By: Chris Malec Director of Human Resources & Community Engagement
Excitement continues to build across Community High School District 117 as both Antioch Community High School (ACHS) and Lakes Community High School (LCHS) advance through the IHSA football playoffs! The Sequoits remain undefeated, while the Eagles earned their second consecutive playoff appearance and celebrated their first postseason victory since 2018 with a commanding 44-0 win over Senn.
The success extends well beyond traditional football. ACHS Flag Football captured its first NLCC Conference Championship with an impressive 12-1 record, while the LCHS Flag Football program experienced tremendous growth, expanding to three levels of competition. Meanwhile, LCHS Boys Golf made history with a top-eight finish at the IHSA State Finals, and the Eagles Girls Volleyball team captured another conference championship as it entered postseason competition.
These achievements are just the latest examples of the extraordinary talent, teamwork, and school spirit found throughout District 117. Whether on the field, on stage, or in academic and extracurricular competitions, our students continue to make their schools and communities proud.
As we celebrate these current successes and look forward to the excitement still ahead, let’s take a moment to reflect on the many accomplishments that have made 2026 such a memorable year across both campuses.
Spring 2026 Highlights: State Champions and Historic Milestones
Spring 2026 brought an impressive collection of championships, individual honors, and memorable experiences across athletics and activities.
Softball State Champions: ACHS Softball brought home the State Championship! Honors poured in for the Sequoits, with Pearl Wenzel, Samantha Hillner, Tegan Schuler, Addie Webb, and Claire Schuyler earning All-State honors. Pearl, Samantha, Tegan, and Brooke White achieved All-Region recognition, while Samantha Hillner was named an All-American.
Conference Champions & Athletic Excellence: LCHS Baseball celebrated its first-ever NLCC Championship, while Boys Lacrosse captured the conference title following an undefeated NLCC season. LCHS Girls Soccer earned both NLCC and IHSA Regional championships. ACHS lacrosse standout Lucas Barbosa was named NLCC Conference Player of the Year.
Track & Field Success: Four LCHS athletes earned All-State recognition: Jordan Phelan in shot put, setting a school record of more than 63 feet, and pole vaulters Will Mercure, Dylan Gates, and Bryn Garnier. Their accomplishments marked the tenth consecutive year that LCHS has produced at least one All-State track and field athlete.
State Competition Teams: Both ACHS and LCHS sent Chess and Math Teams to IHSA State Competitions. ACHS student Nathan Sy earned the State Championship in the Algebra 2 Individual competition! ACHS Bass Fishing teammates Caden Bennecke and Austen Schine placed 21st at state, while LCHS eSports also advanced to the State tournament.
Vocational & Practical Arts: LCHS students Annie Burgart, Jade Gillaspie, and Rogue Gillaspie earned Gold at the FCCLA State Competition for Charcuterie.
Inclusive Community Events: LCHS Eagle Pals defeated Grayslake North in “The Big Game,” while ACHS hosted its inaugural “Big Game” against Waukegan. ACHS Sequoit Sidekicks also hosted a special Prom celebration, creating memorable opportunities for students to connect and celebrate together.
Arts & Celebrations: ACHS Sequoit Theatre presented Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, while LCHS closed out the school year with its highly anticipated EagleFest.
Fall 2026: Building Momentum and New Traditions
Building on spring's success, our fall sports and clubs continued to make their mark, creating new traditions and celebrating impressive accomplishments:
Sequoit & Eagle Athletics: Both football programs have generated tremendous excitement with their IHSA playoff appearances, while flag football continues to grow across the district. ACHS Flag Football’s conference championship season featured returning All-Staters Reese Queensland and Tanner Ludwig and NLCC Defensive Player of the Year Riley Dunlavy.
At LCHS, Boys Golf repeated as NLCC Champions and finished eighth at the IHSA State Finals, becoming the first NLCC team to accomplish that feat. Girls Volleyball also repeated as conference champions with an undefeated NLCC record, led by Ray Sundquist, who became the first repeat NLCC Player of the Year. Cross Country standouts Cooper Summy and Madison Schrader each earned individual conference championships, while LCHS hosted the Sunset Invite, one of the state’s largest cross country meets. At ACHS, Boys Golf competed for regional advancement, and Cross Country saw increased participation, including a strong showing from freshman Molly Glowacki. ACHS athletes and PE classes are also enjoying the newly completed stadium turf and track renovations.
Marching Band & Performing Arts: Both schools celebrated impressive marching band seasons. LCHS Marching Band took first place in its class at the Chicagoland Marching Band Tournament, second overall and first in Color Guard at the Knights Marching Tournament, and third at the Illinois Marching Band Championships with its show Abracadabra. ACHS Marching Band performed a custom show featuring the music of Incubus, earning second place in Class AAA and Best Percussion at the Knights Marching Tournament, along with fifth place in Class AAAA at the Illinois Marching Band Championships. LCHS Eagles Theatre also brought Argonautika to the stage, complete with custom puppetry!
School Spirit & Alumni Connections: ACHS welcomed students back with Senior Sunrise and the Sequoit Pride-sponsored Back to School Bash. The growing ACHS Alumni Reunion tradition brought together more than 50 alumni from the classes of ‘76, ‘86, and ‘96 for tours and homecoming celebrations hosted by Teri Klobnak-Smart and Kathleen Stewart.
LCHS also celebrated the new school year with its Back to School Dance and Homecoming festivities, including an indoor dodgeball tournament when rainy weather required a change of plans. Former Eagle and Chicago Bears linebacker TJ Edwards returned to Polley Field to cheer on LCHS as the Eagles defeated Grayslake North to close out the regular season, taking time to connect with students, families, and community members.
Service & Cultural Leadership: LCHS NHS and Royal Rush organized their first “Gold Out” game, raising nearly $700 for pediatric cancer research through Cal’s Angels. Eagle Pals and ALAS (Association of Latin American Students) saw record participation, with ALAS expanding Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations to include a spirit week, Lotería Lunch, trivia, and movie night. At ACHS, Los Sequoits launched a strong fall recruitment effort, while Interact Club students supported the Rotary Pork Chop Dinner, participated in a Route 59 cleanup to raise awareness for National Polio Awareness Day, and continued their weekly volunteer service at Open Arms Mission.
Looking Ahead: More Opportunities to Shine
While the past year has given us much to celebrate, there is still plenty of excitement ahead for our students and school communities.
As our fall athletic teams continue their postseason journeys, we look forward to cheering on our student-athletes and celebrating their continued success. The coming months will also bring new opportunities for students to shine through winter athletics, fine arts performances, academic competitions, and extracurricular activities.
At LCHS, upcoming highlights include the Hoopsgiving and MLK basketball tournaments, the Snowbrawl Girls Wrestling Invitational, and the All of the Lights Cheer and Dance Invitational. Our students will also continue preparing for winter performances, competitions, and the many experiences that make our schools such vibrant communities.
From championship victories and outstanding performances to acts of service and meaningful connections, the accomplishments of our students reflect the dedication of our coaches, sponsors, teachers, families, and community supporters. Congratulations to all of our Sequoits and Eagles on an incredible year! We look forward to the memories, milestones, and achievements still to come.