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Chicago Tribune
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Receiver DeShaun Williams bowled over Naperville Central's opponents with blocks. At Toledo, bowl games await.
Wide receiver DeShaun Williams' first contact with Toledo's coaches came before he transferred from St. Francis to Naperville Central for his senior year. 'I first started talking to them in my junior year,' he said. 'But that drifted away.' The talks resumed last fall as Williams excelled for the Redhawks as both a receiver and a running back. 'Their special teams coach, Stan Weber, was in a year ago recruiting Jake Stanish,' Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich said. 'He noticed DeShaun as well.' Williams had already committed to Indiana State. But things changed in February. 'The receivers coach at Indiana State left, and then they changed offensive coordinators,' he said. 'A lot of the coaches that I had talked to either quit or got fired, so I decommitted.' That's when Weber pounced. 'They heard I decommitted, and coach Weber said he suggested me to the coaches, and that's when they started contacting me,' Williams said. 'Toledo offered me a position on their roster, and I took it.' The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Williams, who had 55 catches for 636 yards and nine touchdowns to help the Redhawks reach the Class 8A state semifinals, is joining a program that has played in 12 bowl games since 2010. The Rockets (8-5), who haven't had a losing season in head coach Jason Candle's nine-year tenure, beat Pittsburgh 48-46 in a six-overtime thriller in the GameAbove Sports Bowl last season. 'Coach Candle is a really good coach,' Ulreich said. 'I got to meet him a few times when he's been in our building. It's just kind of an impressive operation.' One in which Williams thinks he will thrive. 'Seeing the NFL talent they always produce really excited me,' Williams said. 'My receivers coach has coached at Power Five schools and coached NFL talent that is still in the league today, so that was a major thing.' Indeed, Toledo receivers coach RJ Fleming has had seven players who have reached the NFL. That's a goal for Williams, of course, who is relishing his first training camp. 'At first it was a real adjustment,' Williams said. 'It's like a six- to seven-hour day, but it's really fun. 'You get to learn a lot about football, and my coaches so far have told me a lot of good things. They've told me I've learned the playbook pretty fast, I'm fast and physical at the top of my routes. A lot of nights you've got to study the playbook like it's a test.' Even if Williams passes every test, he probably won't see any action as a freshman. The Rockets have a large receiver room, led by four returning senior starters. 'So long as I keep working and learning the playbook and really continue to grow with the team, I feel like I could see some time sophomore year maybe,' Williams said. That patience will serve Williams well, according to Ulreich, who witnessed those traits last season. The Redhawks started slowly offensively as quarterback Sebastian Hayes, who was coming back from two torn ACLs, learned the offense. 'The most impressive thing about DeShaun was just what a great team player he was,' Ulreich said. 'We didn't throw the ball a ton the first couple weeks. DeShaun never said a word about it. All he did was block like crazy. 'The first weeks of the season he had some really impressive, physical blocks, and as the season went on those two started to get into a rhythm.' Indeed, Williams caught two long touchdown passes from Hayes during the Redhawks' 24-7 win over Lyons in the state quarterfinals. That turned out to be the final win of Williams' final high school season. 'It was so memorable,' he said. 'From the summer with the morning workouts, it was all so special. 'Coach Ulreich really does a good job teaching you the game and really the understanding of football. His plays were a lot like college plays formation-wise and really scheme-wise. He coaches you like you're a college athlete, and he does so much to prepare you for the next level.' Williams, in turn, helped prepare his younger teammates. 'He proved what type of team player he was by what he did when he didn't have the football,' Ulreich said. 'He made some pretty vicious blocks on the perimeter, so he earned a lot of people's respect doing those things. 'By the end of the year, we had some young guys with us. It was kind of fun watching him mentor those guys as well. He was a great guy to have around and a really great teammate.'
