland High School

Gracie Furlong
Galena High School

Hannah Gibson
Carlinville High School

Travis Hoffman
Mahomet-Seymour High School

Liam Kendrick
Lane Tech High School | Chicago

Krish Khanna
University High School | Chicago

Alyssa Koerkenmeier
Mater Dei Catholic | Breese

Elena Krause
Pontiac High School

Andrew Kurien
Rockford Christian High School

TJ Larson
Central Catholic High School | Bloomington

Gavin O’Connor
Brother Rice High School | Chicago

Liam O’Connor
Oak Park & River Forest High School

Ava Peterson
Manteno High School

Elena Rybak
Father McGivney | Glen Carbon

Kurtis Smith
Hononegah High School | Rockton

Ethan Stewart
Triad High School | Troy

Lucia “Lulu” Ton-That
Northside College Prep | Chicago

Ben Wuggazer
Lyons High School | LaGrange

Veronica Znajda
Prospect High School | Mt. Prospect

2024-25 All-State Academic Team Honorable Mention

Sydney Buchelt
Lisle Senior High School

Aubrey Campbell
Central Catholic High School | Bloomington

Seth Cooper
Ottawa Township High School

Benjamin Crane
New Trier High School | Winnetka

Ryan Thomas Detering
Salem High School

Ricky Eriksen
Marist High School | Chicago

Nora Ezike
Lyons High School | LaGrange

Syndey Fraley
Maine South High School | Park Ridge

Savanna Franzen
St. Joseph-Ogden

Paige Froess
Columbia High School

Rory Gaan
Fremd High School | Palatine

Elijah Genenbacher
Central High School | Camp Point

Mason Gilpin
Carlinville High School

Waylon Hall
Herrin High School

Jacob Hartwig
Heyworth High School

Annabelle Hiel
Washington Community High School

Julia Hosu
Yorkville High School

Abigail Johnes
Brussels High School

Jack Jokisch
Shelbyville High School

Devin Karda
Sycamore High School

Clayton Kessler
Auburn High School

Reese Kohnle
Boylan Catholic High School | Rockford

Joseph Kyes
Richmond-Burton High School

Josie Larson
Lakes High School | Lake Villa

Tyler Luchinski
Centennial High School | Champaign

Bruno Massel
York High School | Elmhurst

Nolan McClay
Knoxville High School

Elizabeth McConkie
Sycamore High School

Lauren Miller
Central High School | Camp Point

Lizeth Montes
St. Ignatius College Prep | Chicago

Eislee Moore
Carbondale High School

Kaleb Navarro
De La Salle Institute | Chicago

Sam Ottwell
Alton Senior High School

Derke Patton
Walter Payton College Prep | Chicago

Miraya Pessman
Fulton High School

Aubrey Phillips
El Paso-Gridley

Ryan Pieper
Lena-Winslow High School

Maya Rounds
Sesser-Valier High School

Austin Rowswell
Lincoln-Way West High School | New Lenox

Karson Shrum
Annawan High School

Paige Sierens
Annawan High School

Amelia Strebel
Jersey High School | Jerseyville

Max Strong
Riverside-Brookfield High School

Olivia Tran
Vernon Hills High School

Juliana Walker
University High School | Chicago

Cynthia Waller
Lane Tech High School | Chicago

Connor Watson
East Peoria High School

Reese Watson
Scared Heart-Griffin High School | Springfield

Michael Wilson
Greenville High School

Lily Woolery
Shelbyville High School

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Stark County's Lauren Best makes the best of a difficult situation

Photo: IHSA/Matt Troha

Stark County senior Lauren Best in the school's band room

IHSA - Sometimes a name just fits.

That’s the case for Stark County High School senior Lauren Best.

Lauren is the most decorated musician in the history of Stark County High School, a school of approximately 230 students located in Toulon, about 45 minutes northwest of Peoria.

Photo: IHSA/Matt Troha

She is an academic standout who is in contention to be her class valedictorian this spring, while also partaking in a laundry list of extracurricular and community involvement, including robotics, Girl Scouts, and volunteering at her church just to name a few.

“Lauren’s name literally says it all, she really is the best!” said Stark County music director Sophia Elswick. “I didn’t get the honor of seeing her grow up, but I have seen her grow so much over the last year. I am going to cry when she graduates.”

Despite the growth that Elswick has witnessed in Lauren over the last year, it’s important to note that the senior started from an uncanny position of maturity for someone her age. Lauren is the IHSA’s 2025 nominee for the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award, based on the leadership and unbridled passion she showed in helping to keep the Stark County music program afloat during the first semester of her junior year.

The hiring pool is exponentially slimmer in small rural communities and districts like our own.

“I think the main thing that led me to step up was that I was, and still am, very passionate about the program,” said Lauren. “I had already been somewhat of a leader in the music program previously. It just came naturally to me to step up, and nobody had any opposition to it.”

