Athletes of the Year 2020
Monyca G.
Female Athlete of the Year: Class of 2020
Angela Dugalic
Miss Basketball for the state of Illinois in 2020, Dugalic has had an incredible basketball career which led to being named All-Conference three times and All-State twice. She is the only McDonald’s All-American Girls Basketball player in the state, and the only player to achieve that honor in the history of Maine West. Ranked as the number one player in the state and a top recruit in the nation, Dugalic is a force on the basketball court.
Among her many records, Dugalic is the second all-time leading scorer and rebounder in school history. She broke the record for varsity games played and the record for points scored in a season. Dugalic and her teammates finished with an incredible overall record of 125-10 and went 40-0 in the CSL. A team captain, she helped lead the Warriors to a Class 4A state title in 2019, a third-place finish in 2018, and CSL, regional, and sectional championships in each of her four seasons as a Warrior.
In addition to playing basketball, she played volleyball at West on a conference championship team. Dugalic was also a sectional champion, an IHSA state qualifier, and all-conference performer in track.
“The first time I saw Angela play was when she was in middle school. She was playing in a game for the Junior Warriors on a Sunday here at Maine West. She was tall and thin, talented, and almost always smiling. And while it was fun to watch her play, I had no idea that she would become the star that she is today,” athletic director Jarrett Kirshner said. “Angela is an outstanding athlete. Angela has been an outstanding teammate. She is a great leader who has high expectations for herself and her teammates. She won the respect of her peers, opponents, coaches, and media by carrying herself in a manner that makes us all proud to call her a Warrior.”
Head basketball coach Kim DeMaringy said of her, “Angela has been the face of Maine West girls basketball for several years. This final high school honor could not be more appropriate for such a talented female athlete. She is truly a great basketball player, but even more importantly a great person.”
Dugalic is a great student, too, who navigated a challenging schedule of AP and accelerated courses. “Her commitment to excellence extended well beyond the basketball floor. She is one of the most accomplished athletes to ever walk the halls at Maine West,” Kirshner said.
In addition to being named Athlete of the year, Dugalic will be inducted into the Maine West Athletics Hall of Fame. Dugalic will be taking her academic and athletic excellence to the University of Oregon next year where she will be playing basketball for the Ducks.
Male Athlete of the Year: Class of 2020
Ray Ure
A four-sport star, Ure had his biggest impact at West with the boys swimming and diving program. He qualified for the IHSA State diving finals three times and earned the program’s first state finals points and medal in 47 years when he finished ninth overall, earning him all-state honors.
In sectionals, Ure shattered the school diving record with a score of 508.6. He also destroyed the six-dive record earlier in the year with a 267.85.
“I have been so fortunate to watch him develop into the fine young man that he has become. Being dedicated to multiple sports and activities takes a lot of coordination and it was something that Ray knew he wanted, so he made it happen,” diving coach Mike Tuntland said of Ure. “He balanced all of his sports, studies, and his personal life and remained loyal in all areas. He is also a very humble person. Combined that with his witty, compassionate character, he has earned the respect of athletes, coaches, and fans from all of his sports and beyond.”
Head boys swim and dive coach Chris Trella described Ure as “the most accomplished boys diver in Maine West History.”
At Maine West, “we love our multi-sport athletes. Ray was someone who excels in everything he does. He lettered nine times in cross-country, diving, and baseball, and he was named CSL All-Conference six times,” athletic director Jarrett Kirshner said. “He is a talented, focused, and versatile athlete.”
On the cross country team, Ure made the All-Conference team three times, was MVP three times and was an IHSA state qualifier his senior year. Ure was an outstanding captain and leader for the team, according to his coaches.
Head cross country coach Andy Trotter said, “He led by example – his work ethic was second to none. He was also willing to do whatever was necessary to help any runner on the team. One of the things that really impressed me about Ray was his sportsmanship and how he handled himself. Ray was an absolute pleasure to coach.”
Head baseball coach Mike Randazzo said, “I’ve never seen an athlete dominate in so many different sports like Ray has. He goes about his business in such a humble manner.”
His talents extend beyond Maine West athletics, too. In December, Ure won his sixth national singles title in the United States Handball Association (USHA) National Championships — a sport he perfected while competing at Lattof YMCA: https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/beaming-ray/
Ure “demonstrates an incredible work ethic in everything he does. His outstanding commitment to academic excellence is evidenced by his 4.5 GPA. Ure is a great student, an outstanding athlete, and a dedicated teammate,” Kirshner said. Ure will be moving on to Minnesota State University, Mankato, to participate in the cross country and track programs and to play handball.
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