Sam Brief

Sam Brief is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

Evanston senior Dawson Wright won the state title in the shot put during the Class 3A state meet at Eastern Illinois in Charleston on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

A state champion sprinter, Evanston’s Dawson Wright couldn’t run. Instead, she shoots for the top in shot put.

May 26, 2023 at 3:04 p.m.

Evanston's Dawson Wright is a state champion in an event she hadn't even tried until this year. An accomplished sprinter with a state title already on her resume, Wright switched...

Stevenson goalkeeper Katie Delaney celebrates after an 11-5 win against Mother McAuley in the state championship game at Stevenson in Lincolnshire on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Longtime figure skater Katie Delaney becomes ‘greatest goalie’ for 5-time state champion Stevenson water polo

May 24, 2023 at 4:47 p.m.

When Katie Delaney stepped onto Stevenson's campus as a freshman, she hadn't even dabbled in water polo. "I did swim freshman year, and I wasn't even sure if I wanted...

Neuqua Valley's Nalia Clifford, right, watches the Metea Valley pitcher just before stealing second base during a freshman/sophomore game in Aurora on Friday, April 28, 2023.

Nalia Clifford has followed in her brother’s footsteps in baseball for years. All the way to Neuqua Valley.

May 19, 2023 at 6:01 p.m.

Eight years old at the time, Nalia Clifford was getting ready to accompany her family to a baseball field one day. Her older brother, Nolan, was set to try out...

Neuqua Valley's Trista Werner smiles between innings of a DuPage Valley Conference game against Naperville North in Naperville on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Trista Werner’s time has come at Neuqua Valley. Older sister Taylor and her teammates knew it would.

April 28, 2023 at 12:27 p.m.

It's spring in 2018, and Taylor Werner is playing third base for Neuqua Valley. Near the stands, her 11-year-old sister, Trista, is half-watching and half-practicing. Trista Werner is pitching to...

Lake Forest's Tadgh Burke bats during a game against Stevenson in Lincolnshire on Monday, April 24, 2023.

One of the state’s best golfers, Tadgh Burke emerges as Lake Forest’s ace: ‘He does not accept mediocrity’

April 25, 2023 at 4:15 p.m.

Wake up at 6 a.m. Drive to the Lake Bluff Golf Club. Play nine holes. Arrive at school by 8:15 a.m. Repeat the next day. That's life for Lake Forest...

Lemont's Sage Mardjetko (16) talks with her teammates while in the on-deck circle against Shepard during a South Suburban Conference crossover in Palos Heights on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Get this. South Carolina-bound Sage Mardjetko gets better, strikes out 20 as Lemont tops Shepard. ‘She continues to grow.’

April 21, 2023 at 2:40 a.m.

Sage Mardjetko stomped her white-and-green cleats on first base and smiled widely. Then, after being coaxed by her Lemont teammates in the nearby dugout, the South Carolina-bound pitcher pumped both...

Sam Brief

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A state champion sprinter, Evanston’s Dawson Wright couldn’t run. Instead, she shoots for the top in shot put.

Longtime figure skater Katie Delaney becomes ‘greatest goalie’ for 5-time state champion Stevenson water polo

Nalia Clifford has followed in her brother’s footsteps in baseball for years. All the way to Neuqua Valley.

Trista Werner’s time has come at Neuqua Valley. Older sister Taylor and her teammates knew it would.

One of the state’s best golfers, Tadgh Burke emerges as Lake Forest’s ace: ‘He does not accept mediocrity’

Get this. South Carolina-bound Sage Mardjetko gets better, strikes out 20 as Lemont tops Shepard. ‘She continues to grow.’

Marist doesn’t come up short with Justin Lang’s walk-off hit to beat St. Laurence. But … ‘I thought I hit it too high.’

Naperville Central’s Kendall Lenz is a lifelong righty. Then she switched sides at the plate. ‘I caught on quickly.’

UIC recruit Michael Belbot channels emotions and becomes star for Stevenson

Illinois center Brandon Lieb enters transfer portal. The Deerfield graduate will look for more playing time.