Once again, welcome to Belleville West sports.  I would like to take a moment to recap what was a very successful fall sporting season in Mighty Maroon country.

     Our fall sports had excellent seasons.  Taking all of their accomplishments as a whole.  Belleville West is currently in 2nd place for the All-Sports Award in the Southwestern Conference.  As I have said numerous times, the Southwestern Conference is the most competitive conference in Illinois south of the Chicago suburbs.  Every year, in every sport, the quality of competition is at the highest level.  Success in this conference is a great achievement and our fall sports have a lot to be proud of.  Belleville West had 29 fall athletes earn All-Conference recognition, including 13 on the first team.  A special mention should be made of the Girls Tennis Team which won a S.W.C. championship.

     The fall sports also distinguished themselves in IHSA State competition, led by the Girls Tennis Team.  All six of our tennis players advanced to the IHSA finals and Taylor Cook and Kelsey Delsignore placed 13th out of 130 in doubles.  The Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams had 14 runners move on to the IHSA Sectionals with Victor Palacios winning his regional.  Victor and Sammie Grove represented Belleville West in the IHSA State Finals.  The Boys Soccer Team won its first regional since 1996 compiling the best regular season record ever... In golf, Austin Houba, Connor Keeley, Ben Ducey, Corey Hindman and Courtney Ferry all advanced out of regional play to the IHSA Sectionals.

     Without a doubt, and equally as important, were our 77 Fall Varsity letter-Winner Scholar Athletes.  In addition to their on-the-field endeavors, each earned a 3.5 GPA or higher in the classroom.  Taking all this into consideration, and then adding the excellent behavior and sportsmanship exhibited by our athletes, I think you can see why the school is justifiably proud of this fall season. 

     I think it is also important to note the numerous improvements made around campus to our athletic facilities during the fall season.  The weight room added a number of machines used by our athletes and the entire West student body; a watering system was installed for the football and soccer practice areas; and the walking trail/cross country course was improved by the planting of a number of trees.  The Belleville West Athletic Department would like to thank the Booster Club, the Central 201 Administration, and the Belleville West Maintenance Department for their contributions with these improvements.

     So as we head into the winter season Maroon Pride is at a high level.  I would like to wish all the winter sports and athletes good luck in their upcoming seasons.  Come on out and enjoy some great competition during the next few months.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 222-7665.

GO MAROONS!