The girls’ varsity swimming and diving team had many notable achievements and performances this fall. The team hosted and participated in the IHSA sectional competition on Nov. 9. They competed alongside fellow Aurora schools: Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, and Aurora Rosary. Other schools featured at the event were Oswego East, Plainfield North, and Benet Academy. The Mustangs had some admirable performances in swimming and diving, including senior diver Bridget Anderson, who placed 5th and qualified for state, and junior Molly Schalk, who qualified for state in the 500 free relay. Both of these Mustangs showed strong consistency among the many talented teams.
“Our team culture and attitude was amazing this year,” head swim and water polo coach Melissa Hines said. “The girls supported each other, and pushed each other, and had a lot of fun. They were hard-working, had positive attitudes, and supported each other, and it showed in the pool. This year was one of the best years I’ve had coaching since I started 5 years ago.”
The girls’ cross country sent a handful of runners into the postseason to qualify for state, including freshman Kaylee Russel and senior Bella Sieben. Russell then qualified and headed for state to represent Metea, while Sieben fell short of qualifying.
“What we could probably attribute to both of their successes is just the consistency,” head coach Eric Anerino said. “Both of them were with us throughout the summer. Both of them were very consistent with their workouts, pushing each other. That’s not to say many of our other athletes didn’t. [Everybody], with the exception of three [injured athletes], had personal records this entire season.“
The cross country team will have to say goodbye to their beloved seniors but will continue to grow and keep the consistency.
The boys’ soccer team advanced to the regional semifinals against Marmion, winning 3-1 in penalties after tying 3-3 in extra time. They then went to the regional final against the Plainfield Wildcats, which, after a hard-fought match, ended 2-1 in favor of the Wildcats. This loss concluded their season with a record of 13-8-4.
“Two of the teams we beat this year ended up in the State semifinals, and Hersey, who we beat, won state,” head soccer coach Joshua Robinson said. “What we can take from that is to always keep pushing forward, and that your luck and success can change at any moment.”
There were 12 seniors on this year’s roster, as well as seven juniors and one sophomore.
“Grit and determination pays off at different moments, so that is critical to players knowing that for next year,” Robinson said. “This year’s seniors provided such great leadership and a model of how to work and support each other, and that is the biggest lesson returning players can take into next year.”
The girls’ varsity volleyball team finished their fall season with an overall record of 28-9. They opened up their conference play with a win against Waubonsie. Continuing their dominance, the team earned an 8-2 record for all the conference games. Most notably, the team defeated Geneva to win a fourth straight IHSA Girls Volleyball Regional title. They lost in the sectional semifinals but hope to defend the regional title next fall and continue their dominant play.
The boys varsity football team wrapped up their fall season with a record of 1-8. Their last game was on Oct. 25, facing off against their rival Waubonsie Valley for the final time. “Our season would have gotten cut short if we made the playoffs,” said senior Jahiel Horton. “We would’ve played one of the best teams in the state, so it didn’t really matter. We needed better coaching, weightlifting in season, and better tackling.”
The varsity football team went 1-9, securing their only win against Plainfield Central on senior night. They will continue to work, and we are curious how their team will continue to do with the new coaching staff in the next few years.
