The Arrow | Winter 2018-19

A

the arrow

A SEQUOIT MEDIA AND ANTIOCH ATHLETICS PUBLICATION volume 1. issue 2. winter 2018/2019 sequoitmedia.com . @sequoitsports 1133 main street. antioch, illinois. 60002

W

Welcome, Sequoits

elcome to Antioch Community High School and the 2018-2019 winter sports season. Our athletes have put in many hours training for their competitions this winter.

We are excited to be hosting several varsity tournaments this winter. The girls bowling team will host the NLCC Conference meet at Antioch Lanes on January 25. The girls will also host the bowling IHSA Regionals on February 2. The wrestling team will host the Ted DelRousse tournament on November 23 and November 24. The wrestling team will also be hosting their annual Pack The Place tournament on December 14, this year will be against Grant Community High School. IHSA Sectionals will be hosted at Antioch Community High School on SCHOENFELDER February 8 and 9.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

HAMILTON PRINCIPAL

MCKAY

SUPERINTENDENT

Last school year, 19 of 21 IHSA eligible varsity teams were recognized with the IHSA Team Academic Achievement Award for obtaining a 3.0 overall grade point average among all team members.

We would like to congratulate the following teams that were recognized: boys cross-county, girls crosscountry, girls volleyball, girls tennis, boys soccer, girls golf, boys basketball, girls basketball, bowling, dance, cheerleading, wrestling, baseball, boys track, girls track, girls soccer, softball, boys tennis, and boys volleyball. Individually, football players Andrew Hare, Branden Gallimore, Ben Nauman, Nico Chiappetta, Julius Catalan and Joe Karolewicz were named to the IHFCA All State Academic Team.

Last year also saw several athletes obtain AllState/State Medalist recognition. Kelsey Neville became the school’s fifth four-time state qualifier in the same sport when she medaled at the state tennis meet.

Hare was recognized as a Class 5A All State Football athlete by the IHSFBCA. Kyle Boudreau was named to the All State tennis team by the state coaches association.

Softball players recognized as All-State by the ICA included Piper Foote, Abby Pyburn, Megan Lawrence and Deighton Butenschoen. Other IHSA state medalists included: Charlie Smith (10th crosscountry), Alex Barbarise (6th wrestling), Danny McPherson (6th wrestling), Jill Everett (8th discus) and Chase Becker (8th

2 | SEQUOIT LEADERSHIP | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

discus). The Antioch varsity dance team placed fourth at the state competition. The cheerleaders placed third at the state competition. Other IHSA state qualifiers included: Jackie Sistrunk and Niall Schoenfelder in wrestling; Samantha Knab and Alyssa Olson in bowling; and Matt Becker, Charlie Smith, Zach Grindley, Noor Abdellatif, Ayanna Tommy and Nico Garcia in track and field.

An important component to our co-curricular program is our Sequoit Sidekicks activities. We would like to thank Gary and his staff at Pro Circle for allowing us to use their miniature golf course this fall for our students to participate in miniature golf.

This year, our sports media class and the award winning Tom Tom are producing the sports program (which, as you can see, has become a magazine), The Arrow. We hope you enjoy the publication. This is a new endeavor by our students where curricular and co-curricular programs are working together to recognize athletes and teams. We would also like to thank the Antioch Lions’ Club and DeliSource for their donations that will go to fund college scholarships for this year’s senior student athletes and sponsor the Ward Lear Athlete of the Year Program. Lastly, the Antioch Community High School athletic department, coaches and student athletes would like to thank Raymond Chevrolet and KIA for its support of ACHS athletics with the Big Play Program, which has donated approximately $84,500 to our athletic program over the past 18 years.

Sequoit Pride continues their support of all Antioch curricular and co-curricular programs through Sequoit wear sales and their annual dinner auction. This year’s event will take place during the second semester.

We encourage you to come out this winter and support our student athletes as they represent Antioch Community High School. We ask that you help us to represent ACHS positively to other schools by encouraging our student athletes while at contests and acknowledging great efforts by all participants. It’s a great day to be a Sequoit.

Sequoit Coaches and Trainers

A. BABIN

WIEDA

BENTON

MUNDA

HEAD CHEERLEADING

B. BASKETBALL

CHEERLEADING

B. BASKETBALL

O’GRADY

T. BABIN

WHITE

WHITE

PEEPER

WHITE

CAMPESE

MAY

CHEERLEADING

B. BASKETBALL

CHEERLEADING

B. BASKETBALL

HEAD B. BASKETBALL

GYMNASTICS

B. BASKETBALL

GYMNASTICS

BORRIES

D’ANDREA

JOHNSON

GILLESPIE

BORRERO

KERNS

MCDERMOTT

VASQUEZ

KISCHUCK

HANES

LINDBERG

NAES

HEAD G. BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

G. BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

G. BASKETBALL

HEAD DANCE

G. BASKETBALL

DANCE

HEAD WRESTLING

HEAD BOWLING

WRESTLING

ATHLETIC TRAINER

NOTTOLI

ATHLETIC TRAINER

|3

T I O U S Q R E O I S SEN ABDELLATIF

ANDREWS

BALAGOT

BARGAMIAN

BROWN

BUTLER

CAREY

CHRISTIANSEN

FILIPPONE

FOOTE

GILLESPIE

GRINDLEY

BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL

DANCE

BASKETBALL

4 | SEQUOIT LEADERSHIP | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

BASKETBALL

GYMNASTICS

BASKETBALL

CHEERLEADING

BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL

S KIYOHARA

LEINEBERG

MATEJA

MISIEK

NAUMAN

NEUMANN

A. PHILLIPS

R. PHILLIPS

REBAND

SISTRUNK

STAY

TEBBE

TIKOVITSCH

VANDERWAGEN

VOLKMAR

YARIS

DANCE

BASKETBALL

DANCE

BOWLING

CHEERLEADING

DANCE

WRESTLING

BASKETBALL

BOWLING

DANCE

BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

WRESTLING

BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL

DANCE

|5

B basketball

6 | BASKETBALL | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

VARSITY ROSTER No.

PLAYER NAME

GRADE

1

Michael Balagot

12

5

Gavin Eldridge

11

10

Zach Grindley

12

20

Andrew DeBoer

11

21

Austin Andrews

12

22

Jax DeVaughn

11

23

Robert Christiansen

12

24

Daniel Filippone

12

25

Jack Gillespie

12

30

Kevin Tebbe

12

35

Jackson Fries

11

44

Elias Vanderwagen

12

45

Benjamin Nauman

12

Sequoit boys fight for a “senior season”

F

rom hearing the crowd roar for a touchdown to the squeaking shoes rubbing against the hardwood floor, athletes are beginning to transition from football season to basketball season. It goes from packing the stands on Friday nights to crowding the bleachers in the gym.

Coming off their third straight regional championship, the boys basketball team comes back in hopes for their fourth. There is a lot of hype around the team this season and the seniors are looking to capitalize on this talk.

This season is special for senior point guard Michael Balagot.

This is the season for him to prove to his teammates, family and coaches that he is a responsible leader who can elevate the team to the next level.

“I am looking forward to playing with the guys one last time before graduating,” Balagot said. “I hope to take my game to the next level and help my team.”

For junior small forward Gavin Eldridge, he has one simple goal in mind, capturing another regional championship. Eldridge has two more seasons left as an Antioch basketball player, so he plans to take this season to watch his more experienced teammates and grow as a leader and a player.

“My goal is to win another regional championship and move on to sectionals,” Eldridge said.

This season is the end of the line for Balagot; this is his last year stepping onto the Sequoit hardwood. As much as he wants a regional championship, creating a long lasting bond and being a motivator are both equally as important to him.

“I want to motivate them to do whatever it takes to get better,” Balagot said.

For head coach Jim White, this season is very special to him, and it has a lot of sentimental value. White is going into his eighth season as the head coach.

