Lady Aces Tennis Comes Up Just Short Against Robinson

Mt. Carmel - 5, Robinson - 6,

Singles:

No. 1 - Annie List, Robinson def. Elizabeth Hefner, Mt. Carmel, 6-1 , 6-4 , -;

No. 2 - Lauren Staller, Robinson def. Ava Giese, Mt. Carmel, 6-3 , 6-0 , -;

No. 3 - Isabelle Sutfin, Robinson def. Kyla Miliitoni, Mt. Carmel, 6-3 , 6-1 , -;

No. 4 - Bella Andrews, Mt. Carmel def. Kate Rosborough , Robinson, 6-1 , 6-4 , -;

No. 5 - Gabi Peach, Mt. Carmel def. Ally Miller, Robinson, 6-2 , 1-6 , 10-5 ;

No. 6 - Avery Crocker, Robinson def. Hazel Earnest, Mt. Carmel, 6-1 , 6-4 , -;

No. 7 - Genevieve Garrard, Robinson def. Molly Hagerty, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-3 , -;

Doubles:

No. 1 - Elizabeth Hefner, Mt. Carmel - Ava Giese, Mt. Carmel def. Isabelle Sutfin, Robinson - Lauren Staller, Robinson, 7-5 , 2-6 , 10-7 ;

No. 2 - Annie List, Robinson - Kate Rosborough , Robinson def. Kyla Miliitoni, Mt. Carmel - Bella Andrews, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-1 , -;

No. 3 - Hazel Earnest, Mt. Carmel - Madi Riggs, Mt. Carmel def. Hannah Davis, Robinson - Olivia Watwood, Robinson, 7-5 , 6-7 (5), 10-6 ;

No. 4 - Gabi Peach, Mt. Carmel - Molly Hagerty, Mt. Carmel def. Addy Strauch, Robinson - Avery Strauch, Robinson, 7-6 (5), 3-6 , 10-6 ;

Lady Aces Win Olney Invitational By 19 Strokes

Mount Carmel Lady Aces Golf

Olney Tigers Invite

Richland Country Club: Par 35

September 11, 2024

Champions - Mount Carmel - 150

2nd Place - Effingham St. Anthony - 169

Medalist - Blair Powers, Mattoon

Mount Carmel - 150 

Zeme Moore 34; Elyse Swanson 38; Emily Gottman 38;  Miley Kennard 38; Ava Brumagin 42; Miranda Kennard 43; Ella Turner 48; Makaya Bolden 48

Effingham St. Anthony - 169

Addie Krouse 39; Mia Schwing 39; Brooklyn Phillips 45; Tesa Ludwig 46

Effingham High School - 182

Ella Tuman 41; Grace Harper 45; Natalie Armstrong 46; Makenna Mayhood 50

Salem - 182

Maya Russell 38; Brenna Hays 46; Kylie Johnson 47; reagan Shuler 51

Fairfield - 203

Lela Duckworth 46; Eden Duckworth 48; Sam Coomer 53; Sarah Ruhl 56

Robinson - 208

Leah Correll 43; AbbyRich 49; Natalie Richards 57; Mya Wright 59 

Charleston - 216

Macie Babbs 45; Ella Hinds 47; Mia Hinds 55; Kayla Schmieder 69

Olney Richland County - 223

Emma Hefferman 53; Savannah Ferguson 54; Mallory Richardson 57; Aubrie Weidner 59

Louisville North Clay - NTS

Kennedy Jones 44; Mackenzie Winterrowd 56

Mattoon - NTS

Blair Powers 34 (-1); Adrienne Muchow 68

Photo Credit: Zed Moore

Yellow Jackets Cross Country At Robinson

On Wednesday, September 11th the Allendale/St.Mary's Yellow Jackets Cross Country team traveled to Robinson to participate in their first meet of the year! All runners did very well!

