Sports Highlights and Hopes: Reflecting on a Season of Growth and Success

By Aiden Darnieder & Jack Walker

Like the change of the leaves, the Raiders transition into what will be another great athletic season. With many impressive runs from all five teams, the 2024 fall season is one for the books. Following are a couple moments from each team.

The co-ed golf team got off to a very slow start in the regular season, winning only one match against a strong New Trier JV. But, as Coach Cy says, “October is for the Raiders.” Finishing second in both regionals and sectionals, the boys were able to make it down to the state championship once again. Additionally, Zhilin Chen had an impressive run as well, taking third in regionals to qualify for sectionals.

The girls volleyball team continued to make an impact both on and off the court with yet another successful Dig Pink campaign, raising money for breast cancer. The team rallied support from fans and the community through donations, culminating in a thrilling event where members of the team were doused in water and took pies to the face in an effort to raise money for their cause. This memorable event not only raised the spirits of students, but also brought the Raider community together for an important cause, showing that success goes beyond the game. Despite their early exit in the playoffs, the girls had a season filled with growth, resilience, and teamwork.

The cross country team had a standout performance from senior Brian Smith, who advanced all the way to the state championship as an individual while setting a personal record. His determination and achievements highlight the Raider spirit, proving that individuals can succeed and shine even in challenging team competitions. All team members had personal records showing the dedication this team had throughout their season.

Although they experienced a tough loss against Naperville North in the first round of playoffs, the girls field hockey team fought hard, forcing the game into a sudden death double overtime. These girls were warriors this fall, taking down schools with nearly four times the amount of kids as North Shore. Their accomplishments set high expectations for what is to come.

Now we set our focus on the boys soccer team. It is hard to match a state championship team, and despite a short-lived post-season run, the boys’s perseverance continued as the team ended the season with a competitive record.

Finally, the girls tennis team prevailed as conference champions after victories against highly skilled teams such as U-High and Francis Parker. This is the first time in 15 years the girls have won the conference. The girls had an extremely impressive year, which concluded with Charlotte Graham, Izzy Henry, Callie Zhao and Sophia Hardy competing in the state final.

Raider spirit stays strong, as the excitement over this season has been consistently shared on social media, where fans and athletes have been active in posting highlights and updates. The fall season was packed with unforgettable moments across all teams — each one putting in incredible effort and showing Raider pride. This season also featured numerous athletes who were recognized with All-Conference honors, a testament to the dedication and talent within the Raider community.

Fall 2024 All-Conference Honorees

Field Hockey

All-Conference

Dixie Oelerich

Daisy Stone

Abby Hardy

Honorable Mention

Laina Rai

State All-Conference

Dixie Oelerich

Abby Hardy

Golf

Nolan Darnieder

Jonathan Wiggins

Zhillin Chen

Boys Soccer

First Team All-Conference

Henry Gallun

Second Team All-Conference

Razaan Ghazi

Girls Tennis

All-Conference

Alexia Conine

Sophia Hardy

Maddie Wilson

Callie Zhao

Honorable Mention

Charlotte Graham

Izzy Henry

Sophia Fox

Third Team All State

Charlotte Graham

Izzy Henry

Volleyball

Honorable Mention

Zahra Omar