Athlete of the Week Archive

Mike Dixon

Johnsburg
Sat, 13 Mar 2009
Johnsburg senior guard Mike Dixon finished up his excellent high school career with 16 points in a sectional semifinal win over Gordon Tech and 17 in a loss to St. Viator in the sectional final.

Ryan Smith

Dundee-Crown
Sat, 06 Mar 2009
Dundee-Crown forward Ryan Smith had a tremendous finish to the regular season, scoring 56 points in his final two regular season games. Smith had 25 points in a loss to McHenry and 31 points in a loss to Grayslake North, both of those games coming after a 22 point effort against Waubonsie Valley.

Jenny Covers

Prairie Ridge
Sat, 27 Feb 2009
Prairie Ridge gymnast Jenny Covers was amazing once again at the Girls State Gymnastics Tournament, winning her second consecutive vault title with a 9.8 on her second attempt. Covers also followed up last season's all-around title with a third place finish this season and was part of a Wolves team that finished fourth in the team standings in the state meet.

Jacob Tonkin

Marian Central
Sat, 13 Feb 2009
Marian Central forward Jacob Tonkin helped his team to a 56-52 win over St. Francis with 17 points and added 10 in a loss to Marmion.

Hailey Cnota

Jacobs
Sat, 06 Feb 2009
Jacobs senior forward Hailey Cnota scored 14 points and added six rebounds in the Golden Eagles win over Cary-Grove. She followed that up with 14 in a win over D-C which gave the Eagles their first ever championship in 32 years, which they shared with C-G.

Danny Noonan

Marian Central
Sat, 30 Jan 2009
Marian Central senior guard Danny Noonan scored 43 points in two wins last week, including seven three-pointers. He had 24 in a loss to Robeson and 19 in a win over Aurora Christian.

Jenny Hanrahan

Crystal Lake South
Sat, 23 Jan 2009
Crystal Lake South senior forward Jenny Hanrahan had two double-doubles last week. She scored 18 points and had 14 rebounds against McHenry and then had 18 points and 12 rebounds against Huntley.

Nelle Youel

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 16 Jan 2009
Crystal Lake Central junior forward Nelle Youel scored 12 points in a Tigers win over Woodstock and 25 in a win against Harvard.

Jack Dechow

Richmond-Burton
Sat, 09 Jan 2009
Richmond-Burton's Jack Dechow won the Berman Holiday Wrestling Classic at 160 pounds at Palatine. Three of his four wins came against ranked wrestlers.

Chrissy Heine

Hampshire
Sat, 19 Dec 2009
Hampshire senior forward Chrissy Heine scored her 1,000th career point on December 11th in the third quarter of a game against Harvard. She finished the game with 22 points. Heine, who has helped keep the Whip-Purs perfect on the season also added 12 points against Harlem, 16 against Rockford East and nine against Winnebago in the Harlem tournament.

Scott Stalo

Crystal Lake South
Sat, 12 Dec 2009
Crystal Lake South hockey player Scott Stalo scored two goals and had four assists as the gators won three games against teams from the Metro Central National. The junior is third among MCA players in scoring with 11 goals and 26 assists.

Alex Hembrey

Cary-Grove
Tue, 01 Dec 2009
Cary-Grove running back Alex Hembrey carried 18 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns (64, 45, 7) all in the second half.

Eric Chandler

Cary-Grove
Tue, 25 Oct 2009
Cary-Grove fullback Eric Chandler contributed to a Trojans semifinal win over Prairie Ridge on Saturday with 112 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Cary-Grove Defense

Cary-Grove
Tue, 17 Oct 2009
The Cary-Grove defense shutout De La Salle on Saturday in a 42-0 quarterfinal win. They allowed only 164 total yards of offense in the teams sixth shutout of the season.

Jon Williams

Prairie Ridge
Wed, 11 Oct 2009
Prairie Ridge quarterback Jon Williams was instrumental in the tenth ranked Wolves win over second ranked Marmion. He had 91 yards rushing and 65 passing, and executed the option flawlessly. Williams also had the games biggest touchdown when he took it 73 yards early in the third quarter which made it 24-7 Wolves.

Corey Cavitt

Marian Central
Sat, 31 Oct 2009
Marian Central junior running back Corey Cavitt rushed for five first half touchdowns and finished with 147 yards on 15 carries in the Hurricanes 42-6 playoff win against Belvidere.

