Five fascinating IHSA records
We’re trying something different this week, something we’ll likely do again.
The history of the Illinois High School Association is loaded with interesting facts and figures. With more than two dozen sports spread across three athletic seasons, you’d expect nothing different over the course of so many decades.
So we’re going to dig into some of those facts and figures. This week’s High Five looks at fascinating IHSA records.
5. Pittsfield football
If we were calling this a list of records that’ll never be broken, Pittsfield High School’s run from 1966 to 1973 might be No. 1.
The Saukees won 64 straight games, including a streak of 15 straight shutouts, while posting seven straight 9-0 seasons. Unfortunately for Pittsfield, its era of dominance came just before the IHSA playoffs began in 1974.
4. The Snows
Steve Snow — who played soccer for Hoffman Estates, Indiana University and the U.S. National Team — scored a goal for the Hawks in 49 straight matches from 1985 to 1987. It’s an IHSA record that’s endured for nearly 40 years.
But what’s more remarkable is his older brother, Ken, is second on the list with goals in 47 straight matches at Hoffman Estates. Ken paved the way for Steve, also playing for Indiana and the U.S. National Team.
3. York cross country
It’s hard to imagine anyone approaching the record 28 state boys cross country titles won by York and legendary coach Joe Newton.
Newton’s reign began in 1962 and ended in 2012. It was such a dominant run, the Dukes also hold the top three spots in the record book for consecutive state titles won — six from 1989 to 1994 and five between 1980 and 1984, and 2002 to 2006.
2. No nos
Alton Marquette’s Alexis Silkwood, a softball pitcher for the Explorers from 2010 to 2013, holds numerous IHSA records.
The one that jumps out, though, is the 54 career no-hitters. Silkwood also holds IHSA records for career wins, strikeouts and shutouts.
Surprisingly, her teams never won a state title. Glenbard South beat the Explorers 1-0 in eight innings to win the Class 3A state title in 2013.
1. Benet basketball
The old gym in Lisle was a house of horrors for visiting opponents from 1975 to 1987, when the Redwings won 102 straight home games.
Benet was dominant no matter where it played for much of that era — the Redwings won five sectional titles and finished third in the state in Class AA in 1979 — but that tiny gym was something else.
I covered a handful of boys basketball games in there, including one against rival St. Francis where I had to park about two towns over. I’ve never experienced a more electric atmosphere.