The year 2025 held its share of thrills and high points in local high school sports. In addition to regional and sectional champions, the area celebrated an individual state champion as well as a team state champion. Multiple games featured dramatic rallies and the passion that high school sports bring out.
I had a hard time narrowing down to my list, but in the end, I think I got it right. Read on and let me know. Here’s my Take on the top five sports stories of 2025:
Fenwick football pulls upset, wins Class 6A state title
The Friars were widely seen as underdogs in the 6A title game against powerful East St. Louis. Thing is, they didn’t care. They entered the contest with confidence and a belief that they could get the job done. That’s what happened, Dec. 2, as Fenwick defeated East St. Louis 38-28.
“This feels like a movie. A lot of guys on this team, we’ve been dreaming of this since like fifth grade,” said Fenwick quarterback Jamen Williams, who completed 8 of 14 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. “This is a really big moment. I’m just grateful for it all.”
Adding to the moment was that the game was played following a three-day delay caused by a major snowstorm. Head coach Matt Battaglia appreciated the extra time he got to spend with his team.
“Just a great team. I’m glad the state gave me three extra days with this group because I would gladly take three more months. This is a special group,” he said.
Fenwick football beats Nazareth in thrilling 6A semifinal
Prior to the 6A title-game victory, Fenwick defeated Nazareth 28-27 in a semifinal at Dennis Moran Field, a place where the host team rarely loses, especially in the playoffs.
Trailing 21-14 late, Fenwick needed a big play defensively, and Josh Morgan provided it with a diving interception at his 27. The Friars then marched 73 yards to tie the game with 1:13 left on a 4-yard keeper by Williams.
Nazareth had a field goal try to win in the final seconds, but it failed, sending the game into overtime. Fenwick got the ball first, and Williams found Tommy Thies open for an 11-yard score.
On Nazareth’s OT possession, Charles Calhoun scored from 1 yard out. Instead of kicking the extra point, the Roadrunners opted to go for two and the victory. But Jake Thies stuffed Calhoun at the line to secure the win for the Friars and ignite a field storm by the Fenwick students.
OPRF’s Rundell wins state wrestling title
Following in the footsteps of older brothers Jake and Matthew, Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestler MJ Rundell won the IHSA Class 3A 106-pound championship at the state finals on Feb. 22, defeating Niko Odlotti of Loyola 4-1 in the final. Rundell became the Huskies’ first state champion since 2020, when Josh Ogunsanya claimed the 145-pound title.
“It’s pretty nice. It’s definitely something I’ve been working hard for. It’s good to see it pay off,” said Rundell, who finished the season 43-4.
OPRF softball stages late rally, advances downstate
On June 9, the OPRF softball team trailed by a run in its Class 4A UIC Supersectional game against Loyola Academy. The Huskies were down to their last out, but Leia Hammerschmidt and Charlie Terry drew two-out walks, then Sofia Ayala, down to her final strike, drilled a single to left, bringing in Hammerschmidt and tying the game 3-3.
In extra innings, OPRF scored five runs in the eighth and went on to win 8-3, punching its ticket downstate.
“It feels amazing. I’m super-excited and proud of everyone,” Ayala said.
OPRF, Fenwick, Trinity Volleyball reach supersectionals
In an exciting postseason for local high school girls volleyball, OPRF, Fenwick, and Trinity all reached the supersectional round in their respective classes. OPRF made Symone Speech’s debut as head coach a terrific success. Speech, a 2015 OPRF alum, led the Huskies to the West Suburban Silver championship, the program’s first in 32 years, as well as a Class 4A sectional title, the first since 2013.
“They were devoted to doing something bigger than themselves. They were ready to do something that hasn’t been done in a long time,” Speech said.
In 3A, Fenwick won its first sectional title since 2016. And in 2A, Trinity honored late head coach Ken Uhlir, who unexpectedly died in April, by winning the program’s first sectional title since 2008.
“Every game we played throughout the season, we just felt [Uhlir] there and we did it for him,” said Trinity setter Maddie Trendel.
