As spring comes around, it’s time to look back on the successes of the winter sports at Normal West.

Girls basketball had a  successful year.  They didn’t end up with the regional title like they planned, but it was still a very exciting year.  They ended up with a record of 16-8.  It was the final year of Tia Robertson’s high school career.  When asked what she enjoyed most about high school basketball she said, “Definitely getting to play with some of my best friends.  These girls will always be a special part of my life and I will always remember the memories that we shared.”

The boys basketball season ended in regionals against a very talented Danville team.  They showed how much heart the team had in that last game by almost overcoming a 20 point deficit and cutting the Danville lead to three.  Although they couldn’t finish off the comeback, senior Zach Breen still thinks that it was a very good year.  He said, “Even though our record was only 9-18, we still consider it a very good year.  Nobody expected much from us because we lost so much from last year.  We overachieved for sure.”

Wrestling had one of the most successful and historic years in Normal West history.  They sent three wrestlers to the state meet Champaign.  Those wrestlers are Luke Nohns (12), Kyrin Tucker (12), and Michael Triplett (12).  The reason that it was such a historic year is because Luke Nohns is the first wrestler from Normal West to ever place in the state tournament.  Luke received fifth place.  When asked how the season went, Michael Triplett said, “Overall it was a very good year for us.  I knew we had a chance for a couple guys to go to State, but we had to work for it really hard.  We were all happy with sending three of our teammates, including myself, to State.”

Boys swimming had by far the best and most successful year in the history of the school.  They scored a point at state for the first time.  The team had five all-state swimmers including Justin deDianous, Tyler deDianous, Austin Hartke, Kyle Kiper, and Andrew Loy.  Justin deDianous placed the highest; getting third place in the 100 yard fly.  Tyler deDianous received eighth in 100 yard free and in the 50 yard free.  When asked about the season, sophomore Austin Hartke said, “We had a great team because we won intercity and eventually went all the way to State.  We had such a fun year.”

The winter sports were all very successful in their own individual ways.  2013-2014 will always be remembered as year that winter sports thrived at Normal West.

Tyler deDianous taking anchor in the 200 yard Freestyle Relay