The 2024-25 Herald Cup: No. 3 Stevenson
Editor’s note: Now that the 2024-25 high school sports year is over, it’s time to announce the top schools in the Herald Cup standings. We devised a points system based on team state finishes to measure which of the 80-plus high schools from the Daily Herald circulation area had the best athletic year. Last week we announced the top five small schools in the Herald Cup standings. This week we’re unveiling the top large schools, one per day, starting with No. 5 on Monday through No. 1 on Friday.
The Stevenson High School dynasty swam on this season.
We’re talking girls water polo, of course, and the Patriots team that finished unbeaten while winning a third straight state title.
The Patriots found success in the pool throughout the school year, as well as on the tennis court and so many other venues.
By amassing 122 points that were calculated by weighing team finishes throughout the fall, winter and spring, Stevenson placed third in the 2024-25 Herald Cup standings for large schools.
How they did it
In addition to the water polo state title, Stevenson finished second in girls golf, girls tennis and badminton. The Patriots also placed top five in boys tennis and girls swimming and diving while taking sixth in boys swimming.
The football team and boys water polo teams reached the quarterfinals.
Who made it happen
Badminton was powered by the state title from the doubles team of Anvi Harish and Charlotte Richards. Katie Moy and Nivedya Nair were third while Adalyn Shum was third in singles.
The doubles team of Abby Ma and Sophia Shlyakhta finished second in the state tennis meet. Ava Alimissis was seventh in the girls golf while Campbell Ray was tied for 15th. Jaden Dai took fifth in singles in boys tennis.
Just a freshman, Daniella Berger was dominant in the girls swimming meet for athletes with disabilities.
Key stats
Junior water polo player Olivia Spieth finished the season with 156 goals after tallying 12 of her team’s 26 goals in three state tournament matches.
The football team won eight straight games capped by a second-round win over Glenbard East to reach the Class 8A quarterfinals for the first time since the Patriots won the state title in 2014.
Harish advanced to the doubles final in badminton for a third straight season. She also won a state title as a sophomore.
Key fact
The girls water polo team three-peated for a second time, matching the Patriots’ run from 2017 to 2019. The only other teams in IHSA history to finish with 36 wins were the Stevenson championship teams in 2015 and 2019.
They said it
“I think it was definitely a challenge for us. We came back strong and we definitely wanted it.” — Spieth after winning a third straight girls water polo title.
“We had a mix of emotions after day one. Some of our kids really stepped up and played their best golf to keep us in second place. We wish we could've kept it closer on day one.” — girls golf coach Emma Deegan after the team rallied in the second round.
“Abby and Sophia are great kids with bright futures in tennis and in life.” — girls tennis coach Izzy Balase after the doubles team came back in the title match from a set down and 3-0 in the second set before falling 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
“We went 3-5 freshman year, 5-4 in JV and now we're in the quarterfinals. We've been waiting for this and this is a team win, it's awesome.” — senior receiver Zach Hersh after the Patriots beat Glenbard East 35-7 in the second round of the Class 8A football playoffs.