Athletics
Washburn has a great history of tough athletes and solid athletic programs. The most incredible accomplishment
by the school was in 1948 (1948-49 school year) when the Washburn Boy's Cross Country team finished 2nd
in the IHSA State Cross Country Meet! This was a true team effort as no individual brought home a
medal, however, all five top finishers placed high enough to warrant the 2nd place finish.
What truly makes this so unbelievable was that the Cross Country meet was a one-class system. Washburn's boys beat
the likes of Elmhurst York, Chicago Lane Tech, East St. Louis Senior, and Chicago Heights Bloom! The only
team to finish better than the WHS was Paris. Washburn also had some success in Boy's Basketball and Boy's Track &
Field. These successful seasons and individuals are listed below.
Boys' Cross Country
1948-49 Team Finished 2ND in the State Meet
Final
Standings
Paris
- 23
Washburn - 73
Elmhurst
York - 105
Chicago
Lane Tech - 110
East St.
Louis Sr. - 123
Erie
- 123
Chicago
Heights Bloom - 144
Streator
- 220
Christopher
- 224
Talk about a near Hebron story!
Boys' Basketball
The Washburn boys were competitive in the Woodford County Tournament in the late 1920's, finishing as the runner-up in
consecutive years, and it won back to back District titles in the early 1940's.
.
1927-28 Woodford Co.
Tourney Runners-up Coach unknown
1928-29 Woodford Co. Tourney
Runners-up Coach unknown
1929-30 18- 7
Coach George Doak
1930-31 Woodford
Co. Tourney Runners-Up Coach unknown
1943-44 N.R.A. District Champions
Coach unknown
1944-45 N.R.A. District Champions
Coach unknown
Boy's Track & Field
The Washburn boy's tracksters were not to be out done as four individuals brought home five medals from the IHSA
State Track Meet.
1904-04 F.E. Owens Pole Vault
3rd Place
1905-06 F.E. Owens Pole Vault
2nd Place
1918-19 Barnes 440 Yard Dash
2nd Place
1918-19 Safford 50 Yard Dash
3rd Place
1929-30 Boon
Discus 4th Place
Seeking More Information
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Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, IL 60631
