Sam Brief – Page 6 –

Loyola's Grace Dwyer, right, tries to control the ball against Hinsdale Central's Logan O'Connor, center, during the state championship game at Hinsdale Central on Saturday, June 3, 2023.

Loyola’s Grace Dwyer is the latest lacrosse standout in her family. She might not be the last.

July 10, 2023 at 8:36 a.m.

When Loyola's Grace Dwyer looks at her baby sister, Faith, she sees a possible future lacrosse player. "Maybe I'll coach my younger sister one day," Grace Dwyer said. "Coaching is...

Hinsdale Central's Dan Watcke stretches out at the end of the 800-meter run during the Class 3A state meet at Eastern Illinois in Charleston on Saturday, May 28, 2022.

Second place ‘really hurt’ for Hinsdale Central’s Dan Watcke. So the Oregon recruit learns from his mistakes.

June 5, 2023 at 11:45 a.m.

Finishing second in the state is a fancy feather in the cap for most runners. Not for Hinsdale Central's Dan Watcke. After winning the Class 3A state title in the...

Highland Park's Evan Glebov, left, and Blake Gold celebrate after winning the Class 2A state championship in doubles during the state meet in Palatine on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Evan Glebov’s injury ‘really scared’ him. The Highland Park junior and Blake Gold don’t let that stop them.

June 5, 2023 at 8:39 a.m.

The most crucial month of the season loomed, and Highland Park junior Evan Glebov couldn't serve fully. "I was really scared, to be honest," he said. Glebov had strained his...

Evanston senior Dawson Wright won the state title in the shot put during the Class 3A state meet at Eastern Illinois in Charleston on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

A state champion sprinter, Evanston’s Dawson Wright couldn’t run. Instead, she shoots for the top in shot put.

May 26, 2023 at 10:04 a.m.

Evanston's Dawson Wright is a state champion in an event she hadn't even tried until this year. An accomplished sprinter with a state title already on her resume, Wright switched...

Stevenson goalkeeper Katie Delaney celebrates after an 11-5 win against Mother McAuley in the state championship game at Stevenson in Lincolnshire on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Longtime figure skater Katie Delaney becomes ‘greatest goalie’ for 5-time state champion Stevenson water polo

May 24, 2023 at 11:47 a.m.

When Katie Delaney stepped onto Stevenson's campus as a freshman, she hadn't even dabbled in water polo. "I did swim freshman year, and I wasn't even sure if I wanted...

Neuqua Valley's Nalia Clifford, right, watches the Metea Valley pitcher just before stealing second base during a freshman/sophomore game in Aurora on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Nalia Clifford has followed in her brother’s footsteps in baseball for years. All the way to Neuqua Valley.

May 19, 2023 at 1:01 p.m.

Eight years old at the time, Nalia Clifford was getting ready to accompany her family to a baseball field one day. Her older brother, Nolan, was set to try out...

Neuqua Valley's Trista Werner smiles between innings of a DuPage Valley Conference game against Naperville North in Naperville on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Trista Werner’s time has come at Neuqua Valley. Older sister Taylor and her teammates knew it would.

April 28, 2023 at 7:27 a.m.

It's spring in 2018, and Taylor Werner is playing third base for Neuqua Valley. Near the stands, her 11-year-old sister, Trista, is half-watching and half-practicing. Trista Werner is pitching to...

Lake Forest's Tadgh Burke bats during a game against Stevenson in Lincolnshire on Monday, April 24, 2023.

One of the state’s best golfers, Tadgh Burke emerges as Lake Forest’s ace: ‘He does not accept mediocrity’

April 25, 2023 at 11:15 a.m.

Wake up at 6 a.m. Drive to the Lake Bluff Golf Club. Play nine holes. Arrive at school by 8:15 a.m. Repeat the next day. That's life for Lake Forest...

Lemont's Sage Mardjetko (16) talks with her teammates while in the on-deck circle against Shepard during a South Suburban Conference crossover in Palos Heights on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Get this. South Carolina-bound Sage Mardjetko gets better, strikes out 20 as Lemont tops Shepard. ‘She continues to grow.’

April 20, 2023 at 9:40 p.m.

Sage Mardjetko stomped her white-and-green cleats on first base and smiled widely. Then, after being coaxed by her Lemont teammates in the nearby dugout, the South Carolina-bound pitcher pumped both...

St. Laurence's Kannen Mosher (13) delivers a pitch against Marist during a nonconference game in Chicago on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

Marist doesn’t come up short with Justin Lang’s walk-off hit to beat St. Laurence. But … ‘I thought I hit it too high.’

April 18, 2023 at 10:33 p.m.

Off the bat, Marist's Justin Lang thought he was out. "I thought I hit it too high," said Lang, a senior shortstop. "I thought he'd catch it." With two outs...

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