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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
‘Better and better': Oswego's Jaelynn Anthony is the 2025 Beacon-News/Courier-News Softball Player of the Year.
Junior pitcher Jaelynn Anthony has come a long way and so has Oswego in softball, with players getting measured this week for state championship rings. It's no coincidence. The first time coach Paul Netzel saw Anthony three years ago at tryouts, he thought he had found a pretty good varsity candidate in the freshman right-hander. What he didn't see right away, however, was the complete player the outgoing youngster with the strong arm and ever-present smile would become. 'We were split on whether to bring her up,' Netzel said of his coaching staff. 'We knew we needed another pitcher we could use in the rotation to back up (sophomore) Aubriella Garza.' Netzel, a retired teacher who had coached a number of sports at various levels in high schools and colleges since 1967, felt confident Anthony could handle that role and made the call. Anthony also played in the infield. 'Then, all of a sudden, she started hitting,' Netzel said. 'I remember a home run at Geneva, a real blast, and all the kids were doing that 'she's a freshman' chant in the dugout. 'We were amazed as anyone about her hitting.' Indeed, her .483 batting average this season pushed her career mark to .409. Still, the Panthers primarily relied on stellar work in the circle by the Purdue-bound Anthony — the 2025 Beacon-News/Courier-News Softball Player of the Year — to win the Class 4A state title. Anthony set the program record for wins in a season, going 22-1 with a 1.55 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings as Oswego (38-2) won its first state title after taking third last spring. Unfinished business has been completed, led by Anthony in the team's 7-0 run to the title. 'She just keeps getting better and better,' said Annie Scaramuzzi, an Oswego alum who came aboard last season as pitching coach and then became the program's co-coach with Netzel. 'Jaelynn plays better in big games.' None were bigger than Oswego's seven postseason games. Anthony pitched all 48 innings and gave up just 23 hits and 16 walks for an excellent .812 WHIP, which is walks and hits per inning. She struck out 70 and allowed just five runs for a 0.70 ERA. She relied on a fastball that one radar gun had her topping out at a personal-best 72 mph in the state championship game against Barrington, along with a change-up, curve and rise. 'Last year she was dominant — this year even more so,' Scaramuzzi said 'This year, she really gained confidence after having done it last year. She wanted to go out and have fun.' Anthony, who also holds the program's career record for wins with 47, was especially impressive in three wins during the final week. It started Monday when she carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of a 5-1 win over Marist, finishing with a one-hitter. She followed with a 13-2 rout in six innings over Oak Park-River Forest in Friday's semifinal and a four-hitter in a 4-1 win over Barrington in Saturday's final, both complete games. Anthony, who had two doubles and three RBIs in the semifinals, knows it's not just her, though. 'Jaelynn's quick to acknowledge she has a great offense backing her up along with a standout defense doing the same,' Scaramuzzi said. 'That stage in Peoria, there's a lot of pressure. 'It's why we emphasized so much work on our middle infield defense this season.' Anthony has taken pitching lessons from St. Charles-based Jill Waldron since she was 12. 'She's always positive and has a strong work ethic,' Waldron said. 'She's never not focused but always giddy. She laughs at her mistakes but instantly flips a switch and goes to work to fix them.' And here's a scary proposition for opponents. Anthony believes there's room for improvement. 'I've been trying to learn a drop ball and a drop curve,' she said. Even though Oswego has to replace six seniors from 10 starters, including the designated player, Anthony likes the Panthers' chances again. 'We will be back,' she said. 'It will definitely be tough, but we're gonna come back and win.'
