bryce walker is heroic through injury recovery

from Huntley HS Voice Dec 16 2022 Issue

mark sobolewski loves being committed

SPORTS Walking it off

Huntley was going against Jacobs in the biggest game of the season. It was the fourth quarter. There are about four minutes left on the clock when all of the sudden, wide receiver Bryce Walker’s football season came to an end.

“I was one of the first people to run up to him, I was trying to pick him up, trying to get him up because he had gotten cramps at games before but nothing was as serious as this, and I ended up telling the team to give him space to let the trainer come,” senior quarterback Sam Deligio said.

It was clear to his teammates that something was seriously wrong, and it was not just a cramp like other times.

“He was holding his leg and screaming at the same time,” junior wide reciever Omare Segarra said.

Teammates were in disbelief that one of their players was on the ground, not getting back up with ease.

Something terrible had happened.

“I was on the sidelines during the same, right when he went down, we started jogging out to where he was on the field,” head coach Mike Naymola said. “I was probably 10 yards away and I could see that his bone was broken.”

Coaches finally started running up to see what was going on. It was clear that his injury was major.

“I started to go down the stands because he was taking a while and then I saw my aunt and uncle and my dad, they were all coming down and went directly onto the field,” Bryce’s cousin Abriy Walker said.

Family members were starting to worry. No one knew what was going on besides the people on the field with Bryce.

“When my dad got on the field, he looked at me and he was stuck,” Bryce said. “He was frozen looking at my injury. The noise pretty much blacked out.”

It was a life-changing moment for Bryce. He didn’t know what was going on, but he knew it was not going to be good.

Deligio started a tunnel for Bryce as he was taken off the field. Bryce had all of his teammates’ support. They are always going to be by his side, especially when they know when he needs them most.

“Everyone on our team got around the cart that was taking him out of there, gave him a hug or dapped him up and that shows how much he was cared for and loved,” Naymola said.

The waiting, the thoughts, the dreadful feeling not knowing what was going on and what needed to be done to get better.

“When I got to the hospital, I was wondering if I had to get surgery, [and] how bad my injury [was],” Bryce said.

Three total surgeries. Bryce had a broken tibia and fibula. He had one surgery at one hospital and then transferred to another hospital for two more surgeries.

“It was just terrifying the first time you go back there, seeing all the big lights, the doctors prepping around you, it got me a little nervous,” Bryce said.

Getting surgery done is a nightmare for a kid, but to have three is even more frightening. For parents, no one wants to see their child in the hospital.

“When I first got to the hospital, Coach Gibson came up to me, he told me something was wrong with his leg,” Segarra said. “I went into the back room, the first day [Bryce and I] both were crying because we both knew we weren’t going to play together anymore that season.”

It was no surprise that Bryce’s season was cut short, but it was heartbreaking for everyone on the team to hear the news.

“When we finally did get to see him, he was in good spirits, he was okay,” Abriy said. “It was obviously stressful and I was sobbing, I was sitting out there until I got to see him and see that he was doing all right.”

It was hard for Abriy seeing him get taken to the hospital and having to wait a long period of time before

Bryce Walker laying in the hospital with his father and Coach Gibson Danekas standing over him.

Courtesy of Vernita Walker

Bryce Walker works on his strength through physical therapy and strives to come back from his broken leg

By Karolina Perkowski

I started to go down the stands because he was taking a while and then I saw my aunt and uncle and my dad, they were all coming down and went directly on the field Abriy Walker

actually being able to see him.

“I saw my mom was scared, she didn’t really know what was going on, she was just asking the doctors how long I was going to be out for and how long everything would take, and when I was going to be back at 100%,” Bryce said.

Recovery will take time before Bryce is back to his best self.

“Initially, we thought everything was going smoothly because neither of us are doctors so we can only go off of what they are telling us,” Bryce’s mother Vernita said. “I thought the service was satisfactory

until they sent us home with almost no pain medication because as what they had told me was the opioid epidemic.”

Not only did he undergo multiple procedures, but he went home with no pain medications. His parents were worried and angry because of the lack of answers provided to get their son help.

“I saw he was upset at first after all of his surgeries, but he knew he was going to get through it,” best friend Lucas Crosby said. “He kept his head up and only thought positive.”

He was getting so much support from all his friends, family members, and teammates.

“Bryce makes me laugh, and it was mostly during practice,” Coach J Michael Slattery said. “He always had a great attitude, he wanted to learn, Bryce standing behind Deligio in the Burlington Central football game. he always wanted to learn, he always wanted to get better. Bryce’s smile is something that is infectious for the whole team, he laughs and giggles so the whole team laughs and giggles.”

