MARCH 30–APRIL 5: Junior Sam Zalak has been a key contributor on both sides of the ball for the Wildcat baseball team. The right-handed pitcher and infielder leads the team with a .385 batting average across the first six games of the season, tallying one double and driving in four runs. On the mound, Zalak boasts a team-best 2.63 ERA and threw a complete game against Geneva last Friday – the Wildcats’ most well-executed game of the season. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Carlos Allen and Lifetouch)

Senior Jessica Balmer is back! This three-time Athlete of the Week had an outstanding performances at the UEC Indoor Conference Championships. Her mental toughness and determination were on full display as she competed in both the 4×800 relay and the 1600m race, earning a second place medal with her relay team (Anahi Munoz, Sophia Garcia, and Dayra Araujo) and a third place medal in the 1600m. Balmer also achieved personal records in both events, running a strong 2:31 split in the 4×800 and a 5:33 in the 1600m. According to Coach Grauer, “Her grit and competitive spirit set her apart, proving her dedication to the sport. Jessica consistently puts in the hard work needed to succeed.” (Photo illustration created using images by Dex Vazquez and Lifetouch)

FEB. 17-23: Senior Ali Khan has been a key playmaker for the Wildcats, stepping up in the final stretch of the season. Averaging 11 points and 2 steals per game last week while shooting an impressive 60% from the field, Ali delivered a standout performance on Senior Night against Elmwood Park, leading the team with 17 points. Known for his defensive presence, Ali has been instrumental in anchoring the Wildcats’ 1-3-1 zone and making plays on both ends of the court. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Eli Sampson and Lifetouch.)

FEB. 10-16: Sophomore Olivia Ebelt has been a powerhouse for the Wildcats, leading the team with nearly 200 rebounds this season. Playing as a center, she consistently outworks taller opponents, using her hustle and determination to dominate the boards and make a crucial impact for her team. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by [Eli Sampson] and Lifetouch.)

FEB. 2-9: Although a newcomer to the WEGO coop swim team, freshman Drew Williamson is already making waves. He took fourth in the JV 50 free, dropping over 1.5 seconds, this weekend at the UEC Championship meet. He also placed second in the JV 500 free. Although Williamson had never gone under 6:00 in that event, he took off 25.61 seconds, swimming it in 5:38.01. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Emily Ziajor and Lifetouch)

JAN. 26-FEB. 1: According to Coach Miguel Silva, Pierson Foos has been an “amazing contributor” to the Varsity lineup this year at 165 pounds. On Senior Night, Foos pinned his opponent and contributed to the team victory.(Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Giselle Cortez and Lifetouch)

DEC. 29-JAN. 4: Freshman Nate Walkington has stood out that season on WEGO’s coop swim team. At the Naperville North College Events Invite, he swam a tough combination of individual events – 1000 free and 200 fly – coming close to a best time in the 200 fly. He also stepped up into the A relays and performed well in place of two sick swimmers. West Chicago took second out of five teams, narrowly losing to Marmion Academy, thanks to Walkington’s performance. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Emily Ziajor and Lifetouch)

JAN. 12-18: Sophomore wrestler Batula Nasib continues to shine as a key competitor for the Wildcats. At the Girls’ Hawk Invite, Batula placed 6th out of 32 wrestlers, an impressive accomplishment that reflects her consistency and dedication. This week, she added another victory to her season record, which now stands at 20-8. Her standout performances included a hard-fought 8-7 decision against L. Rakoci of Hoffman Estates and a win by fall in 3:45 over F. McFadden of Ridgewood. Batula’s success is a testament to her skill and determination on the mat. (Photo courtesy of Lifetouch and Giselle Cortez)

JAN. 12-18: She’s back and making history! Senior captain Brissia Bucio, already a standout this year, becomes the first Wildcat athlete to be featured twice in a single season. Competing in one of the toughest brackets at the Girls’ Hawk Invite, Brissia placed 6th among 32 elite wrestlers, including several ranked in the top 10 statewide. With a remarkable 23-4 record, she continues to lead her team by example, combining skill, tenacity, and leadership on and off the mat. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Lifetouch and Giselle Cortez)

