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Toluca High School |
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Toluca, Illinois |
The History of Toluca High School
Toluca (population 1,339) is located in north central Illinois in east central Marshall
County. The town is located on Illinois Route 117 just south of Illinois Route 17. The AT & SF Railroad runs
through town as does the North Branch of the Crow Creek. The town is located about 30 miles northeast of Peoria (as the
crow flies).
The town continued to flourish until 1924, when the coal mines closed. In that one year hundreds
of families left town looking for work. Though two hills, known as "The Jumbos," in Toluca remain as reminders
of the town's coal mining past, the population has declined to a steady 1,400 for the past few decades. Those
from Toluca consider the hills a land mark they are proud of, just like two restaurants in town, Mona's and Capponi's, which
were opened by the Bernardi family in the 1930's.
The residents of Toluca immediately recognized a need for higher education and established a high school
in 1893. The first graduating class for THS was the Class of 1897. The school prospered and excelled in many areas
for nearly 100 years.
In the late 1980's/early 1990's, consolidation talks with nearby Minonk-Dana-Rutland and Wenona surfaced. The effort became a reality in 1993 when Toluca High was deactivated and the Fieldcrest School
System was born. The high school remained in Minonk. Toluca residents built a "new" high school building in
1922, which served the school district as Toluca High until its closure in 1993. The Toluca High School building now serves
as the Fieldcrest West Elementary and Middle School.
Coming Soon two volume History Books of The Boy’s Basketball of Toluca High School.
This 2 volume history of the Wildcats is packed with group, individual and action photographs and many articles from 1923
to the closing of Toluca High School in 1992. There will a special pricing if both volume’s are purchased at the same
time. Don’t delay order your books today by emailing Terri at www.tntimage@mchsi.com.
Toluca High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
1893
Year closed: 1992
School nickname: the "Wildcats"
School colors:
Purple, Gold, & White
School Fight Song: "Wave the Flag"
FIGHT
SONG LYRICS COURTESY OF TnT Photo
TOLUCA HIGH SCHOOL SONG
Wave the colors of Toluca
The Purple and the Gold
Fighting ever for her Honor
Are Players Brave and Bold
The Boys will Fight Hard for
Their School’s Fame
We’ll Praise them to the Sky
While they Fight to win this Ball
Game
We’ll Cheer Toluca High
TOLUCA HIGH SCHOOL SONG
Wave the Colors of Toluca
The Purple and the White, Rah Rah
Fighting ever for our Honor
Our Players they will Fight, Rah Rah
We know they’ll try to Win this
Ball Game
We’ll Praise them to the Sky
Our Boys who fight to win this Ball
Game
We will Cheer Toluca High
T-TOL-U-UCA TOL-UCA TOLUCA
(This song is repeated twice before
you say Toluca)
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Toluca HS Gymnasium |
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Athletics
The Toluca High School Wildcats have a VERY long and storied history in Illinois High School athletics. The boys
basketball program was one of the premier programs in northern Illinois in the 1960's, 70's, and 80's. The boys' track
team had some real nice success in the 1920s. Showing that they were well-rounded athletes, the baseball teams at
Toluca also had some very good teams. Though there is no mention of girl's athletics on the IHSA web site ( www.ihsa.org) we are confident there were many competitive teams forged by the Lady Wildcats as well. Toluca competed in the Tri-County
Conference throughout its existence. If you have any information on the athletic program at Toluca you would like to share
please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.
1983-84 Super Sectional - Pre-Game |
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#42 Todd Rankin, Bernard Beoletti (background), Coach Chuck Rolinski, Mike DeRubeis |
Boys Basketball
No reason to wait here. The boys' basketball program at Toluca High was extremely strong for many years. For
over seven decades, the Wildcats consistently had teams vying for IHSA hardware. Even during the one-class system in
Illinois, Toluca had to be reckoned with by the "big boys." Were it not for a couple of breaks and an
unfortunate match-up, Toluca would have brought home some hardware from the big tournament.
