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1 week ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
The first team includes three Neuqua Valley players and two players apiece from Benet, Metea Valley and Naperville Central. FIRST TEAMCharlie Benesh, Metea Valley, senior, pitcher/shortstop: Batted .381 with five home runs, 26 RBIs and 21 runs scored. Also struck out 115 in 87 innings and recorded 3.92 ERA. All-conference and all-state third team. Committed to Salem State.
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1 week ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
Ava Drehs had recently moved from Aurora to Naperville when she and her father, Wayne, started exploring their new environs. She was about to begin first grade when she first saw Neuqua Valley. “I had just started softball, so I wanted to see the schools,” Drehs said. “Me and my dad drove past the Neuqua fields, and it was like, ‘Oh, look at the awesome softball field.’“I thought, ‘Wow, if I could play softball for Neuqua, that would be amazing.
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1 week ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
Four Naperville Central players and three Naperville North players are on the first team. FIRST TEAMBella Brozek, Naperville Central, senior, forward: Had 12 goals and eight assists. All-conference and all-state. Committed to Green Bay. Emily Buescher, Naperville North, senior, defender: Had three goals and one assist and anchored defense for Class 3A state runner-up. All-conference and all-sectional. Committed to Minnesota.
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1 week ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
Naperville Central forward Callie Tumilty’s high school career was brief and brilliant. Those who got a chance to watch the Ohio State commit play in her senior year were treated to an athletic display rarely seen at that level. Every time she got the ball, fans knew there was a possibility she would do something memorable. That doesn’t surprise Naperville North defender Emily Buescher, who has been Tumilty’s club teammate since they were in third grade.
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1 week ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
Everyone would have understood if Benet senior Luke Wildes had decided to skip this baseball season. The second-leading receiver on the football team, Wildes suffered a torn ACL in the regular-season finale and had surgery on Nov. 12, meaning it was highly unlikely he could recover in time. But there was a catch, as there often is with Wildes. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye. “That’s all I wanted to do, focus on my knee and nothing else,” he said.
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2 weeks ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
Barrington forward Piper Lucier was a beacon of positivity during her illustrious four-year career. As consistent as a metronome and as humble as pie, the Marquette recruit racked up eye-popping personal statistics while helping the Fillies remain one of the state’s elite programs. “Besides the whole soccer part, she’s probably the kid I’ve been the hardest on over four years, and she’s taken all of it and she’s gotten better and better,” Barrington coach Ryan Stengren said.
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2 weeks ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
Benet senior Jonny Rossi pitches like a guy who has somewhere to go. In the process, he has helped take the Redwings to a place they’ve never been. “I work a little bit different than everyone else,” Rossi said. “I work fast, so I do kind of mess with people. I like to do that. It’s kind of my thing. “It wasn’t always that, but I kind of embraced it and use it to my effectiveness.”Rossi doesn’t let any moss grow when he’s on the mound.
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2 weeks ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
BLOOMINGTON — Waubonsie Valley pitcher Seth Gilliland looked around at his surroundings Monday night and saw a glimpse of his future. Then the senior left-hander went out and treated the crowd to a stirring final memory of a high school career that ended a couple games earlier than he would have liked. “Coming into the field, it was pretty cool seeing everyone lined up waiting to see this game,” Gilliland said.
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2 weeks ago | 
chicagotribune.com | Matt Le Cren
Naperville North’s Lucy Fitzgerald had to wait a long time to get regular playing time. Fitzgerald didn’t make the varsity team until her junior year and only earned a starting spot about two months ago. But the senior defender never came off the field during her final game — the Class 3A state championship game, which went to double overtime Saturday night. “It really meant so much to me because at the beginning of the year I didn’t start,” she said.
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2 weeks ago | 
shawlocal.com | Matt Le Cren
NAPERVILLE – Nazareth sophomore Samantha Austin plays the same three sports as her older sister, Olivia, who is regarded as one of the greatest female athletes in school history. Following in such footsteps could be intimidating, but not for Samantha, who is embracing her family legacy. “She’s a great role model and obviously I’ve learned a lot from her,” Samantha Austin said. “But I think for the sports we play, like soccer and basketball, we have different skill sets.
