Busy Prigge sisters
make time for Fremd soccer
By Mike Garofola
In the nonstop sports world of Allie and Liz Prigge, the COVID-19 outbreak slammed the brakes on the ultra-busy sisters, who rarely have a chance to slow down during the school year.
As it appears to be going the way of the dinosaur, three-sport athletes are a rare breed in today's world of specialization. But that's not the case for the Prigge girls, who have put in four years at golf, basketball and, of course, soccer.
"We've done so many sports: karate, swim, lacrosse," said Allie Prigge. "Our dad is a big baseball fan, but we never really played softball. Dad also loves golf, and that's where Liz and I settled in for our fall sport.
"Our dad could play golf everyday of his life if he could. So we've been getting lessons since we were eight. And since both of us wanted to be three-sport athletes, that's the one that got us started when we got to high school."
The twin sisters had the chance to share and enjoy being a part of basketball history when they helped lift the Vikings' first basketball state championship trophy following a 58-47 Class 4A victory over Lincoln-Way West on March 7.
"We were so lucky to be on such a great basketball team, and as fortunate that we all were to compete for a state championship, but very fortunate also, because two weeks later, the boys state tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19," Liz Prigge said.
"I know being on a basketball team with (11) seniors, it would have been devastating to have your season end so quickly. I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it was for boys basketball teams, especially since they were ready to play sectional finals."
Liz, a 5-foot-9 forward, played in all 37 games for the 4A champions. She hauled down 107 rebounds on the season, fifth best on the team.
Allie, a 5-6 guard, almost watched the final in street clothes when a case of strep throat nearly dashed her hopes of being in uniform and on the bench with her teammates.
"I was feeling terrible and in so much pain," said Allie, who in a reserve role got into 13 games on the season. "Luckily, we were in the final and the late game. So we went to an urgent care facility, (I was) checked out and given antibiotics. I was on that bench for a once-in-a-lifetime moment."
The two defensive soccer stars are the perfect compliment to fellow backliner Lauren Burk. Together the trio forms a granite wall in front of all-state keeper Jenny Norris.
Like her sister, Liz Prigge, who was named to the 2019 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team, is an aggressive, man-marking specialist. She is fearless in the tackle, in the air and in close quarters but is also a vibrant part of the Vikings attack when either going forward or when providing dangerous free kick service.
Allie, clearly on par with others on All-State lists and perhaps a victim of the numbers game in that regard, is just as gritty as her mates along the ball. Her tireless energy, ball-winning ability, tough tackling and no-nonsense attitude makes her another few opponents want to venture near.
As a team, the Vikings are ready and hopeful that there will be a partial season.
"We all really felt the team we have this season was built to win," said Allie.
"It wasn't so much about talent, it was more of the way our mindset was so strong since the very beginning, and the fact that so many of us have played together for so long -- nine or 10 of us being on varsity two years ago as sophomores."
"We've all been working very hard. (Fremd manager Steve) Keller has pushed us hard ever since we all made the varsity two years ago," added Liz. "So we feel the potential is there for us to have a very strong season."
Though both have shunned a more relaxed lifestyle and the grind of being three-sport athletes can be exhausting, they have enjoyed the experience to its fullest.
While the current crisis has kept the Prigges away from their teammates, it hasn't stopped either one. They keep their fingers crossed for the start of the 2020 season.
"Our schedule when school was in session was nearly the same from the time we woke up, and it hasn't changed much, except for not having training after school," said Liz, who joins her sister on the Ela Soccer Club out of nearby Lake Zurich during the offseason.
They have a new regimen now.
"We run together, lift together, all at home, do some school work, and spend a lot of time staying in touch with all of our teammates through social media," Liz said.
It's quite clear the Prigge sisters who share some mannerisms and talk alike, were destined to attend the same college next fall.
The two visited Carthage and Wisconsin-Oshkosh before signing the dotted line to play at Wisconsin-Whitewater.
"The bottom line -- we get along so well, and we want to be together in college as well," said Allie, who like her father is likely headed to a career in accounting but keeps the possiblity of venturing into physical therapy in the mix.
"We initially thought playing for a Division I college might work, but in reality playing Division III soccer will help give us a balance that we both want," said Liz, who will share a room with her sister and two others, both of whom are tennis players.
