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Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Jack Reif, ‘the biggest guy in the pool,' secures the biggest prize for Naperville North. He prizes Navy too.
As the final four seconds ticked off the clock, Naperville North senior Jack Reif held onto the ball as a New Trier player tried in vain to pry it from his hands. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Jack Reif's teammates, including senior Mason Hofmann, knew a dream was about to become reality. 'He has great ball control,' Hofmann said. 'He's a super big guy, so when we need someone to keep possession, he's the guy that you go to.' When the horn sounded, the Navy-bound Jack Reif turned and hurled the ball to the ceiling of Stevenson's natatorium as his mother, Naperville North boys water polo coach Kelly Reif, began jumping up and down on the pool deck. That was the beginning of a celebration capping a storybook ending. The Huskies, led by Jack Reif and Hofmann, had just rallied to beat New Trier 7-6 on Saturday night to win the first state championship in program history. 'Their best player shot the ball, and we got the save,' Jack Reif said. 'We were able to spread out, and I knew they'd get the ball to me. I'm the biggest guy in the pool, so I was able to hold him off. 'I was just overwhelmed with emotion.' So was Kelly Reif, the former Waubonsie Valley and Indiana star who began coaching the Huskies in 2021, when Jack Reif was in eighth grade. 'It was just like all the emotions at once,' Kelly Reif said. 'We've worked so hard for this. 'His freshman year, I looked at this group of kids, and I said, 'We're winning state your senior year. Watch us.' And with four seconds left, I just couldn't believe it that we had the ball in the hands of one of our strongest players. I knew we could kill four seconds. I was so excited.' Kelly Reif first introduced Jack Reif to water polo when he was 8 years old. Her husband, Myles Reif, coached the club team that included Jack Reif and Hofmann, who were the two best scorers for Naperville North (31-4) this season. Hofmann, a Johns Hopkins recruit, finished with 171 goals and 91 assists, and Jack Reif had 121 goals and 72 assists. Each scored six goals in the Huskies' 17-10 victory over Young in the semifinals earlier that day. New Trier (31-3), which had won three of the four regular-season meetings with Naperville North, led 6-2 at halftime but didn't score again. The Huskies rallied behind Hofmann, who had three goals and an assist, and Jack Reif, who contributed one goal and one assist. Hofmann assisted junior Caden Tsao's go-ahead goal with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter. Jack Reif led Naperville North's strong defense the rest of the way. 'As you can see, none of the kids give up ever,' Kelly Reif said. 'To be able to shut them out in the second half is incredible. You saw Jack and Mason just take charge, like 'we're not losing this game,' so it was awesome.' Hofmann had dreamed of winning a state title even before he entered high school. Doing it alongside Jack Reif made it even better. 'I've been playing with Jack for probably 10 years,' Hofmann said. 'Almost every time I've played water polo, he's been there, too, whether it's at a practice in the morning, at a gym, or in the weight room, late-night drives to masters practice. He's been there the whole way. 'It's our last game playing with each other, so it's bittersweet.' Jack Reif never played football, despite his size. Water polo and swimming were his only sports, and playing for his mother was an added bonus. 'I wouldn't have it any other way,' he said. 'Working hard at practice and then going home and talking about the practice and game-prepping with her in late nights, early mornings, I'll never forget that. 'The bond we have is really something special. Not a lot of people get to experience that, especially winning a state championship, so I'm very proud of our team.' Kelly Reif, who has a career record of 110-28, is equally proud. 'I feel very blessed to have this opportunity,' she said. 'Not many people get the opportunity to wear the hat of mom and coach, nonetheless a state championship, so it's just so exciting. 'I love him so much. I love all the kids so much. It's just a really special bond that we have.' Jack Reif also had a bond with his great-grandfather Bob Young, a Navy veteran who served in World War II and later became a high school football coach and then an Illinois High School Association official for football and basketball. Young died at age 99 one week before the Huskies won the state title. 'After our last sectional game, I found out that he had passed away,' Kelly Reif said. 'So this is extra special. I'm sure he's up there looking down and pulled us through for that one.' Young was a role model for Jack Reif. 'He always loved telling stories about the Navy, so I really looked up to him,' Jack Reif said. 'He was a great man.' So Jack Reif jumped at the opportunity to attend the Naval Academy. 'I took it with no regrets, didn't look back at all,' he said. 'I'm really excited to serve my country.' Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Jack Reif will be required to serve five years on active duty. He's ready to do it for one simple reason. 'I just want to give back to the things that have given me the most,' he said. 'This country has given me so many excellent things. It's a great opportunity for myself to be successful but also to give back.'
Chicago Tribune
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville North freshman Lawton Close is ‘not in California anymore.' But he's not out of his element.
