The IC men’s and women’s basketball teams have wrapped up their 2021-22 seasons both with appearances in the Midwest Conference Tournament. The Illinois College swim and track & field teams finished up their winter seasons, as well, rewriting the school record books with multiple record-breaking performances. And spring sports are underway, with the return of the conference champion baseball and softball teams.

Basketball

The men’s basketball team finished the season with an overall record of 14-11 and a conference record of 10-6. IC was able to claim the fourth seed in the MWC Tournament qualifying for the postseason for the first time since the 2010-11 season. The Blueboys fell short in a hard fought game against the top seeded Ripon College Red Hawks with a final of 51-61. Jake Mazrimas ’23 and Tre Rogers ’22 both received Second Team All-Conference for their efforts this season. Rogers led the team with 13.7 points per game. Mazrimas followed, averaging 12.7 points per game and leading the team with 7.0 rebounds per game.

The Lady Blues ended the year with a record of 10-11 overall and 9-6 in the Midwest Conference. IC was able to earn the fourth spot in the MWC Tournament qualifying for the postseason for the first time since the 2014-15 season. The Lady Blues suffered a loss to the top seeded Ripon Red Hawks in a close game with a final of 65-68. Lilly Pepper ’23 and Kendra Bass ’22 both earned All-Conference recognition. Pepper received First Team All-Conference and Bass earned Second Team All-Conference. Pepper had been a standout for the Lady Blues all season leading the team and the conference averaging 17.7 points per game and averaging close to a double-double with 9.9 rebounds per game. Bass was the team’s second most leading scorer with 14.9 points per game and ranked fourth in the conference in field goal percentage at .419. 

Indoor Track & Field

The IC track & field team showed great progress during their winter indoor season rewriting the record books. The Blueboys have already seen some great performances this year in preparation for the spring outdoor season. Will Ross ’25 set a new IC school record in the triple jump with a mark of 49-1.5 (14.97-meters). Elgin Scherff ’22 was also able to make his mark on the record book setting a new school record in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:16.42. The Lady Blues have also seen some outstanding performances. Elizabeth Bowns ’22 shattered her own school record in the weight throw with a mark of 52-7.5 (16.04-meters). She was also able to earn the new school record in the shot put with a mark of 42-7.0 (12.98-meters).

Swimming & Diving

Men’s and women’s swimming wrapped up another outstanding season. Jake Howey ’22 has been named MWC Performer of the Week three times this year. Howey broke the school record in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 10:13.77 at the Principia Invitational. The Lady Blues have seen some extraordinary performances as well. Jenna Kenning ’22 broke two school records in the conference meet in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.48) and the 200-yard backstroke (2:15.11). Marjori Russo ’22 posted her name in the record book as well with the top time in the 200-yard freestyle (1:59.71).

Spring Sports Preview :: The champs return to the diamond

Baseball

Blueboys baseball returned to the Hilltop after a tremendous 2021 season. IC won the Midwest Conference for the first time since 1995 and earned their first automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament. The team returns multiple key starters including MWC South Division Player of The Year Bailey Reed ’22. IC has been tabbed to finish first in this season’s MWC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Blueboys will look to capitalize on the success they had last year led by MWC Coach of the Year in the South Division Jacob Waddle, and make a run at repeating as conference champions. 

Softball

Lady Blues softball also returned after a successful and historic 2021 season. The team won the Midwest Conference for the first time in program history landing them their first automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. IC has been selected to win the conference in this season’s MWC Preseason Coaches Poll. The 2021 MWC Coaching Staff of the Year led by head coach Meghan Roman will look to replicate their success after returning a lot of key contributors including Pitcher of the Year in the South Division Sydney Hood ’22.