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Chicago Tribune
12 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Chicago Tribune
On super night, North Central College recruit Kara Waishwell works wonders for Lincoln-Way East. ‘Can't say enough.'
BLOOMINGTON — Lincoln-Way East's Kara Waishwell made sure her last game lived up to its billing. The senior midfielder, a two-sport standout, was named the school's Female Athlete of the Year last week in a vote conducted by the Griffins' coaches. And she was superb Tuesday night. For the North Central College recruit, it goes beyond the numbers. 'I feel like I'm very inspirational out there,' Waishwell said afterward. 'I try to help keep everyone's head held high even if we're down. I'm a team player and I pass the ball to everybody.' Showing that unselfish manner, Waishwell created some of the strongest scoring threats for the upset-minded Griffins in a 3-0 loss to O'Fallon in a Class 3A Bloomington Supersectional. Waishwell, a four-year regular, ended her celebrated career with six goals and 15 assists this spring for Lincoln-Way East (18-4-1), which aimed for a second trip to state in the last three years. Two years ago as a sophomore, Waishwell produced four goals and six assists as the Griffins took fourth place. She was excited about a return to playing at NCC, where she's signed for soccer. Along with Northwestern football recruit Caden O'Rourke, the school's Male Athlete of the Year, Waishwell displayed the respect that she commands as both a captain and a leader. 'That tells you something about the kind of player she is,' Lincoln-Way East coach Mike Murphy said of Waishwell, who capped her career for the Griffins finishing third all-time program history for assists. 'She was a very big reason we got to state two years ago. 'She has this infectious quality and natural leadership, and everybody loves playing with her.' Senior forward Ellie Feigl has been a primary beneficiary of Waishwell's shot creation. 'Athletically, I can't say enough about her,' Feigl said. 'She has great vision, quickness and the ability to see the whole field. Off the field, she's one of the best people you'll ever meet. 'She is always smiling and she is always there for you.' Despite the loss, Waishwell didn't walk off the field fuming after the supersectional. She felt the Griffins were closer than the the final score indicates. 'We had some opportunities, some corner kicks,' Waishwell said of the Griffins' attack. 'I thought we did a good job of holding them defensively. We didn't get fourth like two years ago. 'But we ended up fighting and battling all the way through.' Waishwell, the youngest of three soccer players in her family, grew up being coached by her father, Brian. Her mother, Lesa, played softball and ran track. Her older siblings, sister Anna and brother Dylan, were a driving force guiding her to soccer. 'Watching my sister as I grew up, she was a big role model who inspired me and led to be the player that I am,' said Kara, who was stunned about being named the school's top female athlete. 'I was shocked when I heard about the award. I called my family right away. I'm honored to get that because we have so many great athletes at our school.' Running three miles while competing in cross country also helped Waishwell. 'I love being outside,' she said. 'I feel like it's a very mentally challenging sport that has helped with soccer. It has taught me about not giving up because the training is really challenging. 'The endurance has really helped with my soccer.' Turning the page, though, Waishwell graduates as part of the long line of Lincoln-Way East girls soccer teams that have made a mark against the best in the state. 'I'm going to take away how far we came and I'm going to use that to motivate me in college,' she said. 'I never would have thought my sophomore year we'd make it to state. 'We worked hard these past four years and created an incredible foundation.'
Chicago Tribune
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Lincoln-Way East's Adelyn Thomas scores twice in 50 seconds, then completes hat trick. ‘On another level right now.'
