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Jul. 23—Whether it was after a win or a loss, these area athletes were go-to sources for The News-Gazette during the 2025-26 school year. Some for their candid answers. Others for their humor. And most of all, for their ability to break down what had just transpired on an athletic field or court. Sports Editor Matt Daniels highlights
10 high school athletes, listed alphabetically, who make up our all-interview team from the past 12 months:
1. Isaiah Allen
Centennial
The sharp-shooting guard on the Chargers' boys' basketball team got used to attention from opposing teams and from the press this season. An All-Area First Team selection during his senior season, Allen drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer to beat rival Champaign Central at Coleman Carrodine Gym and then helped the Chargers win a Class 3A regional championship for the program's first postseason hardware since 2022. Open and honest, Allen knew how to handle a post-game interview as well as he did knocking down a contested three-pointer.
2. Lily Bosworth
Mahomet-Seymour
The standout volleyball player for the Bulldogs became well-accustomed to having attention directed her way when she committed to Michigan State before the 2024 season. A season that produced a historic accomplishment when M-S won a Class 3A volleyball state title, the first of its kind in program history. An imposing presence and intense competitor on the court, Bosworth belies a calm and fun personality away from it. All the insight she gave with her answers to reporters in high school will come in handy when she suits up for Purdue during the 2026 season.
3. Blake Green
Fisher
Ask the recent Fisher graduate a question, and a two-to-three minute response would likely ensue. Green seemed to understand the role of a journalist from his first-ever interview all the way through to his last with the Bunnies. He gave thoughtful answers, mixed in with some self-deprecating humor, and never shied away from any question thrown his way. Even when he lost the starting quarterback job with the Bunnies late in his senior season, Green spoke candidly about the situation and didn't seem to let the weight of the situation get him down.
4. Brayden Henry
Unity
The success he and his fellow senior teammates achieved with the Unity football team, Unity boys' basketball team and Unity baseball team speak for themselves. Henry helped those three Rockets' teams finish with a combined 75-14 record that included a Class 3A state runner-up finish in football, a 2A third-place finish in basketball and a 2A regional title in baseball. He answered questions with purpose and intention, avoiding cliches, and a palpable sense of leadership was evident when he spoke. An All-Area athlete in three sports who was an All-Area interview subject, as well.
5. Anna Houpt
Danville
Her skills on the tennis court will take our three-time All-Area Player of the Year to Illinois State starting with the 2026-27 season. Houpt made a name for himself with the numerous trips to the Class 1A state tournament and success she had during a decorated high school career. But she showed a great sense of listening thoroughly to questions and giving a different perspective on her answers, even if these were questions she had already answered. It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that Houpt wants to become a sports psychologist once her tennis career ends.
6. Addison Lucht
Cissna Park
Gracious and humble. Present and aware. The high school athletic career Lucht put together on her teams at Cissna Park (volleyball, girls' basketball) and with Milford/Cissna Park (softball, track and field) is jaw-dropping after she won back-to-back All-Area Player of the Year honors in girls' basketball from The News-Gazette and also the volleyball All-Area Player of the Year accolade in 2025 when she led the Timberwolves to a Class 1A state title last November. The Northwestern softball recruit handled every type of question thrown her way with skill, confidence and poise.
7. Kodey McKinney
St. Joseph-Ogden
Starting at quarterback for two seasons at a tradition-rich program like SJ-O isn't for the faint of heart. Neither is playing basketball for the Spartans or starting at shortstop for an Class 2A state championship baseball team. McKinney did all of that, helping the SJ-O football team reach the Class 3A state semifinals and then playing a key role on the Spartans' historic baseball state title this past spring. McKinney has a dry sense of humor, but could also get reflective, too. He seemed as comfortable talking to a reporter as he did waiting to make a play for the Spartans.
8. Izzy Roundtree
Champaign Central
A top sprinter in the area who emerged during her freshman season at Central in 2023, Roundtree was a veteran presence by the time the 2026 track and field season arrived. A season that didn't seem like it might happen for the Maroons standout after a serious hip injury she sustained in January 2025 sidelined her for 14 months. But she returned to the track this spring and flourished, eventually qualifying for the Class 3A state meet in the 100-meter dash. She didn't shy away from talking about the injury and its effect, giving our readers an honest and transparent look at her journey.
9. Luke Townsend
Armstrong-Potomac
The Larry Bird fan shined on the golf course, basketball court and baseball diamond for the Trojans. An old-school personality (hence his affinity for Bird), Townsend was quick to crack a joke or offer up a witty response when a question was directed at him. He was also straightforward and to the point in his answers, which is always appreciated. Armstrong-Potomac will miss his skills in all three sports he played, but local reporters will miss getting the chance to chat with Townsend for a few minutes and see what he had to say. No matter the topic.
10. Lainey Wichtowski
Westville
A regular at The News-Gazette's Faces of Fall and Faces of Spring events through the years, Wichtowski always brought a bubbly personality and an appreciation with her when she arrived in Champaign on these days. A standout setter with the Tigers, Wichtowski eclipsed 2,500 career assists at Westville as the volleyball program she played such an integral part of enjoyed immense success the last two seasons, with Wichtowski playing a big role in the Tigers compiling a combined 61-11 in that span. She wants to become a social worker in the Army, a fitting job based on our interactions with her.
