June means it’s time to reflect on year’s best moments

Another year, another time to unveil the top 10 moments of the 2010-11 school year for DuPage County boys athletics.

Next week Josh Welge will introduce the top 10 moments for the girls.

Here we go, in chronological order.

Oct. 16, 2010: BLOOMINGTON — It takes two playoff holes, but Waubonsie Valley senior golfer Thomas O’Bryan edges Crystal Lake South’s Nick Robles for the Class 3A individual state title. After O’Bryan drains a 12-foot pressure putt for par on the first playoff hole, he eases to the crown on the second hole when Robles loses his drive in the high grass.

Oct. 30, 2010: NAPERVILLE — Lisle’s soccer team makes history by winning the school’s first boys state team title with a 1-0 victory over Peoria Christian. Eric Osika’s goal seven minutes into the second half provides the game’s only scoring and sends departing Lions coach Paul Kohorn out in style with his 100th and final victory.

Nov. 6, 2010: PEORIA — It took five years, a lifetime in terms of York’s legendary cross country program, but the Dukes finally win state title No. 27 as they top Lake Zurich 162-164 in the Class 3A race. Despite graduating the bulk of its title squad from a year ago, Neuqua Valley finishes third for its third state trophy in four years.

Nov. 27, 2010: CHAMPAIGN — Is it the best Wheaton Warrenville South football team in program history? It’s a great debate, and the Tigers make their case with a 28-17 win over Lake Zurich in the Class 7A title game. It’s the program’s seventh championship and avenges a loss to the Bears in the 2008 final.

Montini also adds to its trophy case with a 34-21 win over Chatham Glenwood in the 5A final. Like WW South, the Broncos go back-to-back for their third overall title.

Feb. 19 and 26, 2011: CHAMPAIGN and BLOOMINGTON — DuPage County brings home another haul of medals from the individual state wrestling tournament. In Class 3A, Hinsdale South’s Sebastian Pique (112 pounds), Glenbard North’s Joey Gosinski (130), Wheaton Warrenville South’s Sparty Chino (152), Willowbrook’s Steve Coglianese (171) and Hinsdale Central’s Jack Allen (285) win titles. Montini’s Frank Baer (145), Dimitri Willis (160) and Ross Ferraro (285) finish first in 2A.

The following weekend in Bloomington, Glenbard North and longtime coach Mark Hahn break through for the program’s first state dual team title. Eight previous top-four finishes culminate in a 31-24 win over Minooka in the 3A final as the Panthers build a 15-0 lead after only three matches. Montini beats Crystal Lake Central 39-29 in the 2A final for the program’s eighth dual team title.

Feb. 26, 2011: WINNETKA — A great weekend in the pool for Naperville Central leads to a second-place team finish and three event championships at the swimming and diving state meet. The Redhawks’ 200-yard medley relay team of Jeff Depew, Steven Van Deventer, Nate Weeks and Pat May add to junior Sean Lehane’s state title victory in the 100 backstroke. Hinsdale Central junior Danny Thomson wins the 200 and 500 freestyle.

March 19, 2011: PEORIA — A year after falling short of its downstate goals, Glenbard East’s boys basketball team beats the odds and advances to the Class 4A state semifinals. The Rams, led by Northern Illinois-bound point guard Zach Miller and Illinois State recruit Johnny Hill, lose to Simeon but bounce back for a 57-50 victory over Normal Community in the third-place game.

May 14, 2011: FRANKFORT — Wheaton co-op’s boys gymnastics team falls just short of Lincoln-Way East for the team title but senior Darren Fill, second in the all-around, bounces back to win an individual state title with a 9.6 on the parallel bars. Hinsdale Central junior Tyler Leahy claims the vault title with a 9.6.

May 23, 2011: CHARLESTON — Lake Park puts the “field” in the boys track and field state meet by rolling to the Class 3A title, outdistancing second-place York 74-43. Lancers senior Zach Ziemek dominates by winning the long jump, pole vault and triple jump. Senior teammate Jermaine Kline wins the shot put as the Lancers win their second straight team championship. York’s Jack Driggs wins the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races. In Class 2A, Glenbard South’s Joe Boesso claims the high jump title and Garret Payne is the 400-meter champion.

???: Moment No. 10 is up for grabs because there is still some IHSA hardware remaining to be won.

Naperville North and Glenbard West compete in Friday’s volleyball state quarterfinals. In baseball on Saturday, St. Francis, Glenbard West and Downers Grove South play for sectional titles.

Congrats to the champions and best of luck to those still playing.

kschmit@dailyherald.com