Following Lauren’s sophomore year, Stark County’s long-time band and choir director retired, but her replacement quit unexpectedly just a few weeks into the 2023 school year.

From September of 2023 until January of 2024, when Elswick stepped in to take over the role, a group of then juniors led by Lauren filled the leadership role to keep the Stark County high school music programs going.

“Teacher shortages are a growing concern, particularly in specialized fields like art and music,” said Stark County Principal Megan McGann. “The hiring pool is exponentially slimmer in small rural communities and districts like our own. As our administration worked diligently to fill the music teacher's role, the shortage weighed heavily on our fine arts students. Lauren’s leadership, alongside her fellow classmates, made all the difference during that time.”

While there was always a substitute teacher in the room, some were not musically inclined, which led Lauren to take the reins and help guide the class. From pulling out the music, to making sure the instruments were set up, to planning the songs they would practice and deciding when they sounded good enough, Lauren and a few other students took the lead.

“There were some days where it was hard to get everyone motivated,” said Lauren. “In band, I knew that we just needed to continue to play. Whether that was practicing songs we already knew or trying to add new songs. It was more of a problem in choir. I was the only student in the class who played piano, so I was able to play piano and lead rehearsals that way.”

Lauren’s responsibilities didn’t end at school either, as she helped to coordinate the band for home football games, including serving as the conductor of the National Anthem, which Lauren says can be a “tricky” song due to the fermata pauses within it.

Lauren saw to it that the show would go on, saying “she needed it as a part of her high school experience”.

“I had to communicate a lot with our principal (McGann),” said Lauren. “There were a lot of details that our teachers took care of that we never thought about. Our home football games are played near the Stark County Elementary School in Wyoming, so things like having a bus to transport the instruments and music were new challenges. We built a bridge between the band and administration to make sure those things happened.”

One thing that was not going to happen as fall turned to winter in 2023 was the annual school Christmas concert program. But Lauren saw to it that the show would go on, saying “she needed it as a part of her high school experience”. Lauren also credits one of the substitute teachers, Dr. Wally Parks, for his assistance in making sure the program happened. The Christmas concert gave Elswick, who had already been hired by Stark County, but was still awaiting her college graduation to officially begin teaching, a sneak peek at her future students.

“I didn’t know what I was going to see that night, but I came away really impressed, especially knowing what was going on behind the scenes,” said Elswick. “During the interview process, I was told I was inheriting a dedicated group of students, as well as being told specifically about Lauren and her awesomeness. Short of taking attendance and grading, Lauren was doing my job while being a high school student and getting her Associate Degree (from Blackhawk College).”

Stark County student Lauren Best

Photo: IHSA/Matt Troha

Elswick’s arrival didn’t necessarily bring an end to Best’s leadership role, as the new teacher worked out a plan with the district to have Lauren serve as her Teacher Assistant with the burgeoning junior high music program, which boasts over 50 members.

“Most schools are able to have more than one music teacher, so they can work on multiple instrument groups at the same time,” said Elswick. “Lauren has been a godsend for the junior high program and the kids LOVE her! She has set a standard that my future students are going to attempt to uphold.”

Lauren believes the leadership and passion that she showed during what should have been a trying semester can be traced to three seminal musical influences in her life. She cites her childhood piano teacher Jennfier Nutzhorn, as well as her school music directors Brenda Macke and Angie Roark as her “musical inspirations.” Elswick is quickly gaining ground as well.

“It was such a relief when Ms. Elswick arrived,” said Lauren. “She brought a lot of leadership and fun back into the band and choir programs.”

That has allowed Best to be a student, mostly, throughout her senior year. She is looking forward to the IHSA Music State Series Solo & Ensemble State Series this spring. A gifted clarinet player, pianist, and singer, she has performed 33 total solo and ensemble pieces thus far in her IHSA Music career, receiving a perfect rating of 1 on all 33. She plans to set her attention to Industrial Engineering at Iowa State University next fall, but music will always be a big part of her life.

“I enjoy being in the music room every day,” said Lauren. “For me, music is a stress reliever. Music is where I met so many of my close friends. Music has given me so much and will always be an important part of my life.”

IHSA announces 2024-25 officials of the year

BLOOMINGTON - The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced its annual list of Officials of the Year for the 2024-25 season across the 22 IHSA athletic events.

"Officials are vital to the experience of high school student-athletes in Illinois, and we are proud to be able to honor these outstanding individuals as IHSA Officials of the Year," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "High school sports do not exist without them and the thousands of officials around the state who preside over contests and meets every day."

To be considered for this honor, an official must first be nominated by an Officials Association recognized by the IHSA or by an IHSA administrator. IHSA staff members then vote on the winners based on factors such as character, skill as an official, and levels worked in the IHSA State Series.