Adelyn Thomas is confident in her soccer abilities, but she went into her freshman season this spring at Lincoln-Way East with modest expectations. Thomas figured she could be a role player and spend the year learning. But becoming a 20-plus goal scorer? That's been beyond her wildest dreams. 'I honestly didn't think I'd have this much of an impact, but at the same time, the girls are super supportive and they were very welcoming,' Thomas said. 'So, once I met all the girls, I definitely thought it'd be a great season.' The postseason has been especially memorable for Thomas. The freshman midfielder has scored eight goals in three playoff games. She produced her second consecutive hat trick Tuesday night, leading the Griffins to a 4-1 win over Lincoln-Way West in a Class 3A Joliet West Sectional semifinal. Missouri State recruit Ellie Feigl added a goal for top-seeded Lincoln-Way East (18-3-1). Hannah Tokarski and Maddie Strzechowski each picked up an assist. The Griffins will play at 5 p.m. Friday in the sectional final against second-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (16-3), a 2-0 winner over third-seeded Andrew (15-6-2). Lincoln-Way East beat the Knights 3-0 on April 10. Milwaukee recruit Kiersten White scored a goal and junior goalkeeper Cora Franczyk made 13 saves for fourth-seeded Lincoln-Way West (10-8). Thomas' three goals came in a span of just under eight minutes. She scored twice in 50 seconds before completing the hat trick in the 17th minute. Feigl, a senior forward who put the Griffins ahead 4-0 less than two minutes later, has certainly been impressed by the freshman star. 'She's obviously played an intricate role,' Feigl said of Thomas. 'She has a great shot and she's scored a lot of goals that way. We're all so happy to have her on the team. 'She's definitely fun to be around and she obviously contributes a lot. We're all very proud of her, and she's going to keep doing what she's doing.' Thomas said it's been tough playing against more experienced players, but she has adjusted well. 'The biggest challenge is playing with new people,' Thomas said. 'You have to adapt to that. Plus, I'm playing against people two or three years older than me. You have to play a different style. You can't just dribble past everyone. 'Everyone's going to be stronger and faster than you. You have to play very quickly.' Thomas showed she can do that Tuesday night. Two of her goals were unassisted and featured her carrying the ball a long way down the middle of the field, beating defenders along the way. Thomas' playoff heroics have been dazzling, according to Lincoln-Way East coach Mike Murphy. 'She's on another level right now,' Murphy said of Thomas. 'We knew coming in that she was an elite player. At first, I definitely questioned if a freshman could step up to this level, but there's no doubt she has. 'She's just a special player. I'm glad she's on my team.' Thomas, who also has 15 assists, is now tied with Feigl for the team lead with 21 goals. It's been quite a dynamic duo. 'I think we both have a goal-scoring mentality and that knack for finding the back of the net,' Feigl said. 'It's wanting to score at whatever cost it takes. We've definitely been able to play off each other. I've had assists to her. She's had assists to me. 'We didn't know each other before this season, but we've been able to quickly build a friendship and play well together.' Thomas has been playing soccer since she was 4 years old. She knew a long time ago that it was her sport. 'I feel like it's just the contact and the fact that you never stop running,' Thomas said. 'I've always enjoyed it.'
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Working out of bullpen, Owen Lense bears down as Lincoln-Way East clinches share of conference title. ‘I was ready.'
Even before the first pitch, junior right-hander Owen Lense actually knew that he would be getting into Wednesday's game for Lincoln-Way East. He just didn't know when or for how long. Lense then took control with the SouthWest Suburban Conference title on the line. 'This was supposed to be a bullpen game and everybody was going to be getting innings,' said Lense, who came in facing a two-run deficit in the second. 'I knew I was coming in. I was ready.' Was he ever. Lense scattered three hits in six scoreless innings and was involved in a pitcher's duel through five innings before the Griffins erupted for an 11-2 victory over host Sandburg in Orland Park. That performance paved the way for Lincoln-Way East (23-9, 12-4), which tied Lincoln-Way Central (17-10, 12-4) for the conference title with the Knights beating Bradley-Bourbonnais 8-2. 'I was just concentrating on going in and using both sides of the plate,' Lense said. 'I wanted to win this game. I knew it was for the conference championship and I had to do it for my team. 'It went better than I expected. I came in there and I was in the zone.' So was Evan Riiff, who had two hits and three RBIs for the Griffins. Casey Mikrut, Cooper Johnson and Tyler Hudik each added two hits and Rocco Triolo drove in a pair of runs. Hudik showed his versatility, bunting for a single in an eight-run sixth and hitting a solo homer in the seventh. Ryan Evoy came up with a single, double and triple for Sandburg (20-11, 7-9). 