Valmeyer senior takes her shot at a state title

Valmeyer senior Ava McClellan competing in the state long jump
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHARLESTON - Ava McClellan jumps 15' 11" on her second attempt during the Class 1A Long Jump at the IHSA Girls Track & Field Finals on Thursday. The Valmeyer senior finished third her flight with her best of three jumps at 16' 07.25".

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Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA girls state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports, Valmyer High School, Long Jump, State track qualifier


Kenwood topples Alton in girls' 4A state semifinal battle, Powers scores 19 for Redbirds in loss

Alton's Jarius Powers at the IHSA state basketball tournament
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Kenwood's Ariella Henigan and Icesis Thomas try to take the ball from Alton's Jarius Powers during second-half action of their Class 4A state semifinal game at CEFCU Arena.

NORMAL - Kenwood High School punched its ticket to the Class 4A championship game, holding off Alton High School 61-55 in a physical semifinal battle Friday at CEFCU Arena in Normal during the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals.

The Redbirds arrived in Normal with a nearly spotless record, dropping just two games all season—both to out-of-state opponents. They had dominated every Illinois team they faced until Friday's showdown with Kenwood on the home floor of their name-sake Illinois State University Redbirds.

Kenwood wasted no time seizing control. Henigan opened the scoring with a jumper to give the Broncos a 2-0 lead, and they never looked back. Despite an early push from Powers and Proctor, who combined for 14 first-quarter points, the Broncos held the lead for the entire contest.

Kenwood head coach Andre Lewis wasn't surprised Alton made it a fight.

"I knew they were coming back," he explained. "We had a run. They had a run. We had a run ... you just have to withstand it and in the most critical moments, execute."

Fueled by a suffocating full-court press, Kenwood jumped ahead by as many as 14 points in the first quarter and took a 35-30 advantage into halftime. But Alton refused to fade quietly.


Alton's Justice Haynes is tripped up
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Alton's Justice Haynes is tripped up while going for a loose ball with Kenwood's Icesis Thomas. Haynes finished the game with just two points, two assists and a steal. Thomas, who had five points, four steals and two rebounds, will play for Broncos' first state title Saturday evening.

The Redbirds clawed their way back with better rebounding before the break. Powers hauled in four boards and chipped in three points, while Norman scored four, including a crucial three-pointer from Madeleine Ducey. Twice in the third quarter, Alton trimmed the deficit to just one point but couldn't wrestle the lead away from the Broncos.

Senior Ariella Henigan led the way for the Broncos with 18 points, shooting 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. She stuffed the stat sheet, adding three rebounds, five steals, and four assists while logging 31 minutes on the floor. Junior Danielle Brooks chipped in 17 points, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the line, while senior London Walker-George also reached double figures with 12 points.

Alton senior Jarius Powers delivered a double-double with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. Powers entered the semifinal as the Redbirds' second-leading scorer this season with 457 points, trailing only Talia Norman, who added 12 points, five rebounds, and the team's lone block. Kiyoko Proctor also scored 12 points, led the team with four assists, and was perfect from the line at 2-for-2.

Lewis summed up the game in simple terms.

"The game was nothing short of a dogfight," he said. "The action was physical, it was extremely competitive, and it was contentious on both ends. Both teams didn't want to lose."

Alton head coach Deserea Howard echoed that sentiment.

"It was a fast-paced game. A physical game," she said. "We were definitely expecting that. We battled. We battled hard. Obviously, you want to battle harder when you get to this moment."

Howard acknowledged her team's defensive identity but felt they strayed from their usual intensity.

"We didn't really focus hard enough on that," she recounted. "We dug ourselves into a deep hole, and the battle back was intense."


Kenwood's London Walker-George and Icesis Thomas help teammate Danielle Brooks up
ABOVE: Kenwood's London Walker-George and Icesis Thomas help teammate Danielle Brooks up after a foul play in the first half. BELOW: Alton student fans (left to right) Scarlett Eades, Emily Phillips, Dillan Cowan and David Reese celebrate a three-point shot by the Redbirds in the second half.
Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Scarlett Eades, Emily Phillips, Dillan Cowan and David Reese celebrate a three-point shot

Despite trailing throughout the game, Howard believed her team had a shot to pull off the comeback, relying on the lessons they had learned during regular season play.

"The battle back made me feel like we had a chance. We had a shot," she said. "You know, when you get to this stage, you can't let yourself get down that far."

Alton will have little time to regroup, returning to action against Loyola Academy in the third-place game Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. The Lady Ramblers fell to Fremd in a double-overtime heartbreaker, 80-74, setting the stage for what promises to be another intense battle.


London Walker-Georgia dribbles the ball
Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Redbirds' Madeleine Ducey and Talia Norman cutoff Broncos' London Walker-Georgia from attacking the paint near the baseline during first-half action.

