Patrick McGavin – Page 29

Michael Piche is in his first year as a varsity starter for Waubonsie Valley. Blake Pietryk is back from an injury. None of it came easy.

April 20, 2022 at 11:31 p.m.

As a junior last spring, Waubonsie Valley's Michael Piche largely watched games from the dugout as a varsity reserve. Now, the senior right fielder is an indispensable part of the...

It’s Jake LaVine’s time to shine for Metea Valley. And the junior catcher is settling in as the No. 4 hitter. ‘He’s mature beyond his years.’

April 19, 2022 at 2:11 p.m.

One of Jake LaVine's earliest memories is playing baseball in his backyard with a bat and a ball given to him by his parents. At the time, he was only...

Geneva's Rilee Hasegawa (9) and Lyons' Eleanor Musgrove (8) converge on the ball during a nonconference game in Geneva on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Rilee Hasegawa plays three sports for Geneva, but she prefers soccer due to the nonstop pace: ‘You don’t have those three-minute breaks.’

April 18, 2022 at 1:28 p.m.

Geneva junior Rilee Hasegawa is not one to stand still. She naturally adheres to a classic idea made famous by legendary men's basketball coach John Wooden, who said "be quick,...

St. Charles North's Lauren Balster, left, goes up for a header against Neuqua Valley during a nonconference game in St. Charles on Saturday, March 19, 2022.

Patrick Z. McGavin’s Beacon-News/Courier-News girls soccer rankings and player of the week for Tuesday, April 19, 2022

April 18, 2022 at 10:57 a.m.

Top 10 With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses. 1. St. Charles North 7-1 (2) 2. St. Charles East 10-2 (3) 3. Metea Valley 8-2-1 (1) 4. Oswego...

Gone with the win: Naperville North’s Luke Wagner tames the wind and Neuqua Valley. ‘I definitely had to switch it up.’

April 15, 2022 at 12:14 p.m.

Even standing 6-foot-3, Naperville North's Luke Wagner felt virtually powerless to do anything about the strong and ferocious winds that gusted up to 35 mph. The junior right-hander experienced the...

Charlie Diiulio suffers first career loss for Naperville Central but realizes ‘it’s never going to be perfect.’

April 13, 2022 at 1:55 p.m.

The life, mind and solitary state of being a pitcher. It's one against the world. Naperville Central senior Charlie Diiulio has accepted all of that. You learn how to mitigate...

Iowa recruit Madeline Andelbradt wasn’t always a headliner for Naperville North. Her awakening began at state. ‘I knew what I could do and what I could become.’

April 12, 2022 at 1:47 p.m.

How did Naperville North senior Madeline Andelbradt get involved with the high jump? Well, we're glad you asked. Her introduction actually was by chance. "I joined track relatively late —...

Batavia goalkeeper Aubrey Hahn takes a free kick against Neuqua Valley during a nonconference game in Naperville on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Iowa recruit Aubrey Hahn impresses as a goalkeeper for Batavia. And that includes the opposing coaches. ‘She reads the game so well.’

April 11, 2022 at 12:33 p.m.

Over the last decade, Steve Goletz has won three Class 3A state championships in girls soccer at Naperville North. He has coached a ton of Division I players. After his...

Metea's Tyra King battles with Benet's Sadie Sterbenz for the ball during a nonconference game at Benedictine in Lisle on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Patrick Z. McGavin’s Beacon-News/Courier-News girls soccer rankings and player of the week for Tuesday, April 12, 2022

April 11, 2022 at 10:58 a.m.

Top 10 With records through Sunday and previous rankings in parentheses. 1. Metea Valley 7-0-1 (2) 2. St. Charles North 6-1 (1) 3. St. Charles East 9-2 (3) 4. Oswego...

‘This is my last hurrah’: Northern Illinois football recruit Zeke Williams joins brother Luke, competes in track for Naperville North.

April 8, 2022 at 2:56 p.m.

Conducting sprints on the track, Naperville North senior Zeke Williams operates in a familiar space. He made his reputation with prowess on the nearby football field. That set the stage...

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