“The players that we have as part of the program, it’s been an honor to be able to see them day in, day out and grow and be proud of what they are,” White said.

In addition, White loves the intensity and grit his team brings to each and every game. White is a firm believer that mental and physical toughness wins basketball games, and that has been the main part of their success and the force behind their three regional championships in a row.

This year the Sequoit boys have a deep varsity line up that contains many different players with a variety of skills. White and the boys are eager to get the season underway and try and capture their fourth regional championship in a row. // BY ALEXANDER RIEDEL |7

Clapping his way to victory

I

n people, there is always more than meets the eye. The nerd isn’t always unathletic.

The cheerleader isn’t always clueless.

The jock isn’t always a jerk. As a society, humans have given these traits to people that don’t always deserve them. Senior Daniel Filippone is one of those. On the court, he is seen as aggressive, animated and ball hungry.

Off the court, Filippone flips the switch, being described as smart, outgoing, funny, charismatic and almost shy.

“He doesn’t smile a lot,” head varsity boys

basketball coach and school psychologist James White said. “He smiles a lot outside of games, but in games, not much. He’s kind of known for his clapping, whether it’s out of frustration or excitement and positivity.”

The six-foot senior guard has made a name for himself at Antioch Community High School. Coming into his fourth year on varsity, the name Daniel Filippone has become synonymous with basketball. Filippone has had a key role in the Sequoits’ three straight regional championships. Over that time, Filippone has scored over 1000 points, been selected all conference, all area, LC News Sun first team and IHSA All State honorable mention.

Filippone has had many notable moments during his time at Antioch. He always finds a way to one-up himself and step up his game in the most crucial moments. The senior has a knack for coming in clutch when he needs to and leading the team when the time calls for it, especially during his junior year season.

“I don’t even know what team we were playing, but I just remember him hitting a lot of threes,” senior forward Kevin Tebbe said.

“The other team called a timeout and he just let out a nice scream. It was awesome to see the team doing well and then him going off.

8 | BASKETBALL | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

It was just fun and it got energy up on the bench.”

While Filippone has been a key factor in the success of Sequoit basketball over the past few years, he hasn’t let it get to his head. Filippone has been able to keep himself humble, even in the biggest of moments.

“With basketball, it’s something that shouldn’t define you as a person, but it’s a part that you just feel lost without and you can relieve all stress and everything,” Filippone said. “It’s been a blessing and I’m humbled to be out there every single day playing because a lot of people aren’t getting the same opportunities I am.”

Coached by his dad, Dave, and his brother, Nick, from a young age, Filippone quickly rose in skill.

“Kindergarten is probably the first time I picked [up a ball],” Filippone said. “I learned from my brother and my dad. They taught me every step of the way.”

Filippone’s intense love for basketball has given him a reputation off the court. To some, he is seen as the basketball guy, always focused on the game with no time for anything else.

“My first impression of Dan was that he seemed pretty cocky,” senior and close friend Robert Caputo said. “But as I started to get to know him, [I discovered that] he is a very humble, a very respectful and super nice guy.

Dan is super funny, but nobody really knows that because he’s too shy.”

Along with Caputo, Filippone acknowledges that there is more to him than meets the eye and he wishes more people would know the person off of the court.

“I wish that they would look past the basketball side of things and really get to know me as a person,” Filippone said. “I treat

everybody fairly. I’m generous, respectful and responsible for everything I do. I try hard in a lot of things because I just want to be the best I can be. I want to fulfill what God put me on this earth to do and what my parents have been trying to teach me for the past 18 years.”

Filippone is much more than a basketball player. The star guard is also a great student, a great friend and a great man. “[It’s] how he carries himself in the hallways and in the classroom,” White said. “He’s a better friend than he is a basketball player.”

Filippone’s aspirations for beyond high school are set in his mind. He has already been looking into colleges to play NCAA basketball while studying physical therapy.

“I’m choosing between a few schools, a few small [division one schools], Northern Iowa, Northern Illinois, Illinois State and a few [division two schools] like Lewis, Parkside, Quincy, too,” Filippone said.

Filippone’s plans beyond high school are where his truest aspirations come out. He acknowledges that professional basketball may not be his path in life, but he still wants to make a difference in the world around him.

“I would love to make a difference in my hometown community,” Filippone said. “I would love to come back here and change something to make it better. I would love to be a role model for everybody, someone they can look up to.”

To say Filippone is a man of many traits would be an understatement. The person that many see as just a basketball player is much more. Filippone is the textbook example of the concept that one cannot judge a book by its cover. To know who a person truly is, one must look beyond the cover in order to see what they have to offer. // BY JOSEPH WHITTALL

JESSICA NETTGEN

|9

SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

LOCATION

1/25

7:00 p.m.

Wauconda

Home

11/30

7:00 p.m.

Round Lake

Round Lake HS

1/29

7:00 p.m.

Round Lake

Home

12/5

7:00 p.m.

Richmond Burton

Richmond Burton HS

2/1

7:00 p.m.

North Chicago

North Chicago HS

12/8

3:30 p.m.

North Chicago

Home

2/5

7:00 p.m.

Grant

Grant HS

12/10

7:00 p.m.

Badger

Home

2/8

7:00 p.m.

Grayslake North

Grayslake North HS

12/12

7:00 p.m.

Westosha Central

Westosha Central HS

2/12

7:00 p.m.

Lakes

Lakes HS

12/15

7:30 p.m.

Grant

Home

2/15

7:00 p.m.

Grayslake Central

Home

12/21

7:00 p.m.

Burlington Central

Burlington Central HS

2/19

7:00 p.m.

Wauconda

Wauconda HS

TBD

Teutopolis

Teutopolis HS

2/25

TBD

Regionals

TBD

1/8

7:00 p.m.

Vernon Hills

Home

3/5

TBD

Sectionals

TBD

1/12

3:30 p.m.

Grayslake North

Home

3/12

TBD

Super Sectionals

TBD

1/18

7:00 p.m.

Lakes

Home

3/15

TBD

State

TBD

1/22

7:00 p.m.

Grayslake Central

Grayslake Central HS

12/27-29

VARSITY

[TOP] Coach A. Benton, B. Nauman, J. Gillespie, Coach J. White, Z. Grindley, K. Tebbe, Coach J. White Sr. [ROW 2] J. Fries, D. Filippone, J. DeVaughn, E. Vanderwagen, G. Eldridge, A. DeBoer [BOTTOM] T. Meltzer, T. Gregory, M. Balagot, B. Clark, L. Clauson

FRESHMAN 10 | BASKETBALL | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

SOPHOMORE

[TOP] Coach T. Peeper, J. Wolf, J. Gutke, E. Holmes, A. Kaliakmanis, D. Schultz, C. Glassman, Coach M. Munda [ROW 2] J. Wanke, E. Day, C. Jimenez, K. Kriese, A. Kutcher, E. Andrews, T. Hubbard [BOTTOM] N. Meltzer, B. Clark, K. Oaks, Z. Kue, M. Clauson

[TOP] L. Reband, E. Grose, A. Tindell, D. Drije, J. Tubbs [ROW 3] Coach J. White, L. Dragin, T. Crandall, A. Pankau, B. Svarc, Coach J. White [ROW 2] C. Caya, J. Moisa, T. Martinez, M. Clauson, A. Caputo, P. Sheehan, C. Chamberlin [BOTTOM] L. Baronello, L. Costello, E. Davis, B. Sooley

VARSITY ROSTER No.