Lewis, meanwhile, tipped his cap to Alton's effort.

"The way they play, how they go about their business, and they didn't want to lose," he said, praising the Redbirds' tenacity, determination and the fact they had not lost to an Illinois team all season. "There were two teams that didn't want to lose."

Kenwood prepares to face Fremd on Saturday night for the 4A title. If the Broncos bring the same energy to Doug Collins Court, they might take home the program's first state basketball championship trophy.




Hunter Wahtola earns All-State Honors with bronze medal finish at 285 pounds

DePaul's Hunter Wahtola celebrates his 2-1 decision
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

DePaul's Hunter Wahtola celebrates his 2-1 decision over Bloomington's David Williams. The sophomore continued his run through the blood rounds in his second state appearance to finish third at this year's state wrestling tournament.

CHAMPAIGN - Representing DePaul College Prep this weekend on Illinois wrestling's biggest stage, Hunter Wahtola battled his way through the consolation bracket for a third-place finish at the IHSA Boys Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Staying determined and tenacious, he overcame the physically demanding battles from equally motivated opponents in the heavyweight division.

Wahtola entered the State Farm Center with a solid 31-10 record, eager to surpass his freshman year performance where he wrestled at 215 pounds and faced a tough draw in the bracket. This season, with improved technical finesse and increased strength, he left no doubt about his prowess on the mat, finishing the season with 36-11.

Wahtola's season-long journey culminated in a series of victories at state that also earned him All-State honors.

His path to the podium was marked by resilience and smart wrestling. Wahtola's campaign at state saw him triumph in five out of six matches. His pivotal matches included decisive victories over formidable opponents, including an 11-6 victory over Cary-Groves' Lucas Burton (30-5) and a 6-1 decision over St. Rita's Pat Conneely (18-13). Demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure, his attention to detail and strong work ethic in the off-season paid dividends.


Hunter Wahtola wrestles David Williams
Going nose-to-nose, Hunter Wahtola didn't back down from Bloomington's David Williams in thrilling match that ended 2-1 in his favor.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

In his bronze medal match against Anthony Sebastian of Elmhurst (IC Catholic), Wahtola used his head and his brawn. Utilizing the first period to assess his opponent, Wahtola scored on an escape in the second period, followed by a pivotal takedown that solidified his lead. With a scoreless third period, he clinched the victory with a 4-0 decision, securing the third-place spot on the podium.

Wahtola did not travel downstate to Champaign alone. Also competing for DePaul College Prep against the top wrestlers in the state were teammates Nabiel Rosario and Max Rosen. Rosario, competing at 132 pounds, concluded his season with a commendable 33-13 record. He dropped his preliminary round match and bounced back to win his first-round wrestleback, getting a tech fall on Waterloo's Konnor Stephens. The senior was then majored in his next match against Deerfield's Jackson Palzet (50-3).

Meanwhile Rosen, wrestling at 144 pounds, finished at 32-11 after going 2-2 at state. His first victory over Matton's Ben Capitosti (45-7) was settled via a 5-2 decision. He picked up a second win after his quarterfinal loss, pinning Civic Memorial's Nathen Herrin (34-17) at 4:36.


More stories ~



State Wrestling |
Providence Catholic's Jasper Harper wins in sudden victory at state meet

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Providence Catholic's Jasper Harper celebrates his 10-7 sudden victory win over Brother Rice's Frank Miceli in their Class 2A 157-pound consolation semifinal match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Harper advanced to the third place match to face St. Ignatius' Nate Sanchez. Click here to see more Sentinel IHSA state wrestling coverage.



Colombia Eagles wins small school cheerleading title

Colombia Cheerleader performs at State
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Members of the Columbia High School cheerleading team perform during Friday's preliminary competition at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. The Eagles went on to win this year's state title on Saturday battling against the nine top teams in the state in the Small School Division. Earning the division top score of 93.82, Columbia finished ahead of Breese Mater Dei (90.84) in second place, and St. Francis (90.60) in third.

This year's Eagle cheerleading team includes Lucy Moore, Daylen Stevens, Mia McConachie, Morgan, Kelley, Sophia Walters, Lylah Bridges, Maddie Mudd, Ava Stanley, Maya Dill, Addie Ramage and Ellie Davis. The is coached by Robbie Walters, who is assisted by Marla Rose.




Mission Accomplished: Providence Catholic advances to state cheer finals

Providence Catholic cheerleader inverted
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
A member of the Providence Catholic cheer team floats through the air on a tumbling run at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals during Friday's prelims.

BLOOMINGTON - After a disappointing performance in 2024, when the team failed to make the finals, Providence Catholic is back where it belongs—in the running for a state cheerleading title. The Celtics are due for another top-three finish.