Logan Kunzie

Woodstock
Sat, 24 Oct 2009
Woodstock quarterback Logan Kunzie completed 25 of 35 passes for 271 yards and five touchdowns in windy, rainy conditions. He led them to a win over CL Central and a share of the FVC Fox Division title.

C.J. Fiedorowicz

Johnsburg
Sat, 17 Oct 2009
Johnsburg wide receiver and defensive back C.J. Fiedorowicz had seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown on offense and three interceptions on defense, two of those coming in the fourth quarter to seal the win over Prairie Ridge. They needed that win to have a shot at making the playoffs.

Kenny Riordan

Richmond-Burton
Sat, 10 Oct 2009
Richmond-Burton fullback Kenny Riordan ran for 197 yards and four touchdowns in a 53-20 win against Harvard.

Mike Kremske

Woodstock
Sat, 03 Oct 2009
Woodstock wide receiver Mike Kremske caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Logan Kunzie en' route to a 32-29 FVC Fox Division win over Johnsburg. Kremske's TDs were for 17, 6 and 17 yards and all in the first half, he finished with five catches for 72 yards in rainy conditions.Kunzie finished with 204 yards passing and four TDs and is just as deserving of the award.

Vince Gabrys

Harvard
Sat, 26 Sep 2009
Harvard running back Vice Gabrys scored five touchdowns - four rushing and one receiving - and ran for 184 yards on just 10 carries to lead the Hornets past Marengo, 49-14, in the 90th meeting between the teams.

Adam Smyth

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 12 Sep 2009
Crystal Lake Central fullback Adam Smyth ran for 232 yards and three touchdowns in the Tigers' 28-14 victory against Elgin..

Justin Peete

Johnsburg
Sat, 05 Sep 2009
Johnsburg RB Justin Peete scored the last four touchdowns of the game and finished with 106 rushing yards in the Skyhawks' 42-28 come-from-behind victory at Jacobs.

Alec Giles

Crystal Lake South
Tue, 01 Sep 2009
Crystal Lake South defensive back Alec Giles picked off a Grant pass in the fourth quarter and ran it back 62 yards for a touchdown, giving the Gators a 17-7 lead.

Jerad Grundy

Johnsburg
Sat, 06 Jun 2009
Johnsburg baseball pitcher Jerad Grundy helped his team make a playoff run by throwing a pair of one-hit shutouts and racking up 20 strikeouts in those two wins.

Mark Winkelman

Alden-Hebron
Thu, 28 May 2009
Alden-Hebron baseball pitcher Mark Winkelman helped the Giants win their first ever regional title throwing a one-hitter and striking out 11 Westminster Christian batters. Winkelman followed that up with 15 strikeout performance against Lena-Winslow in the sectional semi-final game, and added two HRs.

Danielle Simons

Marengo
Thu, 21 May 2009
Marengo softball pitcher Danielle Simons won three games over the last week by throwing two perfect games and a one-hitter, pushing her record to 16-0 on the season.

Cori Wronski

Huntley
Thu, 07 May 2009
Huntley junior forward Cori Wronski has scored 14 goals in her last six games, including three consecutive hat tricks, and now leads the area with 24 goals this season.

Amy Fanella

Huntley
Thu, 30 Apr 2009
Huntley track's Amy Fanella set a county meet record in the 300 low hurdles, took third in the 100 high hurdles, won the triple jump and anchored the winning 4x400 relay.

Amanda Daly

Johnsburg
Tue, 21 Apr 2009
Johnsburg pitcher/shortstop Amanda Daly is 3-0 in the Skyhawks last five games, with 41Ks and 1BB in 22 innings. She also was 12-for-16 at the plate, with three homeruns, 11 RBIs and 8SB.

Sarah Boyer

McHenry
Wed, 15 Apr 2009
McHenry senior pitcher Sarah Boyer is 3-1 since Friday, striking out 47 batters in 30 innings, including 20 in a nine inning game.

Luke Mottashed

Cary-Grove
Wed, 08 Apr 2009
Cary-Grove senior catcher went 7-for-8 last week with three homeruns and eight RBIs..

Chase Blazier

Harvard
Tue, 31 Mar 2009
Harvard shortstop and pitcher Chase Blazier went 9-for-11 in the Hornets first four games. The junior had eight RBIs and picked up a win on the mound as well.