Girl Results:

Nora Meeks - 14th Place (16.09)

Alaina Ile - 24th Place (17.05)

Elin Swanson - 29th Place (17.48)

Boy Results:

Ryland Houchin - 6th Place (13.54)

Thayer Hocking - 26th Place (16.07)

Easton Ile - 27th Place (16.08)

Next up will be the Norris City Invitational on Thursday the 19th!

Lady Aces Tennis Falls To Newton

Mt. Carmel - 3, Newton - 6,

Singles:

No. 1 - Paige Klingler, Newton def. Elizabeth Hefner, Mt. Carmel, 10-3 , -, -;

No. 2 - Ava Giese, Mt. Carmel def. Jailyn Hall, Newton, 10-8 , -, -;

No. 3 - Olivia Sornberger, Newton def. Kyla Miliitoni, Mt. Carmel, 10-2 , -, -;

No. 4 - Chloe Kroenlein, Newton def. Bella Andrews, Mt. Carmel, 10-2 , -, -;

No. 5 - Gabi Peach, Mt. Carmel def. Rhianna Carter, Newton, 10-5 , -, -;

No. 6 - Jordyn Kocher, Newton def. Hazel Earnest, Mt. Carmel, 10-2 , -, -;

Doubles:

No. 1 - Elizabeth Hefner, Mt. Carmel - Ava Giese, Mt. Carmel def. Paige Klingler, Newton - Jailyn Hall, Newton, 11-10 , -, -;

No. 2 - Chloe Kroenlein, Newton - Kendall Sessions, Newton def. Kyla Miliitoni, Mt. Carmel - Bella Andrews, Mt. Carmel, 10-2 , -, -;

No. 3 - Olivia Sornberger, Newton - Izzy Probst, Newton def. Hazel Earnest, Mt. Carmel - Madi Riggs, Mt. Carmel, 10-6 , -, -;

Short-Handed Soccer Aces Drop Pair To Begin Season; Home Opener Tonight

From Coach Ed Berberich:

The Mt Carmel Soccer Aces hit the road twice last week to open the season, losing 1-7 to Olney and 0-6 to Metropolis. Against Olney, the Tigers took the lead in the 10th minute, but the game remained scoreless from there until Olney was able to score 2 goals late in the 1st half to go up 3. The Aces cut the lead to 1-3 early in the 2nd half when David Munoz converted on a penalty kick that was earned when the Tigers fouled Wyatt Howder in the box. The Aces gained some momentum from the goal but were unable to capitalize on anything from then on. The score remained 1-3, until the Tigers got their 4th goal with 15 minutes left in the match, and then added 3 more in the last 10 minutes as the Aces wore down. On the match, the Aces took 8 shots with 3 on frame, created 3 additional scoring chances, and had 15 interceptions. Ty Hipsher had 8 saves in goal. The Tigers took 25 shots with 11 on frame. Against Massac County the Patriots took a 1-0 lead when they scored in the 25th minute of play, but the Aces held on defensively and the half ended with just the single goal. The 2nd half started poorly, with the Aces giving up 3 quick goals in the first 10 minutes of the half to fall behind 0-4, putting the game out of reach. For the match the Aces took 2 shots with 1 on frame, created 1 additional scoring chance and had 10 interceptions. Ty Hipsher had 9 saves in goal. Massac County took 19 shots with 7 on frame.

 

In both games we hung around for a while, but wore down as the matches went on. We’ve been severely shorthanded due to injuries and working to get players eligible still, so that’s we really expected to struggle in that regard. We had 2 subs in the first match and only 1 in the second which makes it hard for us to finish as strongly as we’d like. We’re also the most inexperienced team I’ve ever had at the boy’s high school level, with no seniors on the squad and 7 of us having never played soccer before outside of a couple of players when they were really young. We’re just going to need to push through these first few games as we work towards gaining some experience and getting to full strength, which for that will hopefully be in about a week. But the guys are playing hard and learning as they go, so we’re hoping to be able to start building on things when we’re all available. Some of the things that are heartening to us is that Ty has done a great job in goal while being under a lot of pressure with such a young team in front of him. Also, defensively we’re doing ok considering the situation and are getting better as we gain experience. Lastly, this is a good group of guys that are fun to coach so that makes everything a little easier to deal with. At the moment, getting our offense up to speed is the biggest job, but that also is expected. To my mind that’s the hardest thing to catch on to when you’re new to the game as so many of us are. Once we’re able to get a more consistent attack going, that will lessen the pressure on both Ty in goal and the defenders directly in front of him. That’s just going to take some time though, so we’ll be patient as we work towards that goal.

