Today, I am going to be counting down my top ten picks of some of the best plays and moments from the world of Sterling High School sports across the past year. With all of the great moments that happened this year, it was very hard to pick just ten, so if anything was left out or you would switch the order you are free to email me your thoughts.

  Coming in at number ten are the videoboards finishing touches added and finalized. With already a great football facility, the school then turned to the historic fieldhouse as their next target. With the video board being put in, it officially put the S.H.S. Fieldhouse on the elite stage of high school facilities in the state.

  At number nine I have the turf installment for the baseball and softball diamonds. Similar to the jumbotron upgrades, the high school has made a priority of renovating our sports facilities. This will be another huge upgrade. It is monumental for not only the baseball and softball programs, but for the high school as a whole.

  Number eight is the softball team’s run in the 2021-22 season. Going into that season there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the loss of their seniors. Senior Ellie Leigh stressed that the underclassman played critical roles in the team’s success. 

  Leigh stated, “The season was different from last year, we had to rebuild the team after the seniors left. Many freshmen were on the varsity team filling those spots. They did a good job throughout the season.” 

  The Golden Warriors did not disappoint. They made it all the way to sectionals, unfortunately falling to Kaneland.

  For number seven I have J.P. Schilling’s acrobatic layup towards the end of the 2021-22 season against Rock Falls. In a close match against Rock Falls, Schilling rushed up the floor and made an amazing scoop layup. 

“Before it I was just thinking about going down and scoring since we had an advantage,” Schilling said. “I wasn’t thinking much during but after I knew we had to get a stop since we were only up one possession.”

  Transitioning into number six, I have Kael Ryan’s sideline run against St. Viator. Late in the game Ryan rushed the defense and with the defender on his side powered through and made it to the end zone for a touchdown. It was determination on full display.

  At number five, I have Garrett Polson’s Grand Slam against Rock Falls. In a back and forth battle, Polson stepped up to the plate and put the game on ice with a blast that easily cleared the right field fence. Garrett said keeping it simple was his approach in the at bat, “I was just trying to get a pitch I could hit hard and far.”

  For number four, I have Madison Austin’s run for state. After a record-breaking season Austin punched her ticket to the state finals for girls swim. She placed well, winning the title of 18th.

  Now moving on to number three we have Dale Johnson making it to the state finals for cross country. Johnson had been working tirelessly in all conditions rain, shine, even snow. The reward was well worth all the hard work, and he would tell you that first hand, as he got second in state.

 For number two on the Golden Warrior moment of 2022, is Mikah Hernandez’s perfect 300 bowling game. Hernandez’s perfect game was the first in Sterling High School history. Hernandez has been on the bowling team for the past two years now.

Finally, the top moment on my list goes to Alice Sotelo winning state in the triple jump. Alice was truly in a league of her own the entire season and represented S.H.S. and the city of Sterling with pride. It is almost a no-brainer to have her on the top of this list.

It was hard to choose just these ten, because there is no shortage of great moments from the past year. Everybody should be excited for what 2023 has to offer in all sports and congratulations to all athletes on a good 2022 high school sports season.