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The news site of Evanston Township High School's student newspaper

The Evanstonian

The news site of Evanston Township High School's student newspaper

The Evanstonian

The news site of Evanston Township High School's student newspaper

The Evanstonian

Owen Chiss

Owen Chiss, Digital Sports Editor

By Owen Chiss
Courtesy of Kevin Brown

Perspectives on reparations | A love for what Evanston is…and what the city could be

Owen Chiss, Sports Editor May 21, 2024

After his mother-in-law became sick in 2011, Kevin Brown traveled back and forth between Sacramento and his wife’s hometown of Evanston, searching for a job position in the Chicago suburb. Brown’s...

Junior Kaloyan Mirtchev serves in Evanston's win against Maine South.

Boys volleyball holds on late against Maine South

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman April 10, 2024

Both the first and second sets in Beardsley Gym on Tuesday night were tied, 24-all.  That didn’t scare any Wildkit player on the court. With Maine South (6-4, 0-2 CSL) knocking at the door, Evanston...

Former Evanston star ready to shine in Final Four

Former Evanston star ready to shine in Final Four

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman April 6, 2024

When Lance Jones came into Evanston athletic director Chris Livatino’s office at the start of his high school senior year, Livatino posed a question to the basketball star. “I asked him about what...

Eatin’ with Ethan Episode 5 – Parson’s Chicken and Fish

Ethan Ravi, Will Klearman and Owen Chiss March 25, 2024

Laughter is brightest where food is best. (Irish proverb)

Boys volleyball impresses in season opener

Owen Chiss and Nate McDade March 19, 2024

Only trailing by two points across the entirety of two sets is a surefire way to open the season strong.  On Monday evening in Beardsley Gym, boys volleyball came out of the gates firing on all cylinders...

Image courtesy of Evanston boys lacrosse.

Boys lacrosse kicks season off with low-scoring victory over Buffalo Grove

Owen Chiss, Sport Editors March 15, 2024

Despite being short-handed and battling through a wind-filled, rainy 48 minutes, boys lacrosse found a way to get it done at home against Buffalo Grove, defeating the Bison, 7-3, in the Kits’ season...

Boys basketball departs in first round after being stunned by Maine South

Boys basketball departs in first round after being stunned by Maine South

Owen Chiss, Will Klearman and Cash Nelson February 22, 2024

When Evanston head coach Mike Ellis walked out of the locker room post-game on Wednesday night, he was simply at a loss for words. “I don’t know what to say. That’s how bad it was,” Ellis stated. Evanston...

When Evanston last took on Maine South on Jan. 26, the Kits won, 58-45.

Boys basketball looking to ride momentum into playoffs

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman February 20, 2024

Boys basketball will enter into the Class 4A IHSA postseason on Wednesday against not only a familiar face but a face that the Kits have had their way with recently. For the third time this season,...

Evanston went into its contest against Glenbrook South with the knowledge that the team could be tipping off against the Titans in the regional finals in two weeks time on the same court, but coach Mike Ellis' focus was on one game at a time.

Glenbrook South closes out boys basketball in fourth quarter

Owen Chiss, Will Klearman and Cash Nelson February 10, 2024

Evanston has done an impressive job of pulling out come-from-behind victories recently. But every time the Kits attempted to cut Glenbrook South’s lead down on Friday night in Glenview, the Titans continuously...

Boys basketball upsets top-ranked New Trier in thriller

Will Klearman, Owen Chiss and Cash Nelson February 3, 2024

WINNETKA, ILL. - In a 35-35 game with 16 seconds remaining in Friday night’s contest against New Trier, junior Ian Peters stepped up to the free throw line for two shots. Evanston fans behind the hoop...

Evanston took home the win on Senior Night over De La Salle

Brown’s three forces OT, Kits complete improbable comeback on senior night

Owen Chiss, Will Klearman and Nate McDade January 30, 2024

Not having a lead for four quarters is typically not the recipe for a win. After last night, though, Evanston might say otherwise. Down by as much as 11in the fourth quarter alone on Monday night,...

Watson’s last-second steal seals win over St. Patrick

Owen Chiss, Fiona Vosper and Ryan Wambo January 28, 2024

Whether it was from exhaustion due to playing a full 32 minutes or late-game nerves, junior Theo Rocca’s two missed free throws with eight seconds left against St. Patrick was a shock to every fan at...

Pavelec, Kit bowlers roll past Trevians in Monday evening matchup

Pavelec, Kit bowlers roll past Trevians in Monday evening matchup

Owen Chiss and Jilian Denlow January 22, 2024

Evanston head coach Ray Austin is always hungry for more. But when his team beat New Trier by 504 pins on Monday evening, he couldn’t help but crack a smile. “No coach is always happy. We missed...