Two coaches define the incredible success attained by the Toluca Wildcats on the hardwood. First came Anton
J. (Tony) Kresl, who coached the "Cats" from 1932-33 to 1946-47. During his 15-year tenure at Toluca,
Kresl's teams had eight 20+ win seasons (including three seasons of 27 wins) and brought home four Regional
titles. His overall record of 294-122 rank him second on Toluca's all-time list. His teams also won five consecutive
Tri-County Conference titles from 1941 - 1945. He led the boys of 1944-45 to the school's first Sectional Championship
game (and a top-32 team finish). Great job Coach Kresl and the boys of the 1930's and 1940's.
The next name is known throughout the Illinois High School basketball coaching circles. Coach Chuck Rolinski
was one of the premier coaches in northern Illinois during his career. His accomplishments are well-written
about by Toluca fan David Gallianetti:
"Without question, the school's most well-known coach was state coaching legend Chuck Rolinski,
a Toluca native who was named athletic director, basketball coach, and baseball coach in 1956. When he retired folowing
the 1987-88 season, his 32-year basketball career ended with a 649-262 record, then good for 7th on the all-time wins list. Coach
Rolinski is considered the "father" of the two-class Illinois state basketball tournament, as he was the driving
force behind the creation of two classes.
Toluca won 59 major championships under Rolinski. Included were 16 Tri-County Conference titles,
12 Regional titles, and three Sectional titles which resulted in three Sweet 16 appearances. Rolinski, an
Illinois State University graduate, and his wife, Anita, still reside in Toluca. Coach Rolinski serves
the Illinois Basketball Coach's Association as its secretary-treasurer. He is a member of the ISU, IBCA, and Greater
Peoria Area Halls of Fame."
The former Toluca High School gymnasium (current Fieldcrest West Grade School gym) is named Chuck Rolinski Gymnasium
(see photos below).
Long game - One side-story involving the Toluca High basketball program involves the Freshman/Sophomore
team. Playing their arch-rivals Wenona in February of 1930, the "Wildkits" were involved in one of the longest games
in high school history. The game went 10 overtimes before Wenona prevailed 26-22. Some coverage
about the game was even received on a national level!
The INCREDIBLE small-town high school successes of the Toluca High School Wildcats basketball program,
according to the IHSA web site, are listed below.
1920-21 Marshall Co. Tourney Champions
Coach Swanson
Toluca "Wildcats" - 1920-21 Marshall Co. Champs |
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Courtesy of Terri Taylor - www.tntimages.com (Left Click for enlarged version) |
1921-22 Ottawa District Tourney
Coach Ed Foley
1st
Rd Beat Princeton 36-16
2nd
Rd lost to LaSalle-Peru 21-16
1922-23 Postseason scores and record needed. Coach
Ed Foley
1923-24 LaSalle District Champions Coach
Ed Foley
Early Rd Scores Needed
Semi-Final Beat LaSalle-Peru 19-18
Title Game Beat Mendota 31-16
Peoria Sectional Tournament
1st Rd Lost to Cornell 22-7
Canton
Beat Bloomington in title game
CORNELL (22): Lindquist 12, Grimm 4, Johnson 4, Rusted 2.
TOLUCA (7): Cattistella 4, Mariotti 2, Cassel 1.
1924-25 Postseason scores and record needed.
1925-26 Postseason scores and record needed.