PLAYER NAME

GRADE

4

Piper Foote

12

10

Hailey Webb

10

12

Kaitlynn Stay

12

14

Rachel Phillips

12

15

Gianna Riforgiato

10

20

Erin Miller

10

21

Noor Abdellatif

12

22

Nayla Loos

11

23

Miranda Chamberlin

11

24

Samantha Brown

12

25

Skylar Del’ao

11

32

Molly Volkmar

11

33

Faith Miller

10

34

Avery Larson

9

Girls basketball keeps the ball moving

J

umping into the new season with full force, the varsity girls basketball team is ready to dominate this winter. With a fresh lineup and new members on the coaching staff, the team has tremendous expectations for this year.

With extreme success last year, making it all the way to the super sectionals, the team is hoping to make history yet again.

The seniors from last year mentored the younger players who hope to continue their legacy proudly. After losing to Lakes both games in the previous season, last year ended with an 11-13 record leading to an average season for the girls.

“Many of our seniors were very talented and we learned a lot from them and hopefully [we] will remember what they taught us,” junior and varsity girls basketball player Miranda Chamberlin said.

This year’s varsity lineup includes five underclassmen who are hoping to be taught useful skills by the older players. On the other end, five seniors look to make a statement in their final seasons as Sequoits.

This season, there are only five seniors on the team, making it a new dynamic for any varsity team. Freshman Avery Larson

was placed on varsity to develop her skills early in her basketball career.

“To be a freshman on varsity is a huge honor and not something I take for granted,” Larson said. “Every day when I enter the gym I am excited and ready to become not only a better basketball player, but a better teammate as well.”

With lots of new talent on the team, there are some big expectations this year. The girls are hoping to beat their rival, Lakes, but no matter who they play they’re going to go all-out.

“The players should be ready to compete at every practice and game,” varsity girls basketball coach Timothy Borries said. “Win or lose, we want our opponents to remember how hard it was to play against Antioch.”

With new coaches, the team is looking forward to the season and their first conference game against Round Lake. Even with a new team full of underclassmen, the girls varsity basketball team holds the same agenda: make it to super sectionals and create new traditions as a collaborative group of athletes. // BY CASSIDY THOMAS | 11

Stay fills senior role solidly

I

t has never been just a game for her.

She has based her education, future and life on one sport. The early morning bus rides, everlasting practices and difficult workouts have been exhausting, but all worth it. Basketball is more than just a game for senior Kaitlynn Stay.

“The first time I picked up a basketball, I just felt a connection,” Stay said. “I had a natural talent for it and that’s when I realized my love for the sport.”

Stay has been playing basketball since fifth grade. She instantly fell in love with the game and became obsessed with every aspect of it. Once entering high school, Stay had her eye on one thing: to be on the varsity roster. But she knew it would require a lot of hard work.

“I want to be the best I can possibly be at shooting the ball,” Stay said. “Even if it’s just laying in bed form-shooting or going outside and shooting at a hoop, I just have to do something to work on form.”

After her years of experience on junior varsity, Stay had finally achieved her one goal, making varsity. Not only was it an eye opening experience for her, but it showed everyone what she really could do on the court.

“Playing on varsity is a crazy cool feeling,” Stay said. “I remember I was super nervous but really excited to see what I could do. After that game, I was ready to kick off my first year on varsity.”

Stay’s first game on varsity only made her more eager.

Last year, as a junior on varsity, Stay didn’t get as much playing time as she wanted due to the seniors who played her position, but this didn’t stop her.

“She’s somebody who’s dedicated to the sport and really

wants to play,” assistant varsity coach Jamie D’Andrea said. “I think that there were times when she was frustrated because she wasn’t getting as much playing time as she would have liked, but she filled the role she needed to fill.”

This season, Stay will be experiencing an entirely new role; she has people looking to her to carry the girls into a successful season.

12 | BASKETBALL | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

“As a senior, we will look to her to lead because she is somebody who has been in the program for so many years,” D’Andrea said. “She fills this strong role, this leadership role. She’s very adaptable, which is good.”

Although she is a leader and role model in the game, Stay is also a teammate and has expectations to fulfill on the sidelines. Stay is known to be very cheerful at games and practices, doing her best to keep her team full of energy, even when things get hard.

“She just brings such a positive attitude for all of us out there,” sophomore teammate Gianna Riforgiato said. “She’s always trying to help everyone on the team to be the best they can be.”

Stay doesn’t let her daily life affect the way she plays.

When she is struggling, she doesn’t show it to her teammates and instead directs her energy to improve her mistakes and helping out her team.

“It’s funny because on the court she’s focused and pretty hard on herself, but off the court she’s definitely a teenage girl,” D’Andrea said. “ She’s jokey, she has a great sense of humor and is comfortable talking to all the girls.”

Stay’s teammates are very important to both her basketball career and to her. When basketball gets frustrating, her teammates and friends are there to pick her up.

“I tend to lean on my teammates for help with the pressure and stress,” Stay said. “I don’t do [well] at dealing with it myself and my teammates are good at stuff like that.”

When friends aren’t around and coaches aren’t available, Stay relies heavily on her step-father. Her step-father was the first person to introduce her to basketball and ever since then, they have had a strong relationship through the sport.

“He always comes to every game that he can,” Stay said.

“He always tells me what I did [well] and points out the different things that I can work on and always helps me better myself by practicing with me every chance he has.”

Since Stay has already accomplished her goal of being on the varsity roster, she has a new plan for herself this season.

“This season I want to become a leader for the team,” Stay said. “Someone the girls come to for help and feedback. Also, I would love to make it down to state for the three point contest.”

Stay has already made an impact in her previous season.

“She helps me with my shot all the time,” Riforgiato said.

“Whenever I don’t get plays she’s always there to explain it and she’s helped me build my confidence up.”

Throughout her basketball career, Stay has always felt she isn’t living up to her own standards and the expectations she has set for herself.

“I always overthink everything instead of just playing in the game and having fun,” Stay said. “I tend to beat myself up after missing a shot.”

This has never stopped Stay from doubting herself or the game she loves to play. Although she gets down on herself, she has learned many life lessons and helpful tips to keep her going.

“I feel as if I’ve learned a lot of life lessons through basketball,” Stay said. “Never giving up no matter what obstacles lie ahead and to never let someone determine the future.”

Not only is this Stay’s last high school basketball season, but it could easily be her last time playing basketball competitively.

This is the case for most high school basketball players, but not what Stay has in mind.

“I would love to end my high school basketball career on a high note and continue onto a four year college to play because I feel as if my basketball career won’t be over after high school,” Stay said. “I feel like I still have four more years to play and develop into the best player I can be. I’m just not ready to give the sport up quite yet.”

The start of the basketball season has Stay more excited

than ever.

Stay isn’t settling for what she has accomplished in basketball so far. Her future is bright; with her hard work and dedication to be the best. With the help and support of her amazing teammates, coaches and family, Stay feels as if nothing is standing in her away of accomplishing her goals. // BY RILEE SCHREINER

JESSICA NETTGEN

| 13

SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

LOCATION

1/17

7:00 p.m.

Round Lake

Home

11/30

7:00 p.m.

North Chicago

Home

1/19

1:00 p.m.

North Chicago

North Chicago HS

12/4

7:00 p.m.

Grant

Home

1/26

1:00 p.m.

Grayslake North

Home

12/7

7:00 p.m.

Grayslake North

Grayslake North HS

1/28

7:00 p.m.

Woodstock North

Home

12/11

7:00 p.m.

Lakes

Home

1/30

7:00 p.m.

Lakes

Lakes HS

12/14

7:00 p.m.

Grayslake Central

Grayslake Central HS

2/2

1:00 p.m.

Grayslake Central

Home

12/17

7:00 p.m.

Zion-Benton

Home

2/6

7:00 p.m.

Wauconda

Wauconda HS

12/21

7:00 p.m.

Grant

Grant HS

2/11

TBD

Regionals

TBD

TBD

Sectionals

TBD

TBD

Lisle

Lisle HS

2/21

1/9

7:00 p.m.

