The fall sports season saw many ups and downs for Oak Park and River Forest High School, from leading off the flag football season with a 48-0 win to long losing streaks from the football team. OPRF also had the first ever girl’s flag football season. Here is a recap of all the fall sports teams and a look-ahead at these teams’ future. All records and stats are taken from Maxpreps.com or IHSA.org unless otherwise mentioned.
Field Hockey:
The girls field hockey team went 5-17-3 this season. After a promising 2-1-1 start, the team went on a 10-game losing streak, including an overtime loss. From that point, there was about one win per loss until the end of the season.
The field hockey team, coached by Kristin Wirtz, had some impressive players. Sophomore Maeve Carmody led the team in goals with seven. Rosie Ondrla, a senior, led the team in assists. The team leader of saves was senior goalie Kiera Latrice, with 138 (Latrice is Trapeze business and outreach manager).
Although the field hockey team ended up with a losing record, there is young talent in the sophomores and juniors on the team to help them improve their record next year.
Tennis:
This year, the girls tennis team found major success. Coached by Fred Galluzo, the tennis team had a player who not only made state but got to the third round of the state championship bracket, an impressive feat for such a young player. Sophomore Lucy Stein made it to the IHSA state competition for singles. Although she was knocked out, she made it to the third round.
Flag Football:
The girl’s flag football team went 3-11 this season. Although the first game was a 48-0 win, the team went on a seven-game losing streak, won two games, and then lost the last four games.
Jim Geovanes, the head coach of this team, faced many challenges when getting this team together as this is the first year that flag football has been an official IHSA sport at OPRF. Although it might not have been easy, Geovanes persevered. Now that there has been a full year of IHSA level competition, the coaches and players will have more experience to use toward a winning record next season.
Football:
The football team’s struggles this year seemed to return from last year. The team managed to win one of nine games this season, and did not earn a playoff bid. While 1-8 is disappointing on paper, the team’s game has improved from last year.
The team’s running game has improved with the addition of sophomore Liam “Smitty” Smith to the varsity roster. On run plays, the ball was mostly going into Smith’s hands, and he knew what to do with it, usually gaining yardage from his carries.
The Huskies’ passing game fell short. Second-year starting quarterback Johnny Nelson wanted his passing game to improve from his sophomore to junior years, but it seemed to have fallen short, with some interceptions and miscues throughout the season.
The future of OPRF football is uncertain, but after the slight progress made this year, we’re just going to have to see.
Golf:
Boys Golf sent three golfers to sectionals this year: juniors Hugh Dwyer and Luke Roberts, and sophomore Karsten Davis. They shot 79, 82 and 80 respectively in the regionals held by Loyola Academy. They advanced to sectionals held by Glenbrook North. While they didn’t advance to finals, they shot 79, 81, and 75 respectively in sectionals.
On the girls’ side, five individuals went to sectionals, and one made it to state finals. Seniors Abby Dwyer, Isabel Stickney and Jane Souders, shot 93, 96 and 97, respectively. Junior Courtney Moore shot a 104, and Sophomore Nadia Vattana shot an 86 in regionals. Vattana was the one of these five to make it to state, shooting an 85 in the Sandburg Sectionals. In the state finals, Vattana shot 84, then 82, making her final score 166, which tied her for 55th in the state.
Girls Volleyball:
The girls volleyball team was able to do pretty well for themselves this year. Although, the early exit from the state series in the sectional semifinals against Lyons Township may not have been what the team expected.
Under many key seniors this year, like Gaby Towns and Hannah Phelan, they were able to lead the Huskies to a 21-17 season, with wins against three fellow West Suburban Conference schools. They clinched fifth in the conference.
Volleyball is one of the hidden gems in OPRF athletics, and with more and more sports channels like ESPN and Fox Sports carrying collegiate volleyball games, the hype for volleyball has never been higher.
After a great fall season, the girls have set the boys up for a fun spring volleyball season in the fieldhouse.
Boys Soccer:
After coming off a great season last year, the boys soccer team had to make some adjustments. 15 players graduated last year, and there was a need to fill those spots.
All in all, the soccer team had some great moments this year. With a record of 13-5-2, the ceiling of the young soccer team is through the roof, and rest assured that the soccer team next fall will be fun to follow.
Boy’s Cross Country:
Runners from the Cross Country Team managed to make it all the way to state this year, with senior Liam O’Connor receiving ninth in the entire state and running three miles in 14:25.20. The team as a whole finished in 18th place.
Girls Swim and Dive:
In the Leyden Sectionals, OPRF received 3rd as a team. Junior Lillian Louie received fifth in sectionals, and Junior Hailey Boland swam a 100-meter in sectionals in 1:07.49. Boland moved on to State Finals held in FMC Natatorium on Nov. 15 and 16.