According to a survey conducted almost three years ago by the National Federation of High Schools, the average age of a sports official is over 50 years old. Officials across every sport make a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of high school and junior high athletes every year by administering the rules objectively, enforcing them with consistency and common sense.

"This award only recognizes a small percentage of our dedicated officials, but we know they are all worthy of our respect and admiration," Anderson added. "We understand they do not officiate for awards or recognition, but it remains a special tradition for the IHSA to honor them."

The award winners will be recognized at July's IHSA Officials Conference held in Normal on July 11-12.

IHSA OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR

Boys Soccer
Pasquale Mattera, Arlington Heights

Girls Soccer
Mike McDermott, Lockport

Football
Chris Terpstra, Lisle

Boys Basketball
Richard Doman, Gibson City

Girls Basketball
Thomas Strohl, Neoga

Boys Lacrosse
Nitin Rao, Northbrook

Girls Lacrosse
Elizabeth Demara, Bloomington

Baseball
Jim Urbanek, Chicago Heights

Softball
Dale McConnell, Centralia

Girls Volleyball
Jeffrey Crow, Mt. Vernon

Boys Volleyball
Kym McKay, Batavia

Boys Swimming & Diving
Emil Barbato, Schaumburg

Girls Swimming & Diving
Randy Clark, Bloomingdale

Water Polo
Joseph Trickey, DeKalb

Cross Country
Jesse Rocha, West Chicago

Boys Track & Field
Michael Gibbs, River Forest

Girls Track & Field
Tiffany Seay, Chicago

Girls Gymnastics
Betty Axelson-McClelland, South Barrington

Competitive Cheerleading
Amber Cruser, Waterloo

Competitive Dance
Allison Stewart, Grayslake

Boys Wrestling
Dave Fellinger, Chicago

Girls Wrestling
Dr. Dan McDonnell, Morris

IHSA semifinal football playoff schedule

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Class 3A All-Stater Zeke Young looks for open turf during Monticello's first game of the season. After the opening loss to St. Joseph-Ogden, Young led the Sages on a seven-game win streak.

That was until the season finale against Unity, now Monticello's only barrier to berth in the Class 3A state title game on November 29 at Redbird Stadium in Normal. Will the Sages avenge the earlier two-score, 42-28 loss in Week 9? Kickoff is at 2 PM at Monticello. Here is a listing for all eight football classes this weekend.

Class 1A

mifinals (Nov. 23)

(2) Lena-Winslow (12-0) at (1) LeRoy (12-0), 2 p.m. Saturday
(3) Camp Point Central (11-1) at (1) Belleville Althoff (12-0), 2 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: 10 a.m. Nov. 29

Class 2A

Semifinals (Nov. 23)

(6) Chicago Christian (11-1) at (1) Farmington (12-0), 2 p.m. Saturday
(2) Maroa-Forsyth (11-1) at (1) Johnston City (11-1), 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: 1 p.m. Nov. 29

Class 3A

Semifinals (Nov. 23)

(2) Wilmington (12-0) at (9) Montini (10-2), 1 p.m. Saturday
(9) Tolono Unity (9-3) at (6) Monticello (10-2), 2 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: 4 p.m. Nov. 29

Class 4A

Semifinals (Nov. 23)

(9) DePaul (9-3) at (7) Coal City (10-2), 1 p.m. Saturday
(12) Mt. Zion (9-3) at (10) Normal U-High (10-2), 7 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: 7 p.m. Nov. 29

Class 5A

Semifinals (Nov. 23)

(4) St. Francis (10-2) at (3) Nazareth (10-2), 1 p.m. Saturday
(13) Morris (8-4) at (6) Joliet Catholic (9-3), 2 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: 10 a.m. Nov. 30

Class 6A

Semifinals (Nov. 23)

(1) Cary-Grove (12-0) at (3) Geneva (11-1), 1 p.m. Saturday
(2) Richards (11-1) at (1) East St. Louis (11-1), 2 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: 1 p.m. Nov. 30

Class 7A

Semifinals (Nov. 23)

(4) Batavia (11-1) at (24) Lincoln-Way Central (9-3), 5 p.m. Saturday
(19) Mt. Carmel (9-3) at (10) St. Rita (10-2), 3 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: 4 p.m. Nov. 30

Class 8A

Semifinals (Nov. 23)

(12) Loyola (10-2) at (1) Lincoln-Way East (12-0), 6 p.m. Saturday
(14) York (10-2) at (7) Naperville Central (11-1), 6 p.m. Saturday

Championship game: 7 p.m. Nov. 30

Keywords: Monticello Football, Unity Football, IHSA Football Playoffs, State Football Semifinal Schedule