Wauconda

Home

2/25

TBD

Super Sectionals

TBD

1/12

11:00 a.m.

Coal City

Coal City HS

3/1

TBD

State

TBD

1/14

7:00 p.m.

Richmond Burton

Richmond Burton HS

12/26-29

VARSITY

[TOP] Coach T. Borries, E. Miller, N. Abdellatif, S. Del’ao, A. Larson, F. Miller, M. Chamberlin, Coach J. D’Andrea [ROW 2] M. Volkmar, K. Stay, N. Loos, E. Pedersen, G. Riforgiato, R. Phillips, S. Brown [BOTTOM] H.Webb, P. Foote

JUNIOR VARSITY

[TOP] L. Highley, S. Champney, K. Holmes, Coach K. Johnson, J. Shaputis, K. Purcell, C. Hochstedler [ROW 2] N. Rogalski, Joey Cabuyadao, C. Thomas, L. Lebrun, T. Jackel, A. Olson [BOTTOM] J. Horner, S. Vilardi, P. Bolton, C. Hampson

14 | BASKETBALL | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

FRESHMAN

[TOP]A. Marcell, A. Nikolov, Coach R. Gillespie, J. Gonzalez, A. Daye [ROW 2]E. Boslet, A. Guerra, M. Volkmar, M. Resurreccion, M. Rietschel, E. Rapp [BOTTOM]A. Simmons, T. Spearman

B bowling | 15

16 | BOWLING | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

Kane is ready and able to strike

I

magine standing on the bench of a bowling alley, waiting to walk up to the lane. Pressure pushes down, a crushing weight, like a tin can fifty feet underwater.

Friends and coaches are cheering, enthusiasm and motivation cover the room like a tidal wave. All sounds fade away; the only thing that matters is the pins and the alley.

It feels as if all senses have dialed to eleven; adrenaline fills the lane. The individual is no longer important, instead, the fate of the team has become the focus. Allison Kane is one athlete who is a part of such a team.

Kane first officially joined the bowling team at Antioch Community High School her freshman year back in 2016.

She was heavily influenced by her father, a former league bowler. As a result, he taught his daughter the same passion for the sport, who would join the Sequoits bowling team her freshman year.

“I didn’t really have any worries when I first started bowling,” Kane said. “I kind of just went there to hang out and have fun, it wasn’t until my sophomore season when I started taking the sport more seriously.”

Although Kane had an instant passion for the sport, she didn’t necessarily make it a priority. She didn’t join to take it seriously, it was more for an after school activity than a serious career back then. Kane’s family were the ones who pointed out her true talent in the sport. Since they all had a very long and experienced career in bowling, they knew all the little tricks to being a good bowler.

“Bowling is very popular in my family; both of my parents bowled in leagues as well as my brother,” Kane said. “When my brother, Greg and I play, I always try my best because he’s really good at the sport so I’ve always considered him to be my idol.”

Winter of 2017 came and Kane had found herself a sport that she enjoyed, but didn’t take it seriously she did with track and field and cross country. Kane was there to have fun. It was toward the end of her freshman year that she realized that if she took the sport seriously, she could actually get somewhere with it. As a result, she promised

that she would do better the next season, and she did.

“Allison has shown a lot of improvement since her freshman season,” bowling coach Scott Magnuson said.

“She still has a lot of growing to do and I’m looking forward to seeing her improve in the future.

During the winter of 2018 Kane started off the new season enthusiastic and motivated to try her best for this year. She knew that she wasn’t the best bowler on the team, however, she wanted to prove that she is just as important as any other player on the team.

Towards the end of the season, Kane was nominated as one of the athletes of the week, an award only nominated to athletes who show outstanding performance as well as sportsmanship and leadership.

“At first, being on the athlete of the week board was weird because I knew that there were other bowlers who deserved it just as much if not more than I did,” Kane said. “I did feel very honored just to be up on that poster board and to know what I worked for was worth it.”

Kane has shown that she can take the matter into her own hands, she has proven her worth to the bowling team as well as her competitors on the team. Although she may not be the best bowler on the team, Kane does have many unique features that show to be important to her as well as the team.

“Personally I really enjoy having Allison on the team she really makes my experience on the team a lot more enjoyable,” junior bowler Lynn Michalec. “Her and I have a really strong bond and we’re always pushing each other to do our best.”

Kane has proven to both her coaches and her other teammates that she is an important asset to the team. In the future, she plans on using her bowling career as a way to get a scholarship with more plans ahead. The bowling season starts up this winter and Kane is ready to show the competition what she’s got. // BY MATTHEW SOBERANO

JESSICA NETTGEN

| 17

VARSITY

[TOP] Coach P. Lindberg, K. Tikovitsch, A. Olson, B. Dati, L. Michalec [BOTTOM] A. Kane, A. Tanner, M. Schon

SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

LOCATION

12/1

9:00 a.m.

Palatine

Brunswick Zone Deer Park

12/5

4:30 p.m.

North Chicago

Antioch Lanes

12/8

9:00 a.m.

Plainfield North

Twon and Country Lanes

12/10

4:30 p.m.

Waukegan

Bertrand Bowling Lanes

12/15

9:00 a.m.

Vernon Hills

Brunswick Zone Hawthorne

12/17

4:30 p.m.

Lake Zurich

Brunswick Zone Deer Park

JUNIOR VARSITY

[TOP] E. Poklop, R. Kranz, Coach P. Lindberg, D. Schon, S. Tindell [ROW 2] K. Ulm, J. Alengo, I. Mateja, A. MariniDavis [BOTTOM] G. Martinez, A. Lubkeman, A. Gorischek-Kumorek

18 | BOWLING | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

12/28

9:00 a.m.

Grayslake North

Lakes Bowl

1/3

4:30 p.m.

Lakes

Antioch Lanes

1/5

8:30 a.m.

Prospect

Brunswick Zone Mount Prospect

1/8

4:30 p.m.

Grayslake North

Lakes Bowl

1/10

4:30 p.m.

Grayslake Central

Lakes Bowl

1/12

9:00 a.m.

Fenton

Wood Dale Bowl

1/14

4:30 p.m.

Libertyville

Lakeside Lanes

1/15

4:30 p.m.

Grant

Antioch Lanes

1/17

4:30 p.m.

Wauconda

Antioch Lanes

1/19

9:00 a.m.

Wauconda

3D Bowling Lanes

1/22

4:30 p.m.

Zion-Benton

Sunset Lanes

1/25

4:30 p.m.

Conference

Antioch Lanes

2/2

TBD

Regionals

TBD

2/9

TBD

Sectionals

TBD

2/15

TBD

State

TBD

Seeking out a strike-filled season

T

urkeys, gutters, hambones, frames, splits and anchors “I am very proud of these girls,” Lindberg said. “We had an don’t go hand-in-hand when thought of in unison; to amazing year.” the untrained ear, these together may sound like a Senior bowler Kayla Tikovitsch knows what it’s like to food truck got into an odd accident with a compete with Lindberg as a coach. Last boat. For someone a bit more familiar with year, Tikovitsch was a member of the statewhat comes with the winter snow for certain qualifying team. One of her goals is surpassing athletes, they would know that each term the second place conference finish last season. works intricately together with spares and ”[I was] extremely satisfied,“ Tikovitsch strikes in the age-old game of bowling. For said. “That’s the furthest we’ve ever been Antioch, it’s a girls’ sport.

PLAYER NAME GRADE before and I think it was mostly because our Bryanna Dati 11 Girls bowling is a competitive program team actually bonded.”

Allison Kane 11 at Antioch Community High School that As happy as Tikovitsch could be with the Lynn Michalec 11 doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. previous season, there’s always something Alyssa Olson 10 The bowlers are putting in the same amount more that the team could do to make this of work and spending the same amount Maya Schon 11 upcoming one even better. of time for this sport as any other athlete; Allyssa Tanner 9

VARSITY ROSTER

however, they don’t receive the same amount of recognition.