'That's what he does every time he goes out there,' Hudik said of Lense. 'He goes out there and shoves every single time. When he's out there, I have no doubt in my mind that we will be fine.' Lincoln-Way East coach John McCarthy felt the same way as Hudik did. 'Owen came in and threw strikes and did a really good job,' McCarthy said. 'He came up big and kept us in the game. This game could have gone sideways. Kudos to him. He was outstanding.' The Griffins snapped a five-game losing streak that produced only 14 runs with Monday's 1-0 win over Sandburg in Frankfort. They then scored just two runs in the first five innings Wednesday. So, the deluge of runs in the sixth created a sigh of relief in Lincoln-Way East's dugout. 'We have a great group of guys,' Lense said. 'When we string hits together, good things happen.' 'It was one of those innings that happens in baseball,' McCarthy said. 'Thankfully, it happened for us in time to win the game.' The Griffins believe they have enough talent to make a run at a Class 4A state championship. 'It's just about going out there and winning ball games,' Hudik said. 'The sky is the limit. I think we can go as far as the state championship if we keep playing like this.' Surviving and thriving in the SouthWest Suburban Conference could help that cause. McCarthy thinks sharing the conference title is still a huge accomplishment. 'It's one of the best conferences in the state of Illinois from top to bottom,' he said. 'For us to be a conference champ is a real honor for our boys. It shows the type of grit they have because there are a lot of ups and a lot of downs. We managed to stay with it.' Lense, who said he's been playing baseball since kindergarten, also stayed with it. He said one of the things he loves about baseball is playing in big situations like Wednesday's game. 'I like the satisfying big moments,' Lense said. 'A lot of moments in baseball are just like 'wow' and you feel great after doing it.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cobb Co. teacher, wife accused of denying their children food and bathroom, confining them
A teacher and his wife are accused of child cruelty. Police say their teenagers were denied food at times and confined to their rooms. Police told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell that Steven and Anissa Griffin watched their children's every move through cameras they placed in all of their rooms. They are accused of putting alarms on the bedroom doors, and police say the children had to ask for permission to leave and use the bathroom or eat. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'If he does it to his own kids, his own flesh and blood, who's to say he wouldn't do that to someone else's children?' said Trey Whitaker, a Cobb resident. Steven Griffin was an English teacher at North Cobb High School but has since resigned. Noah Pines and Lawrence Zimmerman, attorneys for the Griffins, said they deny the allegations. 'In addition to the warrants painting an inaccurate and incomplete picture of the allegations against them, the warrants were factually and legally deficient.' Police say the crimes against the four children took place for more than a year. They are also charged with eavesdropping. Both parents are accused of confining their children to their rooms for days or months at a time, sometimes denying them food or use of the bathroom. Investigators say cameras the Griffins installed in the bedrooms made the children feel uncomfortable, as they were constantly being recorded. One of the teens told police he was living in the unfinished basement without heat or air conditioning. Another said the Griffins locked her out of the bathroom and she needed permission to use it. Newell stopped by the Griffins' home, but no one answered the door. The attorney representing Steven Griffin said his client is fighting the charges. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
North DeSoto heading to state championship; credits preparation and scheduling
STONEWALLL, LA (KTAL/KMSS) — North DeSoto baseball has punched its ticket to the state championship, and it was no easy task. After dropping the first game of the series against Lutcher on Thursday, the Griffins had to fight back to earn their spot in the state championship. Head coach Bo Odom credits not only the teams preparation, but the scheduling as well. 'From week one all the way through, our goal was to win two out of three. We've won on Thursday, we've lost on Saturday and our goal was to win that third game on Saturday and we did that for three solid weeks, and I think maybe four weeks solid,' Odom said. 'Then our goal from there was just, each week, we had three ball games, win two out of three. If you win all three, that's bonus. But just try to win the two out of three. So not that it's the same thing, but here they understand that, hey, we can do it. We've done it before, they can do it.' The Griffins head to Sulphur where they will battle Bursly for the state title. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