"Carthage was really nice, but too small with 2,000 students. With all three schools, we'll still be close to home, which was important for us also."
make time for Fremd soccer
By Mike Garofola
In the nonstop sports world of Allie and Liz Prigge, the COVID-19 outbreak slammed the brakes on the ultra-busy sisters, who rarely have a chance to slow down during the school year.
As it appears to be going the way of the dinosaur, three-sport athletes are a rare breed in today's world of specialization. But that's not the case for the Prigge girls, who have put in four years at golf, basketball and, of course, soccer.
"We've done so many sports: karate, swim, lacrosse," said Allie Prigge. "Our dad is a big baseball fan, but we never really played softball. Dad also loves golf, and that's where Liz and I settled in for our fall sport.
"Our dad could play golf everyday of his life if he could. So we've been getting lessons since we were eight. And since both of us wanted to be three-sport athletes, that's the one that got us started when we got to high school."
The twin sisters had the chance to share and enjoy being a part of basketball history when they helped lift the Vikings' first basketball state championship trophy following a 58-47 Class 4A victory over Lincoln-Way West on March 7.
"We were so lucky to be on such a great basketball team, and as fortunate that we all were to compete for a state championship, but very fortunate also, because two weeks later, the boys state tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19," Liz Prigge said.
"I know being on a basketball team with (11) seniors, it would have been devastating to have your season end so quickly. I cannot imagine how heartbreaking it was for boys basketball teams, especially since they were ready to play sectional finals."
Liz, a 5-foot-9 forward, played in all 37 games for the 4A champions. She hauled down 107 rebounds on the season, fifth best on the team.
Allie, a 5-6 guard, almost watched the final in street clothes when a case of strep throat nearly dashed her hopes of being in uniform and on the bench with her teammates.
"I was feeling terrible and in so much pain," said Allie, who in a reserve role got into 13 games on the season. "Luckily, we were in the final and the late game. So we went to an urgent care facility, (I was) checked out and given antibiotics. I was on that bench for a once-in-a-lifetime moment."
The two defensive soccer stars are the perfect compliment to fellow backliner Lauren Burk. Together the trio forms a granite wall in front of all-state keeper Jenny Norris.
Like her sister, Liz Prigge, who was named to the 2019 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team, is an aggressive, man-marking specialist. She is fearless in the tackle, in the air and in close quarters but is also a vibrant part of the Vikings attack when either going forward or when providing dangerous free kick service.
Allie, clearly on par with others on All-State lists and perhaps a victim of the numbers game in that regard, is just as gritty as her mates along the ball. Her tireless energy, ball-winning ability, tough tackling and no-nonsense attitude makes her another few opponents want to venture near.
As a team, the Vikings are ready and hopeful that there will be a partial season.
"We all really felt the team we have this season was built to win," said Allie.
"It wasn't so much about talent, it was more of the way our mindset was so strong since the very beginning, and the fact that so many of us have played together for so long -- nine or 10 of us being on varsity two years ago as sophomores."
"We've all been working very hard. (Fremd manager Steve) Keller has pushed us hard ever since we all made the varsity two years ago," added Liz. "So we feel the potential is there for us to have a very strong season."
Though both have shunned a more relaxed lifestyle and the grind of being three-sport athletes can be exhausting, they have enjoyed the experience to its fullest.
While the current crisis has kept the Prigges away from their teammates, it hasn't stopped either one. They keep their fingers crossed for the start of the 2020 season.
"Our schedule when school was in session was nearly the same from the time we woke up, and it hasn't changed much, except for not having training after school," said Liz, who joins her sister on the Ela Soccer Club out of nearby Lake Zurich during the offseason.
They have a new regimen now.
"We run together, lift together, all at home, do some school work, and spend a lot of time staying in touch with all of our teammates through social media," Liz said.
It's quite clear the Prigge sisters who share some mannerisms and talk alike, were destined to attend the same college next fall.
The two visited Carthage and Wisconsin-Oshkosh before signing the dotted line to play at Wisconsin-Whitewater.
"The bottom line -- we get along so well, and we want to be together in college as well," said Allie, who like her father is likely headed to a career in accounting but keeps the possiblity of venturing into physical therapy in the mix.
"We initially thought playing for a Division I college might work, but in reality playing Division III soccer will help give us a balance that we both want," said Liz, who will share a room with her sister and two others, both of whom are tennis players.
"Carthage was really nice, but too small with 2,000 students. With all three schools, we'll still be close to home, which was important for us also."