Every fall is a new beginning. With a new school year starting, fall sports are back into full swing. Football, soccer, volleyball, tennis, cross country, cheer, and golf. SHS has some exceptional athletes and we are excited to see how they perform this upcoming fall. So far this season these athletes are standing out from the crowd.
Football player and senior Andre Klaver, running back and linebacker, is having a great season so far. He has completed three rushing touchdowns this season and two receiving touchdowns. This is Klaver’s first year back and healthy after being out for an injury his junior year.
Sophomore Ryan Gebhardt is having an exceptional season. He is only a sophomore and is kicking for varsity for his second year in a row on the football team. Ryan also plays on the varsity soccer team. Ryan made a 47-yard field goal against Galesburg, and went 3/3 on field goals against United Township and tied the school record.
In the game against Geneseo, senior Kendric Muhammad and Sophomore Wyatt Cassens combined for a total of 11.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. Junior Joseph Holcomb brought the winning score to 13-3 with his 99 yard touchdown, tying the school record.
The S.H.S. cross country team has some outstanding athletes. Senior Dale Johnson, a 2022 second place IHSA state runner, ran his lifetime personal record of 14.28.1 at the First to the Finish Invitational in Peoria.
Johnson said, “I most enjoy the days when I am out on a run and get into the zone where I feel I am in full control.”
Senior Rhylee Wade and sophomore Delia Block are key members of the girls cross country team. Wade ran her season personal record of 19.14 at the Twin City meet against Rock Falls. Block, another 2022 IHSA state cross country runner, ran hers coming to a time of 19.47.9 at the Peoria High School Invitational. Block says her proudest moment so far “was making it to state as a freshman.” Wade says her proudest moment was “when we won back the Twin Cities plaque last year.”
S.H.S. athletes have big goals and we are all excited to see how they progress and perform this fall.