 

The Aces kick off their home opener at 6 pm on Tuesday 9/10 against Robinson.


Lady Aces Beat Rivet At The Hilltop

Monday the Lady Aces hosted Vincennes Rivet. The Varsity team worked quickly getting out to an early lead. They lost a little focus in the middle and let Vincennes back in a bit, but won the set 25-18 and the second 25-18. The varsity team had the only matchup for the night. 

Stats were  Sarah McCorkle, 1 Ace, 7 digs, 1 kill, 16 assists, Madi Stevens 3 digs, 9 kills, Jayla Johnson 10 digs, 5 kills, Maycee Randall,1 dig, 3 block kills, 4 kills, Kyleigh Smith 2 digs, 6 kills, Lyla Keepes, 1 ace, 8 digs 1 kills, Tenley Davis 1 ace, 14 digs, 3 assists.  Thursday the girls face Marshall at home starting with JV at 6:00. 

Comments by assistant coach Bonnie Keepes 

Lady Aces Compete In Olney Tourney

The MCHS Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Olney Saturday for a full day of play. 

Starting in pool they couldn’t keep the lead against Fairfield, but started very strong both sets. After Fairfield chipped away to catch up, it was close till the end with set scores of 23-25, 22-25. 

Stats were  Sarah McCorkle, 5 digs, 8 assists, 1 kill, 2 block kills, Madi Stevens 1 ace, 5 digs, 4 kills, Jayla Johnson 2 aces, 14 digs, 1 kill, Maycee Randall,1 dig, 5 block kills, 1 dig, Kyleigh Smith 5 digs, 2 kills, Lyla Keepes, 10 digs 2 kills, 1 block kill, Mercedes Dillard 1 ace, 2 kills. 

The next match we played a team from up by Chicago Hindsdale South. They had a very aggressive and consistent serve game. We struggled receiving, and didn’t run the middles as much as we likeindusagw bc took the sets 14-25, 19-25. 

Stats were  Sarah McCorkle, 1 ace, 7 digs, 1 kill, 11 assists.  Madi Stevens 1 ace, 12 digs, 8 kills, Jayla Johnson 3 aces,  8 digs, 2 kills, Maycee Randall 2 aces, 4 kills, 1 dig, Kyleigh Smith 1 ace, 8 endigs, 5 kills, Lyla Keepes, 2 aces, 3 digs,1 assist, Mercedes Dillard 1,Mylee Farmer 1 dig. 

This put the Aces in the Bronze bracket coming out of a very strong pool.  The first match of pool play was an exciting 3 set match against Mt. Zion.  The Mt. Zion team also came out of a very strong pool.  Starting slow the first set we dropped 19-25, won the second 25-19. The third set was in grasp many times to clench it, but too many service errors at the end derailed the aces losing 17-19. 

Stats were  Sarah McCorkle, 12 digs, 18 assists.  Madi Stevens 1 ace, 8 digs, 10 kills,1 assist, Jayla Johnson 3 aces, 8 digs, 1 kill, Maycee Randall,1 dig, 4 kills, 8 block kills, 1 dig, Kyleigh Smith 9 digs, 5 kill,  Lyla Keepes, 2 aces, 10 digs 2 kills, Mylee Farmer 4 dig,1 kills.

After another long break the ladies faced the Olney B team. Aces won the set with 27 kills 25-16, 25-8.

Stats were  Sarah McCorkle, 1 ace, 3 digs, 4 assists  Madi Stevens 11, digs, 5 kills, Jayla Johnson 6 digs, 5 kills, Maycee Randall,4 dig, 2 block kills, 2 digs , Kyleigh Smith 1 ace, 6 digs, 4 kills, 1 assist,  Lyla 5 digs 2 kills, an assist, Mercedes Dillard 5 digs, Mylee Farmer 1 dig. 