Continue reading...
10 high school athletes, listed alphabetically, who make up our all-interview team from the past 12 months:
1. Isaiah Allen
Centennial
The sharp-shooting guard on the Chargers' boys' basketball team got used to attention from opposing teams and from the press this season. An All-Area First Team selection during his senior season, Allen drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer to beat rival Champaign Central at Coleman Carrodine Gym and then helped the Chargers win a Class 3A regional championship for the program's first postseason hardware since 2022. Open and honest, Allen knew how to handle a post-game interview as well as he did knocking down a contested three-pointer.
2. Lily Bosworth
Mahomet-Seymour
The standout volleyball player for the Bulldogs became well-accustomed to having attention directed her way when she committed to Michigan State before the 2024 season. A season that produced a historic accomplishment when M-S won a Class 3A volleyball state title, the first of its kind in program history. An imposing presence and intense competitor on the court, Bosworth belies a calm and fun personality away from it. All the insight she gave with her answers to reporters in high school will come in handy when she suits up for Purdue during the 2026 season.
3. Blake Green
Fisher
Ask the recent Fisher graduate a question, and a two-to-three minute response would likely ensue. Green seemed to understand the role of a journalist from his first-ever interview all the way through to his last with the Bunnies. He gave thoughtful answers, mixed in with some self-deprecating humor, and never shied away from any question thrown his way. Even when he lost the starting quarterback job with the Bunnies late in his senior season, Green spoke candidly about the situation and didn't seem to let the weight of the situation get him down.
4. Brayden Henry
Unity
The success he and his fellow senior teammates achieved with the Unity football team, Unity boys' basketball team and Unity baseball team speak for themselves. Henry helped those three Rockets' teams finish with a combined 75-14 record that included a Class 3A state runner-up finish in football, a 2A third-place finish in basketball and a 2A regional title in baseball. He answered questions with purpose and intention, avoiding cliches, and a palpable sense of leadership was evident when he spoke. An All-Area athlete in three sports who was an All-Area interview subject, as well.
5. Anna Houpt
Danville
Her skills on the tennis court will take our three-time All-Area Player of the Year to Illinois State starting with the 2026-27 season. Houpt made a name for himself with the numerous trips to the Class 1A state tournament and success she had during a decorated high school career. But she showed a great sense of listening thoroughly to questions and giving a different perspective on her answers, even if these were questions she had already answered. It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that Houpt wants to become a sports psychologist once her tennis career ends.
6. Addison Lucht
Cissna Park
Gracious and humble. Present and aware. The high school athletic career Lucht put together on her teams at Cissna Park (volleyball, girls' basketball) and with Milford/Cissna Park (softball, track and field) is jaw-dropping after she won back-to-back All-Area Player of the Year honors in girls' basketball from The News-Gazette and also the volleyball All-Area Player of the Year accolade in 2025 when she led the Timberwolves to a Class 1A state title last November. The Northwestern softball recruit handled every type of question thrown her way with skill, confidence and poise.
7. Kodey McKinney
St. Joseph-Ogden
Starting at quarterback for two seasons at a tradition-rich program like SJ-O isn't for the faint of heart. Neither is playing basketball for the Spartans or starting at shortstop for an Class 2A state championship baseball team. McKinney did all of that, helping the SJ-O football team reach the Class 3A state semifinals and then playing a key role on the Spartans' historic baseball state title this past spring. McKinney has a dry sense of humor, but could also get reflective, too. He seemed as comfortable talking to a reporter as he did waiting to make a play for the Spartans.
8. Izzy Roundtree
Champaign Central
A top sprinter in the area who emerged during her freshman season at Central in 2023, Roundtree was a veteran presence by the time the 2026 track and field season arrived. A season that didn't seem like it might happen for the Maroons standout after a serious hip injury she sustained in January 2025 sidelined her for 14 months. But she returned to the track this spring and flourished, eventually qualifying for the Class 3A state meet in the 100-meter dash. She didn't shy away from talking about the injury and its effect, giving our readers an honest and transparent look at her journey.
9. Luke Townsend
Armstrong-Potomac
The Larry Bird fan shined on the golf course, basketball court and baseball diamond for the Trojans. An old-school personality (hence his affinity for Bird), Townsend was quick to crack a joke or offer up a witty response when a question was directed at him. He was also straightforward and to the point in his answers, which is always appreciated. Armstrong-Potomac will miss his skills in all three sports he played, but local reporters will miss getting the chance to chat with Townsend for a few minutes and see what he had to say. No matter the topic.
10. Lainey Wichtowski
Westville
A regular at The News-Gazette's Faces of Fall and Faces of Spring events through the years, Wichtowski always brought a bubbly personality and an appreciation with her when she arrived in Champaign on these days. A standout setter with the Tigers, Wichtowski eclipsed 2,500 career assists at Westville as the volleyball program she played such an integral part of enjoyed immense success the last two seasons, with Wichtowski playing a big role in the Tigers compiling a combined 61-11 in that span. She wants to become a social worker in the Army, a fitting job based on our interactions with her.
Continue reading...