IHSA quarterfinal football results

Nashville's Hayden Klingeman is smashed by Unity brothers Brayden and Tyler Henry during their Class 3A quarterfinal game on Saturday. Starting the running clock early in the third quarter, the Rockets defeated the Hornets 47-24, advancing to face their week 9 conference opponent Monticello this Saturday on the road.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CLASS 1A

LeRoy 37 - Galena 21
Lena-Winslow 40 - Gibson City 7
Belleville Althoff 54 - Casey Westfield 7
Camp Point Central 16 - Calhoun 7

CLASS 2A

Farmington 42 - Dwight 7
Palos Heights Chicago Christian 34 - Bismarck-Hennin 13
Johnston City 28 - Pana 13
Maroa-Forsyth 22 - Quincy Notre Dame 21

CLASS 3A

Lombard Montini 24 - Princeton 7
Wilmington 22 - Pecatonica 13
Tolono Unity 47 - Nashville 24
Monticello 27 - Benton 26

CLASS 4A

Chicago DePaul 26 - Burbank St. Laurence 14
Coal City 20 - Dixon 13
Mt. Zion 17 - Breese Central 3
Normal U High 31 - Cahokia 12

CLASS 5A

Wheaton St. Francis 10 - Sycamore 0
LaGrange Park Nazareth 42 - Rochelle 8
Morris 21 - Chicago Morgan Park 7
Joliet Catholic 43 - Peoria 8

CLASS 6A

Cary Grove 42 - Belvidere North 7
Geneva 49 - Lake Forest 14
East St. Louis 58 - Chatham Glenwood 14
Oak Lawn Richard 21 - Kankakee 20

CLASS 7A

New Lenox Lincoln-Way Central 28 - Bradley-Bourbonnais 16
Batavia 17 - Downers Grove North 7
Chicago St. Rita 49 - Quincy 14
Chicago Mt. Carmel 49 - Normal 41

CLASS 8A

Frankfort Lincoln-Way East 45 - Lincolnshire Stevenson 0
Wilmette Loyola 35 - Park Ridge Maine South 14
Naperville Central 24 - LaGrange Lyons 7
Elmhurst 34 - Gurnee Warren 15

KEYWORDS: Unity Rockets Football, Loyola Academy Football, 2024 IHSA Football Playoffs, Quarterfinal Football Scores

Despite earlier milestones, Spartans soccer season ends with loss to Pioneers

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Exhausted and heartbroken, junior Zach Harper (standing) and senior Logan Mills take a moment to regain their composure after Spartans' season-ending loss to Normal U-High at the Monticello Sectional on Saturday.

MONTICELLO - St. Joseph-Ogden’s remarkable soccer season came to a close on Saturday as they fell 6-0 to Normal University High School in the sectional semifinal at Monticello’s soccer complex. The Spartans, who had been dominant throughout the season, were held scoreless for the first time all year in a tough matchup against the defending Class 1A state runner-up.

The loss marked only the Spartans' third defeat of the season, finishing with a 22-3-1 record. Despite the disappointment, SJO can look back on a historic campaign, having scored 172 goals this season, more than any other team in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history, regardless of class. The Spartans also set a program record with 22 wins, showcasing the team’s growth and offensive prowess.

Coming into the sectional semifinal on the back of a five-game winning streak, where they outscored opponents 45-5, the Spartans had every reason to be confident. However, U-High’s precision and disciplined play proved too much to handle. The Pioneers, now 21-5-1, displayed their experience and senior leadership, especially in the first half, where they quickly established control of the match by scoring four goals.

U-High’s defense was equally impressive. Known for their tight formations and tactical discipline, the Pioneers managed to stifle SJO’s high-powered offense throughout the game. The Spartans, who had averaged nine goals per match in their previous five games, struggled to create meaningful chances. Normal’s defense consistently denied the Spartans any scoring opportunities, particularly during the first 28 minutes of the second half when SJO was desperately searching for a breakthrough.

The Spartans’ best opportunity came late in the match when Zach Harper broke free of U-High’s defensive line with just over five minutes left. Harper’s one-on-one chance against Pioneer goalkeeper Noah Grieshaber could have ended SJO’s scoring drought, but Grieshaber came up with a crucial stop, preserving the shutout and sealing the Pioneers’ victory.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Mills tries to dribble the ball around Normal University's Bryce Nicolas-Penn (right) and Connor Evans during the first half.

Normal U-High’s balanced performance, marked by precise passing and organized teamwork, propelled them into the sectional final. They will face Fisher-GCMS (20-3-1) on Tuesday in what promises to be a highly competitive match.

For St. Joseph-Ogden, Saturday’s defeat brought an end to a memorable season. Led by seniors like Alexis Acosta Reyes, Carter Turner, and Logan Mills, the Spartans will be remembered for their record-breaking offensive achievements and their resilience throughout the year. In head coach Chris Stevens’ second term, the Spartans compiled an impressive 36-11-1 record over two seasons, cementing their status as one of the top programs in Class 1A.