Evanston shot 15 percent from three in its loss to Glenbrook North.

Boys basketball crashes again late against Glenbrook North

Owen Chiss, Will Klearman and Cash Nelson January 20, 2024

When senior Tyler Dennis cashed on two free throws off Glenbrook North’s Patrick Schaller fourth foul in the third quarter, the Kits had cut the Spartan lead to just 37-30.  Eight minutes later,...

Evanston swept its season series with Deerfield.

Dickson’s stellar night leads boys basketball over Deerfield

Owen Chiss, Sports Editor January 18, 2024

When ETHS canceled school on Tuesday, it forced head coach Mike Ellis to postpone practice due to the cold temperatures. So it wouldn’t have been illogical to expect a shaky performance from the Kits...

Evanston shot over 50 percent from the field in its win against Maine South on Dec. 15.

Rocca leads well-rounded offensive performance in Kits win over Maine South

Owen Chiss, Will Klearman and Nate McDade December 16, 2023

On Tuesday night, boys basketball shot 31 percent from the field in a 42-39 upset loss to Carmel Catholic, who had lost six straight prior to their matchup in Beardsley Gym with the Kits. So when Evanston...

Senior Zuri Ransom posted 23 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in Evanston's victory over Depaul College Prep on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Ransom’s big day propels girls basketball to win over Depaul Prep

Owen Chiss and Jilian Denlow December 10, 2023

Zuri Ransom has had many stellar performances in her high school basketball career, but not even her own coach had witnessed anything similar to the takeover that the senior guard displayed on Saturday...

In his fifth year of college eligibility, former Wildkit star Lance Jones opted to join a Purdue team hoping for a long March Madness run in 2024.

Now in college basketball spotlight, former Wildkit returns to Evanston

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman December 5, 2023

On April 8, former Evanston basketball star Lance Jones verbally committed to Purdue.  The Boilermakers, who were shocked in the 2023 NCAA March Madness Tournament by #16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson,...

Evanston had three seniors in double-figures in the Saturday afternoon match-up against La Lumiere.

Thomas’ 19 points lead Evanston in win over La Lumiere

Owen Chiss and Fiona Vosper December 3, 2023

Despite not starting a game last season, senior Antoine Thomas played like a seasoned veteran on Saturday afternoon. Thomas led the way for Evanston with 19 points and 6 rebounds while making 11 of...

Evanston Township High School boys soccer won its IHSA regional final against Maine South a year after faltering at the same stage in the playoffs against Lane Tech.

Boys soccer boots Maine South in regional finals win

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman October 22, 2023

After Cristiano Hamer scored a goal to put Evanston up 1-0 in the first three minutes of Saturday’s regional finals against Maine South, the Kits never looked back. In a late morning game in Park...

On Senior Night, the Wildkits celebrated their four senior contributors.

Girls volleyball falls on Senior Night to Deerfield

Owen Chiss, Sports Editor October 12, 2023

Although girls volleyball racked up their first win in over two weeks against Lake Forest on Tuesday night, the Kits came up short a day later on senior night against Deerfield, 15-25, 15-25. Riding...

Evanston kept its playoff hopes alive on the road against Deerfield.

Timberlake runs over Deerfield for three touchdowns, keeps Evanston’s playoff hopes alive

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman October 7, 2023

Just when you thought senior Damarion Timberlake’s list of 2023 highlights couldn’t get any longer, the running back delivered a career performance against Deerfield on Friday night. On a frigid,...

Timberlake’s improbable run propels Evanston to Homecoming win over New Trier

Timberlake’s improbable run propels Evanston to Homecoming win over New Trier

Owen Chiss, Sports Editor September 30, 2023

To every fan in Lazier Field on Friday night, it appeared as if senior Damarion Timberlake had gained about ten yards on a slip screen from junior Colin Livatino before being bottled up by the New Trier...

Against New Trier on Thursday night, Evanston allowed more goals than it had in its last four games combined.

New Trier hoses off boys soccer, hands Kits first loss of season

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman September 22, 2023

To an outside spectator, a fire hydrant may seem like a tool that keeps our streets flame-free. But to the Evanston and New Trier boys soccer teams, that object is synonymous with rivalry. The winner of...

The ETHS girls varsity flag football team kicked off their season on Sept. 14 against Lane Tech

A ‘league of their own’

Jilian Denlow and Owen Chiss September 22, 2023

On Sept. 14, just minutes before kick-off, the ETHS’ first-ever girls varsity flag football team formed a huddle. As the girls redirected their gaze to the sea of orange and blue, and pre-performance...

