To put the past year of local high school sports in perspective and to get a preview of the new year, Pioneer Press interviewed Evanston athletic director Chris Livatino.
Q: What was the highlight for Evanston’s athletic programs this calendar year?
A: I guess the answer would be seeing programs break history in so many areas, especially softball, girls water polo and wrestling. Softball broke the record for most wins and won a conference championship for the first time ever, girls water polo had a school-record 25 wins and broke an IHSA record for most shutouts in a season (six) and wrestling tied the school record for most wins (32).
Q: What was one team that stood out in 2016?
A: Our softball program had a record 18 wins and finished in a three-way tie for the CSL South title, but they had never won the conference before, one of the few sports (at Evanston) that had never won. To see a program that historically had not been as successful as other sports here in Evanston perform so well and crack out of its shell was really neat, and they did it with a first-year coach in Katie Perkins.
Q: Who was one athlete who surpassed expectations on the field or in the classroom, and why?
A: If I could choose one for girls and boys … I would go with (tennis player) Anastasia Goncharova, who finished second in the state (in Class AA). (The junior) broke (several) records at Evanston, won the (singles) sectional — which had never been done before (by an Evanston player) — and swept the New Trier singles players every time she played them. Her state championship match (a 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (6) loss to Lyons’ Lahari Yelamanchili) was one of the most incredible sporting contests I’ve ever seen.
For the boys, I’d say (runner) Roland Amarteifio. He was brilliant downstate (at the Class 3A meet), finishing second (in the 300-meter hurdles) and third (in the 110 hurdles) and teaming up on the (4×400 relay) to take seventh place. He’s now at the University of Michigan. He had a remarkable year.
Q: Who was one coach who went above and beyond this year?
A: I have to give a ton of credit to (boys soccer coach) Franz Calixte. He led our team to the supersectional (in 2015) and graduated all but four kids from that team. I don’t think anybody gave them much of a chance to do anything close to that (this year). But they went 19-2-4 and made it back to the (Class 3A) supersectional, losing (to Barrington) in overtime. To be able to reload like that and not miss a beat is pretty remarkable. Kids on the team always talk about (Calixte’s) leadership, his passion for the sport and how much he cares about his players. So, I have to give a tip of the cap to Franz.
Q: Looking back on 2016, is there anything that you wish would have gone differently within the program?
A: Well, we lost our assistant baseball coach Ross Freeland (who died on March 14 after a short battle with stomach cancer). That was devastating to his family, obviously, and to our kids, coaches and community. If I could wish for anything, it would be that Ross was still with us.
Q: When you look ahead to 2017, what is your athletic program’s New Year’s resolution?
A: Our resolution is the same every year: We want to focus on the core values and not get caught up in the outcomes (on the scoreboard). We celebrate the outcomes, but we want to continue to work harder than anybody else and develop selfless players, filling them with grit and passion and strengthening their character. That’s our resolution year in and year out.
Q: What are you most looking forward to about Evanston athletics next year?
A: I try not to put pressure on outcomes, but I’m looking forward to seeing our top-potential programs achieving a level of success. Boys and girls basketball are having unbelievable seasons, and are a combined 23-1 (through Dec. 21). In the spring, (I’m looking forward to) girls soccer. Those are three programs where players have put in a ton of work in the offseason. Those teams have (several) seniors who have been there a long time and given their blood, sweat and tears. So, I’m excited to see those teams get a chance to shine at the highest level.
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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