He was the star player when it came to positivity. He would bring all the joy and laughter to practice and games.

“Bryce played the best role he could after he got hurt,” Deligio said. “Being the best teammate he could, the best cheerleader on the sidelines and just being a system for us to go to if we needed any help, any questions, or even just motivation. He was always there for us.” He did not let his injury change the person he was. He still would support and carry the energy with him to spread to everyone. Recovery has begun for Bryce. He has been setting himself goals and pushing to get back to the athlete he was. “He’s already doing things against my better judgment but he’s a fighter and he’s determined to get back to

It was just terrifying the first time you go back there, seeing all the big lights, the doctors prepping around you, it got me a little nervous Bryce Walker

A. Cobb

where he was,” Vernita said. “He’s doing physical therapy and he knows what his goals are.”

He may be pushing past his limits, but he knows what he wants to get done.

“I’m trying to play basketball this season, mid-season,” Bryce said. “That’s my goal, and I’m trying to strive for it.”

Everyone is waiting for him to get back on the field, and hopefully on the basketball courts this season.

“He’s a resilient kid, [and] I think he’s going to do what he needs to do to get back on the basketball court,” Naymola said. “For me, as a track coach too, and for him to get another avenue for competition because he missed so much football and basketball, I really want to get him on the track team this year.”

Naymola has plans for Bryce. Joining the track team could benefit him, serving as another way of rehabilitation to get more confident moving around on his injured leg.

“Thankfully we know Bryce will heal up and be good,” Slattery said. “I am looking forward to seeing him back on the field.”

Football season will come sooner than Bryce may think, and he wants to be ready. He is ready to push forward and get back on the field to play those Friday night games.

“That Friday, everyone was wishing me the best,” Bryce said. “All the coaches, players, players from other teams, [and] people from all over. I appreciate all of Raider Nation and everyone in general. It was a lot when everything happened. Everyone was reaching out and it was really nice.”

“We greatly appreciate all the support from the community, the school, everyone that has come to our home to visit, his peers, coaches, all of the phone calls, text messages even to me and my husband,” Vernita said. “We appreciate the positivity from the community and how everyone rallied behind him and reminding us that we are raising an amazing kid.”

GOOD LUCK ON FINALS!

SPORTS Pinned to the sport

Locked in. Junior Shane McGuine has nothing on his mind but the match ahead.

On the sidelines, he observes the match that is going on. He cheers on his teammate as they face their opponent. Then, turning away, he refocuses his attention on his match.

Adrenaline courses through his veins. Headphones are in his ears, blasting his “hype” playlist to give him energy and encouragement.

Takedown. Escape. Pin.

That’s all he needs to do to win. McGuine finishes putting on his headgear to keep him safe throughout his match. Walking up to the scoring table, he checks in and makes his way to the mat. McGuine’s foot slowly sinks into the mat as he takes a deep breath, washing away any remaining nerves.

All the weeks of intense training come down to this moment. The cheering crowd silences as he faces his opponent and shakes their hand. He gets into position and waits for the sound of the whistle to indicate the start of the match.

McGuine’s passion for wrestling began in his sixth grade physical education class. During a demonstration day, wrestling coaches came into his class and brought out the mats to promote the sport. He learned the basics of wrestling and has been hooked ever since.

“I didn’t really understand any of it, but I was like ‘sure I’ll give it a try’ because I was trying new sports,” McGuine said.

When McGuine first started, he spent months learning basic techniques, skills, and components of a wrestling match. Starting from the bottom was difficult, but when it finally came time to put all the hard work to use during his first match, he was hooked.

He spent time creating strategies on how to score points and try to win as many matches as he could. He started his first season on JV and worked his way up.

“It was fun. I think for the first two months I had no idea how a wrestling match went,” McGuine said. “And then at the end of the year, I was [on] varsity.”

During his first year wrestling for high school, he wrestled varsity in the 113-pound weight class. Unfortunately, the pandemic made the wrestling season significantly different, but he was the Fox Valley All-Conference champion for his weight class. In his sophomore year, McGuine wrestled as JV and varsity reserve, but his position for this season remained undecided.

Wrestling is different than many other sports because, while there is a team aspect, is mostly an individual sport. Points can be earned by each wrestler during their match.

The points are added together to determine which team is the overall winner. Each wrestler is responsible for their matches, making dedication a critical factor in being successful in the sport.

“You’re with a team, but your wrestling is on you,” McGuine said. “If you lose, it’s on you, but if you win, it’s also on you.”

Illinois is a competitive and topfive wrestling state, making the sport much more intense. In the past, Huntley has done very well at competing at the conference and state levels.