Marcus Henry

Dundee-Crown
Sat, 14 Mar 2009
Dundee-Crown guard Marcus Henry played a huge role in helping the Chargers to their first ever sectional title scoring 16 points against McHenry and following that up with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists in the sectional final win over St. Charles North. He even ran the point guard position for a while against the North Stars and helped get the offense going.

Chris Madson

McHenry
Sat, 07 Mar 2009
McHenry forward/center Chris Madson scored 25 points in a one point win over Woodstock on Monday and followed that with 14 points and 20 rebounds the next night in a three point win over CL South in a regional semifinal. Madson only had four points in the first regional championship win in 31 years over Prairie Ridge on Friday, but was double teamed all night which opened up his teammates to score.

Danielle Slivka

Johnsburg
Sat, 28 Feb 2009
Johnsburg forward Danielle Slivka was a force in the Skyhawks biggest game of the year. The junior scored a game-high 23 points, including 13 in the first half as the Skyhawks jumped out to a 15-2 lead in the sectional final against Grayslake Central. The win puts them in the supersectional, where they will play to get to the state tournament.

Jenny Covers

Prairie Ridge
Sat, 21 Feb 2009
Prairie Ridge sophomore gymnast Jenny Covers won the all-around title at the IHSA Girls Gymnastics State Meet. She is the area's first state champion in the all-around event, and the first individual champion in any event for the Wolves in their 12-year history. Covers started the second day, for individual events, at Palatine High School with a 9.775 to win the vault, then scored 9.65 for second on the uneven parallel bars and 9.725 to tie for second in floor exercise. Four medals in two days!

Sergio Figueroa

Harvard
Sat, 14 Feb 2009
Sergio Figueroa didn't need long to move into the Class 1A Plano Sectional semifinals at 112 pounds, pinning Plainfield's Cody Pagakis in 53 seconds. Figueroa (39-3) said the pin was nice, but at this point in the season any kind of win would do. The senior then flew through the semifinals an the final to win the sectional championship and qualify for the state tournament.

Bryan Bradshaw

Prairie Ridge
Sat, 07 Feb 2009
Prairie Ridge senior guard Bryan Bradshaw scored 18 of his team-high 20 points in the second half against FVC Fox Division rival Grayslake Central. Bradshaw was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, several of which came down the stretch with the game hanging in the balance. The win over the Rams leaves the Wolves all alone in first place in the division.

Trevor Parlberg

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 31 Jan 2009
CL Central's Trevor Parlberg won the FVC wrestling title at 171 pounds by pinning his opponent in 58 seconds, making him a three time FVC Champion. He pinned his way through to the championship, recording his last two wins in under a minute.

Keri Bultman

Jacobs
Sat, 24 Jan 2009
Jacobs' Keri Bultman changed the complexion of the FVC Valley Conference with one shot. Bultman drove the lane and hit the game-winning shot with a Crystal Lake South defender in her face, and one second remaining on the clock. That gave the Eagles a thrilling 49-47 win and put them in a three-way tie for first place with the Gators and the Trojans. The senior finished with 12 points in the Valley win, and had 11 points, including three three-point baskets, in a win over Woodstock earlier in the week.

Claire Jakubicek

Cary-Grove
Sat, 17 Jan 2009
Cary-Grove forward Claire Jakubicek started out FVC Valley Division play with a bang this week. The sophomore scored 16 points a big win over Jacobs on Tuesday and followed that up with a career high 31 points against a solid Woodstock team, going 8-for-10 at the free-throw line. She had 14 points in the first half and then helped her team to a big lead with 11 in the third quarter. C-G is 2-0 in the Valley.

Jenna Overlee

Marengo
Sat, 10 Jan 2009
Marengo forward Jenna Overlee scored the eventual game winning basket with seven seconds remaining after blowing by the Huntley defense for the layup. She then stole the Red Raiders inbounds pass and dribbled out the last few seconds for the non-conference win. The senior finished the game with 23 points and 15 rebounds. She had seven points the following night in a BNC win over Harvard and was big on the boards. The Indians have won seven of their last eight games.

Melissa Dixon

Johnsburg
Fri, 02 Jan 2009
Johnsburg's Melissa Dixon scored 26 points Monday to help the Skyhawks complete the comeback win against Bartlett. She followed it up with 11 in a win over Prospect. In those two games the sophomore was 12-of-14 from the free-throw line and hit four three-pointers.