Girls volleyball comes up short against Niles West

Owen Chiss and Helena Van Engelen September 7, 2023

Although girls volleyball showed signs of promise at times on Wednesday night, the Kits were outplayed by Niles West in Beardsley Gym, 17-25, 13-25. When the first whistle was blown, Niles West (1-4)...

Girls volleyball falls to Loyola in home opener

Owen Chiss and Helena Van Engelen August 31, 2023

Despite putting up a fight in the second set of Evanston's home opener, girls volleyball came up short against Loyola Academy on Wednesday night, falling 13-25, 20-25, to the Ramblers. The Ramblers...

Girls field hockey exacts revenge over Latin in opening-game victory

Jilian Denlow and Owen Chiss August 22, 2023

After girls field hockey fell short in a 2-0 loss to Latin in last year’s final regular season game, coach Annie Lesch emphasized the hunger of her team all off-season coming into game one of the 2023...

Tryouts for the Girls' Swimming and Diving team.

Girls swim & dive eyes state appearance after missing out for the first time in school history

Owen Chiss, Digital Sports Editor August 14, 2023

Although the Evanston Girls’ Swimming and Diving team didn’t qualify a swimmer for state for the first time that coach Kevin Auger can recall, the former Olympian swimmer is expecting major things...

ETHS football kicks off their season on Aug. 25 at Lazier Field.

Football hopes for quick learning curve as turned over roster prepares for the season

Owen Chiss, Digital Sports Editor August 14, 2023

Despite showing promise of success, Evanston football let too many contests slip away in closing time last season. After the Kits opened the fall with a thriller 53-50 win over Indian Trail (WI), they...

Boys cross country at tryouts.

Young talent set to lead boys cross country back to state

Owen Chiss, Digital Sports Editor August 14, 2023

Even after failing to qualify a runner for the IHSA State meet last season, boys cross country coach Don Michelin Jr. isn’t remotely worried about his team’s potential this season. “Last year, we...

Sophomore Kieran Low is set to build on a strong freshman year. Photo courtesy of Evanston Athletics on Twitter.

Low looks to drive boys golf into the postseason

Owen Chiss, Digital Sports Editor August 14, 2023

Recent graduate Ryder Bellios placing 54th at State capped off one of the more successful seasons in recent history for the Evanston Boys’ golf team last year. But lost in the whirlwind of the postseason...

Photo courtesy of Charlie Kremin

Charlie Kremin

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor May 11, 2023

During his recruiting process, Charlie Kremin was presented with a unique opportunity in Tufts University. The Division III school located just outside of Boston has a great football program, competing...

Photo courtesy of Aidan Klein

Aidan Klein

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor May 11, 2023

Standing at a whopping 6’9”, Aidan Klein is built to be a volleyball player. The powerful middle blocker will be taking his talents next fall just five miles away from ETHS, at Loyola University Chicago.  Klein’s...

Art by Jessica Sehgal

It’s worth a shot

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor April 20, 2023

Four to two. That was the actual score of a high school basketball game in Oklahoma in February this year. “There’s numerous instances where someone will be playing in a game or watching a game...

Blake Peters. Picture by Jonah Charlton.

‘Anything is possible:’ Blake Peters’ journey from ETHS to the Sweet 16

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman March 23, 2023
Blake Peters is no stranger to clutching up in the biggest of moments. So when he stepped on the court in the second half of last Sunday's Round of 32 contest against Missouri, he was ready. 17 points and one more giant upset for the Cinderella 15-seed Princeton Tigers later, and Peters could add another moment to his long list of clutch performances: helping his team to the Sweet 16.
Students train in Michael B. Arrington Wellness and Performance Center after school on Friday, March 10.

Don’t ‘weight’ to start strength

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sport Editor March 15, 2023

If you step into G201 any day after school, you’ll see a giant crowd of students strength training for their sport, in a weight room often compared to those of Power 5 colleges across the country. The...

Senior Prince Adams in a Jan. 27 contest. Adams finished the IHSA regional final on Feb. 25 with 11 points.

Boys basketball loses tightly contested regional final to Titans

Owen Chiss February 25, 2023

HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. – A back-and-forth affair with Glenbrook South for nearly all four quarters, boys basketball’s IHSA regional final contest was decided in the final two minutes. Foul shots...

Boys basketball defeats defending state champs at Welsh-Ryan Arena

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor February 5, 2023

The E-Town Showdown has certainly lived up to its name. In 2019, Evanston defeated current Golden State Warrior Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Sussex-Hamilton (WI) in triple overtime, 70-68. Last year to the...

