2021 marked a successful year for OPRF sports in many ways. OPRF boys soccer made their deepest run in school history, field hockey finished second in the state, and Josephine Welin won state in cross country. Now, two months into 2022, OPRF wrestling sent Jalen Dunson to state. And as winter rolls into spring, even greater things could be yet to come.

2022 will mark the first year of the new Campbell dynasty, and OPRF baseball will look to continue their success from the past decade into their new era. The Huskies made a deep playoff run last year, winning a string of games to make it to the sectional final, where they fell to New Trier in extra innings.

“I’m very excited to see how all the guys who were on varsity last year, how they responded to what was probably our toughest loss all season. I want to see how we come out of the gates, the energy is gonna be high to start the season,” says Kevin Campbell.

Though the Huskies lost key players to graduation such as Jared Cortez and Ethan Glossa, the Huskies will return a lot of starters and role players who waited in the wings for their turn, and should step up big this coming season. The Huskies will be led by seniors David Andolina, Gio Pamias, Daniel Michaud, sophomore Mason Phillips, and junior Calvin Proskey.

The Huskies play in a tough conference and will duke it out with the likes of Downers Grove North, Hinsdale Central, and Lyons Township for a West Suburban Conference title. Though OPRF can fire on all cylinders, they will rely on their pitching the most.

“One thing that has been very clear, since the beginning of our preseason, has been that we will hang our hat on pitching. Our staff isn’t set yet, but guys like David Andolina, Calvin Proskey, Evan Eberle, and Jack Spinks will lead the way for us in pitching.” says Campbell.

Another squad that made a deep run in last spring’s state series was the OPRF girls soccer team. In the spring of 2021, the Huskies, as the 12th seed in the state playoffs, pulled off two big upsets to reach the sectional semifinal, where they fell to No. 1 seed Benet. Going into this season, the Huskies will bring back a lot of key pieces. Captain Julia Daun, who was the Huskies leading scorer, and Katherine Hoffman both return, leading a strong Huskie attack.

“We are a very strong attacking team; that will be our strength going into the season. As a team, we all can work on our defense and get better in that aspect of the game.” says Daun. “Our main goal for the season is to make it as far as we can in the playoffs. My freshman year was a rebuilding year, we had a lot of new players, a new coach and focused on rebuilding the program. So now, we are at a point where we want to continue to grow, but play to our talent level and try to make it farther than we did last year.”

The Huskies will face a tough schedule this year, in a conference loaded with talented teams, they will have to deal with top sides such as Lyons Township and York.

“I’m excited to get back out onto the field and be able to play soccer each and every day. That’s what I’m most looking forward to” says Daun.

On the court, OPRF boasts one of the best boys volleyball teams in the country. The Huskies will return a strong core from a team that made a deep playoff run. The Huskies made it all the way to the quarterfinals, where they fell to eventual runner up Lake Park.

“We’re returning a lot of guys from last season. We are one of the best programs in the state, and have some of the most appearances in the state series,” says head coach Justin Cousin.

Front man AJ Robateau recently committed to play D1 volleyball at first-year program Maryville University and held an offer from the No. 1 team in the country, the Hawaii Warriors. Setter Peter Zurawski holds offers from multiple schools, including Ohio State. The Huskies will look to rekindle their magic from last year and do what their program is known for: making deep runs.

“We’ve been working hard this offseason, putting in work five days a week. Open gyms on Tuesday and Thursday before school, and weight lifting on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Our goal is to do what we do. OPRF volleyball has the most appearances down state at the state series of any school, so we’re gonna try to add to that,” says Cousin.