Published July 5, 2022 at 4:00 AM CDT
Tyler Dwinal wastes no time. Dwinal recently graduated from Normal Community High School. Prior to that, he graduated from college. And even before high school, he started taking college-level courses through a dual credit program at Heartland Community College.
“For that year of my eighth grade I applied and I was one of the lucky few who took it and then I looked into it and decided to do it because it led me well to college,” Dwinal said.
“A lot of work, a lot of long nights, a lot of frustration during the process,” Dwinal said. “It was very difficult balancing, especially as classes for college became harder, sports became more intense.”
The tight rope dance took Dwinal from class work to football and basketball for the National Society of Honors and a school leadership club. He juggled well enough to be the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year sports commission.
Dwinal plans to attend the University of Iowa, where he wants to study mechanical engineering.
The Bloomington Commission for Normal Sports recently honored some of the best student-athletes in McLean County. In this edition of Beyond Sport, the honorees show how to balance life in the classroom and in the playground – and excel in both.
All the honorees say the family helped them stay focused while managing school and sports.
Taylor Nowaskie recently graduated from Olympia High School in western McLean County. Nowaskie was a member of the National Honors Society, along with 4-H and a Student Council and four sports. Nowaskie is the area’s Female Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Nowaski said she could not do it without mother and father.
“My parents certainly helped me a lot. They never put pressure on me and were always there if I needed anything,” Nowaskie said. “It was always pretty easy for me, I was very lucky.”
Nowaskie’s best sport is basketball. There is another family connection. Nowaskie’s mother was one of the top scorers in the history of Olympia basketball. Taylor passed her mother on the road to set a school record.
Nowaskie said she will go to Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield and play basketball.
“I just hope I keep working hard and see where that gets me. I’m very excited for the next two years,” Nowaskie said.
Male and Female Athletes of the Year
For Jack Weltha, you could say athletics happens in the family. The recent graduate of Bloomington High School, and this year’s Male Athlete of the Year, is the latest in a long series of Welthas to achieve sporting success. Weltha’s father was an All-American football player in Western Illinois. See the article : Four major food trends highlighted in BEMA 2022. Brothers also have a game. Brother Austin Weltha was an All-American football player at McKendree College near St. Louis. Sister Ellie was a prominent basketball player at Truman State University in Missouri.
Jack Weltha said he followed in their footsteps. They were also nominated for Athlete of the Year when they were in high school.
“She and my sister had come out for (the prize) but never won it, so just to be able to win, I’m super blessed and humble,” Weltha said. “They’re also great athletes so I try to look at them.”
Weltha was a state champion wrestler at BHS and a state qualifier in shooting. Jack is following his sister’s path to Truman State, but will leave his wrestling singlet behind. Weltha said she will focus on football and academics at Truman State.
“To maintain really good grades and be the best (in football) too and try to get on the pitch as soon as possible,” said Weltha.
Weltha was an award winner for the Big 12 conference academic athlete at BHS.
Averie Hernandez had a special senior year in the Normal West. She was a leader in the Wildcat volleyball team that took third in the state, the best end of school.
Hernandez said the season was special for another reason as well. She went to play with her sister Sydney. Hernandez said the whole team felt family and shared a common goal.
“Everyone gave up everything they needed to give up to be able to work as a team and to have our own team goals,” said Hernandez. “I feel like everyone was all in what the masters had to say.”
Hernandez set several school records on her way to the Female Athlete of the Year award in McLean County. That award typically goes to multisport stars, but Hernandez gave up basketball two years ago to focus on volleyball. The move paid off. Hernandez ranks as one of the best volleyball players in the country. She has a scholarship to play volleyball in the Northwest.
Hernandez said she hopes to become a leader there as well, but later. For now, Hernandez said she wants to learn from athletes she admires.
“I’m super-excited honestly to be the youngest again just because I look at these girls and I’ve seen these girls on TV,” Hernandez said. “Being able to play with them is insane, but being able to hear what their feedback is going to do my best is my biggest goal.”
The future is always uncertain. Get out of striving and living. What is clear is that there is no goal that these student athletes cannot reach.
The Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission also recognized its best teams of the year; Central Catholic girls ’high school girls’ track and field. U-High placed second in the state finals. CCHS took third in the state and finished with the school’s best record of 25-4-1.
