After bad luck streak, Batavia's
determined Whelpley plans for grand finale
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Ashley Whelpley turned up at Batavia three years ago willing to try anything challenge.
She arrived at the school with credentials and a sharp sense of accomplishment from playing high level club soccer, youth basketball and running track.
Soccer requires a great deal, and specialization was her calling card. “As you get older, you have to focus on one sport,” she said.
The game was intrinsically tied to her personality and point of reference. As a young person looking to bloom, Whelpley envisioned the game as a necessary milieu and connective structure.
Ideally, she would learn, grow and develop orbiting a group of talented older players and find her niche.
In the spring of 2018, she proved her mettle immediately and was elevated to the varsity. That spoke to her talent, confidence and abilities.
Whelpley also instinctively realized the need to fit in and find herself through the game.
“I love meeting people," she said. "It was not that hard to open up to people. You’re naturally a little scared. You are hesitant about things, and you have to open yourself up to new experiences.
“I have always played with older girls, even before my freshman year. It was more about coming in as an underclassman and learning to adapt. Fortunately, I was already pretty used to that level of play.”
One consequence of playing the game at an early age is how players find their voice and their manner pretty early in the process.
As soon as they are cognizant, players learn what they like and what their strengths are.
A style is born. Whelpley was a naturally aggressive player who played in the midfield and through the top of the attack.
“I like to look at the whole field,” Whelpley said. “I am usually a center midfielder, and I like to distribute the ball and look for that open area. I also like to dribble it and create movement and find teammates up-top or on the side.
“I think the most important thing is that you can never be hesitant out there. You always have to find those open areas of the field.”
In a tight-knit program like Batavia, the older players naturally mentor the newcomers. Whelpley felt accepted by her older peers and was already making a contribution.
Suddenly, everything changed.
After playing five games into her freshman season, Whelpley suffered a devastating right knee injury that was later revealed to be a torn ACL.
It happened in practice during spring break. A catastrophic development was partly offset by the affection of her teammates.
“Her freshman year when it happened she had great support from a good group of seniors and teammates to help her get through it,” Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said.
Her recovery was long, painful and complicated.
“I have been playing soccer my whole life, all year-round, never had an injury that was that long,” she said. “It was hard seeing everyone out there and just wanting to play.
“That is all I know, just soccer. The game means so much to me. I saw it as a motivation of trying to get myself back.”
She also needed a second surgery to complete her return.
“Any injury to any athlete is definitely a mental game,” Whelpley said. “It’s all up to you, and you have the choice to either just give up or push through the pain.
“It was definitely a painful process mentally and physically. It taught me a lot about myself, and what I am capable of.”
Whelpley had to negotiate the harsh angles of pain and memory and also find her rhythm and confidence after nearly a full year away from the game.
Being back was one thing; being herself was something else entirely. The parts of the game that used to be so easy and natural were suddenly slippery and elusive.
“When I first got back there, I definitely felt like my confidence was really low,” Whelpley said.
Gianfrancesco put her on a minutes restriction during her sophomore year in the spring of 2019.
“Sophomore year she did a nice job acclimating back into our system while managing her return to playing,” he said. “She was very receptive to suggestions made throughout the season to limit minutes to keep her healthy.”
Fortunately she came back to a Batavia team that was loaded with talent up and down the roster, featuring multiple players that would eventually play at the next level.
Being back with her friends and teammates and taking part in the accomplishment of the group brought the old Ashley back.
“It was like a switch, and I definitely started to feel like my former self,” she said.
During her sophomore year, Batavia finished 17-6-2 and shared the debut season of the new DuKane Conference with St. Charles East.
The Bulldogs beat ultra-rival Geneva to capture the regional title. Whelpley was a significant part of the mix.
“Ashley is very coachable and willing to do anything to help the team,” Gianfrancesco said. “She is athletic and does have the positional versatility. I could literally see Ashley playing any position I put her in on the field and doing it pretty well — even goalie, which she may not enjoy.