As the Spartans reflect on a year filled with highlights, including three more wins than any previous team in program history, the foundation is in place for a successful campaign in 2025. With underclassmen like Harper and sophomore goalkeeper Jaxson Colvin set to return next season, the future remains bright for St. Joseph-Ogden soccer.

This year's team seniors included Alexis Acosta Reyes, Carson Sharp, Carter Turner, Davin Alvarez, Eli Birt, Logan Mills, Logan Patton, and Will Besson. Juniors on the squad included Branson Pearman, Rudra Chaudhary, Chris Coffey, Cooper Kietzman, Quinn Stahl, and Zach Harper. Jaxson Colvin, Nicholas Harris, Skyler Graham, Steven Newman, Tyler Hess, Waylon Jones, and Yadiel Acosta Reyes made up the sophomore class, with Hunter Cler as the only freshman on this year's varsity squad.

Stevens was assisted this season by Dan Ahart and Marcus Harris.

Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer sectional semifinal, SJO vs Normal U-High soccer playoff Illinois high school soccer Class 1A, Normal University High soccer win over SJO, IHSA soccer playoff results 2023, SJO soccer record-breaking season

Comets edge Cornjerkers out of the postseason on the way to regional finals

Oakwood-Salt Fork's Saul Carrillo (right) challenges St. Joseph-Ogden's Steven Newman for possession during their season opener at Dick Duval Field at St. Joseph-Ogden High School on August 26. Carrillo's second half boot on Saturday against the Cornjerkers punched his team's ticket into the regional title game this week.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

HOOPESTON – In a tightly contested IHSA Regional Semifinal, Oakwood-Salt Fork’s senior Saul Carrillo delivered the game-winning goal to secure a 1-0 victory over Hoopeston Area on Tuesday at Hoopeston Area High School. Carrillo’s unassisted strike in the second half, his second goal of the season, propelled the Comets to their first 20-plus-win campaign in school history and into the regional final.

The matchup saw both teams struggle to convert chances in a scoreless first half, with Oakwood-Salt Fork (21-3-0) maintaining control of possession but failing to break through the Cornjerkers’ defensive setup. Hoopeston Area's (8-17-0) backline, led by goalkeepers Beckett Moran and Brayden Walder, kept the Comets at bay, with Moran recording six saves and Walder collecting three more.

Oakwood-Salt Fork dominated much of the game, outshooting Hoopeston Area 20-5, including 10 shots on goal. Comets goalkeeper Jakob Rupp was rarely tested, making three saves to preserve his team’s clean sheet.

Key Players and Statistics

Carrillo’s second-half goal was a standout moment, but Oakwood-Salt Fork’s offense throughout the season has been led by senior Ethan Merritt, who has scored an impressive 30 goals. Freshman Mason Swartz, a versatile forward and midfielder, has contributed 18 goals, while senior striker Macen Phillips has also been a reliable force up front.

Despite not getting on the scoresheet in the semifinal, Merritt and Phillips were key in creating chances, helping the Comets maintain pressure on Hoopeston’s defense.

Hoopeston Area’s offensive opportunities were limited, with only three shots on target. The Cornjerkers, who finished fifth in the Vermilion Valley Conference (VVC), struggled to find any clear-cut chances against a well-organized Comets defense.

Record-Breaking Season for the Comets

The victory marked Oakwood-Salt Fork’s 21st win of the season, breaking the program's previous record for most wins in a single campaign. The Comets completed a flawless 12-0 run in the VVC during the regular season and have carried that momentum into the postseason.

After a 2-0 loss in their final regular-season game against Fisher-Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on October 8, the Comets have rebounded with two consecutive victories in the regional tournament. Prior to that defeat, they had been riding a 12-match win streak, and now, with back-to-back wins, Oakwood-Salt Fork appears to have regained its rhythm at a critical time.

Looking Ahead

With the semifinal victory, Oakwood-Salt Fork advances to the IHSA Regional Championship, where they will face Georgetown-Ridge Farm on October 24 at 4 p.m. The Comets will look to continue their historic run and secure a regional title as they head into the next stage of the playoffs.

Hoopeston Area, meanwhile, sees their season come to an end after a challenging year in which they finished 8-17-0 overall. As the Comets prepare for their next test, they’ll rely on their depth and resilience to push further in the playoffs, while continuing to chase their ultimate goal of a state title.

Sports Nutrition webinar for coaches coming up

EVANSTON -- Katie Knappenberger, Director of Performance Nutrition at Northwestern University, will lead a discussion with Illinois coaches on how to help their athletes stay fueled for peak performance during every game. The online talk via Zoom will held on September 7 at 4pm.

Pre-registration for the free webinar sponsored by Midwest Dairy can be done here: IHSA and Midwest Dairy Nutritional Conversation for Coaches.

