Football

If there is one quality the football team has shone consistently through the years, its their hard work ethic. The boys finished the season 5-1, only losing to state champion Lincoln-Way East on the last game of the season. Partially practicing at the Bo Dome, the boys grinded out at practice day after day all while having to be extremely flexible with scheduling. Because of COVID protocols, football was not granted the opportunity to play a state tournament and was only allowed six conference or cross-conference games in total. With a huge win against football powerhouse Homewood-Flossmoor, the football program really cemented its claim as one of the best in the state. Great work to everybody on an impressive season despite the odds, and good luck in the future for all players who recently committed to play in college! 

Boys’ Soccer

Typically, in the fall, the boys’ soccer season lasts at least ten to eleven weeks with added games if teams continue through the state tournament. This year, we only saw six weeks of the season, and the boys ended up playing fourteen less games than the previous year. The boys final record was 4-5-1, but do not let that fool you. The uncertainty of COVID mixed with little preparation time saw the boys have to start the season by flying out the gates, and they certainly did that by beating Lincoln-Way East 5-2 despite being down 2-0 at halftime. After that, the boys showed up where it mattered most, to beat an impressive Stagg team 3-2 in overtime setting themselves up to reach first in conference. They did so when junior Ian Webber scored with a minute left to get the Warriors a 2-1 win over Andrew. Although the team reached super-sectionals the year before, there was no state tournament this year, which meant the only title available was conference, which they won. Congratulations to the whole program for a great showcase of the talent and sportsmanship all around! 

Badminton

The girls had a great season, playing earlier in the year than they usually do. Alyssa Barta and Noelle Nielsen qualified for singles sectionals, and the doubles teams of Morgan Antis/Lizzie Gonzalez and Rachel Mitchell/Emma So went for doubles. This young team has a ton of talent and is looking forward to next year when they plan to take state by storm.

Girls’ Volleyball

The girls’ volleyball team also had a shortened season but picked up where they left off from last year, giving their half of the conference a run for their money all the way until the end of the season. The team chemistry was off the charts, with consistent all-round performers in every position. With only six out of fifteen players graduating, the future looks bright for the girls’ program. Class of 2023 players Alexa Flores and Ashlynn Lindsay have another half of their careers ahead of them, so the West girls’ program should have plenty of success in the years to come.   

Boys’ Water Polo 

The boys finished third in a combined conference amongst impressive teams from both other Lincoln-Way schools. By watching the boys play, you could definitely tell they have all been playing together for a while now. With half of the team graduating, it will be challenging for the rest of the team to keep replicating these great performances, but I have no doubt they can do so. They will have a state series this year and the sectionals will be May 17-21^st. Good luck on the rest of the season, boys!

Girls’ Water Polo 

As with the boys’ team, the girl’s standards were just as high. The girls ended up in 4th place out of 9, but again, they showed their hard work and dedication against some very good teams. With a big team with a span of classes, the girls have a ton of time to work out their kinks and take the conference by storm in the coming seasons. The girls will also have a state series with their sectionals the same week as the boys’. Good luck, girls!

All right, that wraps up the “Sports in Review” series here at The West Gazette. I wanted to say thank you to all my readers throughout the year. In college I will be perusing a double major of communications and journalism at Lake Forest College, as well as playing for the soccer program. I’m hoping to be able to write for the college newspaper and eventually be able to make a career doing this for Major League Soccer. Again, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped make my experience at West truly amazing. I wish everybody the best of luck in the future. Go, Warriors!