Multi-sport HHS standout Wiley keeps going strong
HUNTLEY — Huntley senior Ben Wiley is a busy Red Raider.
Wiley, son of Tom and Dana Wiley, is a several sport athlete at HHS, with letters earned in track-and-field, lacrosse, football and wrestling. He will play football at University of D-III Wisconsin-Platteville.
Wiley helped the Red Raiders earn the school’s first boys lacrosse championship last spring. After a few weeks off, it was time to prepare for the football season. He was part of a senior group as the Red Raiders reached the Class 8A football playoffs and finished with an 8-2 record.
He quickly turned to wrestling workouts and has had a successful season on the mat as well. He takes a 28-6 mark at 220 pounds to the IHSA Class 3A Belvidere North Regional Feb. 4.
HHS football coach Mike Naymola praised Wiley’s talents and dedication for the Red Raiders.
“Wiley is a dying breed of athletes who compete in multiple sports,” Naymola said. “Not only does he participate on the teams, but he thrives. Wiley’s work ethic has been top notch. He just has a motor that doesn’t slow down. I think he would say that staying busy has been the best thing for him because it has kept him organized and taught him how to prioritize things in his life.
“It has been hard balancing the schedule between all of my sports,” Wiley said. “It can be a bit of a battle on my body as well but I love doing sports and love having something to do so I make it work. I also tend to eat right and train better during the season to make me the best I can be.”
Wiley explained he originally was a linebacker on the football squad but later switched to defensive line. He credits HHS alum Brad Walker in helping with that transition.
Work for this fall was in high gear during the summer camp workouts.
“In the off-season, my group worked a lot with our explosiveness out of your stance,” Wiley said in an end-of-year survey. “We were trying to get the best way to get the first punch at the line. We worked on our footwork and stayed low. Walker taught me some things about my stance and how to fire out faster. He also is the person I would talk to before practice and after. I became good friends with Walker that year and he taught me tons about the defensive line.”
The defensive lineman, who chalked up 36 tackles this season, described the team togetherness effort which led to a memorable 2022.
“I think one thing that made our team come together is the Brownsburg, Indiana camp,” he said. “We really focused on getting to know each other more than teammates and more of a brotherhood. We also do our team dinners and made sure to invite the whole group of a position to have a friendship in each group. We also came to the field some days to play football or spike ball and have some fun. We also went to the beach and that helped us to become more of a brotherhood.”
He will always remember his final football season at HHS.
“As a senior, I’m very pleased with our season,” he said. “I’m very excited we have shared a conference championship. It was always a big thing for us to make the playoffs.”
