Patrick McGavin – Page 23

What does Nic Lendino’s shift to cornerback mean for Neuqua Valley’s ambitions? ‘He is going to make a huge impact.’

August 23, 2022 at 1:35 p.m.

Nic Lendino was ready to make the move. A two-year starting safety for Neuqua Valley, Lendino has become a ballhawking cornerback in his senior season. "There are some differences, but...

Metea Valley's Erick Mena (7) heads the ball in front Downers Grove North's Owen Lesley (8) during a St. Charles North Invitational game on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.

With two varsity seasons under his belt, Metea Valley’s Erick Mena grasps the secret to success. ‘I kept giving it my all.’

August 22, 2022 at 11:16 a.m.

Metea Valley's Erick Mena felt a particular shock to his system. His sophomore and junior soccer seasons were jammed together due to the pandemic, playing in the spring and fall...

Charlie’s angle: Middle linebacker Charlie Egan tackles a multifaceted role for Naperville Central’s defense. ‘He’s a great leader.’

August 19, 2022 at 9:40 p.m.

Charlie Egan will be a defensive linchpin for Naperville Central this season. But the senior middle linebacker is more than that. Egan has a lot of responsibility as one of...

West Aurora's Omari Rashidi passes the ball during preseason practice on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022.

Omari Rashidi, a native of Tanzania, finds home as a goal-scoring forward for West Aurora: ‘He never looks for fanfare.’

August 18, 2022 at 1:18 p.m.

A three-year starter at forward, Omari Rashidi has lived up to the hype for West Aurora. But at first, coach Joe Sustersic had to conduct a bit of a search...

Michael Lawler, the ninth of 11 siblings to attend Benet, gets his moment: ‘It was always my dream to start on the varsity.’

August 18, 2022 at 2:10 p.m.

Benet senior Michael Lawler knows all about the intricacies of 11-player formations. His home life mirrors his role as the starting running back for the Redwings. He is the ninth...

East Aurora's Javier Aguirre dribbles past Naperville Central's Mateo Lopez in the Class 3A East Aurora Regional championship game on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

Patrick Z. McGavin’s top 10 boys soccer teams and 25 players to watch in the Aurora and Elgin area for the 2022 season

August 18, 2022 at 11:29 a.m.

TOP 10 TEAMS 1. St. Charles East (18-5): Saints return six starters from sectional finalist. Senior forward Mason Brockmeyer and senior midfielder Ryan Vandeveer lead attack. Elia Desario and Connor...

Is the grass greener in South Dakota? Patrick Hoffmann finds out as he reunites with a prominent former Neuqua Valley quarterback.

August 11, 2022 at 1:34 p.m.

Patrick Hoffmann was looking for a fresh start. After beginning his college football career at Northern Illinois, the 2020 Neuqua Valley graduate effectively went back in order to go forward....

Like it or not, the DVC title game is one and done. As Naperville North’s Aidan Gray sees it, ‘play every game like it’s the championship.’

August 9, 2022 at 12:58 p.m.

Naperville North quarterback Aidan Gray won't forget the moment. In the inaugural DuPage Valley Conference championship game last October, the Northwestern recruit scrambled 18 yards for a touchdown as time...

Joliet Catholic's Mason Alessio, left and Montini's Jayden Colon battle in the 145-pound championship match in Class 2A at the State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.

‘I just want to be the best’: St. Charles East’s Ben Davino doesn’t allow a single point in winning seven straight matches for national title.

August 8, 2022 at 2:52 p.m.

Perfection has been a constant pursuit for St. Charles East's Ben Davino. As a sophomore last season, Davino finished 37-1 at 120 pounds in winning a Class 3A individual wrestling...

After trying out for Lithuania’s U-18 national team, Naperville Central’s Mantas Zilys takes stock: ‘The whole thing was amazing.’

August 5, 2022 at 8:09 p.m.

Mantas Zilys missed a crucial juncture of Naperville Central's summer schedule, but basketball coach Pete Kramer gave Zilys his blessing. And for good reason. "Not having him hurt our chemistry,"...

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