Kayla Tikovitsch

Respectably, the girls bowling team rolled their way to state last year, as they took second in conference and won regionals. Girls bowling head coach Phil Lindberg has been coaching for 32 years around the United States Bowling Association; he started coaching at ACHS in 2009 and has been the head coach since 2012.

With some big shoes to fill, Tikovitsch hopes to keep this program rolling. This upcoming winter Tikovitsch and the rest of the Sequoits will push through this season with a conference title in mind. They hope to gain the recognition, fans and support the other sports of the school already have. The popularity of a sport doesn’t matter when it comes to Sequoit successes.

12

// BY EVAN DAY | 19

C

cheerleading 20 | CHEERLEADING | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

Cheer looks to return to the podium

T

he Antioch cheerleaders are more determined than ever and are fighting for first place at state this year. Coming off of such a successful season last year, placing third at state, the team was left wanting more. The conditioning and endless practices will not be easy, but the hard work will always pay off in the end.

“Our placement last year definitely made everyone very eager to stay [at our level of success] and do better,” senior Rebecca Bargamian said. “We’re pretty known now as a team and people know what we’re capable of.”

With only two freshmen on the varsity team this year, most of the cheerleaders have worked together before and are very comfortable with each other. They are striving to walk across the podium again, but this time with a higher placement. This goal will require a lot of hard work, but the team is willing to do whatever it takes to be on top.

“As long as everyone is confident and always has a positive

attitude, then I think we’ll be great,” freshman Hadde Luebke said. “I have a lot of confidence in our team.”

The team has three other goals this season: better communication among one another, keeping everyone accountable at all times and always having growth mindsets.

These are the core values of this team. The cheerleaders always push one another to do their absolute best and never let anyone slack. Positive attitudes are a big part of the reason that this team works well together. When they are at practice, they try their best to leave everything that happened throughout the day behind and just focus on cheer. This mindset will help the team grow and reach their goal of winning state.

“The heart of these athletes will learn and grow through any obstacle that comes our way and at the end of the season we’ll still come out on top,” varsity cheerleading coach Amber Babin said. // BY BRIDGET NAUMAN | 21

22 | CHEERLEADING | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

Pope preaches positivity, collaboration and teamwork

T

he transition from fall to winter season brings excitement to most, especially junior cheerleader Jadda Pope. Winter is the time for competition season in cheerleading, which is where Pope and her teammates will compete at another chance to qualify for the IHSA state championships in February. Pope has been a member of the varsity team for three years at ACHS and continues to exceed expectations set by her teammates and coaches. Senior Rebecca Bargamian explains why she thinks Pope is a good representation of the cheerleading program.

“Not many people know what happens in the cheer world or what athletes are like,” Bargamian said. “So having Jadda represent us would hopefully show people what we actually do and steer away from the stereotypes that people form about cheerleading.”

In fifth grade, Pope began her cheerleading career with the local program in town: the Antioch Vikings.

Being a recreational program, it focused on introducing the sport to Pope, preparing her for the competitive aspect that comes later in her career.

Transitioning from Vikings to high school cheer takes getting used to. Anytime an athlete moves up to the high school level, it can be intimidating. Pope was no longer the oldest in school or even on the team. In fact, she was considered the baby when she made the varsity cheer team as a freshman in 2016.

“As an underclassman I was kind of just on the team and had no say,” Pope said. “I just did what was expected and followed what everyone else did, because I had no idea how things were supposed to be at the high school level.”

As she matured throughout her underclassman years, Pope began to grow as a leader on the team in which she blossomed into this season. Senior Graci Leineberg explains how Pope leads others on the team.

“Jadda is a leader by example and by heart,”

Leineberg said. “We don’t have captains in cheer so her taking the initiative and being a leader on the team says a lot about her as a person and athlete.”

While being a leader is an aspect Pope contributes to the team, it is more than just her leadership that shines on the team. Pope performs as a secondary base, in which she and two other girls are responsible for keeping their stays in the air during their stunts.

Cheerleading also consists of actions such as tumbling, jumps, motions and dance. Like most athletes, Pope has strengths and weaknesses. Being a leader is a strength for Pope, but an area that she strives to continue improving in is her jumps.

“I would say jumps are my weakness for sure,” Pope said. “It has never come easily to me because I am not that flexible, but I’ve been working a lot on that so soon enough it will come to me.”

Like any team, friendships will grow. Athletes create bonds between their teammates since they spend a whole season with each other everyday after school. For Pope, it’s more than just practicing after school for a couple months out of the school year. Pope as an athlete on the varsity team has practices over the summer, fall and winter. This results in her spending nine months out of the year with her team which is an aspect that she likes the most.

“I like the friendships and bond[s] that are created by spending so much time together,” Pope said. “The culture you build with your team makes it easier to make it a second home and call them a second family.”

In hopes for the season, Pope along with her teammates, are motivated to make it down to the state championship once again. Placing third at the state championships in 2018, Pope hopes to continue the success and potentially walk the podium once again, but as state champions this season. // BY JOSEPH KESTIAN JESSICA NETTGEN

| 23

VARSITY

[TOP] Coach C. O’Grady, Coach J. Wieda, B. Nauman, P. Valdivia-Valencia, A. Frasch, Coach T. Babin, Coach A. Babin [ROW 2] K. Grenke, A. Phillips, J. Pope, A. Piper, M. Krapf, K. Howe [BOTTOM] K. Bargamian, R. Conway, G. Leineberg, H. Luebke, R. Bargamian

SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

12/15

8:30 a.m.

Invitational

Rolling Meadows HS

1/5

TBD

Invitational

Lake Zurich HS

1/6

8:00 a.m.

Invitational

Buffalo Grove HS

1/12

7:45 a.m.

Invitational

Grayslake North HS

1/14

TBD

NLCC Conference

Round Lake HS

1/20

7:00 a.m.

Invitational

Huntley HS

1/26

TBD

IHSA Sectionals

TBD

2/1

TBD

IHSA State

Bloomington

JUNIOR VARSITY [TOP] M. Maldonado, Coach C. O’Grady, Coach J. Wieda, Coach T. Babin, Coach A. Babin, A. Stephens [ROW 2] E. Bongratz, A. Barrera, S. Kempf, M. Londono, J. Burton, L. De Vore, L. Davidson [BOTTOM] K. Craig, I. Bussone

VARSITY ROSTER PLAYER NAME

GRADE

Kaitlyn Howe

10

Madisen Krapf

11

Hadde Luebke

9

Bridget Nauman

10

Jadda Pope

11

Alexa Phillips

9

Ashley Piper

10

Paul Valdivia-Valencia

11

Kaitlyn Bargamian

10

Avery Frasch

11

Rebecca Bargamian

12

Riley Conway

10

Kayla Grenke

11

Graci Leineberg

12

24 | CHEERLEADING | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

D dance | 25

Reband doesn’t want to miss a thing

M

any people don’t take dancing seriously. For the typical person, dancing is just a hobby or something they do to mess around, but for senior varsity dancer Claire Reband, dancing is a way of life. Reband has been on the varsity dance team since her freshman year, but has been dancing much longer than that. Throughout her time as a dancer she has placed multiple times in state and sectionals. Reband is very proud of her teams’ successes over the years.

“Dance is something I’ve done ever since I was a little girl, and I feel like if I weren’t to do it, there’d be a part of me that was missing,” Reband said.

Dance will always have a special place in Reband’s heart. She has danced her whole life and doesn’t know if she could live without it. Dance is what made Reband into the person that she is today.

Originally, Reband wasn’t sure if she would join the dance team her freshman year because she was still trying to find out who she really was. However, once she got to tryouts she knew she wanted to be apart of the team because it made her feel welcoming.

