In competitive sports, the aim is directed to champions, championships, and victors. Triumph is the goal.
Among the many high-quality sports elements these days are North Central College football, West Aurora High School Hall of Fame three inductees January 7, 2023, and the Chicago Steel ice hockey team in Geneva, which leads the United States Hockey League (USHL) with a 16-5 won-loss record through December 10.
• North Central College, in Naperville, defending Division III national champion, will play for the 2022 national championship in Annapolis, Md. at the Naval Academy against traditional power, University of Mount Union, Ohio, 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16. The game will be on Naperville radio station, WONC, 89.1-FM, and on television, ESPNU. The Cardinals won their semifinal game at home Saturday, Dec. 10, 49-14, against visiting Mary Hardin-Baylor, from Texas. The Cardinals have continually built up sustaining powerful teams the last 15 to 20 years. Part of the product is players from the greater Chicago area. Page 1 photo this week shows Joe Sacco from St. Edward High School and Bartlett, and page 8 photo shows Ethan Greenfield from Lakes High School. Photographer Steve Groth was on the sidelines December 10 and turned in photos. He said, “I really enjoyed…this game. Ethan Greenfield and DeAngelo Hardy (from Lakes) were incredible.” The North Central defense was more than solid. Some other top players: Defensive back Antwain Walker, Oswego East High School, and Tanner Rains, kicker, Plainfield Central High School, both first-team all region; Sam Pryor, sophomore offensive guard from Sugar Grove, and Kaneland High School was second team all-region. North Central Friday, Dec. 16 game will be in the Amos Alanzo Stagg Bowl The name is fitting because Amos Alonzo Stagg was a champion of academics and football. He was the head football coach at the University of Chicago (1892-1932), when the school was in the forerunner of and in the Big Ten (nine teams) Conference.
• West Aurora HOF selection ceremony, January 7, 2023 at the School will be for the trio of, Mario Clark, basketball 1990; Tim Griffin, football, 1981; and Matt McKee, volleyball, 2005. Festivities will begin at 2 p.m. with a free reception in the fieldhouse and induction will be at approximately 4:15 p.m. between boys and girls games of East Aurora at West Aurora in the gym.
• The Chicago Steel has been successful for many years. This season the team, in 21 games had scored 34 points. The team offers competitive young players on their way up, many to the National Hockey League.
• The Oswego High School girls bowling team continues competitive play in victory over rival Oswego East and qualified for the Gold Division in the prestigious Strikefest in Plainfield.