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 Beacon-News/Courier-News Girls Soccer All-Area Team
Three players each from St. Charles East and South Elgin highlight the first and second teams. Olivia Del Toro, West Aurora, senior, midfielder: Tallied five goals and added four assists. Conference's co-MVP, all-sectional and repeat all-area. Committed to James Madison. Erin Doucette, Kaneland, junior, midfielder: Totaled area-high 95 points on 40 goals and 15 assists. All-conference and all-state. Nevaeh Gyurko, South Elgin, junior, forward: Beacon-News/Courier-News Player of the Year scored 23 goals and added eight assists. Conference's co-MVP, all-sectional and repeat all-area. Avianna Hernandez, South Elgin, junior, midfielder: Scored 11 goals and distributed 22 assists. All-conference, all-state and repeat all-area. Olivia Hernandez, Metea Valley, senior, midfielder: Came through with 13 goals and 11 assists. All-conference and all-state. Committed to Marquette. Hannah Hickman, Batavia, senior, defender: Disruptive stopper tallied a goal and assist and led back line that posted seven shutouts. All-conference and all-state. Committed to Eastern Illinois. Peyton Johnson, Oswego, junior, defender: Disruptive two-way talent keyed back line that registered 15 shutouts. Added four goals and six assists. All-conference, all-sectional and repeat all-area. Committed to Lindenwood. Sidney Lazenby, St. Charles East, senior, goalkeeper: Recorded 12 1/2 shutouts in 1,660 minutes with 0.87 goals-against average. All-conference, all-state and repeat all-area. Committed to Illinois-Chicago. Mya Leon, St. Charles East, freshman, forward: Finished with 34 goals and 12 assists for sectional qualifier. All-conference and all-state. Rylie Mensik, Dundee-Crown, junior, forward: Scored 28 goals while dishing out four assists. All-conference and all-state. Jordyn Washington, Oswego, junior, forward: Ended up with 28 goals and six assists. Conference's MVP, all-state and repeat all-area. Committed to Alabama A&M. Katie Chapman, Waubonsie Valley, senior, midfielder: Scored nine goals and added eight assists. Academic all-state, all-conference and all-sectional. Zoe Gannon, Kaneland, senior, defender: Athletic stopper for back line that posted 16 shutouts. Added two goals and two assists. All-conference and all-sectional. Committed to Waubonsee. Keira Kelly, St. Charles North, senior, midfielder: Tallied a goal and an assist for sectional finalist. All-conference and all-state. According to her coach, contributions went beyond statistics. Alison Kowall, Burlington Central, junior, defender/goalkeeper: Versatile talent was top player for defense that posted seven shutouts. Made 16 saves and recorded a shutout as goalkeeper. Also tallied a goal and three assists. All-conference and all-sectional. Megan Kron, Bartlett, senior, goalkeeper: Recorded nine shutouts. Allowed just 14 goals in 1,400 minutes for 0.80 goals-against average. Also scored a goal. Totaled 36 career shutouts. Conference's goalkeeper of the year, all-sectional and repeat all-area. Daniela Martinez, Harvest Christian, senior, midfielder: Scored 23 goals and added 14 assists as Lions finished with a 15-1 record. All-conference. Committed to Aurora University. Kaitlyn Nudera, St. Charles North, junior, forward: Scored eight goals and dished out five assists for sectional finalist. Scored deciding goal in sectional semifinal win over archrival St. Charles East. Lily Senese, Metea Valley, senior, forward: Finished with eight goals and seven assists. All-conference and repeat all-area. Committed to Northern Michigan. Mia Traver, South Elgin, senior, defender: Superb two-way talent keyed back line that posted 12 shutouts. Added five goals and three assists. Conference's defender of the year and all-sectional. Gabby Wojtarowicz, Jacobs, senior, forward: Ended up with 16 goals and eight assists. Closed career with program-record 74 goals. All-conference, repeat all-state and repeat all-area. Committed to Loyola. Sophia Wollenberg, St. Charles East, sophomore, midfielder: Scored 22 goals and distributed team-best 16 assists for sectional qualifier. All-conference and all-sectional.