The fifth and final game of the day the girls beat Olney A in commanding style 25-9, 25-10. They mirrored the Olney B game putting up 27 kills against Olney A as well.

Stats were  Sarah McCorkle, 1 ace, 2 kills, 12 assists.  Madi Stevens 1 dig, 6  kills, Jayla Johnson  5 digs, 1 kill, Maycee Randall, 2 aces, 3 digs, 7 kills, 4 block kills, 1 assist, Kyleigh Smith 1 ace, 5 digs, 5 kills, 2 block kill, Lyla Keepes, 2 aces, 4 digs 1 kill,

The team didn’t fare as well as they did the weekend before in Fairfield, but played hard and worked through things. The team did not have a full roster with their libero being sick the girls had to make adjustments. 

The team received  the news that Madison Stevens made the Fairfield all tournament team.  Sarah McCorkle accomplished her 1,000 career assist on Saturday as well. 

Congratulations to the both of them!

Awards will be presented at Thursdays home game against Marshall. 

Varsity only plays Vincennes Rivet at home starting at 6:00 at MCHS gym. 

Comments by Assistant coach Bonnie Keepes

Stats From Effingham 26, Mt. Carmel 22

Mt. Carmel vs Effingham

September 6, 2024

Mt. Carmel

Rushing Acree 9 carries 109 yards

Meador 9 carries 53 yards (2 TD’S)

Kling 10 carries 35 yards (1 TD)

Fullop 3 carries 11 yards

E. Militoni 1 carry 4 yards

TOTALS 32 carries 212 yards (3 TD’S)

Passing Meador 0 completions 3 attempts 0 yards

TOTALS 0 completions 3 attempts 0 yards

Receiving

TOTAL 0

Penalties 6 – 40 yards

Fumbles 0 (0 lost)

Interceptions 0

Punts 4 - 24 yard avg

First Downs 7

_______________________________________________________________

Effingham Rushing 43 – 207 yards (3 TD’s)

Dunston 28 carries – 144 yards (3 TD’S)

Buzzard 10 carries – 70 yards

Bridges 4 carries – -2 yards

Fearday 1 carry - -5 yards

Passing 11 – 15 = 119 yards (1 TD)

Penalties 5 – 30 yards

Fumbles 0

Punts 3 – 32.0 yd avg

First Downs 21

SCORING

1st QUARTER

9:27 28 YD TD RUN BY DUNSTON MT.C 0 EFF 7

KICK GOOD BY SEFTON

2ND QUARTER

6:18 6 YD TD RUN BY DUNSTON MT.C 0 EFF 13

KICK NO GOOD

3:21 4 YD TD RUN BY MEADOR MT.C 6 EFF 13

RUN NO GOOD

:29 3 YD TD RUN BY DUNSTON MT.C 6 EFF 20

KICK GOOD BY SEFTON

HALFTIME SCORE 20-6

3RD QUARTER

2:06 47 YARD TD RUN BY MEADOR MT.C 14 EFF 20

MEADOR RUN PAT

4TH QUARTER

9:03 11 YARD TD PASS FROM BUZZARD TO KOEBERLEIN MT.C 14 EFF 26

PAT KICK NO GOOD

5:20 2 YARD TD RUN BY KLING MT.C 22 EFF 26

MEADOR RUN PAT

FINAL SCORE

EFFINGHAM 26 MT. CARMEL 22

MCHS Cross Country Report

Run at Angel Mounds 8/31/24

Boys finish 25th out of 26 teams

Top boy runner was Fr. Wade Keepes with a time of 21:32. Placed 149th out of 264 runners

Girls finish 25th out of 25 teams

Top girl runner was Fr. Zoie Randall with a time of 

26:50. Placed 145th out of 235 runners.