Among her other qualifications, Knappenberger is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Athletic Trainer Illinois.

Area softball players earn All-State recognition

Five area players were among over 400 athletes recognized with All-State titles by the Illinois Coaches Association this past spring.

Unity seniors Madeline Reed and Taylor Henry, members of this year's state Class 2A third-place team, and St. Joseph-Ogden junior Shayne Immke were three area players to earn First Team honors out of nearly 600 softball players nominated across the state.

Unity's Ruby Tarr, a sophomore, was named to the second team for her performance as an infielder.

Addy Martinie, from St. Joseph Ogden High School, rounded out this year's area's best also at the infielder position.

Despite exiting early in postseason play, Martinie and Immke helped the Spartans to an impressive 25-9-1 record.

Along with bringing home their second consecutive IHSA softball trophy, the Rockets finished the season with 27 wins against nine losses.

Rockets advance in three events at state track

Caleb Ochs unloads a pitch for St. Joseph-Ogden

Unity's Ashlyn Denney hands off the baton to teammate Arianna Pruitt-LeFairve while competing in the 4x400 Relay at the Illinois High School Association Track & Field State Finals. The Rockets' time of 4:10.38 qualified the squad for the Class 2A finals in Charleston on Saturday. Unity will have an entry in two other events, including the 4x800 Meter Relay and Kayla Nelson in the 200-Meter Dash. See more Unity Rocket photos from state.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Urbana finishes 5th in relay prelims, squad gets a shot at the state title

May 20, 2022 - Charleston, Illinois - Tiarra Townsend-Cooper takes the baton from teammate Syniyah Quenga during their heat in the 4x200 Meter Relay at the IHSA Girls Track & Field Finals preliminaries. The Tigers' relay squad finished 5th overall in the prelims with a time of 1:44.97 and advance to Saturday's finals. Quenga, a freshman, will also represent Urbana in the 200-Meter Dash finals. See more photos from the girls' state track meet.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Let the Esports begin! IHSA ramps up new activity for gamers

It is official. Starting next February Illinois high schools and students will be able to compete against each other via networked computer video games. The Illinois High School Association will host the first-ever esports state championship next April with students competing in three games, NBA2K, Rocket League, and Super Smash Brothers. Esports, short for Electronic Sports, will be classified as an activity with its state finals running from April 17 to April 30 in 2022.

Esports is now the 10th activity offered by the IHSA. It joins joining bass fishing, chess, debate, drama & group interpretation, speech, journalism, music, and scholastic bowl as one of the IHSA’s total State Series offerings. The athletic association now administers 41 total sports and activities.

"It is exciting any time that we can expand the IHSA mission by offering another opportunity for students to represent their schools in competition," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson in a released statement back in August. "We appreciate the time and effort put forth by our staff and the committee members who helped get us to this point."

Anderson added, "Research shows that there are educational, mental, and social benefits to having students compete for their high school in any activity or sport, so we look forward to Illinois high school students who are passionate about esports being able to enjoy those benefits."

Esports is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Played in multiplayer online video game format. A growing number of professional and amateur competitions are broadcasted live with competitors earning significant prize money. Prize pools for international competitions have been as high as $34 million dollars.

If the IHSA had adopted Esports as a sport, then students would be required to follow the association’s amateur rule (IHSA By-law 3.080), which would limit any prizes a student could accept. With Esports classified as an activity, students who compete in high-level amateur or professional tournaments can keep prize earnings and retain still their eligibility to compete in the association's state series.

How can students start an esports club or team at their school? The first step would be to find other students interested in forming a team and then talk to their school's principal, athletic director or activity director to see how they can officially form the new club or team.

Balancing the benefits and risks as scholastic sports comes back

by Laura Ungar
Kaiser Health News

Photo by Brandon Mowinkel/Unsplash

This spring, high school senior Nathan Kassis will play baseball in the shadow of covid-19 — wearing a neck gaiter under his catcher’s mask, sitting 6 feet from teammates in the dugout and trading elbow bumps for hugs after wins.

"We’re looking forward to having a season," said the 18-year-old catcher for Dublin Coffman High School, outside Columbus, Ohio. "This game is something we really love."

Kassis, whose team has started practices, is one of the millions of young people getting back onto ballfields, tennis courts and golf courses amid a decline in covid cases as spring approaches. But pandemic precautions portend a very different season this year, and some school districts still are delaying play — spurring spats among parents, coaches and public health experts across the nation.

Since fall, many parents have rallied for their kids to be allowed to play sports and objected to some safety policies, such as limits on spectators. Doctors, meanwhile, haven’t reached a consensus on whether contact sports are safe enough, especially indoors. While children are less likely than adults to become seriously ill from covid, they can still spread it, and those under 16 can’t be vaccinated yet.