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Parade a staple of annual PrairieFest celebration in Oswego
Crowds of families and friends lined the streets along the parade route Sunday during Oswego's annual PrairieFest celebration in Oswego. The parade – part of four days of attractions at PrairieFest – featured a 1950s theme to honor the 75th anniversary of the Oswegoland Park District. The first of the units were members of the Oswego Fire Protection District, Oswego Police Department, Kendall County Sheriff's Office and Oswego American Legion Post 675. Katie Husarik, of Oswego, was with her son and daughter, Slate, 5 and Covee, 3, on Main Street to cheer the people going by in the parade. 'We come to PrairieFest every year. The parade is a fan favorite for our kids,' Husarik said. Amy Danison and Sarah Cooley met for the first time along the parade route on Sunday. The mothers are proud parents with children in the Oswego High School and Oswego East High School marching bands. 'It's gratifying to see all of their hard work actually come to fruition in the parade,' Danison said. 'The freshmen in particular had to prepare to march in their first-ever parade.' The park district has a long list of community partners to help put on PrairieFest, including the village of Oswego and Oswego School District 308, organizers said. 'Our boundaries encapsulate around 38 square miles and we know with future development there will be more residents to come,' Oswegoland Park District Executive Director Tom Betsinger said of the district's mission. PrairieFest began more than 30 years ago as Oswego Days. 'The park district assumed responsibility for the festival from a community group of volunteers,' he said. 'PrairieFest is the largest festival in Kendall County.' Approximately 10,000 to 15,000 people of all ages attend the activities, carnival, expo, car show and musical performances each day at the fest, he said. Oswegoland Park District Recreation Manager Paige Tully was the chief organizer of the parade on Sunday. 'We encouraged parade participants to embrace the 1950s era with floats and costumes to reflect that time,' Tully said. The one-mile parade route began at Garfield and Jefferson streets. Some 43 units marched down Jefferson to Main Street through the downtown where they were greeted by spectators. The parade ended at Washington and Tyler streets. The parade is traditionally held on Father's Day. 'It's always nice to see families and friends come out,' Tully said. Amy Mcmahill and Diana Toutant marched in the parade for Oswego Cub Scout Pack 336 and were decked out in poodle skirts with bows in their hair in keeping with the parade's theme. 'My dad had a 1957 Chevrolet so I appreciate the 1950s, plus our Cub Scouts are celebrating their 50th anniversary, Toutant said. 'The sun is shining and the temperatures are pleasant. We could not have asked for a better day for a parade.' Marching bands were of course a big part of the parade. Oswego High School Band Director Stephanie San Roman and Oswego East High School Band Director Stevan Rexroat said it was an honor to march in the event. 'Our incoming freshman are performing in their first parade,' San Roman said. 'I hope people get excited about the start of summer and the approaching school year. We perform pep tunes to get the crowds excited.' 'We would like for the spectators to enjoy our energy and know they are supporting wonderful arts programs in our school district,' Rexroat said.
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Six Oswego seniors start out in softball as Outlaws. They end up as Class 4A state champions. ‘Just so grateful.'
PEORIA — Six Oswego seniors started out as Outlaws. They ended up as state champions. Third baseman Aubriella Garza, catcher Kiya Chavez, first baseman Rikka Ludvigson, outfielders Natalie Muellner and Rhiana Martinez and infielder Abby Schwab began playing travel together. It was an 8-and-under team that would eventually reunite for the Panthers. 'My father was coaching us and we were with the Oswego Outlaws program,' said Garza, the Northern Illinois recruit. 'We've been connected the past few years in high school. It's definitely been a connected community when it comes to softball. 'If you had asked me freshman year if we were even gonna make it to state, I would have said, 'No.' But this is definitely one of the best groups to come through Oswego softball, and I'm just so grateful to be a part of it.' Those seniors not only made it back to the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex after taking third last season, they beat Barrington 4-1 on Saturday in the Class 4A state championship game. Garza kicked things off for Oswego (38-2) by hitting a two-out home run in the third inning. It staked Purdue-bound junior pitcher Jaelynn Anthony (22-1) to a 1-0 lead on the Fillies (35-4-1). It was Garza's team-leading 14th homer of the season. 'We've pushed hard this year, challenging ourselves more, and one of my struggles early in the season was sequencing,' Garza said. 'If the pitcher would throw a sequence, I wouldn't pick up on it soon enough. 'Well, (Saturday), I was sitting change-up all day long. I just knew it was coming and it did.' And then it was going. Garza followed that up with a double that one-hopped the right-center fence and a single, boosting her program career record for total hits to 188. 'The home run was huge,' Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said. 