Girls soccer squad gears up for regional

HUNTLEY — Huntley girls soccer team is turning its focus to post-season goals.

The Red Raiders concluded the regular season with a 0-0 draw against Taft on May 11. They faced Grant in the first round of the Machesney Park Harlem Class 3A regional May 15.

“We had a successful season ending 13-4-4, second place in the FVC,” Huntley coach Matt Lewandowski said.

The head coach praised the play of leading scorers, Gabi Farraj and Maddie Cummings, who both scored eight goals.

Baseball squad has bounce back wins, seniors lauded

HUNTLEY — Griffin Goldstein took the route many players who sought to hit home runs.

"It felt good. It was a curveball and I couldn't resist," Goldstein said.

Goldstein's home run came in the third inning shot to left field that gave Huntley a 6-4 lead on Brother Rice, which held up for the final score. The other key hit was a three-run homer by AJ Putty.

"It was his first home run of the season, he was pumped," Huntley coach Andy Jakubowski said of Goldstein.

MCC baseball squad wins Region; moves on to district

MCHENRY COUNTY — McHenry County College's baseball team is moving on to the NJCAA District tournament.

The Scots improved to 43-11 and celebrated earning its third win in NJCAA Division I Region IV tournament, a 12-3 decision over Triton College May 11. They head to the next round with a nine game win streak and ended 23-2 for home games. District play is at Wabash Valley College, in Mount Carmel, IL, May 15-17.

“Mark DeCicco (starting pitcher) completely and did a great job,” MCC coach Jared Wacker said.

Red Raiders rule FVC to win track title

HUNTLEY — Youth and experience were both on display for Huntley boys track and field team this season.

On the experience side, the team effort to the Fox Valley Conference meet title was led by double winners Zach Ryssvy in the long and triple jumps and Tommy Nitz in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.

Huntley head coach Chris Maxedon credited the up-and-coming freshmen and sophomores as well as better known Red Raiders as keys.

“It's a good feeling to have won it for the second straight year because we did some really, really good things on the track and on the field.

Girls track takes momentum to state meet

HUNTLEY — From the early-meet field events to the final sectional meet relay, host Huntley's girls track and field team secured many bids to the IHSA Girls Track and Field Meet.

The defending Class 3A State Champions Red Raiders won their sectional by a whopping 148 points to Rockford Guilford's 77 and the rest of the 17-team field May 8. The State Finals will be May 16-18 at Eastern Illinois University.

Huntley head girls track and field coach Jason Monson was happy with the results.

Baseball squad clinches 6th FVC title in a row

HUNTLEY — Huntley's baseball squad had just improved to 14-2 and in first place in the Fox Valley Conference with a 17-1 win over Dundee-Crown May 6.

The Red Raiders received more good news on the way back from Carpentersville. Burlington Central downed Hampshire 4-1, handing Huntley its sixth straight league championship.

Huntley finished the FVC games by hosting Burlington Central May 10.

“This means that seven graduating classes at Huntley have experienced a Fox Valley Conference championship, which is incredible,” head baseball Andy Jakubowski said.

Girls soccer secures 2nd in FVC

HUNTLEY — Two Huntley girls soccer juniors led the way to a win on senior night.

Junior Kate Sandora scored a goal, with an assist from classmate Maddie Cummings, in the first overtime for a 1-0 win over Burlington Central. The Red Raiders, 13-4-3, gained a second place 7-1-1 record in the FVC, behind unbeaten league champs Crystal Lake Central.

“It was more of a cross that ended up as a shot,” Sandora said.

The shot ended as Sandora's first career goal.

Ferrara, Stone gain career milestones

HUNTLEY — Two Huntley girls lacrosse players gained memorable achievements in 24 hours and the Red Raiders picked up two more victories.

The dynamic duo consists of juniors Katie Ferrara and Savannah Stone. Ferrara gained her 200th career goal against Mundelein Carmel in a 13-3 HHS triumph May 4. Stone secured her 200th career save May 3 in an 18-2 Red Raiders victory over Hampshire co-op.

Ferrara, who scored four goals against Carmel, has tallied 75 goals on the season. She was ranked sixth in Illinois last week and totaled 201 goals for her career.

Boys lacrosse remains in charge of FVC

HUNTLEY — The Huntley boys lacrosse squad responded to an overtime loss with three victories and kept its lead in the Fox Valley Conference.

Their latest win was on the road, at rival Hampshire, 18-9, May 2. The Whip-Purs and Cary-Grove were tied for second in the league at 5-1 behind the Red Raiders (10-4, 6-0 FVC). Lopsided wins came against Prairie Ridge, 24-1 and Burlington Central, 20-1 following a 10-9 overtime loss to Hinsdale Central.

One highlight was leading scorer Bobby Pupich's six goal night against Prairie Ridge.

Girls track gains 3rd straight FVC title

HUNTLEY — The Huntley girls track and field squad turned in multiple first-place efforts as the Red Raiders continued their dominance of the Fox Valley Conference May 2 at Jacobs.

The FVC championship was the third straight for Huntley, giving it momentum leading to the May 8 IHSA Class 3A Sectional meet at Red Raider Stadium. The Red Raiders are defending sectional and IHSA Class State Champs. Qualifiers go on to the IHSA State Meet May 17-18 at Eastern Illinois University.

Baseball coaches with 1,000 combined wins live here

HUNTLEY — Huntley is now home to two 500-win club of head baseball coaches.

The number doubled when McHenry County College baseball head coach Jared Wacker's team secured his milestone victory over Elgin. Wacker joins Huntley High School head baseball coach Andy Jakubowski, who had 535 career wins as of May 3, with 506 triumphs.