Alan Hopewell XC Meet 9/5/24

In the boys race Fr. Isaiah Glenn was the top performer running 21:49. Isaiah placed 80th out of 148 runners

In the girls race So. Riley Hershey was the top performer running 26:46. Riley placed 68th out of 105 runners.

--

Gottman's -1 Paces Lady Aces At Western Hills

Mount Carmel Lady Aces Golf

Western Hills CC, Mt. Vernon IN

Par 37

September 5, 2024

Medalist Emily Gottman, Mt Carmel

Mount Carmel - 155

Medalist Emily Gottman 36 (-1); Zeme Moore 37; Miley Kennard 40; Elyse Swanson 42; Ava Brumagin 44; Miranda Kennard 44; Ella Turner 42; Makaya Bolden 54

Mt. Vernon 213

Libby Reese 42; Attalia Wolf 56; Aubrey May 56; Shelby Lang 59

Princeton 230

Madison Smith 50; Charli Kinder 59; Kendyl Lankford 59; Addison Schafer 62

Gottman's -1 Paces Lady Aces At Western Hills

Mount Carmel Lady Aces Golf

Western Hills CC, Mt. Vernon IN

Par 37

September 5, 2024

Medalist Emily Gottman, Mt Carmel

Mount Carmel - 155

Medalist Emily Gottman 36 (-1); Zeme Moore 37; Miley Kennard 40; Elyse Swanson 42; Ava Brumagin 44; Miranda Kennard 44; Ella Turner 42; Makaya Bolden 54

Mt. Vernon 213

Libby Reese 42; Attalia Wolf 56; Aubrey May 56; Shelby Lang 59

Princeton 230

Madison Smith 50; Charli Kinder 59; Kendyl Lankford 59; Addison Schafer 62

Photo Credit: Lady Aces Golf Facebook Page

Lady Aces Dominance Continues At Marion Invite

Champions - Mount Carmel - 282 

2nd Place - Massac Co. - 341

Medalist - Grace Roper, Marion

Mount Carmel - 282 (-2)

Emily Gottman 67 (-4) Zeme Moore 69 (-2); Miley Kennard 71; Ava Brumagin 75; Miranda Kennard 91; 

Massac Co. - 351

Wilke Armstrong 74; Jordan Forthman 88; Natalie Barnett 91; Madi Frazine 88

Marion - 359

Grace Roper 64; Natalie Lawler 89; Paislee Freeburn 102; Elly Hale 104

Hamilton County - 405

Allee Ragan 98; Mackenzie Burke 91; Raynie Johnson 110; Delany Jones 106

Benton - 406

Rachel Morris 100; Aurora Spencer 102; Victoria Drew 105; Kaitlyn Bennett 99

Harrisburg - 415

Hannah Jones 87; Kailyn Harbison 108; Sadi Schwartz 116; Laura Behnke 104

Johnston City - 415

Josie Welch 77; Taylore Woolard 98; Sophie Walker 121; Bella Restivo 119

Franklin County - 421

Gavri Yadro 113; Kaitlyn DeGroof 105; Taylan McCamish 100; Finel Willmore 103

Carbondale - 500

Ellie Karayiannis 99; Karah Shelton 138; Maggie Davis 129; Jaidyn Russell 134

Pinckneyville - 503

Cassie Braun 114; Audrey Keller 133; Avery Earl 119; Amy Mayer 137


Lady Aces Pick Up Road Win At Oblong

From Assistant Coach Bonnie Keepes: Monday night the MCHS Lady Aces traveled to Oblong.  The Varsity squad started off great. They were attacking strong and had lots of good pickups. They won the first set 25-14. The second set the girls had a little momentum shift starting with some service errors.  The set was back and forth for most of it, but the Aces edged out the Panthers in the end 25-23. 

Stats were  Sarah McCorkle, 2 aces, 5 digs, 21 assists.  Madi Stevens 1 ace, 7 digs, 7 kills, Jayla Johnson 1 ace, 5 digs, 5 kills, Maycee Randall,1 dig, 4 kills, 2 block kills, 1 dig, Kyleigh Smith 1 ace, 10 digs, 5 kills, Lyla Keepes, 2 aces, 8 digs 2 kills, Mercedes Dillard 7 digs, Mylee Farmer 1 dig. 