Over the summer, McGuine took up weightlifting and trained as much as possible to prepare for this season. Hopefully, the effects of all the work he has put in over the last few months will be seen in how he does

Shane McGuine’s devotion to wrestling leads to personal growth and might

By Jessy Gone

A referee lifts up McGuine’s arm to show that he has the won the duel.

Courtesy of Shane McGuine

this season. for maintaining their weight to stay

“He might have been one of the in their weight class. Before every only guys who went to training and match, each wrestler must weigh in to weightlifting [during the] offseason,” make sure that they are either at or head varsity wrestling coach Benja- below their designated weight class. min Bertelsman said. Cutting weight is one of the more

Responsibility is something that hardcore sacrifices wrestlers have to wrestling coaches are trying to teach make, but it all comes from a place of their teams, not only to help them love for the sport. improve in the sport but as a life skill “Once I make 138 [pounds], I only as well. have to maintain it, which is easier,

McGuine is a reliable wrestling but the cutting part, you just feel team member, always putting in the sluggish,” McGuine said. work to ensure he is ready for his McGuine is in a difficult situation matches and staying on top of his when it comes to getting into matchschool work to remain eligible. es during the upcoming season be-

“I think he’s a really good team- cause of the weight class he is in. mate, he honestly brings a lot of fun Currently, he is trying to stay beto [the team],” teammate Kellan Bran- tween the 138-pound and 145-pound cato said. “He also manages to work weight classes, but depending on how as hard as anybody else.” the season progresses, he may be

Wrestling is also unique because switching to get more matches in. everyone on the team is responsible “He’s in a tough position because he Shane McGuine watches his teammetes as he waits for his own match to start.

works his butt off, but there is always someone right there next to him that is that same level,” Bertelsman said.

His patience and devotion to wrestling are unmatched. Even after the challenge of cutting weight at the beginning of the season, he still gives it his all during practice. The nature of the sport requires wrestlers to make many sacrifices, between long practices and maintaining weight, but McGuine finds the sacrifice to be worth it.

He hopes to continue this passion in the future and dreams of wrestling at the collegiate level. His time on Huntley’s wrestling team has helped McGuine grow as a person and taught him many valuable lessons. He has learned the importance of responsibility and dedication through his love for the sport of wrestling.

J. Gone

Chadwick on the ice, calculating his next move to score another point.

Courtesy Jeremy Chadwick

*This is good only for the student or teacher’s meal. One meal per visit. Kids meals not included.

Interested? Apply here

Now Hiring! • Flexible hours • College Scholarships for Employees

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

Think CDs are boring? That's the point

Bank-issued, FDIC-insured

4.50% 6-month APY*

Bob Gajewski Jr

Financial Advisor

12519 Regency Pkwy Suite C Huntley, IL 60142-6500 224-654-9130

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 12/1/22. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

Samuel J Marshall

Agent

10773 Illinois 47 Huntley, IL 60142-1800 Bus: 847-659-1800 Sam@SFSamMarshall11.com

If Your Pet Is Unbecoming To You It should Be Coming To Us! 40 Years Experience

10416 IL-47 Huntley, IL 60142 (847) 669-2161

Pet supplies

Shampooch & Kitty

Dave Splett

Master Groomer

SPORTS Ice in his veins

The referee has the puck in hand.

West Dundee Leafs Midget Prospects star center Jeremy Chadwick is locked in on giving his team the first possession of the game. An eventful 48 minutes with short intermissions, oddly split by a halftime through the second period, sits ahead of him, but he will never lose focus on providing his team with the best opportunities to win this game.

He and his opponent position themselves with sticks on ice.

An exciting form of adrenaline shoots through Chadwick’s body. The fever pitch during the opening faceoff is nothing new to Chadwick; his love for the center position disclosed itself in his second year of travel hockey. His ability to fight for possession, especially on the face-offs, is first-class.

The referee places his hand over the sticks.

Chadwick continues to stare at the referee’s hand, eagerly waiting for it to open up. The exact moment that the puck begins to fall, he utilizes his exceptionally fast reaction time to time the puck drop perfectly. He can not move too early, take his stick an inch off the ground, or move out of a position square to the face-off spot. He needs to be near perfect.

The referee drops the puck.

Chadwick’s competitiveness, dedication, and leadership epitomize his long-lasting, devoted relationship to ice hockey, the sport that he will have played for 13 years come March.

“[Jeremy] always puts 100% out there,” Chadwick’s mother Darcy Chadwick said. “The game means so much to him.”