Naperville North freshman Lawton Close drove the ball over the right fielder's head and raced to second base with a leadoff double. The hit against DeKalb ace Brodie Farrell left Close feeling a surge of adrenaline, and for good reason. Farrell is a Parkland commit who hasn't been beaten this season. 'Oh, I was ecstatic,' Close said. 'It was so fun because I know how great of a pitcher he is, and to get that as a freshman, that was amazing.' Close's double, the only extra-base hit allowed by Farrell on Thursday, was a glimpse of what could be in store for the Huskies (15-15), who will play Oswego in the Class 4A Plainfield North Regional semifinals on May 29. 'It was really good,' Close said. 'I like to face better pitching because it gives me a challenge to have an at-bat against those guys, especially a guy like that with good off-speed and good fastball. 'I trust myself, so as soon as I saw that pitch, I just went and got it.' Farrell, who finished with a four-hitter in DeKalb's 9-1 win in the DuPage Valley Conference Tournament semifinals in Naperville, got Close on called third strikes twice. That wasn't surprising given Farrell's talent and age advantage. The senior right-hander is the DVC co-pitcher of the year and improved to 7-0 with a 1.62 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 52 innings. But Close, a first baseman who scored Naperville North's only run against Farrell, isn't fazed by the tough competition. 'It's been very challenging,' he said. 'I've faced a lot of good pitchers, especially that are older than me, and it's good to see that. 'I've had a lot of fun this year. Definitely the captains taking me under their wings, that was really big.' One of those captains is Illinois State-bound senior catcher Zach Bava, who also played varsity baseball as a freshman. 'I just told him that it's another baseball game,' Bava said. 'Yeah, you're going to be playing against kids that are three years older than you, but at the end of the day, they're still teenagers just like you are. 'So just calm yourself down and do what you know how to do and don't overthink. Just hit the baseball.' Close has done that often enough. In 28 games, he's hitting .231 with four doubles, a triple, 14 RBIs, 11 runs scored and two stolen bases. 'I think Lawton is a fantastic hitter,' Bava said. 'I voiced my opinion that Lawton deserved a spot on varsity. We made that happen, and he's been showing flashes throughout the year. 'Obviously, the batting average isn't exactly where he wants it, but I know he's a competitor.' Close, whose family moved to Naperville from California last summer, quickly made that clear to Huskies coach Jim Chiappetta. 'You watch him work in the cage, you can see right away that he's got some special ability as a freshman,' Chiappetta said. 'Then you see it show up in a game situation against kids that are two to three years older than him, that's a special thing to see. 'I love his demeanor, and I love his work ethic, and I think those are things you notice right away. He plays the game the right way.' Close said he gets his work ethic from his father, James, who was drafted out of UNLV by the Florida Marlins in 1999 and played for two years as an outfielder at the Class A level, including a stint with the Kane County Cougars in 2000. 'He just tells me to simple it down,' Close said. 'Baseball is a simple game. If you speed it up, it's going to be even harder, so simple it down.' Getting Close out may be anything but simple for opposing pitchers in coming years. 'He's shown flashes that he's a truly special player,' Bava said. 'The next three years, the DVC has got a lot to follow up on with Lawton, so they've got to be ready for him.' One thing Close wasn't ready to experience was Chicago's spring weather. He showed up to an early practice very underdressed. 'It looked like a nice day, but he was in short sleeves and shivering,' Chiappetta said. 'I said, 'You're not in California anymore.'' Not to worry, though. Close has acclimated. 'It's really nice here,' he said. 'I mean, winter is definitely different than out there, but you get adjusted.'
Chicago Tribune
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Tennessee recruit Claire DeCook will graduate early. For the junior star and Naperville North, ‘this is it.'