Chicago Tribune
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
‘Amazing to watch,' Ohio State commit Callie Tumilty is the 2025 Naperville Sun Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Naperville Central forward Callie Tumilty's high school career was brief and brilliant. Those who got a chance to watch the Ohio State commit play in her senior year were treated to an athletic display rarely seen at that level. Every time she got the ball, fans knew there was a possibility she would do something memorable. That doesn't surprise Naperville North defender Emily Buescher, who has been Tumilty's club teammate since they were in third grade. 'She's the same player she was since she was little,' Buescher said. 'Now she's just bigger.' Tumilty's impact on the Redhawks in her only season couldn't have been any bigger. The 2025 Naperville Sun Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Tumilty racked up 23 goals and 15 assists in 23 games, setting the single-season program record for goals and tying the mark for points with 61. Tumilty was named the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association's player of the year and became the third All-American in program history, joining Karen Richter (1986) and Washington Spirit defender Casey Krueger (2008). Tumilty combined speed, strength and passing skills to break down defenses with regularity. She was just as likely to shoot accurately with either foot from 30 yards or more as she was to dribble through multiple defenders. Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said Tumilty combined the technical with the physical and the tactical. But that alone did not make her great. 'She has that rare trait that attacking forwards need — that short-term memory,' Adams said. 'You go at somebody, they take it away from you, and the next time you have no fear. 'She has no fear of attacking somebody, and the great thing about attacking players is they've only got to be right once in a while. She definitely has that mindset that 'I'm going to go fast, and I'm going to go at people.'' That's nothing new for Tumilty. She even displayed it when she played varsity basketball as a freshman and sophomore. 'Basically, I just want to win,' she said. 'I hate losing more than anything, so that's kind of where it comes from, and also, you're always going to make mistakes when you play a game. It's part of the game to lose the ball, and if anyone cares if you lose the ball or that you miss a shot, then it's more their problem because it's just part of the game.' Tumilty wasn't always so sanguine. 'That was hard for me to realize when growing up,' she said. 'I would always get a little bit caught on the last play, but realistically it doesn't really matter because until the buzzer beeps, you always have time to make something happen. 'That's kind of how I look at things — like there's always another chance. Obviously, it wasn't so at the Neuqua game.' The Redhawks (20-2-1) had a terrific season end in a 1-0 loss to Neuqua Valley in the Class 3A sectional semifinals on May 27. The Wildcats were the only team to beat the Redhawks this season. It was a tough pill for Tumilty and her teammates to swallow. But she made a lot of things happen, leading the Redhawks to DuPage Valley Conference and regional titles. They also won the prestigious Naperville Invitational for the first time since 2012, a special memory for Tumilty. 'The Naperville Invite really showed what team we could be, and it really brought us together because we played five top competitors that week,' she said. 'I think that we had the hardest schedule in the state by far.' Tumilty, who played club soccer for her first two years and then was out of action for 16 months following ACL surgery, relished every moment. 'I always wanted to play school soccer,' she said. 'Now that it's over, I was really grateful that I got to play. Obviously, winning state was a goal, but the fact that I got the opportunity to even play high school soccer, especially after my injury, was huge.' Everyone was glad she did. Adams was pleased to see Tumilty take his advice and use it to adapt and improve. Buescher, a Minnesota recruit who will play against Tumilty in the Big Ten, said high school soccer was better for having Tumilty participate. 'We always say she's built for high school soccer,' Buescher said. 'This is where she thrives, so it's been amazing to watch her and cheer her on.' When asked what her legacy will be, Tumilty referred to her decision to play for the Redhawks. 'That it's never too late,' she said. 'Because if you want to play high school soccer, just do it.'
Chicago Tribune
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Neuqua Valley freshman Asha Kikama ensures ‘no one's going to get past her.' Not even Naperville Central.
Neuqua Valley's Asha Kikama was given a difficult assignment on Tuesday. The freshman defender had to mark Naperville Central star senior forward Callie Tumilty and had to move slightly out of position to do it. 'There's always nerves, but you gotta remember she's just a girl,' Kikama said. 'She goes to school like everyone else. So I have to bring the same intensity to her, keep her in front of me. 'As long as she doesn't shoot it, she's not going to score.' The Ohio State-bound Tumilty didn't score, mustering only two off-target shots, and neither did Naperville Central, which was shut out for the only time this season. The efforts by Kikama and other defenders like senior Chloe Orlow, plus a great goal by junior forward Alexis May, allowed the third-seeded Wildcats to upset the second-seeded Redhawks 1-0 in the Class 3A Naperville North Sectional semifinals. Neuqua Valley (16-3), which is in the sectional championship game for the first time since 2018, will play fourth-seeded Naperville North (14-5-3) at 5 p.m. Friday. 'I want to work as hard as I can for my whole team,' Kikama said. 'I have a good feeling, given that I gave everything I could have out there for my team and left everything on the field.' It's been that way all season for Kikama, who plays center back alongside Orlow. On Tuesday, though, Neuqua Valley coach Arnoldo Gonzalez had Kikama play defensive midfielder, slightly in front of Orlow. 'It was almost going back to my days and that stopper-sweeper position,' Gonzalez said. 'We just wanted that extra body in the middle playing a little bit high up. But if she needs that help, she can still tuck in.' The Redhawks (20-2-1), who had won 14 straight games since losing 2-1 to the Wildcats on April 8, nearly tucked away a goal 10 minutes after kickoff when senior midfielder Rebecca Ruggiero's header hit the crossbar. But they had few chances after that as Neuqua Valley defended vigorously all over the field, starting up top with Yale-bound senior forward Selma Larbi. 