Willowbrook student-athletes represent Warrior Pride during unprecedented fall sports season

Pictured is Willowbrook Athletic Director Brandon Murphy.

The Warriors continued to improve all season long this fall and demonstrated what being a student-athlete at Willowbrook is all about. They left their mark on the school and the community as they competed with pride. I personally want to thank all of the coaches and athletes for diligently following the health and mitigation protocols set forth by the Illinois High School Association (ISHA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The Warriors were able to safely, effectively and successfully complete the fall season – even though from day one, we never knew what day two would look like. Thanks again to all of the programs for leaving a legacy of excellence for future seasons to follow.

Below is a recap with highlights.

Boys Cross-Country
Head Coach Terry Artman had the Willowbrook distance runners continuing to build all season long. At the Conference Championships, the entire squad stepped up to the challenge and had some of its best races. The Warriors finished sixth as a team after a gutsy championship race. Senior Tyler King was named to the All-Conference team. Throughout the season, the team was led by senior captains Nicholas Leo and King. The team not only worked hard on the course, but also in the classroom. All-Academic honors were earned by King, Leo, senior Thomas Florey and senior Michael Stout. The seniors on this team guided the squad with strong leadership and a relentless work ethic. They were always ready to work and will be missed greatly next season. This team bleeds Silver and Blue, Through and Through!

Girls Cross-Country
Head Coach Clyde Ware and the Warriors had an exciting cross-country season, with a great team performance at the Conference Championships. The team finished in fourth place at Conference, and senior Melissa Martinez received All-Conference honors. Martinez, senior Daylee Braden, senior Madeeha Sahar and senior Samantha Williams also achieved All-Academic recognition. Ware said the leadership, hard work and dedication of the seniors led to a successful season, and we wish them well in their future endeavors.

Girls Tennis
Head Coach Eduardo DeLaCruz had the help of senior captains Elizabeth Martynenko and Victoria Zlatkova to lead the Willowbrook Girls Tennis Team to another successful season. The Warriors saw a surge in numbers, with a turnout of 47 girls in the tennis program this fall. With so many players, the team was able to incorporate a new level on its schedule – varsity, junior varsity 1 and junior varsity 2. All athletes were able to get an opportunity to play some matches. The team ended up with a dual-meet record of eight wins and four losses overall on varsity and finished in third place at the Conference Championships. All-Conference players are Martynenko, Zlatkova, junior Izabelle Manning, senior Jamie Schrader, senior Jenna Schrader and junior Brooke Vandergrift. All-Academic recognition was earned by Martynenko, Zlatkova, Jenna Schrader, Jamie Schrader, senior Ruksar Ahmed, senior Saamiya Ali, senior Aissietou Fall, senior Grace Jones, senior Allison Smith, senior Samantha Solis and senior Grace Tumilty.

Boys Golf
The Boys Golf Team continues to be on the upswing. The Warriors finished the season placing third in Conference and sixth in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regionals. Head Coach Gary Walker is very optimistic for the future. All-Conference award winners are senior Nicholas Cipriano, junior Dominic Faillo, senior Andrew Rugg and sophomore Brett Vandergrift. All-Academic award winners are Cipriano, Rugg, senior Jacob Cieslak and senior John Donovan III.

Girls Golf
The Lady Warrior golfers had an amazing year of growth. Each golfer set personal bests throughout the season. The team was led by captains senior Kayla Raue-Lease, senior Peyton Mitrick and junior Emma Rattana. The Warriors ended the season with a seventh-place finish at the Conference Championships and a sixth-place finish at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regionals. Head Coach Jim White will miss the senior leadership that was provided this year. All-Conference recognition was earned by Rattana. All-Academic award winners are Mitrick, Raue-Lease, senior Madelyn Hayes and senior Annika Schramek.

Addison Trail-Willowbrook Girls Swimming and Diving
Head Coach Tara Murphy and assistant coaches Jen Burns and Neil Wahlgren continue to develop state-level swimmers each season. This fall was another great year for the Addison Trail-Willowbrook Girls Swim Team. The team finished in a tie for second place in Conference. The following seniors received All-Academic honors: Caitlin Brennan, Cara Burns, Alexandra Cisneros, Victoria Janiszewski (Addison Trail), Madison Muhr (Addison Trail), Nancy Obrzut (Addison Trail), Nell Pawlowski (Addison Trail), Hiba Siddiqui and Deanna Tate. All-Conference honors went to freshman Olivia Gzamouranis, junior Carly Zaprzal (Addison Trail), junior Delaney Gayon (Addison Trail) and junior Ellie Hassler. The team also finished in sixth place in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Sectionals. At that event, Hassler won the AWD 50-yard freestyle, the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke.

Thank you, Warriors, for a remarkable fall season. We look forward to the successes the winter, spring and summer seasons will bring. Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior!

* Willowbrook is part of the West Suburban Conference Gold Division.