SpOrtS

The weather this past week was phenomenal! After a taste of freezing temperatures and a dusting of snow, it was truly a blessing to roll up my sleeves and soak up the 70-degree sun.

As someone who enjoys outdoor recreational sports – specifically horseback riding – I was thrilled at the possibility of enjoying it in comfort a little longer. I scrambled to adjust my schedule to accommodate a ride or two, but then my internal struggle began.

While my first reaction was a chance to enjoy some fun, it was immediately fol- Sandy lowed by my more Kucharski practical reaction that I should take advantage of Speaking of Sports a break in weather to accomplish more things on my fall to-do list, like mow and rake, clean out gardens, straighten the garage, get my animal water heaters ready ... the list goes on and on.

What to do?

I decided to make the most of each of these bonus days by getting up early, doing chores quickly, and carving out some time for fun.

Although I always have more that I wanted to accomplish, I feel satisfied. I checked off several items on the to-do list but also enjoyed some time in the saddle. My favorite riding buddy – my daughter – even managed to tear herself away from her young family for a few hours and join me. I saw a lot of happy people out riding, hiking, and just enjoying our extended autumn last week, because we never know what Mother Nature has in store next.

While I’d be happy to be wrong, I’m pretty sure this was probably the last of the shirtsleeve days this season, but I won’t hibernate. I’ll bundle up, saddle up, and look forward to the time when temperatures above 32 feel like a heatwave, because it will mean spring is on its way again.

By Dan Chamness NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

It was not the Illinois High School Association state championship, but the ShaZam Racing –High School XC Championship in Chillicothe had a state finals feel.

Peter Walsdorf, who completed his cross-country career for Marian Central Catholic one week ago at the IHSA Sectional, finished ninth overall Nov. 7 in the Division 2 race. The senior, who was competing for the Fighting Gingers club team, finished the 5,000-meter race in 16 minutes, 23.16 seconds. Five thousand meters is equal to 3.12 miles.

“I would have liked to finish better, but ninth is pretty good,” Walsdorf said after the race. “I really did not know what to expect, given that this was a new course, that I had never been on this course before.”

The Division 2 race was won by Limestone’s Wilson Georges, who finished the race in 15:46.06. Georges competed for the Bartonville Boxers. During the school year, he competed for Limestone Community High School in Bartonville.

“I wanted to stay with Wilson, but he just went way fast,” Walsdorf said. “I could not stay up with him.”

In the history of Hurricane boys cross-country, only four athletes have finished in the top 10 of the IHSA state finals. Darryl May did it twice in the late ’70s, finishing ninth and third, when Marian was a Class A team. Walsdorf’s 11th-place finish a year ago is the highest finish by a Marian runner since crosscountry was split into three classes.

One year ago, Walsdorf ran the three-mile course in 15:12.67. The ShaZam Race at Three Sisters Park was tightly packed in the Division 2 race, as would have been the state finals. Walsdorf was less than eight seconds from being in the top five.

“It is nice to be mentioned with the greatest runners of all time at Marian Central Catholic,” he

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY DAN CHAMNESS

said. “I wish that there would have been a state final this year. But this had all the feel of a state final.

Caroline Binotti

Peter Walsdorf The venue was just different, but all the players were there. I had the same nerves as I did one year ago at Detwiller Park for the state championship.”

ShaZam Racing came up with a plan earlier in the year on how to host the meet one week after the high school teams completed their season. The race invited the best competitors of the state of Illinois and, similar to the state finals, had three classes culminating with the biggest class on Sunday, which is not traditional. On Friday, they hosted the Division I runners, and all the runners had to compete under a club name, not their high school name. The girls races started at 9 a.m. with the sixth and seventh runners competing, followed by the 9:30 a.m. start of the fourth and fifth runners from each club team competing against each other. The second and third runners from each girls team, competed against each other at 10 a.m., followed by the top runners from each club team and the invited individual competitors, who were deemed good enough to get an invite. The boys followed the exact same format, except they started at 11:30 a.m.