'I knew as soon as she hit it that we were gonna be in a good spot. 'It's a storybook ending for an incredible career and an incredible kid. I'm just super proud of her and the career she had.' Scaramuzzi, an Oswego graduate who went on to have a successful career as a pitcher at Missouri-St. Louis, also started in travel sofball with the same program. 'I was an Outlaw growing up,' Scaramuzzi said. 'I started with them — a lot of people in Oswego do. This is definitely a full-circle moment. It's the coolest thing to have our community behind us.' Five errors by Barrington helped the Panthers add one run in the fourth on a groundout by junior outfielder Savannah Page and two more in the fifth. Pitching a complete game for the second straight day, Anthony cruised along by striking out eight and walking just one. 'I'm exhausted, but I wasn't going to stop until we made it and I'm glad we made it,' said Anthony, who had been tied with Garza for the team lead in homers. 'She can have it. I've got next year.' Nicholas Garza stressed the basics to his young players, according to Martinez, who's headed to Rock Valley's strong program in the fall. 'We learned how to throw, field the ball and to hit,' Martinez said. 'All those little drills that we did, that we still do today, actually. There's a lot of that incorporated, thanks to coach Nick. 'It's kind of sad we're growing apart now because of college, but playing this last year with all the girls is just incredible. They're all amazing players. The ones moving on to play in college have a lot to look forward to.' Oswego will also lose seniors Maddie Lohrman, Bella Lisle, Sabrina Zamora and Mya Alonzo to graduation. Chavez, an Iowa recruit, pointed out that she pitched as well for the Outlaws. And she was thrilled about Aubriella Garza's back-to-back performances at state. 'She's really hard on herself,' Chavez said. 'I'm glad she was able to have the rest of our backs that end of the postseason here. She's a worker. She's gonna do great things at NIU.'
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Oswego trustees examine results of community survey
Oswego trustees recently reviewed results of a community survey conducted last winter. The survey process is intended to gather information to improve municipal services and help guide long-range planning as well as respond to the needs of the community, officials said. This is the fourth survey administered for Oswego by ETC Institute. Previous surveys in the village were done in 2023, 2018 and 2016, according to Oswego officials. The Kansas-based ETC Institute is a marketing research firm that specializes in community surveys for government entities. The survey was mailed to a random sample of households within the municipal border of the village. Residents could either return their survey by mail or complete one online. The survey generated 606 responses, ETC Institute Director of Community Research Jason Morado said. The primary goal of the survey was to get an objective assessment of how satisfied residents are with village services and what they view as the top priority of the community. The analysis can compare Oswego with other communities across the country as well, the consultant said. 'We found residents have a very positive perception of the village – 88% of respondents rated Oswego as an excellent place to raise children and 87% rated Oswego as an excellent place to live,' Morado said. 'We also found the village is moving in the right direction. Satisfaction ratings have increased in 68 of 113 areas since your last survey two years ago in 2023,' Morado said. Compared to survey results in 2018, the satisfaction ratings increased in 71 out of 113 areas since 2018. 'We have seen an overall increase in satisfaction both short-term and long-term,' he said. Satisfaction concerning village services is higher than in other communities as well, Morado said. The village is above the national average in 55 out of 60 areas, Morado said. Satisfaction with the overall quality of village services is 20% above the U.S. average, he said. One of the areas Oswego rated the furthest above the national average was customer service from village employees. The ratings were 39% above the national average, he said. The overall quality of police and fire district services, local ambulance service, library services and feelings of safety in the village were among the areas that received high ratings. Areas of new development in the village, availability of affordable housing, job availability and transportation options received low ratings on a scale of one to five, Morado said. Overall flow of traffic and congestion management received low satisfaction ratings. 'This is typical for a fast-growing community,' Morado said. While the survey shows high ratings for overall municipal services, Village President Ryan Kauffman acknowledged traffic improvements remain on Village Hall's radar. 'We do have our work cut out for us because traffic is a problem – we know that and see that. Residents reach out to us about traffic all of the time,' Kauffman said. For a community as rapidly growing as Oswego, traffic will continue to be an issue, however, strides have been made, officials said. One of the primary solutions is the widening of Wolfs Crossing to five lanes, he said. 'That will decrease some of the burden on Route 34,' he said. 'Our message to the community is that we hear you and we are working on it.'
