Willowbrook Athletics names February Anyway’s Athletes of the Month

Willowbrook Athletics is proud to share sophomore Angie Manlapaz and junior Elizabeth (Liz) Pettinger have been named as the Anyway’s Athletes of the Month for February.

Name: Angie Manlapaz

Sport: Girls Wrestling

February successes: Throughout her wrestling career at Willowbrook, Manlapaz has demonstrated extraordinary resilience and leadership. Since her freshman year, Manlapaz has been a team player in the truest sense, frequently competing two weight classes above her own to ensure the team had a complete lineup. Her journey this season was particularly challenging; a hand injury sidelined her until January, leaving her with very little time to prepare for the postseason.

Despite the setback, Manlapaz’s determination never wavered. In February, she entered the Regional Tournament as the third seed (with a record of 11-2) and proceeded to make school history as Willowbrook's first Girls Wrestling Regional Champion. She then continued her historic run by becoming Willowbrook’s first qualifier in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls Wrestling State Tournament. This season, the Willowbrook Girls Wrestling Team had top-5 finishes at all major tournaments and tied for 3^rd place in the West Suburban Conference, due in part to Manlapaz’s efforts.

 Name: Elizabeth (Liz) Pettinger

Sport: Girls Bowling

February successes: Pettinger put together a phenomenal month on the lanes in February, establishing herself as one of the top bowlers in the West Suburban Conference. In a competitive field of eight teams, Pettinger finished the conference season ranked 5^th individually, with an impressive 175 average. At the conference Headpin Tournament, she claimed the top overall score (with a 1,277 series – averaging 213 a game).

Pettinger then earned a 4^th-place finish at Regionals, with a 1,094 series. She again placed 4^th at Sectionals, with an improved 1,130 series. Those successes led Pettinger to qualify for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls Bowling State Tournament and have been a driving force for the Willowbrook Girls Bowling Team, which celebrated a 3^rd-place Regional finish and a Sectional qualification this season.

*This monthly recognition honors Willowbrook student-athletes and is sponsored by Anyway’s (www.anywayspub.com/oakbrook-terrace/). Recipients are presented with a plaque and a $25 gift certificate to Anyway’s.