Top Kane County Sports Stories of 2020

It was a year like no other in high school sports with the COVID-19 pandemic postponing some sports seasons and canceling others.

There also were outstanding performances by local athletes.

Kane County Chronicle sports reporter Jacob Bartelson highlights the top high school sports stories of 2020.

5. High school athletes lead Black Lives Matter and Let Us Play rallies

This year showcased, perhaps more than ever, the power and voices that athletes have beyond whatever sport they play. Hundreds of high school athletes used platforms to organize, advocate and participate directly in issues they were passionate about.

During the summer, many current and former high school athletes attended rallies advocating for racial equality and anti-police brutality.

A few months later, several athletes organized in an attempt to appeal to Illinois politicians and the Illinois High School Association to resume high school sports seasons. Football was in the spotlight, with rallies taking place in the Chicago area and Springfield.

4. Batavia’s Katrina Schlenker enjoys stellar cross country season

Batavia junior Katrina Schlenker is a household name among the top runners in the state. She added to her accolades this fall. Schlenker, running with a heavy heart after the tragic passing of her aunt, won the Class 3A sectional championship in 17 minutes, 5.64 seconds.

Schlenker was named the Kane County Chronicle Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

“Running isn’t just [about] running. It’s other things as well,” Schlenker said. “It’s a team sport. It’s different for everyone and there’s a meaning behind running for everyone. Personally, I run with more of my heart when I’m out there. That was a huge part of my season was running with my heart and running for everyone else’s hearts in my family.”

3. The Battle for St. Charles in boys basketball

The St. Charles tug-of-war was one of the most intriguing developments of the boys basketball season.

St. Charles East enjoyed a 10-game winning streak in the regular season, won 23 games and earned a share of the DuKane Conference championship with St. Charles North.

Two of St. Charles East’s losses came at the hand of the North Stars.

St. Charles North, fresh off winning its first regional title in 10 years in 2019, returned an experienced starting lineup. The North Stars earned a share of the conference title and defeated St. Charles East for a third time to win another regional title.

The North Stars defeated Hononegah in the Class 4A sectional semifinals before their historic run was heartbreakingly canceled because of the pandemic. St. Charles North finished with 24 wins, the program’s best-ever season.

One will never know what was to come in the sectional final, but hats off to the St. Charles North program for all it accomplished.

2. Plenty of standouts at St. Charles East

It’s hard to ignore how successful the Saints were across the board.

In February, the boys bowling team struck for its first state championship. Senior Tyler Johnson rolled a 2,677 series, which tied for fifth among individuals.

Emaira Saini, the Kane County Chronicle Girls Tennis Player of the Year, won a singles sectional championship this year and finished with a career record of 110-31. Saini helped lead the Saints to their second consecutive sectional title. She also finished second in the DuKane Conference at No. 1 singles.

Kane County Chronicle Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year Luke Schildmeyer won the DuKane Conference meet with a record time of 14:33. He followed with second-place finishes at the regional and sectional before prevailing in the third division of the ShaZam Cross Country unofficial state meet after the IHSA state meet was canceled because of the pandemic.

Senior Jake Daeschler was chosen as Kane County Chronicle Boys Golfer of the Year for the second consecutive year.

1. Some sports were played.

Let’s be honest. This year has been extremely trying and difficult.

While there are differing beliefs on what sports can or should be resumed and when they should play, let’s celebrate that high school cross country, golf, swimming and tennis teams were able to compete despite strict safety guidelines. Athletes, coaches, school administrators and families deserve to be commended for their roles in getting through their respective seasons.

A hearty congratulations and job well done for all involved. No matter if one was a sectional champion or competing on the varsity level for the first time, all athletic achievements this year are impressive.