'Defensively, our plan was to just be extremely aggressive, to just go to every ball,' Larbi said. 'Then offensively, I knew I might have been outnumbered, so I just had to continue to run at them and try to force like a bad ball or like a bad kick.' The tactic disrupted Naperville Central's rhythm, and the Wildcats' confidence soared when May received a pass from freshman midfielder Caitlin King and ripped a 20-yard shot inside the right post with 37:32 left in the second half. Kikama and her teammates then held off every rush by the Redhawks. 'She was playing out of position tonight,' Orlow said. 'She stepped into the midfield, and she showed that she could play anywhere on the field. 'She's going to work her heart out out there so that we can keep the ball. Callie got nothing on her.' Larbi was impressed but not stunned. 'Asha is extremely consistent,' Larbi said. 'She's a very good player. It's not just this game. She's done well in almost every single game that we played this season. She's extremely, extremely aggressive, and it's really, really hard to get past her. 'As you can see tonight, a lot of the central attackers had a really hard time getting past her. She's just a wall, and she has the mindset that no one's going to get past her.' This mindset was even more prevalent down the stretch, when Kikama made two clean slide tackles in her box. That's a tactic rarely used at the high school level due to the risk, and Gonzalez sometimes warns her to be careful. 'But she's very confident,' Gonzalez said. 'She really reads the game well, so she's anticipating for the most part. She is never really getting stuck committing fouls. 'She plays on the edge, keeps you on the edge of the seat. But she's really good at what she does, which is anticipating and recovery.' Soccer talent runs in Kikama's family. Her father, Kividi, played at SIU-Edwardsville. Her brother Ayel, 20, played for Neuqua Valley, and her brother Aton, 16, plays club soccer. But playing great defense also requires confidence. Kikama said that comes from experience and supportive teammates. 'The bench is always cheering on everyone, and especially Chloe was telling me, 'You got it,'' Kikama said. 'Everyone is building you up together. That gives you a lot.'
Chicago Tribune
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville Central shortstop Natalie Lau's links to baseball include ‘A League of Their Own,' history behind it
Naperville Central junior shortstop Natalie Lau has a family connection to baseball history, and that person wrote a book. She isn't related to the late Charley Lau, the former Chicago White Sox hitting coach who authored 'The Art of Hitting. 300.' Natalie Lau is the great-granddaughter of Dolly Niemiec Konwinski, who was born in Chicago in 1931 and was an infielder for several teams in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 1948 until a car crash ended her playing career in 1952. Baseball and softball have been a family staple ever since. 'Softball's pretty much been through my lineage through the years,' Lau said. 'I think my grandma played a couple of years. My aunt maybe played like a year. My mom played in high school. She was an all-state first baseman in Michigan for her high school team. My brother used to play baseball, and now I'm playing softball.' Lau, a three-year varsity player, is doing it well. She's hitting .348 with six doubles, two home runs, 11 RBIs, 23 runs scored and a team-high seven stolen bases for the Redhawks (20-12, 12-3), who won a share of their first DuPage Valley Conference championship since 2015 and will play West Aurora in the Class 4A Naperville Central Regional semifinals on Wednesday. 'She's done a real nice job defensively and is hitting the ball well, runs well,' Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said. 'She really has a lot of energy in the dugout. She is one of the leaders in the dugout making noise and getting people going.' Lau said she gets that from Konwinski, who died at the age of 87 in 2018. Lau was in fifth grade at the time. 'I did get to meet her,' Lau said. 'She lived in Michigan, so when I was younger, we would go up there a lot, and we would get to see her quite often. 'But it's always been kind of hard for her and my great-grandpa to come watch me play because they have their own schedule. My travel team did get to play in Michigan last year. My great-grandma had passed, so she wasn't able to see, but my great-grandpa did.' Konwinski, who became a professional bowler, coached her son's Little League teams and umpired high school games, gave Lau valuable advice. 'She always told me to keep my head up and just try my best and always be loud, be confident and have fun with your teammates,' Lau said. 'I feel like I've taken that advice to heart a lot.' Lau's teammates agree. 'I love Natalie so much,' Naperville Central sophomore pitcher Avery Miller said. 'She's done so much for me. On the field, when something bad has happened, she always has my back. 'We love joking around together. She'll always make me laugh if I'm down. She's just a great person to be around, and I just think everyone should have their own person like that.' While the 1940s might seem like ancient history to today's teenagers, the Redhawks enjoy hearing stories about Konwinski's exploits. The AAGPBL, which was founded by former Chicago Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley in 1943 and existed until 1954, was immortalized in the 1992 movie 'A League of Their Own.' Konwinski, who wrote the book 'Summertime Dreams: Yes! Girls Can Play Baseball,' appeared as an extra and was a consultant for the film, which starred Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna. 'I think it's so cool having a teammate that's had someone that experienced that,' Miller said. 'It's just a real blast of the past. 'We usually have our conversations on the bus or in the dugout. Sometimes it'll come up, and she'll explain really cool things.' Even Nussbaum, who is in his 41st season as coach, enjoys hearing the history. He also has a family connection to the AAGPBL. 'My brother's father-in-law grew up in South Bend, and his dad used to take him to games when he was little,' Nussbaum said. 'It's a cool part of history.' For Lau, who aspires to play softball in college and study business or law, her family history is something to be treasured. 'It's a really cool, fun fact because it's something that a lot of people wouldn't know,' she said. 'It's really cool to trace the sport back through generations and generations.'
