![Victory Light]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746554741/jcaonlineorg/j9jfeqzhlubvgerwmdnk/Brown-Victory-Light-JCA.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746554741/jcaonlineorg/j9jfeqzhlubvgerwmdnk/Brown-Victory-Light-JCA.jpg","width":294}])
By: Dick Goss
The competitive dance team won a state championship among other sterling
accomplishments. The competitive cheer team stepped up in class yet also earned a berth in
the state finals. The wrestling team featured seven all-staters and the team made its
accustomed visit to the state finals. The boys and girls basketball teams both showed
significant improvement and enjoyed outstanding seasons.
To say JCA shined in the winter sports season would be an understatement. Let’s take a closer
look at what each accomplished.
Boys Basketball
How does a 20-win season sound? The Hilltoppers finished 20-12 against a difficult schedule,
marking only the second time in the last 44 years that a JCA boys basketball team won 20
games. Fifteen of JCA’s opponents won 20 or more games. The Hilltoppers finished 4-4 and
tied for fourth place in the rugged East Suburban Catholic Conference. They beat Bishop
McNamara and Normal U-High, both of which won 25 games, and knocked off St. Ignatius
when it was ranked among the top five teams in Illinois. All of that helped JCA earn the No. 1
seed in its sectional, so despite a tight 58-54 loss to Wheaton St. Francis in the regional final,
the season was a rousing success.
Individual accomplishments included senior Jayden Armstrong, also a standout wide receiver
in football, averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He was a first-team all-ESCC
selection, a Bloomington State Farm Classic all-tournament pick and became the first member
of JCA’s 1,000-point club in more than a decade. Junior Donavyn Simmons averaged 16.5
points, 4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2 steals and was honorable mention All-ESCC. Junior Eli
Passehl averaged 9.5 points, 9 rebounds and was the Sterling Shootout MVP.
“It was a pleasure coaching such a great group of young men,” coach Adam DeGroot said.
“Our program is built on a culture of joy and our senior class embodied that every day. We
graduated nine seniors but they left a great legacy. And, we have a solid core group of guys
coming back as we started three juniors this year.”
Girls Basketball
The girls basketball team was young yet finished 14-16, losing its final game in the regional
championship. Three juniors and two freshmen formed the starting lineup for much of the
season.
“The season overall was a great success as individual and team growth were evident
throughout the year,” Coach Matt Adler said. “Our win total showed the growth for our team
but also our losses. We competed in more games against the top teams in the state than ever
before. This was a building year and the future is bright.”
The Angels won the Peotone Holiday Tournament with freshman Makenzie Keltz and juniors
Abby Dulinsky and Gabby Gavin being named to the all-tournament team. Keltz also was alltournament
in the Ottawa Christmas Tournament, where JCA went 3-1. Junior Emma Birsa was
an All-ESCC selection while Gavin was honorable mention all-conference and Dulinsky joined
the school’s 1,000-point club.
Wrestling
The Hilltoppers finished 15-2 in dual meets, losing only to nationally ranked Kaukauna,
Wisconsin and to eventual Illinois state championship Marmion in the state quarterfinals. They
qualified 10 wrestlers for the individual state finals and seven earned all-state honors.
The team captains were Luke Foster, Jason Hampton and Nolan Vogel, all of whom earned allstate
honors. Hampton finished second at state, Foster third and Vogel fourth. Other all-state
finishers were Adante Washington third, Colton Schultz fourth and Kane Robles and Ryker
Czubak both sixth. The other state qualifiers were Finn McDermott, Matthew Laird and Vince
Skedel.
“The 2025-26 season was one to remember for the Hilltoppers,” coach Ryan Cumbee said.
“While the team fell short of its ultimate goal of a state championship, the season laid a strong
foundation for continued success and an exciting future.”
Competitive Dance
Where to start listing the accomplishments of the Angles’ competitive dance squad. Perhaps
with the Class 1A state championship, which came after JCA won the three regionals in which
it competed and then won the sectional title. Calleigh Kubinski and Addysen Kirby, both senior
captains, were named 8-count audio all-state dancers.
“We also had seven All-American dancers at the United Dance Association camp,” coach Ava
Tomich noted, citing Kubinski, Kirby and fellow seniors Ella Fredrickson and Olivia Ciemny
along with juniors Anya Hrechko, Avery Quinn and Natalee Blenck.
“As we close out this unforgettable season, we could not be more proud of the team,” Tomich
said. “From the very first practice to the final performance on the state floor, these dancers
showed dedication, resilience and heart. Winning the state championship is an incredible
accomplishment, but what means even more to us is the teamwork and memories we built
along the way. This team pushed through challenges and truly became a family.”
Competitive Cheer
The Angels’ competitive cheer team moved from the Class 1A (Small Varsity) division to 2A
(Medium Division) this season, a significant increase in competition level, yet still enjoyed
plenty of successes. The team earned three first-place finishes and three second-place finishes
during the season. Then, in a challenging sectional at Oswego, the Angels placed second and
qualified for state. There, with 89 teams competing in the state 2A field, they finished 11th.
Team leaders for coach Katie Toole included seniors Jess Cyrnek, Sydney Magana and Maggie
Toole along with junior Paige Struck. Maggie Toole received all-state honors from the Illinois
Cheerleading Coaches Association and was named all-state at the IHSA state competition.
“This season we also supported our basketball team and cheered at a number of our home
games,” Katie Toole said. “Supporting our teams is always an honor for our cheer team. It’s not
just about the routines, it’s about coming together, encouraging our athletes and sharing
memorable moments with the entire JCA community. We are extremely proud of all the girls
and their many accomplishments this season and are looking forward to even more fun next
season!”