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Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Jacob Finley, wearing No. 5, keeps Marist alive to avoid state quarterfinal upset. His reaction? ‘We've got this.'
Why was senior setter Jacob Finley wearing No. 5 for Marist and why was the public-address announcer calling him Wyatt Olszewski during Friday's state quarterfinals? Shortly before the match, the RedHawks changed uniforms because Illinois High School Association officials said their numbers were too hard to read. Some players found theirs in alternate gray uniforms. Finley, who usually wears No. 12, ended up with Olszewski's jersey. But Finley wasn't paying attention to the announcer. 'I was really zoned in,' he said. 'I zoned out the crowd and focused on the court and my teammates.' Marist was out of its comfort zone for a little while, but after losing its first set to an Illinois team all season, the RedHawks recovered and pulled off a 17-25, 25-14, 25-21 win over Lake Park at Hoffman Estates. Ohio State-bound Christian Teresi paced Marist (38-2) with 15 kills and 13 assists. MIT recruit Nathen Toth tallied six kills and Finley added 12 assists. That put the defending state champion RedHawks into an 11 a.m. Saturday semifinal against Lane Tech (34-6), which earned a 25-21, 21-25, 25-18 win over Wheaton-Warrenville South (32-8) . Finley, who will be heading to South Alabama for college, is giving up competitive volleyball. Even though the Redhawks struggled mightily in the first game, Finley remained confident that his high school career wasn't coming to an end Friday. 'I knew we could come back — we've done it before in California,' Finley said, referring to a trip the RedHawks made in April. 'When we started off the second set hot, I was like, 'We got this.''' Sandburg was hoping to put a second Southland team into the semifinals but dropped a 25-23, 25-23 decision to O'Fallon in a match that featured 31 ties and eight lead changes. Sacred Heart recruit JT Snider totaled seven kills, Princeton commit Jeremiah Aro followed with six and Easton Donausky notched 19 assists for the Eagles (36-5), who were making their first quarterfinal appearance since 2016. Sutton Massey led the way with nine kills for O'Fallon (32-7), which needed to fend off five match points Tuesday against Lincoln-Way East to win 23-25, 21-29, 25-21 in the sectional final. Finley, meanwhile, shares setting duties with senior right-side hitter Teresi and the two are clicking. 'He brings a lot to the team in funny ways and serious ways,' Teresi said of Finley. 'We have our ups and downs, but we're at the point where we found our adjustment and it's paying off.' And it doesn't hurt to have a positive presence on the team. 'Finley is always the loudest in the gym,' Toth said. 'He's always the most positive guy. He's never afraid to admit when he has made a mistake, and he's a glue guy on the court.' On top of that, Finley puts a lot of energy into practices and games. 'You will never not hear him in our gym,' Marist coach Jordan Vidovic said. 'He gets the most out of what he wants to do. He came up with a huge dig (Friday) and I don't know if we won the point or not, but those are the spark plays and the energy plays and we needed that. 'He brings fun energy and comfort that settles everybody in.' While Finley said he received offers from other schools, the decision to walk away from volleyball wasn't easy. He confirmed he will miss playing the sport. 'I love the atmosphere with all of the parents and fans going crazy,' Finley said. 'I love my teammates. I love being there, and when we are in the gym together, nothing else matters. 'We work really hard and we are in it together. We all want the same thing, which is what I love.'