Senior Prince Adams in a Jan. 27 contest. Adams finished the IHSA regional final on Feb. 25 with 11 points.

Adams dominates paint on both ends in boys basketball win over GBN

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor January 28, 2023

The difference maker in Evanston’s first matchup this season with Glenbrook North was a lack of post presence, with the Kits falling 71-59 in Northbrook on Dec. 8, 2022.  This time around? Post-play...

Boys swim and dive rises to the occasion on Senior Day

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor January 22, 2023

Despite falling to Central Suburban League foes in their last three head to head meets, the Wildkit swimmers got back in the win column with a solid win over Naperville North on Senior Day. The 109-69...

Undefeated boys basketball edges Glenbrook South in CSL opener

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor December 3, 2022

Despite dominating for much of its home opener, boys basketball found itself in serious trouble late in the fourth quarter on Friday night, up only two with Glenbrook South taking possession and just eight...

Photo courtesy of Maya Valentine

Upset in regional final shuts door on long playoff run for boys soccer

Alexis Rogers and Owen Chiss November 14, 2022

While the Wildkits finished the regular season with a 12-5-2 record– capturing the second seed in the Glenbrook South Sectional– they were unable to advance past the regional finals following a 2-0...

Photo courtesy of Chris Livatino

On your marks, get set, row!

Alexis Rogers and Owen Chiss November 14, 2022

Rowing, the newest addition to ETHS’ roster of sports, has launched this fall, introducing 50 athletes to a traditionally exclusive sport with the intention of establishing diversity and inclusion from...

Football eliminated from playoff contention after loss to Maine South

Owen Chiss and Will Klearman October 16, 2022

To keep its playoff hopes alive, football not only had a 24-game losing streak against Maine South to break. Mother nature added a downpour. Though Evanston was able to hold Maine South to just seven points...

Photo courtesy of Maya Valentine

Strong second half puts boys soccer back in win column

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor September 23, 2022

After its undefeated record was snapped Tuesday night with a 2-0 loss to New Trier, Evanston boys soccer's mission heading into its Thursday night game against Maine South was to get back into the win...

Photo courtesy of Maya Valentine

Boys soccer undefeated, heads into conference play

Owen Chiss, Assistant Sports Editor September 23, 2022

With a regular season record of 16-3-4 last fall, the boys soccer team looked like a heavy favorite to go downstate. A 3-0 loss to Oak Park-River Forest in the sectional finals ended those dreams, but...

Sebastian Leon

Owen Chiss, Staff Writer May 12, 2022

For the first nine years of his life, Sebastian Leon played soccer in the streets of Peru. Next fall, he’s going to be playing at the collegiate level at the University of Rochester.  Evanston’s...

Ben Barney

Owen Chiss, Staff Writer May 12, 2022

After not playing his entire junior year due to a leg injury, Ben Barney’s football future beyond high school was in serious jeopardy. With no chance to showcase his talent for colleges, Barney knew...

Will Travis

Owen Chiss, Staff Writer May 12, 2022

Will Travis’ childhood dream was to play at a high level in soccer. From joining his first team at age 7, rising through the Team Evanston and Eleven United club programs, and being a two-year varsity...

Aryeh Lesch

Aryeh Lesch

Owen Chiss, Staff Writer May 12, 2022

When two-time state diving finalist Aryeh Lesch first visited the Dartmouth campus last July, he knew the school and swim program was just right for him. The only question was whether or not he’d get...

Evanston falls to Glenbrook South in the sectional semi-finals, ending their season

Owen Chiss, Staff Writer March 4, 2022

Despite winning four games in a row coming into Tuesday night’s battle with Glenbrook South, the Kits ultimately fell 69-53, against a team in the Titans that is seemingly a real competitor for the Class...

Boys basketball takes regional crown

Owen Chiss, Staff Writer February 28, 2022

No one could stop senior Rashawn Bost from getting to the basket in Evanston’s regional semi-finals against Schaumburg.  Whether it was making highlight reel layups or kicking the ball out to an...

Boys basketball knocks off highly-ranked New Trier, prepares for IHSA playoffs

Owen Chiss, Staff Writer February 28, 2022

The clock ran out and so did the ETHS student section. Celebrating a historic win over a top-five opponent, ETHS students stormed the court. The night of Feb. 4, the Kits shocked the state by upsetting...

Girls swim and dive takes third place at Conference

Owen Chiss, Staff Writer November 19, 2021

Despite being blown out 132-54 by the top ranked team in the state, New Trier, to cap off the final dual meet of the season Oct. 22, Head Coach Kevin Auger wasn’t too concerned with his team’s performance....

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