Chadwick was born into a hockey family; generations of massive Chicago Blackhawks fans extend very far into the family tree. Chadwick is named after former Blackhawks center Jeremy Roenick, just like his mother was named after Blackhawks wing Darcy Rota.

At only 4 years old, Chadwick began his hockey career like most young children: a stick, a net, and a playing ground. Around a year later, his parents signed him up for skating lessons, and sometimes just took him to the rink.

Once Chadwick’s skating became consistent, he entered his first experience with competitive hockey, playing for the Crystal Lake Yellow Jackets in their travel program. While with Crystal Lake, he locked in on playing the center position.

“My second year of travel [hockey], I got really good at faceoffs,” Chadwick said. “From that point, I always took the faceoff, so I gravitated towards center.”

After COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were partially lifted, Chadwick made the tough decision to leave the Yellow Jackets and transfer over to West Dundee, where he is currently playing his second season with the organization.

“Everybody on my team went their

own separate ways,” Chadwick said. “I was the only person on my team to not go to high school.”

The West Dundee Hockey Club, better known as the Leafs, is a non-profit organization serving the Fox Valley area. The team is a part of the Central States Developmental Hockey League, consisting of 18 Illinois teams, 5 Missouri teams, and a single team in Indiana, Nebraska, and Colorado.

Due to the number of states represented, traveling extreme distances for tournaments is fairly common

Chadwick working hard during one of his games.

Courtesy of Jeremy Chadwick

Jeremy Chadwick’s enduring commitment continues for a 12th year

By Chase Keller

Courtesy of Jeremy Chadwick

Chadwick walking to the bench after a hard and rewarding game.

It’s draining as a parent, but you do what you can for your kids to make them happy Darcy Chadwick

in the CSDHL. The heavy amount of traveling, along with booking hotels, renting cars, purchasing new equipment, and other added purchases like tryout fees, makes ice hockey one of the most expensive sports to play.

Despite the high price tag, Chadwick makes the sport worth continuing due to his loving personality, his above-and-beyond work ethic, and remarkable leadership.

“It’s draining as a parent, but you do what you can for your kids to make them happy,” Darcy Chadwick said. “We only have one more year of this, and I’m going to enjoy it as much as I can.”

These tournaments provide Chadwick with a big opportunity to showcase his mindset as a team player. As of Dec. 10, Chadwick leads the CSDHL in assists, and is second in goals, second in points, and top 10 in power play goals. The consistent statistics between goals and assists embodies his mindset to give the entire team the biggest opportunity possible.

“[Jeremy] sets the example,” said Jason Watson, the head coach of West Dundee Leafs Midget Prospects. “He is definitely top tier and everyone on the team looks up to him.”

While mindset is more important than skill set, Chadwick’s strong work ethic allows for him to master a high amount of crucial skills needed for an elite hockey player. Maintaining versatility is a great start for any center, and his commitment to improve on both ends of the ice sets him apart from a majority of athletes.

“Jeremy has stepped up and made himself versatile,” Watson said. “Whether it’s power play, penalty kill, playing forward or center, he’ll jump in and play [defense] anytime I ask him to, and he’s so good at it.”

Beyond the versatility, Chadwick’s hockey IQ and decision-making skills are premier parts of his craft. He is patient with a quick reaction time, rarely performs any miscues, and recovers quickly and efficiently. He makes finding the best decision everytime look easy.

“He knows situational hockey,” Jeremy’s father Phil Chadwick said. “He knows what to do, where the puck is going to be, where he needs to position himself, and what he needs to do once he gets the puck.”

Chadwick’s playmaking is also a notable skill that he possesses. His short passes are smooth and soft, and his long ones are crisp and accurate. In creating plays for himself, his stick handling is top-tier, and his attacking gear is efficient.

Overall, Chadwick stands out on the ice due to both his mental and physical traits, along with his respectable personality and great chemistry with his teammates.

“[Chadwick] is amazing to coach, he’s an amazing teammate, and everyone really likes him,” Watson said. “He works on and off the ice, which other kids look up to, and for me, as a coach, that’s an absolute pleasure.”

Chadwick’s parents, along with his grandfather, have provided him with a variety of opportunities from the beginning to present day. They have funded a terrific career, but more importantly, they have motivated him to be the best athlete he can be.

“Play hard, have fun, don’t get hurt,” as his father always tells him.

Competitive. Smart. Respectful. Brave. Motivated.

Chadwick’s peers always have a positive thing to say about him. The characteristics that he maintains on and off the ice could inspire upcoming generations to be like Jeremy Chadwick.

Chadwick gets ready to pass the puck to a teammate for an opportunity to score a goal.

Courtesy of Jeremy Chadwick