Free Press Advocate

For the Record: Best Lady ‘Cat basketball players

Published by admin on Tue, 10/06/2020 - 3:31pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington girls basketball program has been around for 43 years ever since coach Don Roach led the inaugural team to a 6-10 season.
Since then, they’ve had one regional championship (1979-80, 20-6) and currently have 193 victories. And there have been years of talented players who left their mark in the forms of school records.
This week, The Free Press Advocate thumbs through the record books to reveal the top scorers, best rebounders and more.

For the Record: WHS best at girls soccer

Published by admin on Tue, 09/29/2020 - 5:12pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington High School girls soccer program is a young, having made its debut in 2007.
During that time, the ‘Cats had 11 wins and a couple different Lady ‘Cats who have left their mark in the form of school records.
Who is the leading career goal scorer in Lady ‘Cat history?
That would be Amanda Kulpa, a 2010 graduate, who put up 28 goals during her two seasons on varsity. Her best season was her senior year when she fired 16 goals.

Wildcat fall sports prepping for spring season

Published by admin on Tue, 09/29/2020 - 5:11pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Football, volleyball and boys soccer seasons are still at least five months away. In fact practices won’t officially begin until Feb. 15. But that doesn’t mean Wildcat fall athletes are idle.
The Wilmington football team is making the most out of every second of their fall contact days which are underway. WHS football coach Jeff Reents scheduled a football camp that started last week continuing into this week before the summer sports get their crack at contact days.

Football dominance gets Wildcats on the list

Published by admin on Tue, 09/29/2020 - 5:10pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Few can argue just how good the Wilmington football program has become over the past 25 years. With 24 straight playoff appearances including a state title (2014), a second, one semi-final and eight quarter-final contests, including three the past four years, winning has become a tradition for the Wildcat program.
That tradition got noticed last week when Wilmington was selected to the Decade of Dominance list put together by Tom Sikorski and Kev Varney.

Roark on another playoff team

Published by admin on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 5:26pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Former Wilmington right- handed pitcher Tanner Roark is ready to pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays as the MLB playoffs near. They have pretty good odds to make the playoffs.
The Blue Jays are third in the AL East coming into Thursday with 26 wins and 22 losses, currently 4.5 games back from the leaders, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Varsity Wildcats undefeated going into regionals

Published by admin on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 5:26pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington baseball A team stormed the Coal City Warriors in a 14-2 finish after a six -run second that propelled them to the win on Tuesday during their eighth grade night.
Drew Jackson, Ryan Nelson, and Ryan Kettman all pitched with Nelson earning the win in the game.
Five different players had multiple hits including: Kyle Farrell, Ryan Nelson, Hunter Osipavicius, Brycen Feil and Shawn James.
Joey VanDuyne and Zach Ohlund also had hits in the win.
WMS 10, RCMS 0

Varsity Lady Wildcats outslug Warriors, slide by Panthers

Published by admin on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 5:18pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington Middle School A softball team lost 6-5 to Coal City on Monday.
Wilmington had the early advantage, plating three runs in the first, 3-0.
They added another in the third to make it a 4-0 game before the Warriors came to life.
They came swinging too with five unanswered runs to take a 5-4 lead.
The ‘Cats tied the game with a run in the sixth, 5-5.
But Coal City came back with the game-winner in extras to take the game.

Wildcat golfers third during conference tournament

Published by admin on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 5:17pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington golfers competed in the Illinois Central Eight Conference tournament on Monday and earned third, scoring 403 team points.
Conference front-runners, Manteno won the competition with a score of 387 so the ‘Cats weren’t far behind.
Colin James continued to impress as he shot a 96 on an 18-hole course.
Behind him was Zach Welsh and Taden Yakima, who both shot 100.
James and Jake Castle were awarded with All-Conference honors.
Aaron Burkey shot a 107 to round out the ‘Cats golfers.

For the Record: The best volleyball players at Wilmington High School

Published by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 5:00pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Over the 36 years of Wilmington girls volleyball the program has more wins than losses
The Lady ‘Cats are 204-194 record all-time, winning just over half of their contest and not surprisingly, they were their best from 2002-11, garnering a 102-40 record including five regional and one sectional title.
Many of WHS record holders from that time span.
This week, the Free Press Advocate looks at the record setters for Wilmington in volleyball.
The most common record is kills so who is the ‘Cats all-time kills leader?

IHSA waives two games per week limit, moves summer seasons up by two weeks

Published by admin on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 4:59pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Illinois High School Association announced Monday that teams that will be playing winter, spring and summer sports will be allowed to play more than two contests per week.
The two-game per week limit was previously planned as part of the changes to dealing with the coronavirus.
The IHSA vote returns teams back to their normal season game limitations as dictated by IHSA by-laws.