News for Wildcats, by Wildcats.

The Paw Print
News for Wildcats, by Wildcats.

The Paw Print
News for Wildcats, by Wildcats.

The Paw Print
All content by Andy Voorheis Photography
Seniors Nolan Lampert and Mike Zaleski are having a strong season. In the second year of taking over the program, Coach Drew Emerick continues to build team culture.

[Photo] Boys tennis team making strides ahead of senior night

Owen Voorheis, Contributing Writer
May 6, 2025
Wildcat baseball, sitting at 16-9 overall, will travel to Peoria Notre Dame on Wednesday, May 7. The Wildcats have had a strong season with their senior leadership as well as key performances from standout sophomore, Chase Reinhart.

[Photo] Veteran baseball team looks to complete ‘The Last Dance’ with postseason success

Owen Voorheis and Gilberto Cornejo
May 6, 2025
Senior Ben Stackhouse, a member of the Normal West varsity baseball team, has enjoyed his four years in the baseball program at Normal West, and although he stuck by his alma mater, a current bill could potentially threaten the school pride that many high school athletes find in their schools. House Bill 473 and the "Right to Play" Act both could bring major changes to Illinois Sports.

[Photo] 2 new bills threaten change to Illinois sports

Hunter Reid and Ben Stackhouse
May 1, 2025
Senior AJ Austin has begun the 2025 season in an impressive way, breaking a school record in long jump. Austin, along with his teammates, has raced their way into a 12th place-ranking in IHSA standings.

[Photo] Normal West Boys Track starts the season strong with four broken school records

Jack Hanks, Contributing Writer
March 9, 2025
The Wildcats, led by Senior Dajeana Smith and Sophomore, Avery Dodge (above) are looking to make waves and break a five-year losing streak against a tough Ironman squad. Tip off is at 7:30 pm tonight (February 6) at Normal Community High School.

[Photo] Wildcats look to end five-year losing streak against tough Ironman team

Owen Voorheis, Contributing Writer
February 6, 2025
Senior Mike Zaleski looks to repeat his performance in the previous Wildcat vs. Ironman matchup, where he had 31 points.

[Photo] Cats take 3rd in Intercity tournament to open ’24 season

Hunter Reid and Jack Hanks
December 4, 2024
Junior, Maliq Givens has been a key player for the Wildcats all season. It is no surprise, then, that he came up huge in round one of this year's IHSA state playoffs. Givens and company take on powerhouse, East St. Louis, on Saturday, November 9 at 2 p.m. in East St. Louis.

[Photo] A six-game winning streak prepares Wildcats for round 2 of IHSA playoffs against 6A giant, East St. Louis

Ben Stackhouse, Contributing Writer
November 7, 2024
Junior standout Olivia Zeimer had a big game to help boost the Wildcats into the sectional championship on Thursday, November 7. The Cats take on O'Fallon High School at 6 pm at Normal West.

[Photo] Wildcats claw their way into the sectional championship with big win against rival, NCHS

Hunter Reid and Jack Hanks
November 6, 2024
The Wildcats are getting set for the 2024 IHSA state playoffs where they will take on Simeon High School at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 2. Above, senior Cooper Temples & Junior Maliq Givens head towards another Wildcat touchdown. Muhlbauer and Givens have been key to the Wildcat success thus far, and Coach Fincham looks to them to continue their young leadership into a postseason run.

[Photo] Wildcats ‘flip the switch’ as they head into 2024 IHSA state playoffs

Ben Stackhouse
November 1, 2024
The Normal West Wildcats have had a stellar regular season, ending with a 32-3 record. They begin postseason play at 6 p.m. at Rock Island High School tomorrow, October. They will take on East Moline (United).

[Photo] The ‘cohesive’ Cats look to march on to the postseason

Hunter Reid and Jack Hanks
October 28, 2024
Coach Nate Fincham, along with senior captains, Kyle Thoennes, Charlie Moore, Abram Rader, and Cooper Temples head into the captain's meeting prior to the game against Peoria High School last Friday. The Wildcats went on to pull of a huge upset, beating Peoria, who was ranked 6th in class 5A at the time of their meeting, with a score of 20-18

[Photo] Building off of a homecoming-game win, the Wildcats look forward to Waubonsie High

Owen Voorheis, Ben Stackhouse, and Hunter Reid
October 4, 2024
Senior Meredith Bertsche had a big game against Urbana to round out the regular season of play. Bertsche and crew head to Pekin for the first round of regionals tonight, where they will take on Normal Community.

[Photo] Lady ‘Cats’ head Into 2024 Regionals after a win against Urbana

Zeke Waters, Contributing Writer
February 12, 2024
Freshman Journey Johnson goes up for a block during last Thursday's matchup with Normal Community.

[Photo] Young Lady Wildcat team endures tough week but continues to look forward

Ezekial Waters, Contributing Writer
January 23, 2024
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