Panthers chosen to All-SWC teams
The Southwestern Conference (SWC) recently announced the winter sports All-Conference squads, and O’Fallon Township High School (OTHS) made a major haul, placing 22 athletes on the rosters of the five teams selected.
With both the boys and girls teams advancing to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state finals, O’Fallon dominated the voting on the All-Conference bowling squads.
Finishing the 2015-16 campaign with a third place state trophy, the Panther boys placed their top five players on the All-SWC squad.
Heading the list of award-winners were a trio of OTHS keglers who formed the nucleus of the Panthers’ outstanding team.
Seniors Justin Hess and Brad Solomon along with junior Andrew Orf were chosen to the league’s first team, filling half of the six first team slots.
Juniors Mathew Toohey and Josh Bradshaw made it a clean sweep for O’Fallon’s varsity roster by securing second team All-SWC honors.
The girls results were nearly as impressive as they also placed their top five players on the All-SWC squad.
Pacing the Panther vote-getters was senior Madison Kasza, who was named to the first team.
OTHS’ other senior bowler, Lanie Goldberg, picked up a second team award.
O’Fallon’s three freshmen young guns, who played an integral role in the Lady Panthers’ run to state tourney qualification, were recognized for their season-long effort as well as their potential with third team All-Conference roster spots.
The threesome included Hayleigh Williams, Lauren Tomaszewski and Maddi Thorton.
The second most successful OTHS winter program was the Panther wrestling team.
Recognized for their accomplishments, eight OTHS grapplers earned All-Conference designation.
The OTHS squad landed two of their team members on the league’s first team — junior Mason Hewitt at 182 pounds. and junior Kobey Bosworth at 195 pounds.
Alec Ziegler at 106 pounds, Alex Fulton at 113 pounds. and Brian Ahle 220 pounsd. earned second team All-conference awards.
Alex Williams at 120 pounds, Jack Bond at 152 pounds. and Nick Kelly at 160 pounds. completed the group of honorees with third place All-SWC awards.
On the hardwoods, the Panthers collected a total of four All-Conference spots — three for the Lady Panther program and one slot in boys’ basketball.
The top vote-getter for the girls’ team was junior playmaker Marta Durk, who captured a spot among the top performers in the league as a first team player.
Senior Becca Althoff capped an excellent final high school season by being named to the All-SWC second team, and junior Celeste Akoro picked up a third team All-SWC award.
In boys basketball, senior Chance Armstrong collected the only All-Conference award for the Panthers. Armstrong earned second team designation for his superior effort for an inexperienced OTHS squad.
2015-16 SWC winter sports final standings:
Boys’ Bowling:
First O’Fallon with 12-0; second Collinsville with 10-2; third Belleville East with 8-4; fourth Alton with 4-8; fifth Belleville West with 3-9; Granite City with 3-9; seventh Edwardsville with 2-10; and, eighth was East St. Louis DNP.
Girls’ Bowling:
First Alton with 10-2; second O’Fallon with 9-3; third Collinsville with 9-3; fourth Belleville East with 8-4; fifth Belleville West with 4-8; sixth Granite City with 3-9; and, seventh was Edwardsville with 0-12.
Boys’ Basketball:
First Edwardsville with 14-0; second Alton with 9-5; third Belleville East with 8-6; fourth East St. Louis with 8-6; fifth Belleville West with 7-7; sixth Granite City with 6-8; seventh O’Fallon with 3-11; and, eighth was Collinsville with 1-13.
Girls’ Basketball:
First Edwardsville with 13-1; second Belleville East with 10-4; third O’Fallon with 9-5; fourth Belleville West with 8-6; fifth East St. Louis with 8-6; sixth Collinsville with 6-8; seventh Granite City with 2-12; and, eighth was Alton with 0-14.
This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 1:16 PM with the headline "Panthers chosen to All-SWC teams."