“She is a hard worker and always wants to improve. Ashley truly has so many great qualities that it would be hard to pick just one.”
Whelpley combines ideal size and attributes: 5-feet-7–with quickness; burst; and a great touch on the ball.
“I think my best quality is my speed,” she said. “I like to accelerate the ball very well.
“I also think I am very good at keeping the ball and dribbling through people and finding the pathways to pass the ball or deliver through-balls.”
Last fall she worked hard on her game with the Chicago Soccer Academy of Fox Valley.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Whelpley was like the player before her injury — fast, free and open.
As training for the new season began, she was in her element. Expanding on the point of Gianfrancesco, she willingly moved to defense to help shore up the backline.
Then came the pandemic, a lost season and another crushing personal experience. However, Ashley Whelpley knows adversity.
“I was very disappointed that we didn’t get to play this season,” she said. “I have been working so hard to get to this. I didn’t get to play many games and be able to show my full potential. I was really excited to be able to play for my school.”
She spent the downtime working out, taking long runs and hoping that the moment would come when would get another chance.
Her sister Alexis, a year older, was her constant companion growing up with soccer. The two played together all the time. Alexis eventually shifted her attention to volleyball.
Her senior year was wiped out by the pandemic.
The injuries, the missed time, the pandemic, they sharpened what Whelpley admired most about the game.
“What I love the most is the team aspect, just having a team, all working together for one goal,” she said. “Not potentially to win every game but you play to get better. I have been with a lot of the same players since I was little.
“We all want to grow up to be better soccer players. Being able to dribble and make moves on people is such a great feeling.”
Her nature is to be selfless and optimistic, and Whelpley imagines a better future than the injury-marred past. The game is meaningful, and her hope is to have a standout senior year and play in college.
“I would love to play in college,” she said. “I have contacted some schools. With coronavirus, coaches can’t come see you. We have talked about filming my practices. I don’t really have any game film about me.
“I was late to the game. I didn’t get that many opportunities. I missed nationals twice and a lot of opportunities.
“No matter what happens, you don’t want to give up on it.”
determined Whelpley plans for grand finale
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Ashley Whelpley turned up at Batavia three years ago willing to try anything challenge.
She arrived at the school with credentials and a sharp sense of accomplishment from playing high level club soccer, youth basketball and running track.
Soccer requires a great deal, and specialization was her calling card. “As you get older, you have to focus on one sport,” she said.
The game was intrinsically tied to her personality and point of reference. As a young person looking to bloom, Whelpley envisioned the game as a necessary milieu and connective structure.
Ideally, she would learn, grow and develop orbiting a group of talented older players and find her niche.
In the spring of 2018, she proved her mettle immediately and was elevated to the varsity. That spoke to her talent, confidence and abilities.
Whelpley also instinctively realized the need to fit in and find herself through the game.
“I love meeting people," she said. "It was not that hard to open up to people. You’re naturally a little scared. You are hesitant about things, and you have to open yourself up to new experiences.
“I have always played with older girls, even before my freshman year. It was more about coming in as an underclassman and learning to adapt. Fortunately, I was already pretty used to that level of play.”
One consequence of playing the game at an early age is how players find their voice and their manner pretty early in the process.
As soon as they are cognizant, players learn what they like and what their strengths are.
A style is born. Whelpley was a naturally aggressive player who played in the midfield and through the top of the attack.
“I like to look at the whole field,” Whelpley said. “I am usually a center midfielder, and I like to distribute the ball and look for that open area. I also like to dribble it and create movement and find teammates up-top or on the side.
“I think the most important thing is that you can never be hesitant out there. You always have to find those open areas of the field.”
In a tight-knit program like Batavia, the older players naturally mentor the newcomers. Whelpley felt accepted by her older peers and was already making a contribution.
Suddenly, everything changed.
After playing five games into her freshman season, Whelpley suffered a devastating right knee injury that was later revealed to be a torn ACL.
It happened in practice during spring break. A catastrophic development was partly offset by the affection of her teammates.