Chad Ljunggren

Prairie Ridge
Sat, 20 Dec 2008
Prairie Ridge guard Chad Ljunggren (10) scored a game-high 29 points in the Wolves 71-64 win over Bartlett, in the second game of the Jacobs Holiday Tournament. The junior had 13 points in the fourth quarter, and was 5-of-7 from the free-throw line overall.

Jeff Beck

Dundee-Crown
Sat, 13 Dec 2008
Dundee-Crown senior guard Jeff Beck scored a game high 17 points against Prairie Ridge in a 65-58 FVC crossover win on Friday night. He helped them rebound from their only loss of the season last Friday, and was instrumental in breaking the pressure of the Wolves defense in the win.

Conrad Krutwig

Jacobs
Tue, 09 Dec 2008
Jacobs center Conrad Krutwig passed 1,000 career points in Friday's triple overtime loss to Grayslake Central. He led all players with 22 points in that game shooting 11-of-17 from the field, and added 12 rebounds.

Mike Dixon

Johnsburg
Sun, 30 Nov 2008
Johnsburg's basketball team went 3-1 at its own Thanksgiving Tournament, losing in the final by one point in overtime to Grayslake North. Skyhawks guard Mike Dixon had a great tournament, and really had to step up his game with Johnsburg center C.J. Fiedorowicz out the last two games with the flu. Dixon had 37 to help carry his team in the final, 25 on Friday in a one point win over Grant, 20 in a win over Marian Central on Wednesday and 26 in a win over Marengo on Tuesday. That's an average of 27 points a game for the week.

Derek Mortensen

Crystal Lake South
Sat, 22 Nov 2008
Crystal Lake South fullback Derek Mortensen scored two rushing touchdowns in the Gators Class 7A Semifinal playoff football game against Geneva. Both of Mortensen's TDs (4, 10) gave the Gators a lead at the time and almost helped them to a upset win against the Vikings.

CL South Defense

Crystal Lake South
Sat, 15 Nov 2008
This honor usually goes to an individual, but in this case we are giving it to the entire Crystal Lake South defensive unit. The Gators defense allowed seven points to Cary-Grove. Seven points is all they have given up the past two weeks, both to previously unbeaten teams. They made a game-winning stand in overtime, stopping the Trojans on four straight plays from only 10 yards out. South only gave up one first down in the first half and allowed only 120 yards of offense the entire game, while forcing two turnovers.

Ken Riordan

Richmond-Burton
Sat, 08 Nov 2008
Richmond-Burton dominated Genoa-Kingston on Saturday and fullback Ken Riordan was a big reason why. The offensive line opened the holes and Riordan ran through them to the tune of 255 yards on 18 carries. The junior also scored five touchdowns, four on offense and one on a defensive interception that he ran back.

Harrison Daniels

Richmond-Burton
Mon, 03 Nov 2008
Harrison Daniels intercepted two passes and caught the go-ahead touchdown pass as the No. 14-seeded Rockets went on the road and defeated No. 3 Braidwood Reed-Custer, 35-24, Saturday night in an IHSA Class 4A playoff first-round game. Daniels intercepted a pass late in the first half to stop a Comets' drive at R-B's 15-yard line. He picked off another pass in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory. Daniels also caught a 51-yard fourth-quarter pass from quarterback Adam Pittser which put the Rockets (6-4) on top for good. Rockets coach Pat Elder also credited Daniels with throwing several key blocks that helped spring running back Justin Russell for his 160 yards rushing.

C.J. Fiedorowicz

Johnsburg
Sat, 25 Oct 2008
Johnsburg wide receiver and linebacker C.J. Fiedorowicz scored on a 29-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, then returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to secure the Skyhawks' 17-7 upset win against Huntley.

Brett Kleckner

Huntley
Sat, 18 Oct 2008
Huntley running back Brett Kleckner rushed for 122 yards on 17 carries, and had touchdown runs of 1, 80 and 3 yards. The junior's 80-yard TD run came shortly after Prairie Ridge ran back the opening kickoff of the second half, and turned the momentum back in the Raiders favor.

Eric Chandler

Cary-Grove
Sat, 11 Oct 2008
Cary-Grove fullback Eric Chandler was an important part of the Trojans 24-7 win over Crystal Lake South on Friday night. The junior rushed for 161 yards on 21 carries, and scored on touchdown runs of 69, 4, and 26 yards. The offensive line opened the holes and Chandler ran through them all night, leaving the Trojans one win short of clinching at least a share of the FVC Valley Division title.

