Willowbrook student-athletes represent Warrior Pride during winter sports season

Pictured above is Willowbrook Athletic Director Brandon Murphy.

It was a tremendous winter sports season at Willowbrook, and the Warriors continued to improve all season long and demonstrated what being a student-athlete at Willowbrook is all about. They left their mark on the school and community this winter, as they competed with pride. Thank you to all of the programs for leaving a legacy of excellence for future seasons to follow. See a recap with highlights below.

Boys Basketball

The Boys Basketball Team finished with a 20-win season and an overall record of 20-10. The Warriors had an impressive 16-1 stretch in the middle of the season. The team finished in 2nd place at the Saint Charles East Thanksgiving Tournament, and in 1st place at the Lake Zurich Invitational. The Warriors finished as Conference Champions. Some of the outstanding honors earned by the players include:

  • All-Conference: Junior Noah Campbell, senior Marquel Saleek and senior Terrell Walker
  • All-Academic: Seniors Ryan Pegler, Marquel Saleek, Alex Simmons and Terrell Walker
  • Daily Herald All-Area Team: Senior Marquel Saleek
  • Daily Herald All-Area Honorable Mention: Junior Noah Campbell
  • Suburban Life All-Area Team: Senior Marquel Saleek
  • Suburban Life Athlete of the Week: Senior Marquel Saleek
  • Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Sectional three-point competition: Senior Evan Stubblefield
  • Illinois Basketball Coaches Association 3rd Team All-State: Senior Marquel Saleek

Girls Basketball

The Girls Basketball Team finished with another 20-win season and an overall record of 22-6.  The Warriors had a great 8-point victory over Montini Catholic to help secure the Willowbrook Lady Warrior Thanksgiving Invitational Championship. The Warriors were a perfect 12-0 in Conference, earning the Conference Championship. The Warriors were led by captains senior Sophie Sullivan and sophomore Elle Bruschuk. Some of the outstanding honors earned by the players include:

  • All-Conference: Sophomore Elle Bruschuk, sophomore Calli Kenny, freshman Hannah Kenny and senior Sophie Sullivan
  • All-Academic: Seniors Elizabeth Garcia and Sophie Sullivan
  • Daily Herald All-Area Team: Senior Sophie Sullivan
  • Daily Herald All-Area Honorable Mention: Sophomore Elle Bruschuk
  • Suburban Life All-Area Team: Senior Sophie Sullivan
  • Suburban Life All-Area Honorable Mention: Sophomore Calli Kenny
  • Suburban Life Athlete of the Week: Senior Sophie Sullivan and sophomore Calli Kenny
  • Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Sectional three-point competition: Senior Sophie Sullivan
  • Illinois Basketball Coaches Association 3rd Team All-State: Senior Sophie Sullivan
  • Senior Sophie Sullivan also signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Girls Bowling

The Willowbrook Girls Bowling Team continued to show why it’s one of the best teams in the area under head coach Kevin Allen. The Warriors finished with a 6-2 record in Conference and a 9-2 overall record on the season. The team placed 3rd at the Hinsdale South Invite, 2nd at the Leyden Invitational and 3rd at the John Ryan Conference Invite. The Warriors finished 3rd in Conference. At the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regionals, the Warriors finished in 3rd place, qualifying the entire team to the IHSA Sectionals. The Warriors finished in 6th place at Sectionals, just missing qualifying as a team to the IHSA State Tournament. Sophomore Jacquelyn Porro qualified for the IHSA State Tournament, finishing her season in the top 50 bowlers in the state. All-Conference honors were awarded to senior Megan Beausoleil and sophomore Jacquelyn Porro. Seniors named to the All-Academic Team are Megan Beausoleil, Amia Jackson and Molly Williams. 

Cheerleading

The Willowbrook Cheer Team continued to impress all season long under head coach Gabby Horabik. The team earned a trophy, finishing in 2nd place at the Joliet West Invitational. The Warriors were led by senior captains Julia Jarosz, Ana Stevanovic and Joelle Tatone. Seniors named to the All-Academic Team are Teagan Ferris, Julia Jarosz, Madison Orlowski, Ana Stevanovic, Joelle Tatone and Madelyn Wrenn. The future looks bright for the Warrior Cheer squad, as the junior varsity team finished in 1st place at the Conference Championships and earned 3rd place at the Huntley High School Sweetheart Cheerleading Invitational.

