Free Press Advocate

Wildcats earn two wins in summer tournament, finish off stellar June run

Published by admin on Mon, 07/03/2017 - 6:52pm

    The Wilmington varsity summer baseball team ended their season this past week in Springfield to compete in the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Summer State Tournament.
    The Wildcats wound up 2-2 over three days in Springfield, to end their summer session with an overall record of 11-3-1.
    The tournament kicked off on Monday, as Wilmington took on New Berlin, the eventual summer state champions, with the Wildcats losing 16-8.

Matt Olsen throws first pitch after long road of recovery

Published by admin on Tue, 06/27/2017 - 4:53pm

    Matt Olsen, a long time Wilmington resident who now lives in Aurora, lived a once-in-a-lifetime experience Friday, as he threw out the first pitch for the Chicago White Sox.
    While it was full of excitement for Olsen, it was also used as a way to bring attention to a lifetime affliction he has lived with, cystic fibrosis.
    Olsen has undergone three different lung transplants, and while he has had a tough road to recovery, he was able to put his troubles behind on Friday.

‘Cats to start with a new unknown

Published by admin on Tue, 06/27/2017 - 4:49pm

    Could this be the toughest schedule for Wilmington football in the past three years?
    After finishing the last three regular seasons 9-0, Wildcat fans are hopeful that history repeats itself when the 2017 season opens Aug. 25.
    For starters the Wildcats will play a team with a student population that’s triple their size, an opponent they’ve never faced before.
    But on the plus side Wilmington will have only three away games, and those away games will be relatively close to home, traveling only as far as Peotone, Reed-Custer and Coal City.

Interstate Eight narrows decision to one school

Published by admin on Tue, 06/20/2017 - 5:13pm

    It looks as though there may be only one team change coming for the Interstate Eight Conference.
    Representives from I-8 schools held a meeting earlier this month to discuss what their options are now that Seneca announced their departure in the fall of 2018. Seneca based declining enrollment as their need to leave.
    The conference board discussed that fact that three schools — Pontiac, Morris and Kankakee — expressed interest in joining the I-8. However, Pontiac later backed out, leaving the door open for some type of unanimous decision.

Weaver, Van Duyne to represent Wilmington in Shrine Game

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 7:15pm

    The Illinois Coaches Association, along with the Shriners of Illinois, will host the 43rd annual Illinois High School Shrine Game on June 17, at Tucci Stadium on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL.
    Wildcat graduates Owen Weaver and RJ Van Duyne will participate in the week-long game and events.

The heat can’t stop these young football players

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 7:13pm

    They came ready to have some fun in the sun, as they kicked off the first of a two-week flag football camp at Wilmington High School.
    The camp, which was open to second through eighth grade athletes, ran from 10 a.m. to noon. While there was plenty of heat on the field, it wasn’t slowing the kids down.
    “They have been great with the temperature, granted it is really hot, and these kids are going 100 mph,” said Wildcat football coach Jeff Reents. “From my standpoint, especially for the first year, it has been an awesome experience.”

Honoring Wilmington’s senior student-athletes of the year

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:20pm

    They are the miracle students, taking on a full list of responsibilities throughout their four years at the high school.
    Whether it be working hard in the classroom, dedicating themselves to improving at practice, or being ready to perform on game days, they are constantly pushing themselves.
    The Free Press Advocate is recognizing WHS senior student-athletes of the year, giving them recognition for their hard work.
    These individuals were chosen for their performances on the court or field, in addition to their merits in the classroom.

Reed-Custer, Wilmington have players named to All-Conference team

Published by admin on Tue, 05/30/2017 - 5:27pm

    The Interstate Eight Conference’s South Division for baseball and softball was littered with talent this year.
    That included players from Wilmington and Reed-Custer who received All-Conference honors last week.
Softball
    Wilmington and Reed-Custer both had players named All Conference.    
    The Lady Comets had their two senior pitchers, Kenna Wilkey and Mac Kenzie Collier selected.
    The Lady Wildcats’ Lorri Kucharski, a senior pitcher and first baseman was also named.
Baseball

Wildcats put up a fight by fall in regional opener

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 5:32pm

    The Wildcat baseball team smacked a couple of home runs Thursday, but left too many runners strand on base in the opening round of the Herscher Regional.
    Wilmington was a formidable opponent for Reed-Custer, but watched its season come to a close with the  9-6 loss.
    “Even though it is kind of a frustrating loss, it is what it is, and you have to keep everything positive,” said Wilmington coach Mike Bushnell. “You don’t want to leave a sour taste in anyone’s mouth. You wish the seniors the best of luck, and you tell the younger guys to learn from this season.”

Wildcats strike first but Coalers get their revenge

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 6:20pm

    The Wilmington varsity baseball team wound up suffering a loss in their final game of the regular season on Monday, as they faced Coal City for the second game in a row.
    While the Wildcats defeated the Coalers on Friday, they dropped the second game, 11-6.