“I got that warm welcome even before I tried out for the team, so then I was like, this is where I belong,” Reband said.

While Reband is a great dancer, she’s an even better person. She likes to hangout with her friends, and she has an enormous amount of energy. Reband has an obsession with a brand of fruit snacks, Gushers™. She’s a person that is filled with energy and joy, and is very amusing. Reband’s favorite genre of music to dance to is hip hop because it brings a lot of energy and it makes the dance more exciting for the audience.

Reband and the dance team are using their fourth place state finish last year as motivation for this year. The ultimate goal for this year’s competition team season is to be able to maintain their conference title but also place higher in or even win state. Her own personal motivation for dance is being able to compete to her best ability against other peers that surround her on the dance floor.

“Just having that safe place to go, even a studio or just a dance room is important,” Reband said. // BY KEVIN TAMAYO

26 | DANCE | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

JESSICA NETTGEN

| 27

Dance strives to spin back to state

T

he dance team is looking forward to a great season and to hopefully make their way onto the state podium.

Last year, the team came in fourth place at the IHSA State Competition, but this year they want to win it all. The girls have a strong team and are grateful for the opportunity to shine in their own way, but hope to not be overlooked by the other winter sports.

“I feel we’re shadowed by cheer a little bit because they always make it on the announcements,” sophomore Alyssa Colpaert said. “They’re always the main part people focus on. I feel we are second to them.”

The dance team is looking for redemption this season. With all the talent on this year’s team, they are mentally and physically prepared to be successful. This is the senior’s last opportunity to impress Antioch. Junior Alessia Rivera she is learning how to take over when the seniors are gone, but for now they are eager to get back to the top. As for the sophomores and freshmen, they are doing all they can to learn as much as possible from the upperclassmen. Every single person on this dance team has an opportunity to perform to the best of their ability. The team will thrive together or they will fail together.

This year’s team is looking very strong but even the greatest teams struggle. Senior Anli Butler expanded about their strengths and weaknesses.

“Our strengths are definitely our techniques,” Butler said.

“The majority of our dance team has studio experience which helps greatly when cleaning and choreographing a dance.”

Butler also feels that they struggle with their stamina and that it is something they need to fix, because it is one of the most important aspects and could make or break a routine.

Regardless, Butler thinks that as long as the team stays

VARSITY ROSTER PLAYER NAME

GRADE

Kelsi Sheren

10

Haley Aitken

9

Alessia Rivera

11

Alyssa Colpaert

10

AnLi Butler

12

Kara Galarneau

10

Casey Kiyohara

12

Julia Hackeloer

10

Amelia Neumann

12

Kiara Morris

10

Amber Phillips

12

Maggie Quirke

10

Claire Reband

12

Grace Rowe

10

Alexis Yaris

12

consistent and works as hard as they can, they will be able to go all the way and win the IHSA State Championship.

While everyone has a common goal, they all have different mindsets from the beginning to the end. Butler has been on the varsity dance team since her freshman year, and her mindset has changed drastically since then.

“I think that as I got further up the totem pole on the dance team, I learned how important each practice and relationship on the team is,” Butler said.

Throughout Butler’s life, she has always had a passion for dance. However, when she realized she can perform to the best of her abilities with the supporting team, she realized dance was the perfect high school sport. There will always be days where your mindsets change, but in the end the passion and love for the sport will always be there no matter what. // BY ADRIAN RUIZ

SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

1/13

9:00 a.m.

Invitational

Grayslake Central HS

11/18

9:00 a.m.

Invitational

Mundelein HS

1/19

TBD

IHSA Sectionals

TBD

12/9

1:00 p.m.

Invitational

Stevenson HS

1/25

TBD

IHSA State

Bloomington

12/16

1:00 p.m.

Invitational

Warren Township HS

28 | DANCE | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

VARSITY

[TOP] K. Galarneau, A. Colpaert, A. Neumann, K. Sheren, H. Aitken [ROW 2] A. Rivera, C. Reband, A. Yaris, M. Quirke [BOTTOM] J. Hackeloer, A Phillips, C. Kiyohara, A. Butler, G. Rowe

JUNIOR VARSITY

[TOP] M. Harding, J. Mitchell, H. Zenoni [BOTTOM] O. Lahti, A. Barbosa

| 29

G gymnastics

30 | GYMNASTICS | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

VARSITY

[TOP]Coach A. Campese, V. Dagostino, H. Menzies, G. King, A. Grosche, S. Thomason, N. Carey, Coach J. May [ROW 2] S. Carr, C. Shefka, K. Adams, M. Carey, H. Martens, A. Olsen, K. Arnholt [BOTTOM]J. Lamberty, N. Hernandez, M. Martinez, K. Keating, Z. Kane, B. Self

A

Hernandez is a new member of the D117 team, but has proven herself on her past teams. Hernandez also sets the bar high for the upcoming season.

Although the girls had a rocky first season last year, they took advantage of the learning experience and feel much more prepared for this season. The 2018-2019 season will be sophomore Ally Olsen’s second year as a gymnast on the District 117 gymnastics team.

Even though the girls know there is much room for improvement, they still have their eyes on the prize; they want what is best for the team and are ready to go after their competition.

s a newly established program to the Antioch Athletic Department, the girls gymnastics team is ready to kick off their second season. Knowing that the team is still in its infancy, the gymnasts recognize that they have a lot of growing to do in order to construct another Antioch legacy.

“I do have my doubts because of how last year’s season went,” Olsen said. “I want to use last year as an experience to help me grow.”

The improvements that need to be made are no easy fixes; however, the gymnasts are ready to put in the hard work and dedication not only to improve individually, but also to grow as a team. The girls also have many sources of inspiration to help them reach the skill level they desire.

“I think Coach Campese makes me a better gymnast,” Olsen said. “She knows I have potential and knows I’m able to execute certain skills.”

While Coach Campese is very influential, she is not the only one that presents inspiration for the athletes; sophomore Allison Groche is said to be a motivating figure on the team that pushes other gymnasts to do their best. Additionally, junior Nataly

“I [qualified] for level nine and made it to state,” Hernandez said.

// BY ROBERT HULTING

SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

12/1

10:00 a.m.

Invitational

Rolling Meadows HS

12/6

5:30 p.m.

Meet

Mundelein HS

12/7

6:15 p.m.

Invitational

DeKalb HS

12/11

5:30 p.m.

Triangular

Libertyville HS

12/15

10:00 a.m.

Quad

New Trier HS

12/20

6:00 p.m.

Quad

Lake Forest HS

1/6

1:00 p.m.

Meet

ACHS

1/12

12:00 p.m.

Invitational

Mundelein HS

1/15

5:30 p.m.

Triangular

Mundelein HS

1/18

6:00 p.m.

Invitational

Prairie Ridge HS

| 31

32 | GYMNASTICS | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

Grosche flips into sophomore season

B

eing a part of a team can help an athlete through all of the hardships that comes with the sport. In gymnastics, one cannot let their fears control them.

A gymnast must push through those fears if they want to become a better athlete. Allison Grosche is a gymnast at Antioch Community High School who has encountered many injuries, but hasn’t backed down from any challenge.

Her family, friends and gymnastics team have helped her through these hardships and have made her love for the sport grow stronger as she continues to compete.

Grosche has always enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and all of these people have played a role in her life and have shaped her into the person that she is today.

Grosche remembers times as a kid when she would run around her house pretending to be a gymnast and her love for the sport has only grown since then. After competing in gymnastics since she was three years old, Grosche dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast.

Her coach has also created an atmosphere that is acceptable for everyone. This is why Grosche feels at home when she is with her team. There is never any negativity, only positivity.

“I like being with my team,” Grosche said. “Everyone is encouraging.”

With any sport there are a lot of hardships such as injuries, physical or mental strain or just flat out wanting to quit.

