NORMAL — Situations in life have a way of coming full circle.
That was the case this past Friday at the IHSA Class 2A state championship game in Normal between Athens and Wilmington.
Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin senior Ayden Ingram and Westville senior Drew Wichtowski were presented with their All-State Certificates during the game, just about 10 years earlier Ingram and Wichtowski were teammates on a local baseball team.
“Drew and I have been friends since we were teammates on a baseball team coached by my dad (Rich),’’ said Ayden. “Now, when it came to football, we were always on opposite teams.’’
For the past four seasons, Ingram and Wichtowski battled for supremacy in the Vermilion Valley Conference. Ingram’s team won league titles in 2021 (spring), 2021 (fall) and 2022 but this past year it was Wichtowski’s squad getting the top spot in the VVC.
“I think it’s a pretty big deal that Ayden and I, two guys playing in the VVC, were both able to recognized as All-State players this year,’’ Wichtowski said. “Over the years, we’ve been teammates but we’ve also had some pretty good battles as rivals.
“On Saturday, we were two guys representing Vermilion County.’’
It was the third time in the past seven years that both Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin and Westville had players selected for the all-state team.
Ingram is the ninth straight Blue Devil to earn the honor, joining former players like Caleb Lahey (2018), Mason Hackman (2021) and Cody Miller (2017).
“Being an all-stater is a pretty big tradition at our school and I’m honored to be one selected this season,’’ said Ingram, who had 1,024 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns this season for the Blue Devils. “Our season wasn’t quite as good as we had hoped, but I really think we got better each game and we feel like we should have won our playoff game with Farmington.’’
Wichtowski is the third Westville player in the past 10 years to be named all-state, joining Rylee Edwards (2021) and Tylan Stricklett (2017).
“It really means a lot for me to join guys like Rylee Edwards, Caleb Pratt and Jordan Barney,’’ said Wichtowski, who accounted for more than 1,500 yards of total offense this season. “Winning the conference title and being named all-state is a pretty nice way to end my high school football career.’’
Ingram and Wichtowski were both key contributors on offense and defense for their respective teams. Ingram as a wide receiver and defensive back, while Wichtowski played quarterback and defensive end.
“I always wanted to do whatever I could to help my team win,’’ Ingram said.
Wichtowski had a similar response, “I didn’t want to stand on the sidelines during a game. I wanted to be out there for every play.’’
Ironically, both players are not completely immersed in the boys basketball season, but come this spring, Ingram heads to track while Wichtowski will be on the baseball field.
“Ayden was a pretty good baseball player when we were younger, but he is really good at track,’’ Wichtowski said.