Naperville North junior forward Claire DeCook is considered an honorary senior by her teammates. When the season ends for the outgoing senior class, DeCook will be saying goodbye to her high school playing career too. The Tennessee recruit intends to graduate in December so she can begin taking classes at the university in January and get a head start on her college soccer career. DeCook made the decision before the beginning of this season at the urging of Tennessee's coaching staff. 'They highly encourage their recruits to come early just so you get a feel for everything,' she said. 'But it's completely optional. 'My family and I talked about the advantages and everything, and we thought it was best for me, especially with all the resources they could provide. It didn't take me long at all to be like, 'Yeah, I kind of want to do this.'' DeCook, whose older sister Cameron is a student at Tennessee, is part of a new trend of high school stars graduating early. It is more common in football, but for girls soccer players, it means missing their final high school season. The decision sped up the end of a whirlwind high school career for DeCook, who was the all-area player of the year in 2024 after returning from ACL surgery. This season has felt a little surreal to her. 'It's definitely different because when you're a junior, it's like, 'Oh, you have another season,'' she said. 'I feel like everyone feels that they have more time than they do. 'Freshman and sophomore year went by so fast, and so did junior year. It was a big reality check in like, 'OK, this is my last game playing against this team.' 'So the fact that I don't have another year after this, I'm just living in the moment and making sure I get everything done now.' DeCook, as ever, is getting a lot done. She scored the game-winning goal in the fourth-seeded Huskies' 3-0 victory over 13th-seeded Plainfield East in the Class 3A Oswego Regional semifinals on Wednesday. It was DeCook's 10th goal of the season and the 40th of her career. The Huskies (12-5-3), who will play either fifth-seeded Oswego or 12th-seeded Waubonsie Valley in the regional championship game at noon Saturday, want to extend their season — and DeCook's tenure — as long as possible. 'When we did our senior night, that's when it kind of became really real, when she was wearing the senior shirt rather than the underclassman shirt,' Naperville North senior defender Emily Buescher said. 'The other three freshmen she came on the team with, they gave her her rose. That was a really big thing. 'We don't refer to her as a senior, but in the world of soccer she is.' The Minnesota-bound Buescher said it was amazing to play alongside DeCook, whom she has known since they were little. One of Buescher's club teammates, Mya Nugent, enrolled early at Minnesota. Buescher sees the benefits in doing so but opted not to do so herself. 'It is much bigger culturally with the SEC,' Buescher said. 'It gives them a lot of time to start lifting and stuff like that. 'I leave in three weeks, so I leave pretty early too. But I definitely wanted to be here. I didn't get to play high school soccer my freshman and sophomore year, so to me I could never give up this because we're a family. What would I do without this?' What will the Huskies do without DeCook? Naperville North coach Steve Goletz is going to find out sooner than he'd like. 'For Claire to have the opportunity she has is incredible, and it's because of all the hard work that she's put in since she's been a little kid,' Goletz said. 'She's going to go on and do great things. 'For us, it's sad just because of not only Claire's soccer ability but also her and her family are incredible people. We really have enjoyed some amazing memories and moments with not only Claire but also Cam. So not only are we going to miss her on the field in regards to her ability, but also the charisma and what she brings every day.' Which is considerable. 'Her work rate is incredible,' Goletz said. 'Her willingness to compete is next level. I'm just super fortunate that I've been able to coach her and sad that this is it. 'Hopefully we can continue to win and get as many games as possible with her and with this fantastic group as a whole.'
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Marquette commit Allessandra Russo's powerful kicks give Neuqua Valley a leg up. Against Naperville North too.
On a sunny afternoon, Neuqua Valley junior Allessandra Russo was ready to unleash the thunder. The Marquette commit changed a DuPage Valley Conference game with one swing of her powerful left leg, sending a free kick nearly 50 yards into Naperville North's penalty area. 'I was just really hoping to get it far post,' she said. 'I saw that we had our runners stacked on that side, so I was just kicking and hoping someone got on it.' Russo's serve landed in a crowd. Yale-bound senior forward Selma Larbi pounced on it and scored with 19:28 left in the second half. Larbi's goal was all the host Wildcats needed to win 1-0 and claim a share of the DVC championship in Naperville on Tuesday. It was their first victory against Naperville North since 2015. Larbi, who has returned to the team after playing club soccer last year, knew Russo had the strength to get the ball to her despite the long distance. 'She hit it, and I knew that it was going to bobble in the box a little bit,' Larbi said. 'I realized that it was going up, and the defender that was on me was probably a little bit taller, so I didn't want to risk heading it. 'So I kind of waited for it to settle at my feet, and I just picked it. It was kind of just like timing.' Timing played a crucial role in Russo's transformation from standout defender to leading scorer, a shift that has coincided with the Wildcats' reemergence as an elite team. Russo had always played defense, including as an outside back on her Galaxy club team that won back-to-back national titles. But an ankle injury caused her to miss a few weeks at the beginning of last season. While she was out, Neuqua Valley coach Arnoldo Gonzalez found an adequate replacement for her on the back line. But the Wildcats needed offensive help. 'Gonzo talked about moving me up to forward and getting me chances in front of goal,' Russo said. 'So I was excited about that, and then this year especially, I've played a lot of forward.' The move has paid dividends. Russo has 11 goals and seven assists, leading the Wildcats (13-3, 4-1) in both categories. 'Even her freshman year, we knew she could be that winger because she has it in her,' Gonzalez said. 'She has the endurance to do it, so we tried that a bit last year. 'We knew right off the bat she was going to be our winger. We had our left back, and it just worked out beautifully. You know, sometimes injuries happen for a reason, right?' Russo will most likely play defender in college. But she's enjoying the chance to create goals rather than prevent them. 'It's definitely different, and I had to learn, like, to keep my composure in front of goal and make sure I didn't just sky it over,' she said. 'But I think the more I've played it, the more comfortable I've gotten on the ball in those kinds of spaces. And I think that's really helped.' Russo's play has given Neuqua Valley a confidence that had been missing in recent years. The Wildcats began DVC play by stunning Naperville Central 2-1 on April 8 and finished it by beating Naperville North (11-5-3, 3-2) for the first time since the Class 3A sectional semifinals in 2015, when they lost to New Trier in the state championship game. 'It's been so fun, and she's just helped our team a lot, especially being a left-footed threat,' Larbi said. 'You don't get a lot of left-footed players. 'I think a lot of defenders have a hard time defending her because they're not gonna realize that she can kick it with her left. So I think that makes her a really unique player.' Russo is left-footed, but her power is the result of hard work. 'I do a lot of weightlifting,' she said. 'I'll do that before school sometimes. I've weightlifted for the past two years, but I really picked it up this last two months. 'I feel like I have noticed a difference since I started that. I just developed a little bit more power.' But Russo hasn't sacrificed accuracy for that power. Gonzalez said that through 14 games, Russo had put all 28 of her shot attempts on goal. She also takes most of Neuqua Valley's corner kicks and free kicks, like the one Larbi scored on Tuesday. 'She's going to play that type of ball, and it's going to be a ball played with a purpose,' Gonzalez said of Russo. 'She definitely gets our offense going.'