The JV match the girls were slow to get good momentum.  Oblong had a scrappy team that tipped often, once our girls cleaned up some attacking errors we surged ahead winning in 3 sets. 

26-28, 25-23, and 15-11. 

Player stats Mattie Armstrong 1 ace, 22 digs, 18 assists, Kinley Harris 1 ace, 12 digs, 3 kills, 7 assists, Leah Lewis 29 digs, 6 kills, Gracee Haggard 7 digs, 11 kills, Avery Coston 8 kills, 2 block kills, Zoie Randall 5 kills, Alivia Peach 1 ace, 10 digs, Mylee Farmer 13 digs, 2 assists, Mercedes Dillard 3 aces, 17 digs, 2 assists. 

The varsity team will compete again this Saturday in an all day tournament in Olney. 

Stats From Gibson Southern 42, Mt. Carmel 6

Mt. Carmel vs Gibson Southern

August 30, 2024

Mt. Carmel

Rushing Acree 12 carries 52 yards

Meador 12 carries 49 yards

Fullop 3 carries 12 yards

S. Militoni 3 carries 12 yards

Kling 4 caries 9 yards

Garrett 3 carries 3 yards

Bader 1 carry -1 yard

TOTALS 38 carries 136 yards

Passing Meador 2 completions 3 attempts 73 yards (1 TD)

TOTALS 2 completions 3 attempts 73 yards (1 TD)

Receiving Fullop 2 catches 73 yards

TOTAL 2 catches 73 yards

Penalties 3 – 20 yards

Fumbles 2 (2 lost)

Interceptions 1

Punts 4 - 18.5 yard avg

First Downs 9

_______________________________________________________________

Gibson Southern Rushing 22 – 149 yards (2 TD’s)

Z. Foster 7 carries – 43 yards

Alexander 3 carries – 38 yards (2 TD’S)

E. Foster 6 carries – 35 yards

Thaxton 3 carries - 28 yards

Rochleau 3 carries – 5 yards

Passing 11 – 15 = 116 yards (3 TD/1 INT)

Penalties 5 – 40 yards

Fumbles 0

Punts 1 – 31.0 yd avg

First Downs 14

SCORING

1st QUARTER

11:48 83 YD KICKOFF RETURN FROM SCHERER MT.C 0 GS 7

KICK GOOD BY NOVOTNY

42.8 44 YD TD PASS FROM FOSTER TO POTTS MT.C 0 GS 14

KICK GOOD BY NOVOTNY

2ND QUARTER

5:39 8 YD TD RUN BY THAXTON MT.C 0 GS 21

KICK GOOD BY NOVOTNY

2:27 26 YD TD RUN BY ALEXANDER MT. C 0 GS 28

KICK GOOD BY NOVOTNY

1:16 8 YD TD PASS FROM FOSTER TO PARSONS MT. C 0 GS 35

KICK GOOD BY NOVOTNY

HALFTIME SCORE 35-0

3RD QUARTER

3:32 27 YARD TD PASS FROM FOSTER TO STINSON MT.C 0 GS 42

KICK GOOD BY NOVOTONY

4TH QUARTER

9:28 72 YARD TD PASS FROM MEADOR TO FULLOP MT.C 6 GS 42

PAT NO GOOD

FINAL SCORE

GIBSON SOUTHERN 42 MT. CARMEL 6

Lady Aces Fall At Home To Edwards County

From Assistant Bonnie Keepes: The Lady Aces hosted Edwards County Thursday night at the grade school gym. Anyone there will tell you the atmosphere was electric.  The girls put on a show with very aggressive and scrappy play on both sides of the net. MTC lost the first set 22-25. They had the momentum for much of the second set and took it 27-25.  The last set came down to the wire with EC taking the win 26-24. 

The coaches were very happy with the play, it was a loss that certainly didn’t feel like one after the huge strides made from the Carmi match. 

