Lake County Gazette

Libertyville High School twins Claire and Kelly Keefe were recently honored with the Overcoming Obstacles award during the Daily Herald Prep Sports Excellence Awards at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, the Daily Herald said.

Athletic directors in the area select their top five senior male and female sports stars for the award. 

Claire and Kelly are members of the Libertyville High School girls basketball team. Kelly was a behind-the-scenes supporter as the manager of the team after health problems stopped her from playing this season. She soon became Claire’s, biggest supporter, the Daily Herald article said.

Also winning the Overcoming Obstacles award was Nolan Williamson of the Elgin High School’s boys gymnastics team. Williamson won the all-around state championship despite having suffering a broken neck the summer before. He said the support from his family and friends was a major factor in his return, the article said.

Conant High School boys’ basketball coach Tom McCormack along with Barb Barrows, athletic director of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, both took home the Coach of the Year award. 

Grace Loberg of Geneva High School’s girls basketball team won the Sweetest Moment category after helping the team win its first ever state championship, the article said. She was wearing a casting boot at the ceremony and walked to the stage to accept her award. Jordan Rowell, running back for IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, won the other Sweetest Moment award after he helped his team go undefeated for the season and win the state championship.