Pioneer Press freelance reporter Patrick Kelly conducted a phone interview with Hinsdale South athletic director Art Ostrow about the year that was and what’s to come.
Q: Who was the most dedicated student-athlete at your school over the last year?
A: This past year, it varies. That is a hard one to answer because different sports bring out different kids. We have a handful of kids that have excelled at different levels. I do not have one single person.
Q: Which coach had the biggest impact on the student-athletes he or she worked with in 2017?
A: That is a difficult one because I do not think I have an answer of one. We have a handful of coaches that are just truly passionate about what they do, that help all of our kids.
We are blessed here, to have a number of coaches that are very dedicated and do things the right way and have such a positive impact on our student-athletes.
Q: Which team surprised you the most in 2017?
A: I do not know if surprised is the right word. (We did have a) surprise victory: Our football team (earned a) first-round playoff win over Crete-Monee, which was the No. 1 seed (in Class 6A), after we got in the playoffs at 5-4. … Our girls tennis team took fifth in state (Class AA), which is our second-highest finish ever in school history.
Q: Of all the things that fall under your purview, what are you most proud of when you think about 2017?
A: Just the way our kids compete across the board in every sport. Whether we win or lose, we always compete at a high level. We compete the right way.
That is something I always say about Hinsdale South, the level of competition we have week in and week out, how our athletes can compete against anybody.
Q: What was the most challenging part of your job over the last 12 months?
A: Maybe the challenging part is trying to find the right fit, in trying to schedule some games that give our kids a good opportunity against good competition. So, you are looking at different teams to compete against.
You have that flexibility in your schedule of going out trying to find that team that will prepare you for the playoffs. Not an easy win or loss, but a very competitive game.
Q: When you think ahead to 2018, what will make you most excited to come to work?
A: I get excited every day to come to work. It is just watching our kids compete. We have some really good athletes here, and we have phenomenal coaches. It is fun to come to work every day and see those kids compete at a high level.
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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