Chicago Tribune
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chasing greatness, NIU recruit Jamie Saran becomes more complete player for Naperville Central
Naperville Central senior first baseman Jamie Saran is a fearsome slugger in the eyes of opposing pitchers. There's a legitimate reason for that. The Northern Illinois recruit's 35 home runs and 204 RBIs are the program's career records. But Saran has other, often overlooked qualities, which she demonstrated when she scored from second base on a single to right field by senior Avery Hayward on Friday. 'Jamie's a really smart base runner,' Naperville Central junior Natalie Lau said. 'I know she can get the job done when we need her to.' Saran slid into home plate in a cloud of dust to give the Redhawks a 3-1 lead over DeKalb in the third inning of a DuPage Valley Conference game at Aurora University. Three innings later, Saran tried to score from first base on Lau's double to center field but was tagged out at the plate. Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said after the game he shouldn't have sent her that time. The Redhawks still won 15-5 in six innings. 'I knew there were two outs on both,' Saran said. ''Nuss' was telling me to go, and I was cutting those corners and I was just going as fast as I can to try to score.' Saran, a four-year starter who is hitting .413 with eight doubles, five home runs, 36 RBIs and 25 runs scored for conference co-leader Naperville Central (18-12, 10-3), has been emphasizing movement as she expands her repertoire of skills. 'I got more fast over the summer because I did a lot of agility training and I worked on turning fast,' she said. 'I love running drills. I do them quite often, and I'm definitely going to be doing them a lot more getting ready for college. I'm still working on it.' Those agility drills came in handy against the Barbs. In the first inning, Saran snagged a line drive and stepped on first base to double off a runner. It was the first of five putouts for Saran, who also successfully navigated a fierce wind to make a lunging catch of a pop-up in the fourth inning. Saran made another nifty play in the sixth. DeKalb's Izzy Aranda was on first after a leadoff single when she got caught off the base by Naperville Central senior catcher Meredith Cann. Saran caught Cann's pickoff throw and chased Aranda nearly all the way to second base before flipping the ball to Lau, who tagged out Aranda. 'I love making great plays and helping out my teammates,' Saran said. 'They made a lot of great plays as well today.' Saran went 1-for-3 with a walk but had two hard-hit balls turned into outs, one of which got to the right fielder so quickly that Naperville Central senior Shea Meech was forced out at second. Saran's presence in the lineup and her ability to make adjustments boosts all of the Redhawks. 'What's difficult for Jamie is not the really good pitches, it's the variance in speed,' Nussbaum said. 'You'll get somebody like (Neuqua Valley ace Ava) Drehs, who is as fast as we see, and then you'll get some people that aren't as fast, depend more on junk and get the ball over the plate. 'It's hard for high school hitters to adjust to that, and I think she's done a good job of that. She hits with power, hits the ball the other way and knows the game.' Saran also knows how to encourage her teammates. 'Jamie is one of the best teammates you could ask for,' Lau said. 'She brings a lot of positivity into the dugout. 'You know whenever you're upset about making an error or messing up, you can always go talk to Jamie, and Jamie will make you feel better about it. I aspire to be like her. So I'm definitely going to miss having Jamie in the dugout and on the field with me next year.'
