Can it really be April 21st? This year is moving at a record pace!

This year has had a bunch of challenges but we have been able to learn a ton and restructure some of our daily operations. We are always looking for the positives when the negatives occur. Really, what else can you do?

The Athletic Department has been extremely busy trying to plan our "Spring" to "Summer" transition as well as our Summer camp opportunities (more to come soon). Scheduling has been difficult to put together and finding games at the non-varsity level is proving difficult. Many schools across the state are battling low numbers due to the pandemic. We will continue to look for opportunities for our students to showcase their talent and hard work.

Not only has this been a challenging year due to the pandemic, it has been challenging due to our construction project that will get underway this summer. The planning that goes into these projects can be nauseating at times. The hours spent planning where and when each piece needs to happen and where we will shift people and places to make the construction project move as planned is a challenge. Sean Huffstutler (Director of Buildings and Grounds) and his team have done and amazing job getting things in order so that the athletic department will have sufficient storage during and after the renovations.

New locker rooms, new weight/fitness room, new multi-purpose room, and a ton of other new spaces around our building has us all excited. The collaboration from the Harvard Community and D50 Staff has been amazing. While we are still in the early stages and the heavy construction will not start until summer, it is a very exciting time to be a HORNET!

Final Thought(s):

I can not THANK YOU all enough for your continued support! Harvard, without a doubt, has the best students, parents and community supporters. We know there are different beliefs and thoughts around the mitigation levels that we must follow, but we also know that HARVARD FANS have and continue to follow all procedures and protocols.

When we started the conversation about returning to athletics I heard the vast majority of our parents tell me they would do "whatever it takes to get my athlete back in action". You have and continue to do "whatever it takes". I sincerely hope that you all know how much we miss our fans at games. Just the other night I had to ask a group of students to leave because they did not have a pass to a game. While I hide it well, it tears me up to know that our students are missing opportunities to support one another. However, the support looks different now. The support is in following procedures and protocols in order to finish this year out. I am hopeful we can continue to see mitigations levels relaxed and eventually see you all at our contest. Until then...

Stay safe,

Andrew Walters

Athletics and Activities Director

Assisted by: Brandon Barry and Mariano Klaric

Captains: Aldo Popoca and Emanuel "Manny" Mercado

The boys' season ended disappointingly with a loss to Marengo in a PK shoot-out. Overall, the team did well but just could not find consistent ways to score goals. They went to PKs 7 times during the season. They still finished second in the conference and JV won the conference going undefeated their whole season. The boys are set up nicely for the future with a lot of returning contributors but will definitely miss the departing seniors that provided one of the best backlines that Harvard has had. The boys finished the season with an 8-4 record, with all their losses coming in PKs.

Assisted by: Greg Aldridge, David Schultz, Adam Schultz, Adam Ulen, Garrett Youngren, Tom Lehman,

Assisted by: Greg Aldridge, David Schultz, Adam Schultz, Adam Ulen, Garrett Youngren, Tom Lehman,

The Hornet Cheerleaders were excited to cheer on the Football team at Harlem High school! Both JV and Varsity were glad to be a part of the experience in cheering at a football game since it had been over a year the last time they had the opportunity to cheer! The athletes are looking forward to next season and what it will bring!

Assisted by: Sam Grady & Lexi Algrim

Captains: Asha Billstrand, Alex Cooke

This volleyball season has been anything but normal! And, in the best way possible. Despite having a "spring season" when we normally play in the fall, we have full rosters for all three levels. We have dedicated players who are working to get better every single day. And, we have upperclassmen willing to lead, and underclassmen ready to learn. Although our win-loss record is not in our favor, the progress and improvement each player has made surpass any other successes we need to justify our hard work. The coaching staff is incredibly proud of every single player, and we can't wait to put work in during the off-season to prepare the a normal fall season

Oger scored two goals last Tuesday, in the victory over Richmond-Burton. He also scored the tying goal in our PK win vs. Richmond-Burton on Wednesday.