JAN. 5–11: Varsity Cheer made history this weekend, earning 8th place at the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association (ICCA) State Championship! Competing against top teams from across Illinois, they brought energy, precision, and teamwork to the mat. Despite a few unexpected challenges, the squad remained focused and turned the experience into a memorable and successful performance. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Emily Ziajor and Assistant Coach America Arredondo; image upscaled with AI)

DEC. 1-7: Senior Varsity wrestler Ryan Alvaro placed first at the Marmion High School Invitational with a spectacular performance in the 126 lb. weight class (a continually competitive weight class) According to Coach Miguel Silva, “His performance has been a great reflection of the way Ryan has dedicated himself to this year’s program! As a coaching staff we congratulate Ryan for his efforts both on and off mat and look forward to continuing to see his progress through out the season!” (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Giselle Cortez and Lifetouch)

DEC. 1-7: Junior and girls’ wrestling captain Brissia Bucio has been a consistent force for the team this season, demonstrating dedication both on and off the mat. Known for her commitment to training and her reliability as a leader, Brissia continues to set an example for her teammates. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Giselle Cortez and Lifetouch)

NOV. 24-30: Jasmyn Trigueros has been on fire during the Wildcats’ undefeated 6-0 start to the season, averaging an incredible 24 points per game. Trigueros has already scored an impressive 1,663 career points, putting her within striking distance of joining the elite 2.5% of girls basketball players who reach 2,000 career points. Her leadership and talent are driving the team’s success. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Lifetouch)

NOV. 10-17: Senior Judah McLean showcased his talent and perseverance by qualifying for the IHSA State Cross Country competition—an honor he earned as the team’s sole representative. He placed an impressive 57th overall, capping off the season with a personal record of 14:55 and solidifying his status as one of the program’s top performers. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images from Pexels and Lifetouch)

NOV. 3-9: Senior Jessica Balmer delivered a standout performance at Sectionals, achieving a personal record of 18:35 in what coaches called “the race of her life.” As the only female runner from her team to qualify for Sectionals, Jessica’s dedication and determination led to this remarkable accomplishment. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle staff using images from Pexels and Lifetouch)

OCT. 27-NOV. 2: The WEGO Co-op Swim Team made waves this week by clinching the Upstate Eight Conference championship title. Demonstrating outstanding teamwork and skill, the entire team contributed to their historic victory. Their collective effort not only secured the conference title but also showcased their dedication to excellence in and out of the pool. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images from Emily Ziajor and Josh May)

OCT 13-19: In the Wildcats’ Homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 18, senior Ali Nasib proved once again to be a crucial player for the team. Known for his strength and versatility as both a tackle and defensive tackle, Ali consistently brings intensity to each game. Whether it’s battling in the trenches to protect his teammates or disrupting the opposition’s plays, Ali’s presence on the field is undeniable. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using image by Lifetouch)

OCT. 13-19: In the Wildcats’ Homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 18, senior Angelo Jimenez continued to play a critical role: as the anchor of the offensive line, Angelo’s leadership and ability to read the defense have been crucial for the Wildcats’ success. Throughout the season, his precision in snapping the ball and strong blocking have allowed the quarterback time to make plays and opened up running lanes for the offense. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using image by Lifetouch)

Julia Koput has had an impressive season, finishing second in the Upstate Eight Conference at No. 2 singles. She performed strongly in the conference finals, but was ultimately defeated by Glenbard East’s Claire Flanagan in a tough match, 6-4, 6-1. Koput’s performance, along with her doubles team, significantly contributed to West Chicago securing second place in the overall team standings. This junior’s season stands out due to her consistency and ability to advance deep into competitive matches, helping the Wildcats excel. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Ana Hurtado and Lifetouch)

