Kevin Schmit

1 week ago | dailyherald.com | Kevin Schmit

Montini players celebrate with their first-place trophy after defeating St. Ignatius 50-44 in the IHSA Class 3A girls basketball championship game at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Joe Lewnard/[email protected] The Herald Cup is back. Created by our sports department, and still in its infancy, it debuted last school year as a way to honor athletic excellence among the 80-plus high schools in the Daily Herald coverage area.

1 week ago | dailyherald.com | Kevin Schmit

Fremd’s Coco Urlacher, left, is embraced by teammates after playing a pivotal role in the Vikings’ 80-74 double-overtime victory over Loyola Academy during the IHSA Class 4A girls basketball state semifinals at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Joe Lewnard/[email protected] With the 2024-25 IHSA school year in the book, it’s time to look back at months of excellence in the Daily Herald coverage area.

2 weeks ago | dailyherald.com | Kevin Schmit

Barrington's Mia Sirois won the Class 3A girls cross country title in November at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Sandy Bressner/Shaw Local News Network Aside from unfinished business in baseball and softball, the 2024-25 high school sports year is a wrap. Not surprisingly, we dominated. By “we” I mean the Daily Herald coverage area, our 80-plus high schools spread throughout Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Kendall counties. Were there disappointments? Of course, but we saw far more triumphs.

2 weeks ago | dailyherald.com | Kevin Schmit

Led by legendary coach Joe Newton, York High School’s boys cross country program won 28 IHSA state titles between 1962 and 2012. Daily Herald file photo 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.

3 weeks ago | dailyherald.com | Kevin Schmit

Members of the Montini Catholic football team hoist the Class 3A State football championship trophy last year at Hancock Stadium in Normal. Scott Anderson/Shaw Local News Network This just in … I’ve been crowned King of the Illinois High School Association! But for one day only, and only in my wildest dreams. Here we go with a list of things I’d change if I had a free hand in ruling the IHSA.