Girls Gymnastics 

Coach Andy Isaacson led the Girls Gymnastics Team to one of the most successful seasons in school history. This year's captains were senior Bella Naumovsky, senior Tess Placek and junior Sarah Ball. The team finished with a 4-1 record in Conference and an overall record of 6-2. The Warriors finished in 2nd place in Conference and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regionals. The gymnasts had a season-high team score of 138.95 and qualified to the IHSA Sectionals as a team for the first time since 1993. The Girls Gymnastics Team looks to build right off this season's success. The junior varsity team finished with a perfect 7-1 record and a 1st-place finish in the Conference Championships. Individual honors earned include:

  • All-Conference: Senior Bella Naumovsky, senior Tess Placek and junior Sarah Ball
  • All-Academic: Seniors Irene Gonzalez-Etayo, Bella Naumovsky and Tess Placek
  • IHSA Regional Champion: Senior Bella Naumovsky (Balance Beam, Uneven Bars and All-Around)
  • IHSA State Qualifier: Senior Bella Naumovsky (Vault, Balance Beam, Uneven Bars and All-Around)
  • Suburban Life Athlete of the Week: Senior Bella Naumovsky
  • Bella Naumovsky was a finalist for IHSA Senior Gymnast of the Year
  • Coach Andy Isaacson was a finalist for IHSA Coach of the Year

Poms/ Dance

The Poms Team continued its tradition of being one of the best teams in the state. This year's group left its legacy for future teams to follow. The Warriors were led by new coaches Emily Isaacson, Maddie Schulte and Claire Creighton. The dance team earned multiple trophies this season, with a 3rd-place finish at the Andrew Invitational and a 1st-place finish at the Lockport Invitational. The Warriors capped off their season by qualifying for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Competitive Dance State Final and earning a 9th-place finish. Seniors named to the All-Academic Team are Nicolette Bernardi, Ava Cappitelli, Katie Corsini, Sabrina Corso, Olivia Ehrhardt and Daniella Irion.

Addison Trail- Willowbrook Boys Swimming and Diving

The AT-WB Boys Swimming and Diving Team was led by new head coach Jen Burns. The AT-WB group had a great season, with a 3rd-place finish in Conference. The swimmers dropped major time throughout the season, which led to a 5th-place finish at the Shepard Invite and a 5th-place finish at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Sectionals. All of the hard work paid off at the end of the season during the Conference meet. All-Conference honors were earned by sophomore James Burns, junior Alexander Dean and sophomore Jason Hasler. The Warriors will return all three of the All-Conference swimmers to the team next year.

Wrestling

Led by senior captains Nick Mabutas and Charlie May, the Warriors finished the season with an overall record of 10-10. The Warriors battled to a 4th-place finish in Conference. The wrestlers continued to improve all season under head coach Tim Ortiz and ended the season with a 6th-place finish at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Regionals. The Warriors had three wrestlers qualify for the IHSA Sectional Tournament – junior Chris Giroux, senior Nick Mabutas and junior Isaiah Smith. All-Conference honors were awarded to sophomore Noah Brockie, junior Chris Giroux, senior Darren Jackowiak, senior Nick Mabutas, senior Charlie May, junior Elijah Smith and junior Isaiah Smith. Seniors named to the All-Academic Team are Jose Alcantara, Matthew Baumann, Anna Bjorklund, David Dybisz, Nick Mabutas, Charlie May, Aidan Ramos and Ali Vittorio. Senior Nick Mabutas capped off his career as an IHSA State Qualifier.

Thank you to the coaches, athletes, families and Warrior fans for a remarkable winter season. We look forward to all of the successes the spring season will bring. Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior!

* Willowbrook is part of the West Suburban Conference Gold Division.

With Warrior Pride,
Brandon Murphy
Willowbrook Athletic Director