ESL selected as 4 th best high school for athletes

USD24

All-American
May 29, 2001
5,637
5,572
113
That seems to be a stretch. I would say they are top tier in Football, boys Track and Field, boys basketball and maybe girls track and field. That's pretty much it. They are basically a non factor in every other girls sport as well as boys wrestling, baseball, cross country, golf, tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball, bowling, lacrosse. I feel that in order to be considered a top school in the country for athletics, you have to excel in more than a few sports.
 

refreff01

Freshman
Sep 2, 2025
83
64
18
I saw that and was wondering if it was just some randomness collection of schools . I am not sure how Marist does not make that list. Perennial national powers in both volleyball and softball. Competitive in other sports notably wrestling, cheer, band and oh and a basketball title. I'd have guessed it was not inclusive of privates but that's not the case.

The single gender aspect hurts the SR, MC and BR's of the state who can, even with a single gender, tout athletic success at a high level
 
Jul 9, 2025
14
16
3
Always a fun list. Cool to see 2 Illinois schools on there! I would consider adding New Trier. Also surprised to see Carmel of Indiana not on there. And I would move Saint Thomas Aquinas into the Top 10 or 5.
 

AmbroseBlack

Junior
Jul 10, 2016
221
300
63
I saw that and was wondering if it was just some randomness collection of schools . I am not sure how Marist does not make that list. Perennial national powers in both volleyball and softball. Competitive in other sports notably wrestling, cheer, band and oh and a basketball title. I'd have guessed it was not inclusive of privates but that's not the case.

The single gender aspect hurts the SR, MC and BR's of the state who can, even with a single gender, tout athletic success at a high level
While I believe you can make a case for the Flyers, I wouldn't put too much thought into the metrics used to determine this list; this site just posts lists like this for engagement, as sports and school rankings are not their area of expertise.
1000023666.jpg
 
Jul 3, 2025
729
698
93
How bout academics?
Baby Boomers Boomer GIF by MOODMAN
 
  • Like
Reactions: jha618

CoachAgro95

Freshman
Aug 21, 2026
65
67
18
It is possible that asking about academics could be a poke at a predominantly African American populated school. It is possible that knowledge of the area being very impoverished and statistically, schools with him rates of poverty don't have great records for academics. It is also possible that ESL, and many of the other schools on there, push football and do a variety of things to "assist" with grade eligibility of players (think Friday Night Lights Boobie Miles) to where the athletes aren't held to account because sport is more important.

I am not sure of the author's true intent but this is my 25 cents (2 cents adjusted for inflation!)
 
  • Angry
Reactions: ODERTY1
Jul 3, 2025
729
698
93
It is possible that asking about academics could be a poke at a predominantly African American populated school. It is possible that knowledge of the area being very impoverished and statistically, schools with him rates of poverty don't have great records for academics. It is also possible that ESL, and many of the other schools on there, push football and do a variety of things to "assist" with grade eligibility of players (think Friday Night Lights Boobie Miles) to where the athletes aren't held to account because sport is more important.

I am not sure of the author's true intent but this is my 25 cents (2 cents adjusted for inflation!)
I thought inflation was down? Shouldn't it be 21 cents? Back in my day you know...

Either of the three scenario's, it was a nonsense comment. Elitist drabble at best... Prejudice at worst.... Most likely somewhere in the middle, aka boomer just being boomer.
 
Edgy Tim

Latest

  1. 01 Edgy Tim Football Week 12 EDGYTIM Chicagoland Top 30
  2. 02 Edgy Tim Football Video 5A: Carbondale 42 TF North 10
  3. 03 MizzouToday Football Recruiting Jabarri Lofton wins friendly competition with Raheem Floyd over Mizzou-Florida game
  4. 04 High School Football Illinois high school football teams combine for highest scoring game in IHSA playoff history
  5. 05 Edgy Tim Football Video 5A: St. Francis 48 Kaneland 12