Aldo Popoca - Senior

The first week of the season, Aldo stopped a couple PKs to win a game vs. Richmond-Burton. On the second week of season, he maintained 2 clean sheets in wins over Johnsburg. On Saturday, he started at forward and scored a goal in the win over Grant.

Jacob Stanley - Senior

Jacob had 7/14 Passing 60 yards, 98 yards rushing on 18 carries with 2 touchdowns last week vs. Marengo.

Abby Perkins - Junior

As a first-year Varsity libero, Abby recorded a combined total of 14 digs, 2 aces, and 2 kills during the two matches this week against Woodstock North.

Jacob was 7/14 passing for 45 yards, 26 rushes for 186 yards, and 2 TD's the longest was for 44 yards. He had two Kick returns netting 50 yards. On defense, Jacob had 10 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery.

Alex recorded 23 assists, 16 digs, and 2 aces this past week during the two matches against Woodstock.

Please note that these game times and locations can and will change.

Please ALWAYS check 8 to 18 for up to date information.

• April 22 Varsity vs North Boone @ Baseball Varsity Field 4:30 PM
• April 24 Varsity vs Rolling Meadows @ Baseball Varsity Field 11:00 AM
• April 26 Varsity vs Richmond-Burton @ Baseball Varsity Field 4:30 PM
• April 30 Varsity vs Richmond-Burton @ Baseball Varsity Field 4:30 PM
• May 3 Varsity vs Woodstock North @ Baseball Varsity Field 4:30 PM
• May 7 Varsity vs Woodstock North @ Baseball Varsity Field 4:30 PM
• May 12 Varsity vs Johnsburg @ Baseball Varsity Field 4:30 PM
• May 19 Varsity vs Woodstock @ Baseball Varsity Field 4:30 PM Senior Night
• May 26 Varsity vs Marengo @ Baseball Varsity Field 4:30 PM

Girls Soccer

• April 28 Varsity vs Richmond-Burton @ Junior High Soccer Field 6:00 PM
• May 3 Varsity vs Johnsburg @ Junior High Soccer Field 6:00 PM
• May 12 Varsity vs Woodstock North @ Junior High Soccer Field 6:00 PM
• May 17 Varsity vs Woodstock @ Junior High Soccer Field 6:00 PM
• May 24 Varsity vs Marengo @ Junior High Soccer Field 6:00 PM Senior Night

Softball

• April 23 Varsity vs Oregon @ Lions Field 4:30 PM
• April 24 Varsity vs Belvidere @ Lions Field 10:00 AM
• April 28 Varsity vs Richmond-Burton @ Lions Field 4:30 PM
• May 3 Varsity vs Johnsburg @ Lions Field 4:30 PM
• May 12 Varsity vs Woodstock North @ Lions Field 4:30 PM
• May 14 Varsity vs Alden-Hebron @ Lions Field 4:30 PM
• May 17 Varsity vs Woodstock @ Lions Field 4:30 PM
• May 24 Varsity vs Marengo @ Lions Field 4:30 PM Senior Night

Boys/Girls Track and Field

• May 4 Boys/Girls 4:15 PM
• May 11 Boys/Girls 4:15 PM
• May 18 Boys/Girls 4:15 PM Senior Night
• May 25 Girls KRC 4:15 PM

Only spectators with a pass are allowed to home games. All other fans may watch games on the Harvard Athletics YouTube Channel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/D50Athletics
Twitter: @D50Athletics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarvardBoosterClub/

Website: https://il.8to18.com/harvard

Email: awalters@cusd50.org
Website: https://www.cusd50.org/harvardhighschool/
Phone: 815-943-6461 2280

Email: sjuarez@cusd50.org
Phone: 815-943-6461 2281

Email: nmedina@cusd50.org
Phone: 815-943-6461 2243