Joe Moore

Hampshire
Sat, 04 Oct 2008
Hampshire fullback Joe Moore was one of many keys to a big win over an always tough defensive Harvard team. Moore rushed for 124 yards, and two touchdowns. The senior got the Whip-Purs on the scoreboard in the first quarter and that set the tempo for a nice offensive showing by Hampshire. The win puts the Whips all alone in first place in the BNC East, and now makes them the favorite to win the conference.

Bryan Bradshaw

Prairie Ridge
Sat, 27 Sep 2008
Prairie Ridge quarterback Bryan Bradshaw helped the Wolves set a school record for rushing yards (559) in Friday night's win against Johnsburg. The senior signal caller rushed for 216 yards on just seven carries, and scored on touchdown runs of 77, 42 and 84 yards. Bradshaw also threw a 78-yard touchdown pass to start the game.

Drew Ormseth

Crystal Lake South
Sat, 20 Sep 2008
Crystal Lake South quarterback Drew Ormseth was able to get the Gators passing game going when the run was not working. The sophomore threw for touchdowns of 32, 44, and 14 yards, and ran in another from two yards out. He led them to a 31-14 win over Prairie Ridge in crosstown crossover action.

Tom Wilson

Woodstock
Sat, 13 Sep 2008
The Woodstock wide receiver-defensive back played a big role in the Blue Streaks beating Prairie Ridge, and ending their 13-game regular season winning streak. In the senior's first game on offense he had touchdown receptions of 29 and 50 yards, and also had a 90-yard kick return for a touchdown.

Vince Gabrys

Harvard
Sat, 06 Sep 2008
Harvard running back Vince Gabrys ran wild Friday night, racking up 285 yards on 27 carries. The junior scored on TD runs of 10 and 55 yards, as the Hornets crushed Aurora Central Catholic 42-21.

Jordan Neukirch

Huntley
Sat, 30 Aug 2008
Huntley's Jordan Neukirch ran wild in Week one racking up 201 yards on the ground on just 12 carries. He scored two touchdowns, a 55-yard run in the first quarter and the other a 63-yard run in the second. The senior's performance helped the Red Raiders to a 35-14 road win over Wauconda.

T.J. Swank

Prairie Ridge
Sun, 08 Jun 2008
Swank tripled and drove in two runs in the state championship game. He also was the starting pitcher, giving up two runs and striking out five in four innings. In the state semifinals, he drew a key, bases-loaded walk that helped ignite a big inning. Swank has been named the Northwest Herald Player Of The Year.

Gina DeFano

Crystal Lake South
Mon, 02 Jun 2008
DeFano hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to gave South the only run it needed to defeat South Elgin, 1-0, on May 31. The win gave was the Gators' first softball sectional title.

Quinn Walker

Hampshire
Wed, 28 May 2008
Quinn Walker won a state title in the Class A 300-meter hurdles, and finished third in the 110 hurdles on May 24.

Lizzie Andrews

Jacobs
Sat, 10 May 2008
Golden Eagles' third baseman Lizzie Andrews should break her own RBI record at Jacobs, and is a force at the plate. This week she helped Jacobs go 4-0, batting 7-for14. The Senior had a double, triple and a home run, while driving in 12 runs.

The Schuh's

Crystal Lake South
Sat, 03 May 2008
We could not name one of Crystal Lake South's Schuh twins AOTW and not include the other, so they will share the honor. Both Aimee and Kellie deserve this recognition for their accomplishments at the FVC Girls Track and Field Meet on Thursday. Aimee won the long jump, 100-meter high hurdles and led off the Gators' winning 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Kellie set meet records in the triple jump and 300 low hurdles, and anchored the 4x400 relay. South won the meet. Kellie is pictured, but they are twins and we could only fit one picture.

Craig Lipp

Huntley
Sat, 26 Apr 2008
Huntley outfielder/pitcher Craig Lipp was 12-for-15 at the plate during a four game stretch from Monday through Friday. Of those 12 hits, there were six doubles, a triple and a grand slam home run against Jerad Grundy. The junior also had a stolen base, a walk, scored eight times and drove in 11 runs in those four games, three of which were wins. He was 4-for-4 against Marian Central, all four hits were doubles, and also sparked the Red Raiders with a triple and a grand slam on Friday against Johnsburg.