Wacker, in his 13th year as head coach of the Scots, discussed his 500th win achievement and team strengths prior to the final regular season home game.

Red Raiders, Trojans battle to soccer tie

HUNTLEY — After a hard-fought Fox Valley Conference match ended in a 1-1 tie, the Red Raiders were determined to gain a win at Dundee-Crown.

Three goals in the first half was the difference in a 3-2 HHS win over the Chargers May 2. Maddie Cummings scored two goals and Maddie Rumachik had one while Ava Trudeau had two assists and Alex Szydlowski one.

Huntley's record stood at 11-4-3, 6-1-1 FVC for third place. They face second-place Burlington Central May 7 for senior night.

For $50 annually or $30 semi-annually, readers will enjoy a growing amount of news content and more variety than our current news options.

Evtimov to take track skills north

HUNTLEY — Vicky Evtimov has achieved nine state track and field meet qualifications and has been part of three IHSA Class 3A State Championships in her four-year career, which will continue in college.

Evtimov has a commitment to attend Division I University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for 2024-25, where she will continue her track and field journey.

HHS girls track and field head coach Jason Monson commented about her college selection.

“I'm super excited about Evtimov's choice to run at UW-M, especially since it is close and we might get to go watch her run throughout her career,” Monson said.

Five move on to State Special Olympics

Five Hurricanes D158 Special Olympics team members are have advanced to the Illinois Special Olympics State Competition.

Girls soccer keeps up pace in FVC

HUNTLEY - Strong play on both sides of the pitch led Huntley to a three-match win streak in Fox Valley Conference contests.

Huntley gained a shutout win over Prairie Ridge 2-0 for a 3-1 FVC record as of April 18. This victory followed a 5-1 triumph over McHenry and a 4-0 victory at Jacobs. The Red Raiders had a 1-2 record at the Prospect Invite April 19-20 for an 8-4-2 mark.

The Red Raiders are at Hampshire April 23 in a key FVC clash.

Baseball squad’s pitching depth proves key

HUNTLEY — Huntley's pitching staff has been one of the reasons the Red Raiders baseball team has one all but one game in the season's first half.

The Red Raiders were 14-1 overall, 8-0 Fox Valley Conference and the pitchers have limited opponents' hitters with a 1.43 ERA and chalked up more than 100 strikeouts.

“We are deeper as a pitching staff than in the past few years,” Huntley head coach Andy Jakubowski said. “We have gone 11 deep this year when we usually go eight or nine deep.

Amin poised for big comeback track season

HUNTLEY — Huntley girls track and field coach Jason Monson received some good news before the start of the indoor season.

About five months after suffering an ankle injury at the Huntley Class 3A sectional, senior Sophie Amin returned for a full season.

“Amin approached her recovery in the same way she approaches so many things, with a tenacity and focus that is unmatched,” Monson said. “We knew she would do all that she needed to do, but the fact that she was able to go full bore at the start of the indoor season was incredible, though not surprising given Amin's character.”

Sun City’s Schwan returns with Pickleball Gold

NAPLES, FL - John Schwan, a Sun City Pickleball Charter Club member, is a national champion after winning his age bracket gold medal at the Minto US Open Pickleball Championship April 14 in Naples, Fla.

Schwan, 75, beat four opponents to earn the gold medal. He edged Randy Scott of Griffin, Georgia (who lives at a Del Webb community) for the senior singles skill 4.0 crown in the finals as thousands looked on. Schwan won the first game, 11-3, then the second, 11-8.

Defending track champs set for solid season

HUNTLEY — With the indoor meet season in the books, it is time to begin the outdoor meets for the Huntley girls track and field team.

Prior to the start of the outdoor season, Huntley seniors Sophie Amin selected University of South Dakota and Vicky Evitmov picked the University of South Dakota, both D-1 schools, for 2024-25.

The Red Raiders traveled to Crystal Lake South and won a quad meet April 8. HHS had 80 points and beat McHenry, Cary-Grove and Crystal Lake South.

Baseball squad plays steady with 9-1 start

HUNTLEY — It has been so far, so good for the Huntley baseball team, both overall and in Fox Valley Conference games.

Huntley has defeated McHenry twice and Crystal Lake Central once as it aims to defend its league crown.

“We're getting off to a good start in the FVC,” HHS head coach Andy Jakubowski said. “Our situational hitting is coming. We know each player has strengths and weaknesses and we try to play to their strengths.”

The triumphs over McHenry both featured late-game rallies, for 5-2 and 8-3 triumphs, April 5 and 8.

Event for Special Olympics inspiring

HUNTLEY — Many inspirational stories could be told among the more than 100 participants in the “Don't Be Fooled - by a Disability” 5K run held April 6. The effort benefits the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois.

Huntley Deputy Police Chief Amy Williams praised the progress that has been made in not focusing on people's disabilities but abilities with the focus of the movement on more inclusion. She said there has been great support for the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Huntley.

Many enjoy Education Foundation chili cook-off

HUNTLEY — On a dreary early April afternoon, enjoying a small cup of chili, made by a total of 12 teams, was a good idea.

The Second Annual First Responders Chili Cook-off at Sew Hop'd Brewery and Tap Room in Huntley supported future endeavors of the Huntley Community School District 158 Education Foundation. About 250 people attended, according to organizers.

“It was definitely a success as we had the place packed and were able to raise funds for scholarships,” D158 Education Foundation event organizer Steve Lulofs said.

THE DOORWAY TO OUR COMMUNITY