Every athlete has come across an injury, whether it be a serious injury, or an injury that an athlete can easily overcome.

Grosche has dealt with plenty of injuries that still bother her to this day.

“I am almost always injured, I’ve broken a lot of bones,” Grosche said. “My shoulder is still injured so it makes it a lot harder to practice.”

For Grosche, the hardest part about being a gymnast is the mental aspect.

Family is arguably the biggest influence of Grosche’s gymnastics career. Through thick and thin, she knows that she can always rely on her family to support her dreams.

“I get a lot of mental blocks,” Grosche said. “Where I always look over things. It’s really hard to overcome that and not be scared to do things.”

“They are always supporting me,” Grosche said. “They come to all of my competitions.”

As Grosche has matured in her sport, mental blocks do not bother her as much as they did when she was younger.

She believes that she has come a long way since she started gymnastics. Skills that are hard for some are easy to her.

Gymnastics is a sport that requires a lot of time and money to be able to compete. Grosche’s parents have always been willing to go the extra mile ever since she started her career.

Whether that be by taking her to practices, competitions or by paying for everything that she needs in order to compete at a high level, Grosche’s parents have always been there.

Every athlete is recognized for how they perform during competitions, but Grosche is noticed for much more than just that. Grosche’s teammates love her for her personality and the way that she treats everyone on the team.

Grosche has had the same coach, Deb Bessette, since she was three years old. A coach is not only there to tell the athlete what to do and how to do it, they are also there to be a positive influence on their athletes.

“Allison’s role on the team is very important,” sophomore Allyson Olsen said. ”She is always motivating others to do their best and her scores benefit the team. She is a very positive person and this is reflected in how she competes.”

“She has our well being in mind, not just that we are [physically] there,” Grosche said. “[Coach Deb] was in gymnastics too, and she is able to help us out with whatever we need help with.”

Grosche is looking forward to competing against this year’s competition. She has set huge goals for herself and practices harder every time in order to make these goals her reality. // BY BRANDON REYNOLDS

JESSICA NETTGEN

| 33

W

wrestling

34 | WRESTLING | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

Wrestling look to win state as a team

W

ith a lot of returning power and experienced wrestlers in the mix, the Antioch Sequoits varsity wrestling team looks to have another successful season. Last year, under the leadership of captains Rolando Vaquez and Micheal Volkmar, the Sequoits qualified for team state and sent four individuals to the state meet.

me,” sophomore Kyle Miller said. “They have taught me a lot of different lessons and it has definitely shaped the person that I am today.”

This year the Sequoits have multiple returning wrestlers and plan on advancing many more athletes down to state.

Talent does not come easy; with the help of the coaching staff, the Sequoits become better in every aspect. The coaches are always pushing their wrestlers to be better than they already are by encouraging the Sequoits to never settle and striving to get better.

“We have a ton of talent on the lineup,” sixth place state placer and varsity wrestler Alexander Barbarise said. “If we put in the work, we can do some big things this year.”

“The coaches always know best and they want everyone to succeed,” junior wrestler Luke Menzies said. “If you listen to your coaches, you will grow a lot as an athlete.”

Holding as much power as the returners do, those athletes hope to pass down their experience and knowledge to the people the new athletes on the team.

The determination that the athletes have will help the team to accomplish their goal of team state for the second year in a row, along with more individual wrestlers qualifying for state.

“I have always looked up to the seniors that have been above

// BY GAVIN CALABRESE | 35

Reyes: Wrestling for others, his team

W

hen it comes to sports, most people think it’s all about hard work, talent and teamwork. Wrestling is considered a team sport, but when the wrestlers are called to the mat, it’s all based on individual performance.

Many would say the sport is all physical contact, but the coaching staff and athletes would argue the best wrestlers are the ones who have the best mindset. For junior Elijah Reyes, his mindset is the same inside and outside of the sport; it has been drilled into him by his family, friends and teammates to put others before himself.

“This has been drilled in from wrestling and everything else,” Reyes said. “Like family comes first, then your schooling, attitude and, lastly, sports. Take care of everything before you.”

For the people surrounding Reyes, his intentions are clear from the moment you meet him. His friends can attest to the fact he has the qualities of a nice young man who will always make sure that he takes care of his friends, or even strangers if they need it.

“His best quality is that he is very understanding,” junior and teammate Devin Nobling said. “He knows when someone is having a bad day and he tries to cheer you up and make you the

36 | WRESTLING | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

best person you can be. He is a fun guy to have around in practice and he always lightens the mood, keeps things loose. When it’s his turn to wrestle he wrestles hard though.”

“He has definitely made me a better person as well as he has made me work hard at everything I do,” junior and friend Tate Baker said.

For a guy like Reyes who is always seen dancing in the halls with his HyperX headphones singing to whatever he wants without a care in the world, most people think he is an outgoing person who has a lot of confidence—which he is—but, more importantly, he’s humble.

“I don’t think I’ll be wrestling in college just due to the fact that I don’t think I am the best wrestler but I would hope that if I get a scholarship for wrestling I would take it but that’s only if it happens,” Reyes said.

Not only is he humble, but Reyes also does almost everything he can to make people proud of him. He never thinks about himself first; he is always looking for a way to help others to improve themselves.

Obstacles are common in life, but for Reyes, it is different. Reyes’s biggest obstacle is himself, he is always trying to push himself to be better in everything he does, whether it’s school work or sports—he gives his all.

“I would say my biggest obstacle is going into regionals, sectionals and state,” Reyes said. “You have to prepare yourself mentally and physically to make sure you know you have everything down.”

In order for someone like Reyes to be able to handle everything that is going on around him every day, he needs support. It all starts at home—he has a great family and a very supportive father that has been there for him ever since he can remember. Not only does he get support from his family, but he also gets it from his friends and teammates.

“To be honest, I have never had a moment where I felt alone because I’ve always had support from teammates and my day,” Reyes said.

“They have stuck by me for so long.”

Most people have morals that they live by their entire lives, some may even change over time. For Reyes, his morals run deep and he will always stick by them no matter what challenges lay ahead. He always knows that as long as he is there for others—they will be there for him.

To Reyes, family is not just defined by blood; his family extends to so many other people. His happiness comes from making others proud of him, and building relationships with those who matter most in his life.

For him, winning trophies is not a priority, but a privilege. // BY KYLE CHRISTIAN

| 37

SCHEDULE DATE

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

1/24

5:30 p.m.

Match

Home

11/30

5:30 p.m.

Match

Round Lake HS

1/26

9:00 a.m.

Invitational

Richmond Burton HS

12/1

9:00 a.m.

Quad

Maine South HS

2/2

TBD

IHSA Regionals

TBD

12/6

5:30 p.m.

Match

Home

2/8

TBD

IHSA Sectionals

TBD

12/8

9:00 a.m.

Quad

Home

2/9

TBD

IHSA Sectionals

TBD

12/14

5:30 p.m.

Match

Home

2/14

TBD

IHSA State

TBD

12/21

5:30 p.m.

Match

Grayslake North HS

12/22

9:00 a.m.

Quad

Home

12/28

9:30 a.m.

Tournament

Lincoln Community HS

12/29

9:00 a.m.

Tournament

Lincoln Community HS

1/10

5:00 p.m

Match

Home

1/11

TBD

Invitational

Bettendorf HS

1/17

5:30 p.m.

Match

Grayslake Central HS

1/18

5:00 p.m.

Invitational

Grant HS

1/19

9:00 a.m.