J.M. Salcedo

Jacobs
Sat, 19 Apr 2008
Jacobs' J.M. Salcedo won the 100 and 200 meter dashes, and anchored the Eagles' winning 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams. In the 4x200, Darius Bowers, Michael Kneip, Mike Wallace and Salcedo set a meet record at 1:31.32.

Kyle Williams

Cary-Grove
Thu, 10 Apr 2008
Cary-Grove second baseman Kyle Williams is on a tear, going 11-for-11 over his last two games and part of a make-up game. The senior has three singles, five doubles and three home runs in those 11 at bats. The streak started with a bunt single against Barrington in the completion of a suspended game. The last hit was a game-winning three-run home run against Fremd.

Josh Fick

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 05 Apr 2008
Crystal Lake Central's Josh Fick slammed two home runs, driving in four RBIs, in the Tigers 12-8 win over Stevenson on Friday.

Jerad Grundy

Johnsburg
Sat, 29 Mar 2008
Johnsburg's Jerad Grundy struck out 10 batters en' route to a 4-2 win over Streator, in the Skyhawks first game of the season. Grundy allowed four hits and gave up two unearned runs, while walking three batters. The Junior also drove in two runs, going 1-for-2 at the plate. Several MLB scouts clocked Grundy at 91 MPH in the first inning.

Sarah Steinmann

Marengo
Fri, 21 Mar 2008
Marengo pitcher Sarah Steinmann started off the season with a complete game four-hit shutout win over Harlem on Thursday. The senior hurler struck out 10 batters and walked two in the win. The Indians solid defense helped Steinmann preserve the shutout.

Zack Peterson

Jacobs
Sat, 08 Mar 2008
Jacobs' forward Zack Peterson had a great game on the biggest stage of his high school career, finishing with 19 points, against Boylan in the sectional semifinal on their home court. Peterson was consistent throughout the game and showed he can go to the basket or shoot from the outside with equal ease. Without Peterson they may not have come as close to beating Boylan as they did.

Mike Davis

Grayslake Central
Sat, 01 Mar 2008
Grayslake Central's Mike Davis had 22 points against Fenton (Chicago) on Friday night in the Rams 58-42 win, in the Fenton Regional Championship game. Davis was 11-of-13 from the free-throw line.

Melissa Dixon

Johnsburg
Mon, 25 Feb 2008
Johnsburg freshman Melissa Dixon helped her team win their first ever sectional championship against Regina Dominican on Thursday. Dixon did not play like a freshman who had missed several weeks out sick. She scored 15 points, going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line, was instrumental in handling the ball against a quick Regina team, played solid peimeter defense and did a good job running the fast break along with sophomore guard Megan Lopez.

Jordan Blanton

Richmond-Burton
Sat, 16 Feb 2008
Richmond-Burton's Jordan Blanton beat Neuqua Valley's Chris Spangler in the 171 pound quarterfinal match at the state wrestling tournament. Blanton trailed 6-2 in the first period and came back to tie Spangler at 6-all, before beating him 10-8 to advance to the finals. Blanton then went on to beat Montini's Carl Foreside 8-6 to win his third state championship, and first at Class AA. Blanton finishes this season with a 41-0 record, and his high school career ends at 152-1.

Jordan Walsh

McHenry
Sat, 09 Feb 2008
McHenry's Jordan Walsh pinned Glenbrook North's Tim Haymes in just 24 seconds on the first day of the Class AA Barrington Sectional. He then beat Fremd's John Lapointe by a 3-1 decision in the semi-finals. Walsh beat Deerfield's Andrew Rixon by fall at 2:14 to win the Barrington Sectional 285 pound championship. He will try to win a state championship next weekend.

Danielle Smith

Cary-Grove
Sat, 02 Feb 2008
Cary-Grove's Danielle Smith scored her 1,000th point late in the first half against Dundee-Crown on Tuesday. Danielle Smith led the Trojans with 15 points in the 49-37 win.

Ryan Jauch

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 26 Jan 2008
Crystal Lake Central's Ryan Jauch had a great FVC Wrestling Tournament, taking home the chamionship at 152 pounds. The senior pinned Jake Fredrickson in 1:03 in the championship match. He won by tech fall in the two prior matches.

