Looking back at best moments from 2010-2011 school year
Another school year has come and gone. Where did the time go?
A few months ago, I probably wouldn’t have said that but now that we’ve turned the calendar page to June and temperatures are hovering near the 100-degree mark, the end can’t come soon enough.
Here’s one last look at some of the memorable events that occurred during the 2010-11 school year while taking a quick peek at what the 2011-12 campaign may have to offer.
We are the champions
Last November, Rosary junior Molly Coonce edged Riley Hayward of New Trier by .06 of a second to earn the 100-yard breaststroke title (1:04.72) at the girls state swimming meet.
Rosary also claimed the 200 free relay crown (1:36.10) behind juniors Rachel Burke, Katherine Hare, Sarah Sykstus, and sophomore Amber Caldarone.
This past February, five Marmion wrestlers captured individual titles at the Class 2A state tournament held in Champaign. The list of winners included Johnny Jimenez (103 pounds), Jered Cortez (112), George Fisher (119), Ben Whitford (130), and Bryce Brill (135).
West Aurora junior Doug Sullivan earned the state pommel horse title (9.55) in boys gymnastics.
Last month, Kaneland senior Taylor Andrews set a new record while winning the 110-meter hurdles title (14.27) at the Class 2A boys state track and field championships.
Some near-misses
Led by 2-way standout T.J. Lally, Marmion’s football team reached the Class 6A state championship game before losing a 48-19 decision to Rockford Boylan.
St. Charles East junior Emma Smith placed second in the 200 IM at the girls state swimming meet; Marmion junior Pete Stefanski cleared 6-7 to place second in the high jump at the Class 2A boys state track meet; Batavia senior Rob Mohr was second in the 110 hurdles (14.27) and St. Charles North junior Oshay Hodges finished second in the high jump (6-7) at the 3A boys state track meet in Charleston.
Area third-place state finishers included Marmion’s boys cross country team (2A); Geneva senior girls cross country runner Kelly Whitley (3A); Rosary’s girls swim team; Marmion’s Eddy Grahovec in the 800 (2A track); West Aurora’s Emma Spagnola in the long jump (3A girls track); and West Aurora’s Nicholas Drendel (3A wrestling-125 pounds).
Yet to be determined
Kaneland’s baseball team and St. Charles North’s softball squad will compete in the state semifinals this weekend in Joliet and East Peoria, respectively.
Favorite games covered
With nothing but pride to play for, St. Charles East’s football team spoiled St. Charles North’s postseason plans with a 16-14 victory over the host North Stars during the final week of the regular season.
Geneva’s Elena Wright smacked a 2-out RBI single to right in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Vikings to a well-played, 1-0 victory over visiting St. Charles East.
Rae Anne Payleitner belting a pair of long home runs during St. Charles East’s softball win over Batavia last month.
Any game that involved Batavia slugger Katie Ryan (18 home runs), St. Charles East home run king Tony Rallo (14 HRs) and St. Charles East pitcher Wes Benjamin (10-2 record).
Aurora Central Catholic’s girls basketball team claiming the first regional title in its 36-year history with a 49-45 victory over longtime nemesis Rosary in mid-February.
Best finish
Spencer Motley’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer from just beyond half-court that lifted St. Charles East’s basketball team to a 47-44 first-round upset of top-seeded Maine West at the York/Jack Tosh Holiday Classic.
Strangest finish
It had to be the final 2.5 seconds of the Bartlett-South Elgin regional basketball title game played in March at St. Charles East. After 2 free throws from Femi Oyewole gave the Hawks a 32-31 lead with 2.4 seconds left, Matt Chaltin intercepted an inbounds pass near half-court with 1.5 seconds remaining.
Chaltin was fouled immediately, and several Bartlett players rushed the court with one player running all the way across the court to celebrate with members of the Hawks’ student section. After the officials huddled, a bench technical was called on Bartlett and Jake Maestranzi hit a pair of free throws to give the Storm a 33-32 triumph.
Perfection
St. Charles East’s Joey Plywaczewski rolled a 300 game as part of a 779 series in the Saints’ bowling match against Elgin at the St. Charles Bowl.
Almost perfect
Batavia senior Michael Rutas pitched a no-hitter during the Bulldogs’ 4-0 victory over co-Upstate Eight Conference River Division champion Streamwood.
Geneva junior Matt Williams smacked 3 home runs in as many at-bats to left, center and right field during the Vikings’ victory over Batavia last month.
Favorite column
The January column on St. Charles North sophomore girls basketball team manager Janna Blowers. The special needs student had a profound impact on the players and coaching staff during the 2010-11 season.
Fab frosh who will become super sophs in 2011-12
Daniel Helm, Kaneland football, basketball; Alex Snyder, Kaneland football; Mackenzie Williams, Geneva girls cross country; Abby Luchtenburg, Geneva girls golf; Johnny Jimenez, Jered Cortez, Bryce Brill, Marmion wrestling; Amanda Hilton, STC East girls basketball; Isaiah Vela, STC East wrestling; Sabrina Rabin, STC North softball; Ashley England, Kaylee Wessel, STC North girls cross country.
Can’t wait to see play in 2011-12
Geneva freshman center Sidney Santos, who suffered a torn ACL during the team’s first practice and missed the entire season.
Best teams (by season)
Fall: Marmion football.
Winter: Geneva girls basketball.
Spring: St. Charles North softball.
Best individual performances
East Aurora’s Ryan Boatright poured in 55 points during the Tomcats’ 75-66 victory over STC North at the STC East/Ron Johnson Thanksgiving Tournament.
St. Charles East senior golfer Jordan Wetsch, who fired a 3-under-par 69 during the final round of the boys state tournament last October. Wetsch finished in a sixth-place tie.
Coaches/people I will personally miss seeing on the sideline/golf course in 2011-12
Mike Gaspari, Batavia football/athletic director; Gina Nolan, Geneva girls basketball; Brian Clodi, STC East boys basketball; Jim Wheeler, who retired last February after 30-plus years as golf course manager at Pottawatomie Golf Course in St. Charles.
Area athletes most likely to play professionally
Wes Benjamin, STC East baseball; Jeff Holm, former STC North/Michigan State baseball (Big Ten Player of the Year); Graham Glasgow, Marmion football.
Days until the opening kickoff of the 2011 high school football season
80.
Thanks for your continued support throughout the 2010-11 season. See you in August.
You can reach Craig Brueske at csb4k@hotmail.com.