Kevin McGavin –

‘I am still hopeful’: Yale recruit Matthew Appel eyes state titles in the discus and shot put for Neuqua Valley

April 3, 2020 at 7:23 p.m.

Not much can stop Neuqua Valley senior Matthew Appel. He always finds a way. "I am actually still able to throw," Appel said. "I have been able to throw discus...

Andrew's John Bickel, middle, runs in a semifinal heat of the 100-meter dash during the boys track state meet at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston on Friday, May 24, 2019.

Illinois football recruit John Bickel looks to be a pick to click for Andrew in 400 relay: ‘I am pretty sure we can win a state championship.’

April 3, 2020 at 5:43 p.m.

Andrew's John Bickel can fly. Most people know the senior sprinter as an Illinois football recruit, but he believes he can combine with Malachi and Mychah Spells to make some...

Kaneland's Austin Adams runs in a semifinal heat of the 1,600-meter relay during the boys track state meet on Friday, May 24, 2019.

‘I believe in myself’: Austin Adams remains unfazed by Kaneland competing in 2A for cross country but 3A for track

April 1, 2020 at 3:16 p.m.

Austin Adams found himself in a peculiar position last spring. The Kaneland senior hopes to be there again. Adams went head-to-head with Naperville Central's Thomas Shilgalis in the 800-meter run...

Homewood-Flossmoor's Ashanti Denton, right, takes first place in the 400-meter dash in the girls track state meet at Eastern Illinois University?s O?Brien Field in Charleston on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

‘She knows what she wants to do’: Minnesota recruit Kaylah McCall maintains focus as H-F hopes to defend state title in girls track

March 27, 2020 at 5:33 p.m.

Homewood-Flossmoor coach Terrance Terry doesn't have to look far to find talent. The Vikings are a powerhouse in girls track. But when talking about senior Kaylah McCall, Terry described the...

West Aurora's Victoria Spagnola competes in the long jump during the Metea Valley Sectional in Aurora on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Victoria Spagnola takes baton as the next star hurdler for West Aurora: ‘She has some big shoes to fill. That’s what drives her.’

March 25, 2020 at 2:18 p.m.

West Aurora junior Victoria Spagnola wasn't always the spitting image of an all-state hurdler. Teresa Towles, the Blackhawks' longtime coach, has fond memories of Spagnola tagging along with her older...

Neuqua Valley’s Riley Ammenhauser, a two-time state champion in the triple jump, keeps focus on breaking barriers: ‘The main thing that jumpers have to work on is their explosiveness.’

March 24, 2020 at 4:22 p.m.

Neuqua Valley junior Riley Ammenhauser is a two-time state champion in the triple jump. And she has been far from idle in working on her individual training regimen. How has...

Aurora Christian's Niko Zepeda, right, tries to defend the takedown attempt of Antioch's Devin Nobiling during the 160 pound match in the Class 2A dual team state meet in Bloomington on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.

West Point recruit Cameron Johnson makes triumphant return as Aurora Christian takes 3rd place in Class 2A: ‘I had to fight with my doctors’

March 2, 2020 at 1:11 p.m.

It's his senior year. His last weekend to wrestle for Aurora Christian. Cameron Johnson wasn't going to miss this for anything. But first, the West Point recruit had to get...

Huntley's David Ferrante celebrates winning the 170-pound championship in the state meet at Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020.

Wrestling notes: Huntley’s David Ferrante uses sectional setback as ‘motivation’ to win Class 3A state title at 170 pounds

February 25, 2020 at 12:36 p.m.

For a second straight weekend, Huntley senior David Ferrante was not about to settle for being the runner-up to Barrington's Luke Rasmussen. Ferrante, the defending Class 3A state champion at...

Wrestling notes: Waubonsie Valley’s Antonio Torres works through ‘some growing pains’ to finish 5th in Class 3A state meet

February 25, 2020 at 11:41 a.m.

Antonio Torres' three-day weekend at the State Farm Center in Champaign was far from atypical for an underclassman experiencing his first Class 3A state meet. The Waubonsie Valley sophomore ended...

Yorkville's Nick Stemmet celebrates winning the 195-pound state championship match in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020.

Wrestling notes: Virginia recruit Noah Villarreal ‘felt like I couldn’t lose’ in winning 3rd straight state title for Aurora Christian

February 24, 2020 at 1:50 p.m.

It's only fitting that Aurora Christian senior Noah Villarreal hails from Plano. He has more than upheld the family's wrestling legacy in the community. Villarreal, the top seed at 138...

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