Less was known about the virus early in the pandemic, so high school sports basically stopped last spring, starting up again in fits and spurts over the fall and winter in some places. Some kids turned to recreational leagues when their school teams weren’t an option.

But now, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, public high school sports are underway in every state, though not every district. Schedules in many places are being changed and condensed to allow as many sports as possible, including those not usually played in the spring, to make up for earlier cancellations.

Coaches and doctors agree that playing sports during a pandemic requires balancing the risk of covid with benefits such as improved cardiovascular fitness, strength and mental health. School sports can lead to college scholarships for the most elite student athletes, but even for those who end competitive athletics with high school, the rewards of playing can be extensive. Decisions about resuming sports, however, involve weighing the importance of academics against athletics, since adding covid risks from sports could jeopardize in-person learning during the pandemic.

Tim Saunders, executive director of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association and coach at Dublin Coffman, said the pandemic has taken a significant mental and social toll on players. In a May survey of more than 3,000 teen athletes in Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin researchers found that about two-thirds reported symptoms of anxiety and the same portion reported symptoms of depression. Other studies have shown similar problems for students generally.

"You have to look at the kids and their depression," Saunders said. "They need to be outside. They need to be with their friends."

Before letting kids play sports, though, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, coaches and school administrators should consider things like students’ underlying health conditions, the physical closeness of players in the specific sport and how widely covid is spreading locally.

Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the high school federation, has argued that spring sports should be available to all students after last year’s cancellations. She said covid spread among student athletes — and the adults who live and work with them — is correlated to transmission rates in the community.

"Sports themselves are not spreaders when proper precautions are in place," she said.

Still, outbreaks have occurred. A January report by CDC researchers pointed to a high school wrestling tournament in Florida after which 38 of 130 participants were diagnosed with covid. (Fewer than half were tested.) The report’s authors said outbreaks linked to youth sports suggest that close contact during practices, competitions and related social gatherings all raise the risk of the disease and “could jeopardize the safe operation of in-person education.”

Dr. Kevin Kavanagh, an infection control expert in Kentucky who runs the national patient safety group Health Watch USA, said contact sports are "very problematic," especially those played indoors. He said heavy breathing during exertion could raise the risk of covid even if students wear cloth masks. Ideally, he said, indoor contact sports should not be played until after the pandemic.

"These are not professional athletes," Kavanagh said. "They’re children."

A study released in January by University of Wisconsin researchers, who surveyed high school athletic directors representing more than 150,000 athletes nationally, bolsters the idea that indoor contact sports carry greater risks, finding a lower incidence of covid among athletes playing outdoor, non-contact sports such as golf and tennis.

Overall, "there’s not much evidence of transmission between players outdoors," said Dr. Andrew Watson, lead author of the study, which he is submitting for peer-reviewed publication.

Students, for their part, have quickly adjusted to pandemic requirements, including rules about masks, distancing and locker rooms.

~ Matt Troha

Dr. Jason Newland, a pediatrics professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said all sorts of youth sports, including indoor contact sports such as basketball, can be safe with the right prevention measures. He supported his daughter playing basketball while wearing a mask at her Kirkwood, Missouri, high school.

Doctors also pointed to other safety measures, such as forgoing locker rooms, keeping kids 6 feet apart when they’re not playing and requiring kids to bring their own water to games.

"The reality is, from a safety standpoint, sports can be played," Newland said. "It’s the team dinner, the sleepover with the team — that’s where the issue shows up. It’s not the actual games."

In Nevada’s Clark County School District, administrators said they’d restart sports only after students in grades 6-12 trickle back for in-person instruction as part of a hybrid model starting in late March. Cases in the county have dropped precipitously in recent weeks, from a seven-day average of 1,924 cases a day on Jan. 10 to about 64 on March 3.

In early April, practices for spring sports such as track, swimming, golf and volleyball are scheduled to begin, with intramural fall sports held in April and May. No spectators will be allowed.

Parents who wanted sports to start much earlier created Let Them Play Nevada, one of many groups that popped up to protest the suspension of youth athletics. The Nevada group rallied late last month outside the Clark County school district’s offices shortly before the superintendent announced the reopening of schools to in-person learning.

Let Them Play Nevada organizer Dennis Goughnour said his son, Trey, a senior football player who also runs track, was "very, very distraught" this fall and winter about not playing.

With the reopening, he said, Trey will be able to run track, but the intramural football that will soon be allowed is "a joke," essentially just practice with a scrimmage game.

"Basically, his senior year of football is a done deal. We are fighting for maybe one game, like a bowl game for the varsity squad at least," he said. "They have done something, but too little, too late."

Goughnour said Let Them Play is also fighting to have spectators at games. Limits on the numbers of spectators have riled parents across the nation, provoking "a ton of pushback," said Niehoff, of the high school federation.

Parents have also objected to travel restrictions, quarantine rules and differing mask requirements. In Orange County, Florida, hundreds of parents signed a petition last fall against mandatory covid testing for football players.

