When the IHSA mapped out the return to high school sports three months ago, six different H-F sports teams were able to compete in the fall, and The Voyager has you covered as each team has completed their regionals and sectionals.

Girls Cross Country

The 2020 girls cross country season was successful both on and off the field. Cross Country has been an outlet to most runners during the pandemic, and it showed. The team won one meet in the regular season and took fourth place in the Blue Division at the IHSA Conference Championship on Oct. 17.

Sophomore Caroline Schoen placed third overall with a personal record of 17:43 at conference. freshman Grace Mullin, freshman Emily Thompson, seniors Chloe Castady, Lily Bosch and Lucia Malfeo also performed well for the varsity team.

Bosch, Castady and Malfeo celebrated their senior night on Oct. 6.

“Senior night was so special! Lily, Chloe and Lucia are valued leaders of this team,” head coach Mary Kate Pack said. “It was awesome that VTV, Mr. Lyke and parents who volunteered were able to make it such a memorable experience for these girls!”

The IHSA regionals were on Oct. 24. Schoen ran an 18:29 and took first place out of 66 runners as H-F placed fifth as a team. The Vikings also qualified eight of their runners for the sectionals on Saturday, including Schoen, who placed eighth out 120 runners with an 18:11.

Girls Golf

After a tough season, the H-F varsity girls golf team bounced back in the postseason, placing fifth at the IHSA regionals. Senior Emma Murphy placed fifth with a score of 88 qualified and also qualified for sectionals.

The team only had two seniors in Ella Ermshler and Murphy, but even with having a young team, they proved they have a bright future ahead.

“I am very excited to watch them grow in the program next year,” head coach Brad Kain said. “The team will definitely have some large shoes to fill with the loss of our seniors, but I am confident that there are several girls ready to fill their spots.”

Girls Swimming

The varsity girls swimming team went 0-8-2 in the regular season, but this young team, led by their experienced seniors, showed a lot of promise and performed well in these uncertain times. 

“The team has been performing great! We have had some of our best times this year,” varsity girls swimming head coach Anna Tenny said. “It has been very different during the pandemic, but every girl has kept a positive attitude!”

All seniors on the team, Ella Bolling, Naje Chambers, Eliana D’Astici and Ellery Homrich showed great leadership in and out of the pool.

Eliana D’Astici and Junior Gabriella Hasty also advanced to the IHSA Diving Sectional.

There is a lot to look forward to next season for the Vikings with eight out of the 12 swimmers set to return.

Girls Tennis

The varsity girls tennis team went 8-3 in the regular season, including big wins over rivals Lincoln-Way East and Marian Catholic. Senior night on Sept. 30 against the Spartans was a thrilling victory for the Vikings as they won 4-3 on a clutch win in the #1 single by senior Lauren Legardy.

The seniors on the team played a large role in the Vikings success this season. 

“It will be really tough to replace those eight seniors. They were great teammates and came to practice every day with positive attitudes,” Whitfield said.

In the postseason, the Vikings competed in both the conference tournament and sectionals. H-F finished in second place at sectionals. Senior Lauren Legardy was runner-up at singles and qualified for state for the fourth straight year. H-F had five state qualifiers in total, including both of the Vikings’ doubles teams that made it all the way to the sectional semifinals.

“The season went incredibly well. The coaches and players looked forward to practice and being around each other. I think we appreciated the team camaraderie more in the pandemic,” head coach Ryan Whitfield said.

Boys Cross Country

The varsity boys cross country team went 2-4 in the regular season and finished in fifth place in the SWSC conference championship. They placed sixth as a team in the regionals and junior Trip Shonkwiler, sophomore Dane Ivancevic and freshman John Hockenberry qualified for sectionals.

The season was successful, especially since the future seemed unpredictable at times, but even through the difficulties of playing a sport during a pandemic, the team was ultimately able to be successful.

“Like many coaches, I had no idea what to expect this year. I lived through the disappointment of having a season ended abruptly in the spring, and the possibility that this season could end early was always in the back of my mind,” head coach Brian O’Donnell said. “I have been very proud of the commitment that the athletes showed during this season. They were able to adjust to the challenges and remain competitive.”

There were three seniors on the team this season: Ian Barrow, Adam Kramer and Christian Van Voorhees, all of whom had a successful season. The Vikings have a lot to look forward to with the development of returning runners.

Boys Golf

The boys golf team placed fourth in the IHSA regionals. Senior Keegan Buksa placed third with a 78 and advanced to the sectionals, where he went on to score an 88 and finish in a four-way tie for 31st place out of 65 golfers.

The Vikings have won a team regional title, team sectional title, an individual regional champion and an individual sectional champion in the last four seasons.