Give it a rest? No way

Rachel Bostick has helped the Waubonsie Valley girls basketball and soccer teams get used to success. The squads went a combined 53-3-1 this school year.
(Kate Szrom/Naperville Sun)

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Rachel Bostick looked conflicted - at least in her attire.

She was at the Waubonsie Valley gym for the girls basketball summer camp Tuesday morning. But she was wearing a red T-shirt with "America's Soccer Club" written on the front, and blue Adidas soccer shorts.

Standing on the sideline, Bostick wasn't participating as the Warriors went through their paces during the 10-day camp. For those used to seeing a more active Bostick, the whole scene seemed odd. Just imagine how it felt for Bostick, who rarely rests in either varsity sport she plays at Waubonsie.

"I miss it," Bostick said. "I didn't get to do much basketball during soccer season. I miss the girls and not getting to play with them. Sitting here and watching is frustrating."

A right shoulder injury suffered during basketball season has kept Bostick from participating in the camp. She also missed seven regular-season games. But it didn't keep her from playing with the Warriors soccer team, which she helped complete another unbeaten season and second straight Class AA state title.

Those teams finished with a remarkable 52-3-1 combined record as Bostick earned Sun All-City honors in both sports. She can now add Sun 2007-08 Girls Athlete of the Year to the list.

In two basketball and three soccer seasons, Bostick's varsity record stands at 122-12-6. She's helped Waubonsie capture four Upstate Eight Conference championships (three in soccer, one in basketball), four regional crowns (two in each), and two sectional, supersectional and state titles in soccer.

"Every time she steps on the floor, she doesn't want to lose," Waubonsie girls basketball coach Kris Kalivas said. "She presents that to her teammates and she does it by example and (words). And kids rise to her level of play."

Bostick averaged 8.4 points and 7.4 rebounds for the 26-3 Warriors, who lost twice to Hinsdale Central in the regular season before falling to Bolingbrook in a sectional semifinal. The squad tied a school record for fewest losses in a season.

She followed that with a 13-goal soccer season despite playing a mostly defensive midfielder position. Only Vanessa DiBernardo scored more for the 26-0-1 state champs.

"She's a great inspiration because she's always working hard," said classmate Kiki McClellan, who also plays basketball and soccer. "She goes hard no matter what. She takes (losses) hard, but then she gets right back out there. She knows it's just one game."

That "one-game-at-a-time" mentality has kept Bostick focused. The sinking feeling brought by losing is transformed into motivation to never experience that again.

And if she never wins another varsity game - which is an unfathomable proposition - Bostick can rest in knowing she's already part of a lasting legacy at Waubonsie, a school that had never won a state crown in a team sport prior to last season.

"I don't think people are going to forget the 2007 and 2008 Waubonsie girls soccer teams," Bostick said. "Winning two in a row for a school that's never won one before? It's just so cool."