SPORTS HEADLINES

  • STATE CHAMPIONS! Coal City won the Class 1A state dual team wrestling title Saturday, March 1, defeating Vandalia 32-25 at Grossinger Auto Arena in Bloomington, capping off a 33-7 season. Team members include (kneeling, from left) Jake Munsterman, Jason Piatak, Dom Grassity, Owen Petersen, Culan Lindemuth, Cooper Morris, Luke Munsterman, Brody Widlowski, Bobby Rodriguez, Aidan Kenney, Jaela Vasquez and Addison Harvey. Standing are coaches Joe Widlowski, Zach Berman, Joe Breneman and Jim Looper plus wrestlers Evan Greggain, Mason Garner, Trace Wilson, Landin Benson, John Keigher, Alec Waliczek, Cade Poyner, Noah Houston, Brody D'Orazio, Brock Finch, Alex Carlson and coaches Nick O'Bert, Bob McGuinn and head coach Mark Masters.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

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    COAL CITY COACHES Mark Masters (right) and Jim Looper point out a near pin during the state championship match on Saturday.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Coalers reign over the state
    03/05/2025 - 11:27am

  • FOURTH IN STATE—Coaler Aidan Kenney went 3-2 during the IHSA state individual finals to earn fourth place at 144 pounds.
    Photo by Kelly Van Duyne

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    COAL CITY SENIOR John Keigher opened the state tournament with back to back wins at 215 pounds. He finished in fifth place.

    Seven state medals for the Coalers
    02/25/2025 - 3:54pm
  • Eight still in hunt for state medals
    02/22/2025 - 12:14pm
  • Six of 19 area wrestlers win their prelim
    02/21/2025 - 8:41am

  • COAL CITY’s Brody Widlowski (right) won a 4-1 decision over Reed-Custer’s Jeremy Eggleston to become a three-time state qualifier on Saturday. Widlowski has a perfect 24-0 record as he enters the state finals on Thursday.
    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Coalers rule sectional with 13 state qualifiers
    02/18/2025 - 4:22pm

  • COAL CITY HIGH SCHOOLl and Hall of Fame wrestling coach Mark Masters achieved his 500th career dual team coaching win on Friday, Jan. 31. The Coalers hosted Prairie Central and Pontiac in a wrestling doubleheader that evening and won both contests. Masters and the Coalers enter state series action Saturday with the IHSA Regional at Herscher.

    500 wins and counting
    02/04/2025 - 4:03pm
  • KofC Youth free throw contest to be held Jan. 25
    01/21/2025 - 4:24pm

  • Todd Lockwood (standing, second from left) was inducted into the Illinois Track Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan 11. Standing by his side while receiving the award was his family: wife Ruth, sons Brett (left) and Drew, and grandchildren Audrey (left) and Harper.

    Wilmington gains another Hall of Fame coach
    01/14/2025 - 4:18pm

  • WILMINGTON JUNIOR Ryan Kettman slips away for a touchdown against DuPec during Saturday’s playoff game on the road. Kettman rushed for a total of 160 yards, scored two touchdowns and made two interceptions in a 22-13 victory.
    Photo by Alyssa Ohlund

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    WILDCAT SOPHOMORE Declan Moran is about to tackle DuPec quarterback Cooper Hoffman for a loss during Saturday’s game. Moran and the Wildcats pressured Hoffman all game including this stopper which had Moran getting up punching air.

    Injury doesn’t stop the ‘Cats
    11/19/2024 - 4:28pm

  • CHARGED UP COALERS—The Coal City football team came out fired up Saturday and took care of business on their home turf, beating Dixon 20-13 to advance to the Final Four teams in the 4A playoffs. Doing his best to electrify Emmett Easton (12) during the Coal City team intro is Coaler super dad Bill Waliczak who is waving the Coaler flag. Coal City gets to come onto the home field one more time, this Saturday at 1 p.m. when they will host Chicago DePaul for the state semifinal.
    Photo by Amy Walker

    Coalers hosting with state berth on line
    11/19/2024 - 4:25pm

  • DIVING FORWARD after making one of his three catches on Saturday is Coaler Gabe McHugh. Coal City advances to the quarterfinal round on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they will host Dixon.
    Photo by Amy Walker

    Coalers set to 'duke' it out with Dixon
    11/12/2024 - 4:14pm

  • THE LADY WILDCATS celebrate a hard-earned point and hopefully there will be a lot more celebration on Thursday at 5:30 when they play for the Sectional Championship in Manteno. Players include (from left) Rachel Smith, Skylar Knight, Molly Southall, Maggie Lindsey and Reese Van Duyne.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Let's go Lady Cats! Sectional championship game next
    11/06/2024 - 2:46pm
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    Two local teams to play for volleyball regional championships
    10/30/2024 - 12:10pm

  • THE LADYCATS are conference champs with an overall record of 14-0. Players include (front, from left) Addison Billingsley, Reese Van Duyne, Skylar Knight and Sami Liaromatis. Back row: Maggie Lindsey, Aly Allgood, Taylor Stefancic, Molly Southall, Makenzie Rodriguez, Coach Kelly Van Duyne, Cole Drown, Rachel Smith, Melia Hincherick, Aubrey Strong.

    Courtesy photo

    Lady ‘Cat champs ready for the playoffs
    10/27/2024 - 2:33pm
  • Coaler soccer team to play for regional championship
    10/20/2024 - 12:50pm

Wilmington Region

FINAL FORUM—Ralph “Tuffy” Stevens (right), moderator, asks a question from the three candidates running for mayor in the April 1 consolidated election during a public forum held on Monday. Candidates are (seated, from left) Jayson Walinski, Roy Strong and incumbent Ben Dietz.

Photo by Eric Fisher

03/25/2025 - 3:35pm
Mayoral candidates make final plea to a full house
With one week to go in the election to decide who will serve as Wilmington’s mayor the next four years, the three candidates—incumbent Ben Dietz, former mayor Roy Strong and former building inspector Jayson Walinski—took the stage at Tuffy’s Lounge...
Excitement building over ‘Spring into Wilmington’ event
Candidates share why they want your vote
Midewin loses 12 staffers, USDA blames Biden administration
Diocese of Joliet announces closings, mergers for area Catholic churches
New office suites for rent on Water Street

Coal City Region

Zach Berman, a three-year assistant wrestling coach for the Coalers, has been selected by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association as the 2025 1A Assistant Coach of the Year.

03/25/2025 - 4:04pm
Coaler assistant wrestling coach, athletic director to be honored
The Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association [IWCOA] annually recognizes outstanding individuals in the sport of wrestling, and those who work behind the scenes to support the athletes and coaches. It was recently announced by the IWCOA...
Goodwill opens local donation center
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd
Coal City wrestlers to battle for state title
Here's the scoop...Culver's coming
Board votes to repair Intermediate School

Braidwood Region

03/25/2025 - 3:45pm
Date set for Easter egg hunr
The Braidwood Park District’s annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday, April 12, beginning at 1 p.m. at Old Smokey City Park. Age groups and locations are as follows: 1-3 years-old: Tee-Ball Field Parents/Guardians may walk with...
$40 million data center proposed in Braidwood
Mayoral candidates out to win your vote
Water, sewer rates don’t differ significantly among area towns
Thrill of racing sends Coal City trustee to Florida
Say yes to a $5 prom dress

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