"We have been on a mission moving on to day two that started 372 days ago," said three-year head coach Bridget Fox after learning the Celtics advanced to Saturday's title round at the 2024-25 IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. "We have seven seniors who have felt loss and triumph. They were really determined to make it this year."


Providence Catholic cheerleaders at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Celtic cheerleaders deliver fierce performance at state. The squad looks to impress judges again to bring home state hardware.


Friday morning, before thousands of competitive dance fans and their peers, the Celtics delivered an impressive performance. The message they sent to the other teams was clear: If you are going to beat us this year, you are going to have to be close to perfect.

Providence Catholic finished the preliminary round in third place after a strong performance in the Medium School division. Earning a score of 94.21, the Celtics cheer squad missed the top spot by 0.29 of a point. Grayslake Central finished the day as the division leader with a 94.50, and Oak Forest landed in second place with a 94.26.

The Providence Catholic cheerleading team has qualified for 17 IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals in the past 20 years. Today at Grossinger Motors Arena, the Celtics claimed their 11th top-10 appearance in the state series.

The program has won one title (2013) and brought home two second-place (2007, 2016) and two third-place (2011-14) trophies.

This year's squad includes Annie Smith, Ava Chevalier, Caleigh Cumbee, Elissa Haddad, Emma Jirik, Fiona Warner, Grace Ogarek, Hayden Kinsella, Isabella Alejo, Kailey Velasco, Katelyn Walker, Lauren Lanz, Lilly Dillman, Lily Ingram, Lucy Lombardo, Madison Ternik, Mia Zvejnieks, Mia Piano, Payton Jerik, Reese Guzior, Rowan Tone, Sofia Felice, Violet Hassan and Zoey Xydakis.

Tickets for Saturday's finals competition are $12 at the door and can be purchased in advance online via TicketMaster or by phone at the City Box Office at (309) 434-2777.

Schedule for Saturday
Small & Medium School Competition

10:00 a.m. - Doors of the arena open to public
10:55 a.m. - Welcome & National Anthem
11:00 a.m. - Small and Medium Team Finals
(Small and Medium team performances alternate)
12:45 p.m. - Small Team Awards
1:15 p.m. - Medium Team Awards

Top ten teams advancing to Saturday's Finals
1 - Grayslake Central 94.50
2 - Oak Forest 94.26
3 - Providence Catholic 94.21
4 - Morris 93.88
5 - Cary-Grove 91.68
6 - Benet Academy 91.19
9 - Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge 90.20
10 - Lemont 89.79



Defending champ Lake Forest leads strong field at IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals

Lake Forest Varsity Blue Dance Team
Members of the Lake Forest Varsity Blue Dance Team perform at the 2024 state dance competition. Lake Forest won the Class 2A title and look to win another this weekend in Bloomington.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON – The road to an IHSA Competitive Dance state title runs through Grossinger Motors Arena this weekend, where 30 Class 2A teams will battle for a coveted spot in Saturday’s finals. With nine of last year’s top 12 squads returning, the competition is stacked with experienced contenders looking to make their mark.

Defending champion Lake Forest enters its 10th consecutive state finals appearance with a history of success, including two first-place titles, a runner-up finish, and two third-place trophies since IHSA introduced the sport. The Scouts will look to hold off a strong field, including last year’s runner-up Lincoln-Way West, a program that has never missed a state final and boasts seven sectional titles along with two state trophies.

Geneva, another perennial power, returns after securing a state berth for the 12th time. The program has finished in the top three every time it has competed at state, amassing 11 trophies—five first-place, four second-place, and two third-place finishes.

Other returning teams looking to break through include Lake Zurich, Vernon Hills, Burlington Central, St. Charles North, Deerfield, and Grant. Notably, Jones, Lincoln-Way Central, and Crystal Lake Central were unable to advance out of sectionals.

The top 12 teams from Friday’s preliminary round will advance to Saturday’s finals, where a new state champion will be crowned.

Event Schedule and Ticket Information
The Class 2A competition kicks off Friday morning, with doors opening at 9:15 a.m. The first performance is set for 10:15 a.m., with the final routine scheduled for 2:21 p.m. The top teams from the preliminary round will advance to Saturday’s finals, with finalists announced at 2:40 p.m.

Fans traveling to watch the state’s best high school dance teams in action can purchase tickets for $12 per person. Digital tickets are available for purchase online or by calling the City Box Office at 309-434-2777.

Attendees should be aware that Grossinger Motors Arena enforces a clear bag policy. All bags, purses, and personal items will be subject to search upon entry. If an item is prohibited or too large, guests must return it to their vehicle or surrender it at the entrance, as the venue does not provide storage for oversized items.





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