Stats for the night were  Sarah McCorkle 3 aces, 9 digs, 1 kill, 1 block kill, and 19 assists.  Madi Stevens 6 digs, 8 kills, 5 block kills, Jayla Johnson 14 digs, 5 kills, Maycee Randall, 5 kills, 5 block kills, Kyleigh Smith 1 dig, 4 kills, Tenley Davis 23 digs, 2 assists, Lyla Keepes, 2 aces, 2 kills, 6 digs.

The JV match didn’t go as well for the Aces. 

The girls did well in serve receive, but had a high error rate leading to a lopsided defeat. Edwards County won 12-25, 13-25. The Edwards County team played clean, and had excellent defense. 

Player stats Mattie Armstrong 4 digs, 8 assists, Kinley Harris 7 digs, 1 kill, Leah Lewis 8 digs, 4 kills, Gracee Haggard 1 dig, 1 kill, Avery Coston 1 dig, 3 kills, Zoie Randall 1 dig, 1 kill, Alivia Peach 6 digs, Mylee Farmer 3 digs, Mercedes Dillard 5 digs, 1 assist. 

The Freshman team showed hustle and improved some from Monday, but EC had some strong attackers and came up with the win 25-17, 25-21. 

Saturday the Varsity team will head to Fairfield for all day tournament play. They will start out the day at 8:30 against a very experienced Norris City team. 

IHSA Board of Directors August Meeting Recap

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Monday, August 26, 2024, where the Board approved a state final hosting contract extension with FMC Natatorium in Westmont for the IHSA Boys Swimming & Diving State Finals and the IHSA Girls Swimming & Diving State Finals.

The three-year extension will encompass the state final meets during the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 school terms.

“FMC Natatorium is a first-class facility that has elevated the experience of the student-athletes, coaches, and fans participating in the IHSA Boys and Girls Swimming & Diving State Finals,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We are thrilled to extend this relationship and look forward to continuing to work together to create lifelong memories for the participants.”

Featuring an Olympic-size competition pool, FMC Natatorium opened in 2020 and is one of the premier facilities of its kind in the Midwest. The venue first hosted the IHSA State Finals during the 2021-22 school term, with Hinsdale Central High School and Hinsdale South High School continuing to serve as co-hosts.

FMC Natatorium is a state-of-the-art venue that features spectator seating for 1,400, a deck capacity of 800, warm-up and cool down pools, and a video scoreboard with an integrated timing system.

ACTION

1. The Board approved an amendment to the contract of the IHSA’s digital ticketing partner, GoFan, to extend the partnership for five years.

2. The Board approved a recommendation to approve the adoption of a new pricing structure for IHSA schools using TrackWrestling.

3. The Board approved a recommendation to change the IHSA Fall Sports entry deadline to the Monday of Week 8 in the standard IHSA calendar (August 26 in 2024).

4. The Board approved a dissolution of coops for the following schools/sports:

       -Joliet Central High School and Joliet West High School| Girls Wrestling

       -Eldorado High School and Galatia High School | Boys Track & Field   

       -Monmouth-Roseville High School and West Central High School | Girls Swimming & Diving

7. The Board approved language updates to IHSA Policy 33 – IHSA Member School Publicity Policy.

8. The Board approved a recommendation to provide an eligibility accommodation for a student transferring from Aquin High School to another high school that was a part of a coop with Aquin, as a tuition paying student, following the closing of Aquin at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

9. The Board approved a recommendation to raise the pay of individuals serving in Coordinator of Officials roles at IHSA State Finals to $175 per day.

APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS

1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a former student from Highland Park High School. The student was seeking an exemption to participate in practice while completing a transition program at True North Educational Cooperative 804. 

2. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Charles North High School. The student was granted limited (non-varsity) eligibility.

3. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Loyola Academy in Wilmette. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.

4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Benet Academy in Lisle. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.

5. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Chicago International Charter School-Northtown Academy in Chicago. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.

6. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Francis High School in Wheaton. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action was taken or action may not be required. The following is a report of those items from the August 26, 2024, agenda:

1. The Board discussed the openings on the IHSA Board of Directors entering the election cycle this fall. The IHSA will have five total Board seats up for election, including two At-Large seats, as well as the seats in Division 1, Division 5, and Division 7.

2. IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacey Lambert provided an update on concussion reporting numbers for the 2023-24 school year.

3. IHSA Coordinator of Officials Kurt Gibson provided a report on the 25th Annual Officials Conference that was held in Normal in July.

4. The Board heard a report on the IHSA extending its partnership with Officially Human.

5. The Board reviewed and discussed a letter from the Superintendents in the South Suburban Conference related to by-law violation penalties during the 2023-24 school year.

6. The Board reviewed and discussed a request from Englewood STEM High School to review its IHSA classification.

7. The Board heard a report on the InSideOut Coaching initiative sessions that will be held in Bloomington and Chicago on September 10-11, thanks in part to support from the NFL and Chicago Bears. 

8. The Board heard a report on the 2024 IHSA All-School Mailing. If any member school has not received their mailing, they should contact the IHSA office.

9. The Board heard a report on the IHSA Girls Tennis State Finals. Due to construction at Buffalo Grove High School, Hersey High School will serve as the host site of the 2024 Girls Tennis State Finals.

Moore Shoots 2-Under As Lady Aces Notch 3 More Wins At Hamilton County

Mount Carmel Lady Aces Golf

McLeansboro Golf Course

Par 36

August 26, 2024

Mount Carmel - 151

Medalist Zeme Moore 34 (-2); Miley Kennard 36; Miranda Kennard 40; Elyse Swanson 41; Emily Gottman 43 Makaya Bolden 45

Hamilton County -194

Allee Ragan 44; Mackenzie Burker 47; Delany Jones 50; Raunie Johnson 53

Johnston City - 196

Josie Welch 41; Aubree Willford 45; Taylor Woolard 46; Bella Restivo 64

Benton - 446

Rachel Morris 49; Aurora Spencer 53; Victoria Drew 54; Mia Rechsteiner 63

Lady Aces Fall To Tough Carmi Squad In Season Opener

From Assistant Coach Bonnie Keepes:

The Lady Aces Volleyball team had their home opener Monday night against a very experienced Carmi team. 

The Varsity match the Aces fell in two sets 10-25, 15-25. Carmi came out strong with almost a full roster of returning starters, boasting a 4th in state finish last year, only losing one. 

The Aces will build on the loss, and see ways they can get better. We are a very young team with 4 starters new to varsity play.  There was some nerves, along with good intensity, and bright spots during the match. 

Highlights from the match were Sarah McCorkle had 2 aces, 2 digs, 1 kill, 11 assists.  Madi Stevens 4 digs, 5 kills 1 block, Jayla Johnson 7 digs, 2 kills, Lyla Keepes, 2 kills, 1 dig, 1 assist, Maycee Randall, 4 kills, 1 block, Kyleigh Smith 1 dig, Tenley Davis 5 digs, and Mattie Armstrong 1 dig. 

The JV team lost in 3 sets 17-25,  25-17, 11-15.  The girls came out nervous and made more errors the first set. They tightened up play,  and started attacking more the second set taking it the win. 

The last set was back and forth until Carmi pulled away with some good attacks at the end. 

Some highlights Mattie Armstrong 4 aces, 10 digs, 4 kills, 7 assists, Kinley Harris 4 digs, 4 kills, 4 assist, Leah Lewis 10 digs, Gracee Haggard 3 digs, 5 kills, Avery Coston 1 dig, 1 kill, Zoie Randall 3 kills, Alivia Peach 2 aces, 6 digs, Mylee Farmer 1 ace, 7 digs.  Mercedes Dillard 1 ace, 3 digs. 

The frosh/soph team lost in 2 sets almost taking the second 17-25, 22-25.

Next up the Lady Aces will face off against another tough opponent Edwards County on Thursday the 29th at home.