Senior and veteran tennis player Elina Velasco has had a solid season, finishing third in the Upstate Eight Conference at No. 1 singles. Her consistent performance contributed to West Chicago’s second-place team finish overall. Velasco’s placement in such a competitive position shows her skill and determination, as No. 1 singles players typically face the toughest opponents in every match. Despite facing strong competition, she was able to secure valuable points for her team, helping them succeed as a group throughout the season. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Ana Hurtado and Lifetouch)

SEPT. 29-OCT. 5: Senior Robert Lee delivered another standout performance against Elmwood Park on Oct. 4, amassing 217 rushing yards and three touchdowns while averaging 9.0 yards per carry for West Chicago. This continues his impressive streak, as it’s the third consecutive game in which he’s rushed for over 108 yards, extending back to last season. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using image by Lifetouch)

SEPT. 29-OCT. 5: Senior Tommy Doyle contributed significantly to the Wildcats’ road victory over Elmwood Park, according to Coach Adam Chavez. Doyle racked up 133 yards on just 6 carries and scored two touchdowns. (Photo illustration by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using image by Lifetouch)

SEPT. 22-28: In the volleyball team’s winning match on Sept. 19 against St. Charles East, junior Taylor Frake led the offense with an impressive 12 kills on 29 attempts and 0 errors. Additionally, she contributed greatly to defense with 9 digs. This past week, she was once again a contributing factor of the team’s offense leading the Wildcats to a conference win on Sept. 23 against Fenton with 5 kills and pushing the team forward with 4 kills in a competitive match versus Geneva. According to Coach Bell, “Taylor is both a physical and emotional leader for us on the court; she has stepped into a large leadership role this year as a junior and has gladly accepted the challenge. She is a fierce competitor and we cannot wait to see how she continues to push both herself and her teammates to grow throughout the rest of our season.” (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Chris Pena and Lifetouch)

SEPT 22-28: Senior Mia Marin is the Chronicle’s first ever two-time Athlete of the Week honoree. She had a season best time in the 100 breastroke at the prelims meet on Friday, Sept. 27. She qualified both the 200 IM and the 100 breast for finals, and finished 5th and 7th respectively. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Nancy Sanchez and Lifetouch.

SEPT. 15-21: Not only does junior Jayna Vock work hard during practice, but she also takes time outside of practice to work on her golf skills. Jayna has placed top 4 in every conference match this season, and in the Sept. 18 match against Glenbard East, she placed second. According to Coach Brittany Abdishi, “We have conference and regionals coming up and I am looking forward to seeing how successful she is in those matches!” (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images from Lifetouch and Kindel Media via Pexels)

SEPT. 8-14: Junior Danny Duran “already one of our top varsity runners,” according to Coach Dave Sayner. This first time cross country runner has an impressive sub-5-minute mile, clocking in at 4:47.44, which will help him in the long-distance runs this season.

SEPT. 8-14: Junior Jacob Hayward is one of the cross country team captains, and his coaches describe him as having “a great work ethic and leadership skills.” Hayward is a standout in the 3-mile run.

SEPT. 1-7: Senior Nick Temes is our choice for Athlete of the Week. This Varsity golfer, who also doubles as a Chronicle reporter, has been the team’s leading scorer this season. With three back-to-back golf meets this past week, Temes demonstrated his skill on the course, and according to Coach Joe McCollum, is highly deserving of the honor. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images from Lifetouch and Kindel Media via Pexels)

Aug. 25-31: Senior Pedro Nicoski-Rios is the Chronicle’s first pick of the season for the distinction of Athlete of the Week. According to Coach Dorian Carrasco, Nicoski-Rios was instrumental in the guiding the soccer team in its home opener against Benet Academy on Aug. 29. He truly commanded the back line, Carrasco said, and is well-deserving of the honor. (Photo illustration created by Wildcat Chronicle Staff using images by Lifetouch and Chris Pena)