Waukegan High School's Athletic Department announced the recipients of its annual athletics awards this week, including its Athlete of the Year winners, and leadership award winners.
This year’s female and male athletes of the year are Elvie Villa and Diego Cortez.
Elvie Villa was a standout wrestler and powerlifter in high school. As a powerlifter she holds seven state records in three different weight classes. Her success helped lead her team to a state championship. Elvie was also a captain on the Bulldog wrestling team. She was the Illinois Girls Freestyle state champion, and was a three time member of Team Illinois, which won the 2019 Junior Women National Championship in 2019. She will be attending McKendree University in the fall on a wrestling scholarship.
Diego Cortez was the top performer on the WHS boys bowling team as a junior and senior. He earned All Conference honors, and qualified for the State meet two years in a row. As a junior, Diego finished 6th place in the State. As a senior he helped lead the team to Sectionals, and he finished 9th place individually in the State meet while battling the flu. The highlight of the season was his perfect 300 score on the first day of the State tournament. Diego will attend College of Lake County in the fall.
The winner of the Leo Singer Award, which is given annually to a male athlete who demonstrates fair, dedicated and honest sportsmanship, is Thomas Evans. Thomas was a captain of the boys’ basketball team, where he was recognized for his leadership both on and off the court. His coaches recognized him for being the voice for a-risk students. Thomas was a member of the National Honor Society, the Black Student Union, and the Principal’s Advisory Committee, and a Restorative Justice Peer Mediator. He was also a member of the school's marching band. Outside of school he served as a "big brother" at the Boys and Girls Club. Thomas has been accepted to several schools, but has not yet committed to a school for the fall.
The winner of the Mable Holle Award, which is given annually to a female athlete who exemplifies leadership in the classroom and the playing field, is Amari Patterson. Amari was an unquestioned leader of the girls’ volleyball team. She helped build up her teammates through her consistent praise of positive actions. Amari earned the praise of her coaches and rival coaches for her efforts on the court. She will attend Brown University in the fall on a volleyball scholarship.