Josh Polk

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 19 Jan 2008
Crystal Lake Central's Josh Polk led his team to a 42-41 win over Richmond-Burton earlier in the week. Polk finished with game- highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds, and was a force on defense. The senior sealed the win when he knocked the ball away from the Rockets' Brad Johnstin, before they could get off a game winning shot. Polk scored 11 of Central's 13 fourth-quarter points.

Katie Sharp

Marian Central
Sat, 12 Jan 2008
Marian Central's Katie Sharp started the week by scoring 26 points against SCC foe St. Francis, in a 56-47 win. The senior wasn't done just yet, she added a 28 point night to her week in another SCC win on Friday. This time, it was 50-41 over Immaculate Conception.

Markie Rahn

Jacobs
Sat, 05 Jan 2008
Jacobs' Markie Rahn let the game come to her against Huntley and when it was over she had accounted for more than half of her team's points. The senior poured in 28 points, in a 48-39 win over a tough Red Raiders team. Rahn not only scored from anywhere on the court she got the ball, she contributed heavily to Jacobs smothering full-court press, which helped give them the lead and keep it.

Carson Sterchi

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 22 Dec 2007
Crystal Lake Central guard Carson Sterchi reached the 1000 point milestone late in Thursday's game against Woodstock. The senior then went on to hit a three-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game, to help give the Tigers a dramatic 52-51 come-from-behind win.

Jamie Kuhl

Cary-Grove
Sat, 15 Dec 2007
Cary-Grove forward Jamie Kuhl was instrumental in her teams 56-43 win over Johnsburg on Friday night. The Senior had her first double-double of the season with 18 points, 14 rebounds and she added five assists. She also helped shut down one of the area's best players in Johnsburg's Michelle McDonald.

Michelle McDonald

Johnsburg
Sat, 08 Dec 2007
Johnsburg center Michelle McDonald scored 32 points against Crystal Lake South, in a 47-43 FVC crossover win over the Gators. Both coaches admit that McDonal could not be stopped in the post.

Ryan Jauch

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 01 Dec 2007
Crystal Lake Central's 125 pounder Ryan Jauch is off to a great start. He had a major decision over McHenry's Pete Domeracki, 18-7 on Friday. One day earlier, Jauch recorded a tech. fall in the first period against Grayslake Central.

Troy Appelhans

Marengo
Sat, 24 Nov 2007
Appelhans averaged 21 points a game in the Richmond-Burton/Johnsburg Thanksgiving Tournament as the Indians were 1-3 for the week. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound senior tossed in 22 in the season opener against Johnsburg, then had his best game the next night with 32 points, 15 rebounds and 15 blocks in a loss to Grant. He also scored 20 in the Indians' win Friday over Marian Central.

Jon Budmayr

Marian Central
Sun, 11 Nov 2007
Marian Central quarterback Jon Budmayr helped the Hurricanes to a 34-27 come-from-behind victory over Nazareth Academy in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Saturday. He finished 17-of-36 with no interceptions. He passed for 315 yards and two touchdowns. Budmayr also ran for two scores. He led his team to two touchdowns in the last 7:15 of the game.

Sam Campbell

Prairie Ridge
Sat, 03 Nov 2007
Campbell rushed for three touchdowns and caught one TD in the Wolves' 56-36 playoff win over Oswego. He finished with 124 yards on 14 carries and had one catch for 32 yards.

Jon Budmayr

Marian Central
Sat, 27 Oct 2007
Marian Central QB Jon Budmayr ignited the Hurricanes offense on Friday night, in the first round playoff game against Sterling, throwing for 367 yards and two TD before halftime. Budmayr used the time that the offensive line provided to connect with five different players, three of whom tallied over 100 yards receiving, and led the Hurricanes to a 46-27 win over the Golden Warriors. The junior finished with 440 passing yards and three TD, on 22-of-38 passing.

Sam Campbell

Prairie Ridge
Sat, 20 Oct 2007
Prairie Ridge RB Sam "Soop" Campbell ran for 222 yards and four touchdowns as the Wolves finished off a perfect regular season with a 52-28 win against Johnsburg. The win also gave the Wolves the outright FVC Valley Division championship. Campbell has rushed for 3,101 yards and 30 TD, in his career, heading into the playoffs. He has 1,335 and 19 TD this season.

Cole Freund

Woodstock
Sat, 13 Oct 2007
Woodstock RB Cole Freund anchored a solid Blue Streaks' running game on Friday night, in a 35-7 win over Dundee-Crown. Freund ran for 106 yards and three TDs, and caught one pass for 19 yards. The win makes the Streaks playoff eligible with five wins, and they are in good shape with tiebreaker points if they need them.