The times were then combined, and the girls awards were distributed at 11:30 a.m. The top 25 finishers in each division were honored, as were the top four teams. The boys awards ceremony was at 2 p.m., one hour after the top runners from each team and top individuals competed against each other. The time schedule was the same for all three divisions, each on its own day.

SCOREBOARD PRESENTED BY

By Sandy Kucharski SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

When the All-Conference golf list of the Kishwaukee River Conference was announced recently, the Woodstock co-op team had five players who received a nod for outstanding play during the fall season, including the top award among golfers.

Woodstock High School junior Luke Trewyn was named KRC Player of the Year.

“It was very exciting,” said Trewyn, who learned of the honor through a group email his coach sent. “I felt it was a big achievement.”

Player of the year was more like a cherry on top for Trewyn, who was most satisfied with his team’s accomplishments.

“I’m proud of our team going undefeated in conference, winning back-to-back titles,” he said. “We’ve had a good team through all my years in high school.”

Describing the strong team as dynamic, he said all the boys are friends and enjoy each other’s company on and off the course.

“I love getting a great score, but also seeing friends get a great score,” he said. “We all support each other.”

In a season that was very different from any other, golfers had a lot of new protocols to learn and follow. As the season progressed, some of the restrictions were lifted – such as the requirement for masks while playing.

“I was just happy we were able to play and have a season,” Trewyn said.

Despite the difficulties the pandemic presented, Trewyn admitted some positives came out of it.

“I could get out more,” he said. “With my class schedule, I could get my homework done and then go golf.”

A golfer since he was 12 years old, Trewyn said he looked up to his father and cousin who help him with his skills.

“Whenever I get the chance, I go to the driving range and do drills,” he said.

This year he worked on driving the ball consistently and on his putting game. With help from his coach and a lot of practice, he has seen improvements in both.

He enjoys playing Woodstock coop’s home course, Bull Valley Golf Club, and Woodstock Country Club. Both are tough courses, and Trewyn credits that with making him a better golfer.

“I get better and better at each practice,” he said.

Goals for his senior year include continuing to improve each time he plays and helping his team toward another undefeated season.

Golf coach Brent Filetti said the team was proud of Trewyn for winning the top honor.

“During this season, Luke has really become a great teammate and has learned that hard work over the summer really pays off,” Filetti said. “We look forward to continued success for him and our program next year.”

In a letter last week, the Diocese of Rockford announced that its six Central Catholic High Schools would not participate in the IHSA 2020-21 basketball season, which is scheduled to begin Nov. 16.

The decision affects Marian Central Catholic High School as well as Aurora Central, St. Edward, Boylan, Aquin, and Sterling Newman. The Nov. 5 letter was a response to the recent decision by the Illinois High School Association to move forward with the 2020-21 high school girls and boys basketball seasons.

The IHSA decision was issued without the support and endorsement of either the Illinois Department of Public Health or the Illinois State Board of Education, and it would be in violation of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order prohibiting basketball practice and games.

The diocese cited the health and safety of all students as its first and most important priority.

“Entering into the high school basketball season at a time when the daily COVID positive percentages in Northern Illinois and, in particular, in our diocese, are at 10 percent and above would be irresponsible and unsafe,” the letter said.

The letter expressed concern and offered prayers for all people who have been affected physically, emotionally, and spiritually by the pandemic and for the well-being of all of the school communities within the diocese.

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY VICKY LONG

GIRLS TENNIS TEAM Congratulations to the girls tennis team. This season was the team’s fourth KRC championship and fourth undefeated season. This is an amazing group of athletes! These girls showed constant support of each other, on and off the court. They never gave up on themselves, each other or the game and this determination paid off! Thunder Nation is proud of your commitment to yourself and your team! #Thunderstrong

sponsored by

CONGRATULATIONS!