Prairie Ridge tennis, softball teams honored after state finals runs

The District 155 Board of Education recognized two Prairie Ridge athletics programs on Tuesday: the boys tennis team, which finished second in the IHSA Class 1A state finals for the second consecutive year, and the Prairie Ridge softball team, which captured the program’s first IHSA state trophy with a third‑place finish in Class 3A.

During the recognition, the board invited coach Willie Stazney and several players from the tennis team to speak. Coach Stazney summarized the season, noting the team hosted sectional competition and that “all 4 positions qualify[ed] for the state tournament.” Players described the season as a “full team effort” and recounted close matches and tiebreakers in postseason play.

Coach Scott Busem and members of the softball team also addressed the board. Busem described back‑to‑back double‑digit win streaks during the season and praised the team’s resiliency at state, saying he was “so much happier to be here doing this instead” of appearing for disciplinary reasons and that the players’ commitment and culture produced on‑field success. He noted his staff and the school community made players feel “very special” during the trip to state. Busem was named the 2025 Northwest Herald Softball Coach of the Year.

Several student athletes briefly introduced themselves and described next steps; one tennis player said he was committed to Wartburg College for tennis and one softball player said she planned to play golf at Illinois.

The recognitions were ceremonial; no formal board action was recorded beyond the invitations to the athletes to speak and the customary photographs.