“Her freshman year when it happened she had great support from a good group of seniors and teammates to help her get through it,” Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said.
Her recovery was long, painful and complicated.
“I have been playing soccer my whole life, all year-round, never had an injury that was that long,” she said. “It was hard seeing everyone out there and just wanting to play.
“That is all I know, just soccer. The game means so much to me. I saw it as a motivation of trying to get myself back.”
She also needed a second surgery to complete her return.
“Any injury to any athlete is definitely a mental game,” Whelpley said. “It’s all up to you, and you have the choice to either just give up or push through the pain.
“It was definitely a painful process mentally and physically. It taught me a lot about myself, and what I am capable of.”
Whelpley had to negotiate the harsh angles of pain and memory and also find her rhythm and confidence after nearly a full year away from the game.
Being back was one thing; being herself was something else entirely. The parts of the game that used to be so easy and natural were suddenly slippery and elusive.
“When I first got back there, I definitely felt like my confidence was really low,” Whelpley said.
Gianfrancesco put her on a minutes restriction during her sophomore year in the spring of 2019.
“Sophomore year she did a nice job acclimating back into our system while managing her return to playing,” he said. “She was very receptive to suggestions made throughout the season to limit minutes to keep her healthy.”
Fortunately she came back to a Batavia team that was loaded with talent up and down the roster, featuring multiple players that would eventually play at the next level.
Being back with her friends and teammates and taking part in the accomplishment of the group brought the old Ashley back.
“It was like a switch, and I definitely started to feel like my former self,” she said.
During her sophomore year, Batavia finished 17-6-2 and shared the debut season of the new DuKane Conference with St. Charles East.
The Bulldogs beat ultra-rival Geneva to capture the regional title. Whelpley was a significant part of the mix.
“Ashley is very coachable and willing to do anything to help the team,” Gianfrancesco said. “She is athletic and does have the positional versatility. I could literally see Ashley playing any position I put her in on the field and doing it pretty well — even goalie, which she may not enjoy.
“She is a hard worker and always wants to improve. Ashley truly has so many great qualities that it would be hard to pick just one.”
Whelpley combines ideal size and attributes: 5-feet-7–with quickness; burst; and a great touch on the ball.
“I think my best quality is my speed,” she said. “I like to accelerate the ball very well.
“I also think I am very good at keeping the ball and dribbling through people and finding the pathways to pass the ball or deliver through-balls.”
Last fall she worked hard on her game with the Chicago Soccer Academy of Fox Valley.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Whelpley was like the player before her injury — fast, free and open.
As training for the new season began, she was in her element. Expanding on the point of Gianfrancesco, she willingly moved to defense to help shore up the backline.
Then came the pandemic, a lost season and another crushing personal experience. However, Ashley Whelpley knows adversity.
“I was very disappointed that we didn’t get to play this season,” she said. “I have been working so hard to get to this. I didn’t get to play many games and be able to show my full potential. I was really excited to be able to play for my school.”
She spent the downtime working out, taking long runs and hoping that the moment would come when would get another chance.
Her sister Alexis, a year older, was her constant companion growing up with soccer. The two played together all the time. Alexis eventually shifted her attention to volleyball.
Her senior year was wiped out by the pandemic.
The injuries, the missed time, the pandemic, they sharpened what Whelpley admired most about the game.
“What I love the most is the team aspect, just having a team, all working together for one goal,” she said. “Not potentially to win every game but you play to get better. I have been with a lot of the same players since I was little.
“We all want to grow up to be better soccer players. Being able to dribble and make moves on people is such a great feeling.”
Her nature is to be selfless and optimistic, and Whelpley imagines a better future than the injury-marred past. The game is meaningful, and her hope is to have a standout senior year and play in college.
“I would love to play in college,” she said. “I have contacted some schools. With coronavirus, coaches can’t come see you. We have talked about filming my practices. I don’t really have any game film about me.
“I was late to the game. I didn’t get that many opportunities. I missed nationals twice and a lot of opportunities.
“No matter what happens, you don’t want to give up on it.”