12 Blueprint
SPORTS
Dec. 16, 2016
Boys basketball hopes to benefit from senior leadership By Jacob Bullard, Head Video Announcements Writer Jake Lackner, Staff Reporter The boys basketball team is 4-2 to start off the season. With only seniors in the starting lineup, the team hopes to use their experience and leadership to gain a better record and go
Senior TJ Clifford helps bring home a 52-49 win over Plainfield East.
Photo by Megan Albers
farther into the playoffs than past seasons. Varsity basketball coach, Kristopher Olson is looking forward to using the experience from all of his returning seniors to guide the team to multiple victories. “I would think our goals are going to be higher than just a conference championship as we look to bring other championships,” Olson said. “Having ten seniors returning, this is going to be a year where [the coaches] are going to be behind the scenes more than ever and just let the experience [of the seniors] take over.” Seniors Denis Alibegovic and TJ Clifford have played together all four years, and they both have been on varsity since sophomore year. “TJ and I have been playing together since freshman year, and over the years we have gotten to learn each other’s playing style and also strengths and weaknesses,” Alibegovic said. Not only will their leadership and experience help the team, but their individual skills will as well. Clifford uses his 6’6” height and strength to dominate in the center, often times kicking it out to Alibegovic when traffic begins to fill the lane. “Denis and I have two different
styles of play,” Clifford said. “Denis and now,” Olson said. is a great ball handler and shooter Overall, Olson is looking forward while I go inside more often and play to watching not only the team but in the paint.” also the individual players reach new When these two step out on the heights this year. court, it becomes nearly impossible “My goal is always to put our playfor defenders to close them down in ers in the best position to achieve their lethal areas. This is mostly due those individual goals. With that to the fact that these two have a verbeing said, our team goals should be satility to their game. extremely high this year with the tal“TJ is a very strong physical guard/ ent and experience we have returnforward who can shoot the ball, and ing,” Olson said. I’m a taller guard who can handle, so DGS will take on Addison Trail on it’s pick your poison basically,” AlibeDec. 16 and participate in the Jack govic said. Tosh Holiday Classic at York High Olson recognizes the importance School over winter break. of the current seniors being good role models as well as working through the season by taking each game one at a time. “[I] want the juniors that were on the sophomore team last year ... to learn from the current seniors, and I think that is more of a responsibility on the current seniors ... and as a coach you try to create that environment. But in terms of Guard Denis Alibegovic takes on a Plainfield East player at the our actual focus, our St. Charles Invite. focus is on the here Photo by Megan Albers
McKyla Kerr takes down common wrestling stereotypes By Kylie Schatmeyer, Copy Editor Senior McKyla Kerr has been wrestling since she was in seventh grade, competing on the DGS team as well as on the Illinois national team for females. Kerr has found a passion for this male-dominated sport; however, being the only female has not held her back, it has propelled her forward. “It’s been challenging with the fact that I have been the only girl for a while, and people don’t take you as seriously all the time,” Kerr said. There is no doubt Kerr is a force to be reckoned with. When asked what her future wrestling career holds, Kerr was all smiles. “That kind of leads into my last biggest accomplishment: I have a scholarship to Oklahoma City University to wrestle...I am super excited. It is the second best women’s collegiate team in the nation,” Kerr said.
Kerr at the recent wrestling match versus Proviso East. Photo by Claire Pikul
Kerr has proved her power and ability to succeed at the next level by not only being a contributing member
to the high school team, but qualifying to be on the Illinois national team. This is an opportunity not many women are able to be a part of due to how competitive the team is. “We have to compete...I have to wrestle for the spot on the team, and then the top two to three people get to go for the Illinois national team for the girls. Once you’re at nationals, there are a lot more girls and you then have to wrestle for the national rankings,” Kerr said. This success has not come easy to Kerr. Strict training and discipline have gotten her to where she is today. After suffering from a femur fracture and having to undergo surgery, Kerr could have easily thrown in the towel. However, she worked endlessly for eight months at physical therapy and slowly got back on the mat. With her family cheering her on the whole way, she decided to keep going in this difficult sport.
Graphic by Gabrielle Bartkeviciute
“I kind of look up to my dad. I wanted to do the same sports he did, so I tried out wrestling, and it ended up working in my favor,” Kerr said. No doubt Kerr has overcome very difficult obstacles. Despite all of these, Kerr works perpetually not only in preparation for the DGS season, but year-round to ensure she is the best wrestler she can be. “In the first couple of weeks, we do a lot of technique, trying to just get back into the rhythm with cardio and getting back into shape. I wrestle year-round, so I’m generally in pretty good condition. It’s just more or less lifting with the South team,” Kerr said. Going into her final season at DGS, Kerr has her eye on the future, and there is no doubt it will be filled with excitement. Along with the DGS wrestling team, Kerr will compete in multiple matches over winter break through the end of February.