Kyle Gray

Cary-Grove
Sat, 06 Oct 2007
Cary-Grove's Kyle Gray had a huge game when they needed it the most. Gray rushed for 121 yards on 15 carries and scored three TDs. He was the only player to find the end zone the entire game. The senior's TDs were from 8, 12 and 24 yards out. C-G won the game 20-0 and moved into first place in the FVC Valley.

Kyle Magnuson

Jacobs
Sat, 29 Sep 2007
Jacobs' QB Kyle Magnuson was instrumental in his teams upset win over CL South, 16-7, on Friday. This is the second straight season that the Golden Eagles have pulled off the upset over the Gators. Magnuson rushed for 89 yards and two TDs (37, 3) on 16 carries in the win. He completed 3-of-5 passes for 42 yards, and did not throw an interception. South was ranked third in 7A, in the AP football rankings.

Jimmy Cradic

Harvard
Sat, 22 Sep 2007
Harvard RB/DB Jimmy Cradic was all over the field in Friday's 26-0 BNC East win over Richmond-Burton. Cradic ran for a 27-yard TD in the third quarter and then got his second TD on a 38-yard burst into the end zone in the fourth. Cradic also turned in one of the game's biggest defensive plays as the third quarter ended. He made a tackle in the open-field that stalled a Rockets' drive at the 5-yard line, with the Hornets ahead 13-0.

Patrick Denker

Alden-Hebron
Sat, 15 Sep 2007
Alden-Hebron FB Patrick Denker gained 256 yards rushing and scored twice to help the Giants remain undefeated. A-H (4-0) beat Brookfield (Wis.) Academy 33-21. Denker also played a key role on defense in the win.

Anthony Degani

Crystal Lake Central
Sat, 08 Sep 2007
CL Central fullback Anthony Degani rushed for 232 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries and every time the Tigers needed a big play he seemed up to the task. The Tigers beat Dundee-Crown 35-28. Degani has a nice mix of power and speed and even though everybody knows he will get his carries, he still has success. His TD runs were 27, 30 and 56 yards.

Cullen Fahey

Prairie Ridge
Sat, 01 Sep 2007
Prairie Ridge kicker Cullen Fahey's 42-yard field goal as time expired kept the Wolves perfect at 2-0, and gave them a 16-14 win over Cary-Grove. The win ended the Trojans 29-game regular-season winning streak and brought down the house. The kick left no doubt and easily would have been good from 52 yards.

Mark D'Angelo

McHenry
Sat, 25 Aug 2007
McHenry's Mark D'Angelo scored three touchdowns in a 66-29 blowout over Larkin, and the senior wide receiver found three different ways to do it. D'Angelo caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from QB Tyler Marunde in the second quarter, and added second-half touchdowns on a 32-yard run and a 38-yard fumble return.

Andrew Dwyer

Jacobs
Sun, 01 Jul 2007
The recent Jacobs graduate shot a tournament best 4-over-par 74 to win the Senior Division of the MCJGA Chapel Hill Open on Wednesday. Dwyer, who will attend Florida Golf Coast University in the fall, beat Marcus Schwartzburg by two strokes for the win.

Elliot Soto

Dundee-Crown
Thu, 21 Jun 2007
Dundee-Crown shortstop Elliot Soto found out he had been drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 13th round of MLB’s Amateur Draft in the sixth inning of Friday’s state semi-final game against Brother Rice. Soto said he will talk things over with his parents and decide where he wants to play baseball, the Twins (minor leagues) or NCAA Division I Creighton University. The Chargers fell just short in their game against Brother Rice, but Soto did lead off the inning with a single, stole second base and moved to third, putting the tying run just 90 feet away. In Monday’s 9-6 supersectional win over Rock Falls, Soto went 2-for-2 with a triple, homerun, two SBs, three runs scored and he drove in three runs. Not a bad week.
 

Johnsburg falls

The Rant has got to give credit to The Burg for another very good boys basketball season, but a sectional title wasn’t in the cards this year.  Read more...
 

IBCA announce girls basketball all-state selections

The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association on Wednesday announced the players receiving honors for their efforts this season.  Read more...

Moran on defensive for NCAA-bound UNI

Inside the University of Northern Iowa men's basketball locker room is a scoreboard that doesn't tally points.  Read more...