Students, for their part, have quickly adjusted to pandemic requirements, including rules about masks, distancing and locker rooms, said Matt Troha, assistant executive director of the Illinois High School Association.

Kassis, the Ohio baseball player, said doing what’s required to stay safe is a small price to pay to get back in the game.

"We didn’t get to play at all last spring. I didn’t touch a baseball this summer," he said. "It’s my senior year. I want to have a season and I’ll be devastated if we don’t."

What SJO fans need to know about home basketball games this season

Earlier today, St. Joseph-Ogden announced the school's attendance policy for basketball spectators this season.

Following IDPH guidelines, schools may control the number of spectators for indoor sporting events up to a maximum of 50 per game in regions that are in Phase 4, or 25 at schools not in Phase 4. Spartan fans who wish to attend games must reserve their space with the school. Only two spectators per athlete will be allowed.

To protect players and fellow fans, every spectator will be screen for COVID-19 symptoms upon entry to the facility.

The latest IHSA guidelines also require all student-athletes to participate in masks -- with the exception of swimming and diving, gymnasts on an apparatus and outdoor events where social distancing can occur -- all game personnel not participating in the contest and spectators must wear masks and observe social distancing.

Below are the entry and seating information for SJO basketball games this season.

• The home team will provide a list of two spectators per athlete for each freshmen, JV, and varsity home game. Athletes and their families will need to communicate who is on this list ahead of game time so that we can keep accurate records of who is in the building.

• Spectators will be allowed to enter St. Joseph-Ogden High School through the north Commons doors fifteen minutes prior to tip-off. All spectators should park in the north parking lot, just outside of the Commons.

• Upon entry, spectators will be screened for symptoms. After being symptom screened, all spectators will need to report to the balcony seating area in the SJO main gym. Please sit on the Spartan head stickers taped to the balcony bleachers. Members of the same household may sit together.

• The gym will be cleared after the JV game is over, and the spectators from the JV game (or prelim game) need to exit the gym and return to their respective vehicles.

• Remember, masks must be worn at all times.

• No gathering in the gym or outside.

• Failure to follow IDPH guidelines will result in immediate removal from the facility.

• Concessions will not be available. There are water bottle filling stations located outside the main gym.

• Restrooms are located right outside of the northeast corner of the gym.

IHSA releases 2021 schedule for sports

John Lydgate said, "You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all the people all of the time."

That phrase will no doubt echo the feelings around the state after the Illinois High School Association released the schedule high school sports for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic year in Illinois.

The Board of Directors issued the following statement:

"Unprecedented circumstances create extraordinary decisions. The IHSA Board of Directors faced one of the most difficult decisions in the Association’s 100-plus year history today. Please know that we did so with great diligence, empathy, and understanding. There were an immense number of factors that went into today’s decisions. We knew there would be obstacles no matter what we decided. Whether those hurdles included overlapping seasons for multi-sport athletes, equity between sports, preseason acclimatization guidelines, the prioritization of spring sports, facility conflicts for schools, officiating, and that is just naming a few. Please know that each potential roadblock was recognized and given consideration. The IHSA membership, like our state, is incredibly large and diverse. Each Board member brought different concerns to the table that impacted their own school or region differently. There was never going to be a one-size fits all solution to playing 25 sports seasons in a little over four months. What did occur was collaboration and camaraderie. Each Board member may not have been able to have all of their specific concerns addressed, but we worked together to produce a schedule and plan that we believe will work for our student-athletes."

In case you haven't seen it yet, here is the list of the sports along with their start and finish dates.

"We understood the high level of anticipation surrounding today’s announcement, along with the scrutiny that will accompany it," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "Ultimately, the Board adhered to its stated goals throughout the pandemic: providing an opportunity for every IHSA student-athlete to compete safely this year and maximizing opportunities for traditional IHSA spring sports after they lost their entire season a year ago."

Anderson added that "many schools and coaches could likely offer a tweak here or there that would have, in their opinion, made it 'better' for their school or sport". He believe the Boarks decisions are a positive step for the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of student-athletes around the state.

"We are excited to channel our energy into creating as many positive experiences for Illinois high school students as we can between now and the end of this extraordinary school year."

Every sport listed above, except football, requires athletes to attend seven practices on seven different days prior to competing. Two-a-day practices still count as one practice. In regards to football, participants must practice on 12 different days before playing their first game. Players transitioning from basketball or boys swimming & diving into football catch a break and are only required to complete 10 different days prior to their first contest.

The other key outcome from the meeting is IHSA guidelines will require all student-athletes and coaches to participate in masks. They will not be required for swimming & diving events, gymnasts on an apparatus or at outdoor events where social distancing can occur. All game personnel not participating in the contest must also masked and social distance as much as possible.