Chicago Tribune
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Often knocked down, Naperville North's Kennedy Bertsch always gets back up. ‘You have to be resilient.'
Kennedy Bertsch was not a typical freshman when she joined the Naperville North girls soccer team last season. That was evident even before tryouts started. 'I first saw Kennedy at our summer camp when she was a freshman, and I knew right away that she was going to be something special here at North,' Naperville North junior goalkeeper Olivia Ochsner said. 'It was just her personality in particular. She cares so much about the program, and you can see that every time she steps foot on the field.' The old saying about being seen and not heard didn't apply to Bertsch. The Huskies wanted to hear from the midfielder. 'She's an incredible kid,' Naperville North coach Steve Goletz said. 'She's got such a good personality, such good balance of competitiveness but also just very easy to talk to as a teammate. She makes everybody feel welcome. 'There isn't anybody on our team that wouldn't respect and listen to the things that come out of Kennedy's mouth during a game because they know she has the best interest of the team in mind. She's got that charisma that people want to follow.' Bertsch isn't a captain, but the sophomore defensive midfielder has emerged as a physical and vocal linchpin for the Huskies by displaying a maturity beyond her years. That she has done so at such a tradition-rich program as Naperville North is impressive. 'She is super thoughtful in how she plays the game, not only tactically, but is always aware of where her teammates should be,' Goletz said. 'She's constantly asking questions to continue to get better in regards to her leadership. 'She has the respect of all of her teammates. There's a lot of great kids on our team, so for a sophomore to do that is a pretty incredible thing.' Ochsner, a three-year starter, is a veteran teammate who appreciates Bertsch's leadership. 'Her drive is what makes her such a good leader and also her relationships with everyone else on the team,' Ochsner said. 'She's such a sociable person that she clicks with everyone right away. 'That definitely helped her grow into this role, and she's just gotten better every single game.' Bertsch returns the praise, saying the Huskies welcomed her with open arms. 'It was such a supportive environment that I felt so connected with everyone, so I was comfortable as soon as I came into the program,' Bertsch said. 'I just try my best to communicate on the field, just little things to help my team out. 'But everyone is so supportive of each other. We're always picking each other up, and if we don't do our best, we just try to connect with each other because that's what ultimately helps makes us successful.' Bertsch has scored two career goals. One was the game-tying strike in a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Metea Valley that helped the Huskies secure the DuPage Valley Conference title last year. But her role as defensive midfielder is geared toward doing the little things that often go unnoticed, like winning challenges in the air. 'I would say I'm pretty good at winning the ball in the air,' she said. 'It's one of my favorite things to do on the field. It's a little thing, but it makes a big difference.' Bertsch made a big difference as host Naperville North edged Oswego 1-0 on penalty kicks in the Naperville Invitational on Thursday. She helped the Huskies (7-2-2) hold off the physical Panthers (13-2-1) in regulation before Ochsner stopped a penalty kick as North won the shootout 4-1. Bertsch had to leave the game twice, once when a ball hit her in the face and once after she took an elbow to the gut, for which an Oswego player received a yellow card. Both times she returned within minutes. 'She gets beat up all the time in the middle, but that doesn't stop her,' Ochsner said. 'She never goes down easy, so when she got down, she got right back up.' It's all in a day's work for Bertsch. 'I just try to be resilient,' she said. 'You have to be resilient. Just get up if you happen to get knocked down because you're doing it for your team, not just for yourself.' That attitude endears Bertsch to her teammates. 'It's amazing to have Kennedy on the team,' Ochsner said. 'We're so lucky to have her. Every time she steps onto the field, she makes an impact, so there's nothing more that I could ask.'