Invitational

Grant HS

[TOP] N. Schoenfelder, S. Podgorski, C. Cowart, E. Gahima, L. Bentley, L. Timmer, D. Bemis, M. Vazquez [ROW 4] K. Miller, V. Sanchez, B. McGrath, J. Sistrunk, M. Volkmar, R. Misiek, D. McPherson, A. Tala, R. Carle [ROW 3] Coach W. Borrero A. Ibrahim, L. Schlappi, B. Pinto, G. Calabrese, K. Anderson, E. Reyes, K. Powers, Coach G. Bessette, Coach J. Kerns [ROW 2] D. Kennedy, S. Carle, J. Pyles, D. Nobiling, A. Lehn, A. Barbarise, I. Alani, L. Menzies, C. Miller [BOTTOM] E. Edwards, J. Blau, M. Espejo, S .Smith, H. Powers

38 | WRESTLING | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

ROSTER FRESHMAN

[TOP] Coach M. McDermott, S. Agne, A. Correa, B. Russell, K. McLaren, Coach R. Vazquez Sr. [ROW 2] A. Wisdom, C. Mielke, S. Goodman, I. Piccard, E. Vazquez, A. Vasquez, L. Carisle [BOTTOM] A. Whitmore, H. Calabrese, C. Salecki, A. Wisdom, J. Wilhelm

PLAYER NAME

GRADE

Chad Cowart

10

Drew Lehn

10

Kyle Miller

10

Max Ness

10

Alexander Barbarise

11

Mark Espejo

11

Bailey McGrath

11

Daniel McPherson

11

Luke Menzies

11

Elijah Reyes

11

Niall Schoenfelder

11

Blake Juszczyk

12

Robert Misiek

12

Xavier Sanchez

12

Jackie Sistrunk

12

Michael Volkmar

12

| 39

S

sequoit sidekicks VARSITY

Allied Ballers

D

uring this year’s allied basketball game, both teams put forth their best effort. On November 15, the grey team won by five points, with a final score of 19-14 against the white team. Senior Symone Henderson coached the grey team and had a lot to say about the game.

“Everyone did such an amazing job,” Henderson said.

“Everyone gave each other opportunities to make plays. It was great.”

The Sidekicks were awesome and showed it every time someone made a big play. Transition student Michael Moran lead the charge scoring nine out of the 19 points.

The white team kept fighting until the time hit zero. They lit up the crowd, especially senior John Kasbohm, who hit a running deep three late in the first half. Even though the white team ended up losing, they were still excited for their chance to play.

[TOP] B. Nguyen, M. Cacciatore, D. Higgins [ROW 2] E. Poprawski, T. Mckenzie, C. Dvoratchek [BOTTOM] J. Wagner, E. Lorch, J. Kasbohm

40 | SEQUOIT LEADERSHIP | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

In the end, only one team came on top, but all the players, coaches and crowd had a great night. // BY ADRIAN RUIZ

W

winter guard

Winter guard seeks improvement

E

ven though winter guard had hardships last season that resulted in setbacks, the participants are all enthused about starting off the new season. The combined talent of Antioch and Lakes allows the team to reach their best potential and accomplish greater things each year. This intermingling of schools allows for a diverse range of skills, which winter guard can utilize in their competitions. They are prepared to break out of their comfort zone in order to have more success this season.

Due to the students being from different schools and drawing a wide range of personality types, communication is one thing that needs to be of high importance. When working on performances and routines, athletes need to be able to voice things that they are concerned about. This may be pointing out an area of improvement or just sharing new ideas with each other.

“I feel like it’s just being able to work together and being able to talk about how you feel,” sophomore Riley Gaylord said. “If you don’t, then there’s always going to be a barrier between people.”

The winter guard team has to learn several performances for the season and will be judged on their ability to seamlessly integrate tricks. The team recognizes their time limitations and must

account for this on the floor.

“With football games, they have four quarters to go out there and prove themselves and that they are the best team out there,” sophomore Skye Jackson said. “We don’t get rematches. We don’t get four quarters. We get 15 minutes to prove what we can do.”

Returning members of winter guard, like senior Alanna Lowry, can not wait for this upcoming season to commence. She is ready to finish off her final year in winter guard with a memorable and productive season.

“I can tell that we have very strong members individually and we are going to have a really strong team bond,” Lowry said.

Overall, the 2018-2019 winter guard season is one to be excited for, due to the intermingling and teamwork of ACHS and LCHS. The Sequoits and Eagles are hoping to become successful through communication and attempting new routines.

Each member of winter guard has immense passion that will make for a promising and favorable outcome at the competitions this year. // BY BRANDON PINTO | 41

Wagner dazzles in winter guard

S

ophomore Heidi Wagner is in her second year on the winter guard team and is looking to make a name for herself while remaining in a circle of trust with her teammates. This circle of trust is common for her team before competitions. Ten minutes before her team goes out and performs in the spotlight, they all form a circle and whisper to each other “I do this for you.” Going out and competing for herself isn’t what it’s all about, Wagner does it for her teammates. For Wagner, her teammates are family; they help her get focused. She’s willing to go out and lay it all on the line—to give it all she’s got.

Wagner and the rest her team take the floor, the fans cheering loudly, nearly frantic and crazy in the excitement of what’s to come; it makes it easy for the team to hear the love from those travelling miles to see them. Wagner walks to her designated spot—the one she’s practiced time and time again—and waits for the music to begin. The crowd goes silent; the music begins. Wagner is ready for her time to shine.

Wagner proved a lot in the two years she’s been on the team. She’s had to do a lot of learning and studying with her coaches and teammates, but without them, none of her successes would be possible. “[Heidi] is super energetic and always is sure to have a positive attitude,” varsity winter guard coach and math teacher Tina Bairstow said. “She never has a bad day.”

Wagner believes she still has a lot of learning to do, however, and she still has some tricks she wants to be able to perfect. One trick she wants to add to her skill set this season is a quad—four rotations on the rifle stick.

“My last year’s goal was to get all my tosses,” Wagner said. “I couldn’t catch anything for color guard season, and then during winter guard season I was able to learn all of my tosses.”

The sport did not come naturally to Wagner; she had to do a lot of off-season training to be able to perform at the varsity level. Her coach is one of the reasons why she feels so confident in her performances.

“I love [my coach] so much,” Wagner said. “She’s taught me so much. She’s amazing. She taught me basically

42 | WINTER GUARD | Winter 2018-2019 | The Arrow

everything that I know. She’s taught me very hard skills, [and] she’s helped me learn tosses and [how to] better my technique.

Wagner, much like other athletes, films herself, and shows her coach so she can help work with Wagner on her skills.

“My favorite training is me going to a gym, practicing my heart out and filming stuff to later show [my coach],” Wagner said.

A very special connection Wagner has is the person she loves the most: her mother.

“My mom is my best friend,” Wagner said. “A lot of people don’t have that with their parents, but I have that relationship with my mom. She tries to help out anyway she can. She is pretty much the loudest person in the audience.”

Wagner’s connection with her mom isn’t the only important one in her life. Her friend and teammate, Madelyn Welbel, also is one of those impactful connections.

“Heidi has helped me become a better person by, and I know this may sound corny, but in winter guard and regular marching band season messing up is just something that happens whether it’s dropping a flag or messing up a part of the routine,” Welbel said. “She has showed me not to dwell on the past because when we say how well they did I never hear her complain.”

Music, something that is critical to her performances, is second nature to Wagner.

“I am a music person,” Wagner said. “I go along with the music. And basically, it’s like, when you’re in a play You play a certain character. You’re not yourself. So you’re basically a different person. You just get in the zone.”

When Wagner gets on the floor, she is able to just as she describes: zone out to the music and focus on what she has to do. But it isn’t just zoning out like one would do in class.

Her version, the kind where she gets into character to play a role, let’s her capture the attention of her audience, dazzle them with her performance, and tell a story with her team. // BY ATHAN KALIAKMANIS

JESSICA NETTGEN

| 43

SEQUOITMEDIA.COM

A

DAILY

UPDATES ONLINE, SOCIAL MEDIA

SPORTS NEWS LIFESTYLES YOUR SEQUOIT STORY STARTS HERE