Fox News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Congresswoman Mary Miller calls for federal investigations into Illinois over trans athletes in girls' sports
EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., called on President Donald Trump's administration to take action against her state. In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital addressed to the Departments of Education and Justice, Miller pleaded for the agencies to investigate after the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) said it would continue allowing trans athletes to compete in girls' sports. "I am writing to express my deep concern regarding a recent decision by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which has chosen to blatantly disregard federal law and reject basic biological reality by allowing biological males to compete in girls' athletic programs. This misguided policy not only undermines the integrity and fairness of girls' sports, but it also jeopardizes the safety of young women across our state," Miller wrote. "I respectfully urge the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to investigate the actions of IHSA and the State of Illinois and take appropriate measures to ensure that federal civil rights protections are upheld." Miller provided a statement to Fox News Digital addressing the letter, and condemning Gov. J.B. Pritzker. "I'm calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary Linda McMahon to launch an immediate investigation into the IHSA and the State of Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and radical Illinois Democrats must be held accountable for enforcing abusive, anti-science gender policies ahead of the safety of our daughters and the fairness of girls' sports," Miller said. Transgender athletes have been permitted to compete in girls' sports in Illinois since 2011. Illinois became one of the many blue states to openly defy Trump's "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" executive order after it was signed on Feb. 5. In a public letter to state GOP lawmakers last week, the IHSA said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Human Rights have declared that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate based on gender identity. The IHSA cited the state's human rights laws as a barrier to banning biological males from girls' sports. That letter came in response to GOP lawmakers sending their own letter to the IHSA in March asking what the body would do to change policy after Trump's executive order passed. "The Illinois High School Association has crossed a dangerous line. By blatantly violating federal law and rejecting biological reality, they are not only undermining fairness in girls' sports – they're putting the safety of young women at risk," Miller told Fox News Digital. A federal Title IX investigation is already underway in Illinois after a Deerfield mother alleged her daughter was forced to change in front of a trans student. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is facing a probe by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights after Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought light to the situation. Georgas has now told Fox News Digital she is also worried about her daughter's athletic future because of the IHSA's ruling. "Imagine your daughter, dedicating her life, training for years, hours and hours a week, for her championship state race, only to face a male beating her and winning that coveted scholarship. How is that at all fair? Our daughter's dedication to athletics is slowly being erased," Georgas said. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 responded to the investigation in a statement to Fox News Digital and, like the IHSA, cited the Illinois Human Rights Act for its protocols. "Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement said. Meanwhile, Maine has already seen the type of intervention that Miller is calling for. That state has seen its federal funding cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against it for continued defiance of Trump's order. Maine has launched its own lawsuit against the Trump administration over the funding freeze, and a federal judge has ruled it be unfrozen. A New York Times/Ipsos survey found the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, don't think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women's sports. Of the 2,128 people who participated, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democratic, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Illinois trans athlete policy brewing conflict within state
Print Close By Jackson Thompson Published April 19, 2025 Illinois has become the latest blue state to ensure transgender athletes can play girls sports. Republicans in the state are aggressively trying to change that. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced it will not comply with President Donald Trump's executive order to keep trans athletes out of girls and women's sports. In a public letter to state GOP lawmakers, the IHSA said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Human Rights have declared that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate based on gender identity. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Illinois is using a similar playbook to the one being used by Maine in its ongoing feud with the Trump administration over the issue, citing the state's human rights laws as a barrier to banning biological males from girls sports. "As a result of the foregoing, compliance with the Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa," IHSA Board President Dan Tully wrote in the letter. Tully added that the IHSA finds itself in "an untenable position" as the organization seeks clarity on conflicting directions from state authorities and the Trump administration. "There is a growing narrative seeking to politicize the IHSA's response. However, as it plainly explains in the copy of the letter provided below, the IHSA is seeking clarity on conflicting state and federal law so that we can remain in compliance," an IHSA statement said. Illinois GOP lawmakers sent their own letter to the IHSA in March asking what the body will do to change policy after Trump's executive order passed. Transgender athletes have been permitted to compete in girls sports in Illinois since 2011. TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO A CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND In response to the IHSA's recent announcement, several prominent state GOP lawmakers have spoken out in opposition to the rule. Rep. Blaine Wilhour, who led the initiative to send the first letter to IHSA over the issue, told Fox News Digital he is calling on Illinois school districts and school boards to pass local resolutions banning trans athletes from girls sports. "I think every school district needs to make it clear that we are protecting the sanctity of girls sports, and we believe in local control of those decisions," Wilhour said. "I would demand