McHenry Times

The District 300 Board of Education met on April 11 where they celebrated students across the district for a variety of athletic accomplishments.

Superintendent Susan Harkin introduced the Special Olympics basketball team, which this year won the Division II state title. The entire team came up, along with the coaching staff, to talk about their gratitude for who supported the team and the program. Special Education staff member Alex Fischer thanked the teachers and staff who participated in the student/staff game and came to games throughout the season. He also thanked parents for their efforts in getting students to and from practices and games, along with student helpers and staff who worked with them in the athletic facilities. The athletes were announced one by one and received a certificate of achievement from the board.

“Thank you to the board for all of your support,” Fischer said. “Continued coming out to support us in person for your financial support and for the space to be able to compete in these wonderful events. Lastly, I'd like to recognize Mr. Jim Blaseck. Some might call him the father of our D300 Special Olympics, maybe the grandfather. And he is heading into retirement this year. So if we could give him a round of applause, I think that would mean a lot to him.”

Director of PE, Health and Athletics Tommy Parisi announced the 2023 state qualifiers for winter sports in the district. 

“We have representation from all three of our high schools and some first evers,” Parisi said. “I think it's the first time ever that we've had three state qualifiers for cheerleaders. So all three of our cheerleading teams qualified for State this year. In addition, we've had wrestlers from all three of our high schools qualify. In addition to the first time ever, a female wrestler qualifying for the first time ever, the state hosting a female wrestling IHSA championship. And she qualified for it in the first year of its existence. So we're very proud of that.” 

Dundee Crown Coach Tim Hayes introduced Porter Leith who was the male wrestler in the 195-pound class who qualified for states. He is a four-year varsity wrestler with a career record of 90-10. This year he was 39-4 with 26 pins. Over his career, he was a three-time all-conference and a three-sport athlete. 

"He is just the mold you want your athletes to be,” Hayes said.

Girls wrestling Coach Jessica McDowell introduced her state qualifier, Perla Lomeli, who is Dundee Crown’s first-ever state-qualifying girls wrestler. McDowell said she was incredibly focused and hard-working, going 24-11 and placing first in four tournaments.

“There is no shortage of accomplishments for her,” said McDowell.

At Dundee Crown, Athletic Director Steve Gertz also announced the cumulative GPA was 3.25.

“We are truly honored with our athletes and excited about the importance of academics and being truly a student first,” Gertz said.

Hampshire also had a wrestler go to states, Joey Ochoa where he went 1-2 in matches. Jacobs High School had a male athlete qualify for the swimming state meet, Pavlo Komarov, as well. Each of the three cheerleading teams in the district was able to advance to states, with one from each school. Their coaches praised the skills they exhibited and also their performance.