Tristan Thomas

1 week ago | wcia.com | Tristan Thomas

LODA, Ill. (WCIA) — Baylee Cosgrove overcame a handful of injuries over her first three years of college softball at DePaul, including multiple meniscus tears that required surgery. The Paxton-Buckley-Loda grad played and started in all 48 games of her senior season, batting .320 with 21 RBI, leading to a Second Team-All Big East selection.

1 week ago | sports.yahoo.com | Tristan Thomas

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois senior thrower Abria Smith became the Illini’s highest ever finisher in the women’s shot put, earning a silver medal at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field meet. Her throw of 61 feet, 10 1/4 inches put her behind only Colorado State’s Mya Lesner, daughter of professional wrestler Brock Lesnar. AdvertisementSmith was a top contributor to the Illini’s fifth-place finish in the women’s team standings, which was their highest placing in 29 years.

2 weeks ago | wcia.com | Tristan Thomas

PENFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Playing at Illinois was a childhood dream for Gavin Parkerson, but he had some doubts if that would ever come true. “There was times where I was like, ‘I don’t know if I can do it,'” Gavin said. After a partially torn UCL as a senior in high school and a two-year stop at Parkland, the rising junior is committed to play for an Illini team he grew up watching.

2 weeks ago | wcia.com | Tristan Thomas

GLENWOOD, Ill. (WCIA) — “Chatham Strong” signs line the street outside Glenwood High School, a reminder that you can’t take tomorrow for granted. “You’re not guaranteed anything, whether it’s time or opportunities and things,” head coach Vondel Edgar said. “Things can change day to day, and it’s not in our control.”“Whether we’re playing a game, whether we’re practicing, we’re going to work hard no matter what, give our 100% because nothing’s guaranteed,” sophomore Ava Bobb said.

2 weeks ago | wcia.com | Tristan Thomas

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Central product Aidyn Beck is excited to make the move to college in Canton, Missouri, where he’s set to play college basketball for Culver-Stockton College. Beck tallied 7.3 ppg and a team-high 4.8 rpg as a senior for the Maroons, helping them win a regional title for the first time since 2019. He’s ready to earn a role at the NAIA school as a freshman.