that all of your local districts take this stand and do that. Because when push comes to shove, we win on these issues, but we just need people to be bold and step out there and do the right thing." Wilhour condemned Gov. JB Pritzker and the Democratic majority in the state's legislature for the state's laws that enable trans inclusion in girls sports. Wilhour added that he is calling on the Trump administration to intervene and potentially cut funding in response. "The whole policy is sick. Either you believe in fair competition or you don't. The Democrat Party today, and specifically JB Pritzker, does not believe in fair competition. They put their woke ideology over protecting girls in sports," Wilhour said. MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER "[The Trump administration is] going to have to engage here, and the leverage that they've got is federal funding. We take millions in federal funding from the government every year. And we don't really savor the situation where that would be withheld. … But I'll take my chances with doing the right thing. … Banning boys from participating in girls sports is the right thing to do, so we need to do the tough things to make it happen." Wilhour also encouraged the IHSA to overrule the state government's direction and ban trans athletes from girls sports anyway. Maine has already seen the type of intervention that Wilhour is calling for, both internally and federally. Maine School District 70 moved to ban trans athletes from girls sports and comply with Trump, defying state law, earlier this week. Maine has also already seen its federal funding cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against the state for its continued defiance of Trump's order. A federal Title IX investigation is already underway in Illinois after a Deerfield mother alleged her daughter was forced to change in front of a trans student. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is facing a probe by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights after Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought light to the situation. She filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after alleging school administrators attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls locker room last month. She revealed the complaint during a board of education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident happened last month after her daughter refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 responded to the investigation in a statement to Fox News Digital and, like the IHSA, cited the Illinois Human Rights Act for its protocols. "Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement said. The district also called on families to voice their concerns over certain policies. "The district and the board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law," the statement added. "The district and the board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child's well-being and participation." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Print Close URL
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois trans athlete policy brewing conflict within state
Illinois has become the latest blue state to ensure transgender athletes can play girls sports. Republicans in the state are aggressively trying to change that. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced it will not comply with President Donald Trump's executive order to keep trans athletes out of girls and women's sports. In a public letter to state GOP lawmakers, the IHSA said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Human Rights have declared that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate based on gender identity. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Illinois is using a similar playbook to the one being used by Maine in its ongoing feud with the Trump administration over the issue, citing the state's human rights laws as a barrier to banning biological males from girls sports. "As a result of the foregoing, compliance with the Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa," IHSA Board President Dan Tully wrote in the letter. Tully added that the IHSA finds itself in "an untenable position" as the organization seeks clarity on conflicting directions from state authorities and the Trump administration. "There is a growing narrative seeking to politicize the IHSA's response. However, as it plainly explains in the copy of the letter provided below, the IHSA is seeking clarity on conflicting state and federal law so that we can remain in compliance," an IHSA statement said. Illinois GOP lawmakers sent their own letter to the IHSA in March asking what the body will do to change policy after Trump's executive order passed. Transgender athletes have been permitted to compete in girls sports in Illinois since 2011. TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO A CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND In response to the IHSA's recent announcement, several prominent state GOP lawmakers have spoken out in opposition to the rule. Rep. Blaine Wilhour, who led the initiative to send the first letter to IHSA over the issue, told Fox News Digital he is calling on Illinois school districts and school boards to pass local resolutions banning trans athletes from girls sports. "I think every school district needs to make it clear that we are protecting the sanctity of girls sports, and we believe in local control of those decisions," Wilhour said. "I would demand that all of your local districts take this stand and do that. Because when push comes to shove, we win on these issues, but we just need people to be bold and step out there and do the right thing." Wilhour condemned Gov. JB Pritzker and the Democratic majority in the state's legislature for the state's laws that enable trans inclusion in girls sports. Wilhour added that he is calling on the Trump administration to intervene and potentially cut funding in response. "The whole policy is sick. Either you believe in fair competition or you don't. The Democrat Party today, and specifically JB Pritzker, does not believe in fair competition. They put their woke ideology over protecting girls in sports," Wilhour said. MAINE GIRL INVOLVED IN TRANS ATHLETE BATTLE REVEALS HOW STATE'S POLICIES HURT HER CHILDHOOD AND SPORTS CAREER "[The Trump administration is] going to have to engage here, and the leverage that they've got is federal funding. We take millions in federal funding from the government every year. And we don't really savor the situation where that would be withheld. … But I'll take my chances with doing the right thing. … Banning boys from participating in girls sports is the right thing to do, so we need to do the tough things to make it happen." Wilhour also encouraged the IHSA to overrule the state government's direction and ban trans athletes from girls sports anyway. Maine has already seen the type of intervention that Wilhour is calling for, both internally and federally. Maine School District 70 moved to ban trans athletes from girls sports and comply with Trump, defying state law, earlier this week. Maine has also already seen its federal funding cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against the state for its continued defiance of Trump's order. A federal Title IX investigation is already underway in Illinois after a Deerfield mother alleged her daughter was forced to change in front of a trans student. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is facing a probe by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights after Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought light to the situation. She filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after alleging school administrators attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls locker room last month. She revealed the complaint during a board of education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident happened last month after her daughter refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 responded to the investigation in a statement to Fox News Digital and, like the IHSA, cited the Illinois Human Rights Act for its protocols. "Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement said. The district also called on families to voice their concerns over certain policies. "The district and the board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law," the statement added. "The district and the board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child's well-being and participation." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Illinois' transgender athlete policy sparks controversy in the state
Illinois has become the latest blue state to ensure transgender athletes can play girls sports. Republicans in the state are aggressively trying to change that. The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced it will not comply with President Donald Trump's executive order to keep trans athletes out of girls and women's sports. In a public letter to state GOP lawmakers, the IHSA said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Human Rights have declared that state law requires that transgender athletes be allowed to participate based on gender identity. Illinois is using a similar playbook to the one being used by Maine in its ongoing feud with the Trump administration over the issue, citing the state's human rights laws as a barrier to banning biological males from girls sports. "As a result of the foregoing, compliance with the Executive Order could place the IHSA out of compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act and vice versa," IHSA Board President Dan Tully wrote in the letter. Tully added that the IHSA finds itself in "an untenable position" as the organization seeks clarity on conflicting directions from state authorities and the Trump administration. "There is a growing narrative seeking to politicize the IHSA's response. However, as it plainly explains in the copy of the letter provided below, the IHSA is seeking clarity on conflicting state and federal law so that we can remain in compliance," an IHSA statement said. Illinois GOP lawmakers sent their own letter to the IHSA in March asking what the body will do to change policy after Trump's executive order passed. Transgender athletes have been permitted to compete in girls sports in Illinois since 2011. In response to the IHSA's recent announcement, several prominent state GOP lawmakers have spoken out in opposition to the rule. Rep. Blaine Wilhour, who led the initiative to send the first letter to IHSA over the issue, told Fox News Digital he is calling on Illinois school districts and school boards to pass local resolutions banning trans athletes from girls sports. "I think every school district needs to make it clear that we are protecting the sanctity of girls sports, and we believe in local control of those decisions," Wilhour said. "I would demand that all of your local districts take this stand and do that. Because when push comes to shove, we win on these issues, but we just need people to be bold and step out there and do the right thing." Wilhour condemned Gov. JB Pritzker and the Democratic majority in the state's legislature for the state's laws that enable trans inclusion in girls sports. Wilhour added that he is calling on the Trump administration to intervene and potentially cut funding in response. "The whole policy is sick. Either you believe in fair competition or you don't. The Democrat Party today, and specifically JB Pritzker, does not believe in fair competition. They put their woke ideology over protecting girls in sports," Wilhour said. "[The Trump administration is] going to have to engage here, and the leverage that they've got is federal funding. We take millions in federal funding from the government every year. And we don't really savor the situation where that would be withheld. … But I'll take my chances with doing the right thing. … Banning boys from participating in girls sports is the right thing to do, so we need to do the tough things to make it happen." Wilhour also encouraged the IHSA to overrule the state government's direction and ban trans athletes from girls sports anyway. Maine has already seen the type of intervention that Wilhour is calling for, both internally and federally. Maine School District 70 moved to ban trans athletes from girls sports and comply with Trump, defying state law, earlier this week. Maine has also already seen its federal funding cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Justice has launched a lawsuit against the state for its continued defiance of Trump's order. A federal Title IX investigation is already underway in Illinois after a Deerfield mother alleged her daughter was forced to change in front of a trans student. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 is facing a probe by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights after Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought light to the situation. She filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after alleging school administrators attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls locker room last month. She revealed the complaint during a board of education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident happened last month after her daughter refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present. Deerfield Public Schools District 109 responded to the investigation in a statement to Fox News Digital and, like the IHSA, cited the Illinois Human Rights Act for its protocols. "Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity," the statement said. The district also called on families to voice their concerns over certain policies. "The district and the board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law," the statement added. "The district and the board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child's well-being and participation." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