1926-27 18- 2 Post Season Scores Needed Coach
Carl Megel
1927-28 20- 2 Post Season Scores Needed Coach
Carl Megel
1928-29 24- 4 Post Season Scores Needed Coach
Carl Megel
1929-30 21- 2 Post Season Scores Needed Coach
Bill Carlin
1930-31 14-10 Marshall Co. Tourn Runner-Up Coach Bill Carlin
1931-32 15- 9 Wenona District Tourney Coach
Bill Carlin
1st Rd Beat Henry 29-16
2nd
Rd lost to Wenona 21-14
Wenona beat Minonk in title game
1932-33 16- 8 Wenona District Tourney Coach
Anton J. Kresl
1st
Rd lost to Minonk 20-17
Long
Point Beat Henry in title game
1933-34 11-11 Wenona District Touirney Coach
Anton J. Kresl
1st Rd Beat Varna 34-27
2nd Rd Beat Lostant 36-23
Semi-Final lost to Minonk 34-25
Granville beat Minonk in title game
1934-35 23- 5 Wenona District Touirney Coach
Anton J. Kresl
1st Rd Beat Dana 39-16
2nd Rd Beat Varna 37-26
Semi-Final lost (score needed)
Lacon beat Henry in title game
1935-36 27- 3 Wenona Regional Champions Coach
Anton J. Kresl
Semi-Final
Beat Wenona 37-18
Title Game Beat Granville 18-13
Joliet
Sectional Tourney
1st Rd Lost to Seneca 28-20
Joliet beat Marselles in title game
1936-37 21- 9 Wenona Regional Champions Coach
Anton J. Kresl
1st Rd Beat Minonk 25-16
Semi-Final
Beat Granville 29-25
Title Game Beat Rutland 30-25
Ottawa
Sectional Tourney
1st Rd Lost to Ottawa 27-24
LaSalle-Peru beat Ottawa in title game
1937-38 22- 6 Wenona Regional Finalists
Coach Anton J. Kresl
Early Rd Scores Needed
Title Game Lost to Minonk 34-28
Top 2 From Regional Advance to Sectional
(This Particular Year Only)
Pontiac
Sectional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Fairbury 42-29
Semi-Final lost to Braidwood 35-25
Braidwood beat Streator in title game
1938-39 27- 6 Wenona Regional Champions Coach
Anton J. Kresl
1st Rd Beat Granville 27-22
Semi-Final
Beat Sparland 32-23
Title Game Beat Minonk 41-31
Ottawa
Sectional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Normal U-High 28-26
Semi-Final
lost to Dwight 41-26
Dwight Beat Bloomington in title game
1939-40 24- 5 Wenona Regional Finalists
Coach Anton J. Kresl
Semi-Final Beat Lacon 35-26
Title Game Lost to Granville 37-21
1941-42 27- 4 Tri-County Tourney Champs Coach
Anton J. Kresl
Wenona District Tourney
1st Rd Beat Henry 38-21
Semi-Final
lost to Granville 43-33
Granville beat Wenona in title game
1942-43 13-16 Tri-County Tourney Runner-Ups Coach
Anton J. Kresl
Wenona Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Cornell 44-33
Granville beat Cornell in title game
1943-44 14- 9 Lacon Regional Runner-Up Coach
Anton J. Kresl
1st Rd Beat Lacon 33-23
Semi-Final Beat Cornell 25-24
Title Game lost to Lostant 29-24
1944-45 27- 2 Wenona Regional Champions Coach Anton
J. Kresl
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Wenona
Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Granville 33-21
Semi-Final Beat Cornell 36-28
Title Game Beat Henry 38-33
LaSalle
Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final Beat Princeton 34-30
TOLUCA (34): Ghiglieri 19, Aimone 6, O’Dea 4, Fenoglia 4, Rusiotelli 1.
PRINCETON (30): Eakle 10, Halberg 8, Ferris 8, Mercer 4.
Title
Game lost to Somonauk 50-45
Somonauk
lost in Elite 8 Rd to Champaign HS who placed 2nd.
Toluca Wildcats of 1944-45 |
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Courtesy of Mark & Terri Taylor (www.tntimages.com) |
1946-47 15-12 Tri-County Tourney Champs Coach
Milo B. Watson
Wenona Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Granville 48-37
Granville beat Minonk in title game
1947-48 16-11 Varna District Champions
Coach Milo B. Watson
Tri-County Tourney Runner-Ups
Varna
District Scores
1st
Rd Beat Long Point 45-32
Semi-Final Beat Sparland 46-43
Title Game Beat Tonica 36-32
Wenona Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Granville 48-42
Semi-Final lost to Henry 54-36
Henry beat Minonk in title game
1948-49 18- 8 Lacon Regional Tourney Coach
Milo B. Watson
1st
Rd Beat McNabb 54-41
Semi-Final lost to Granville 48-31
Henry beat Granville in title game
1949-50 17- 9 Tri-County Tourney Runner-Ups Coach
Milo B. Watson
Wenona
Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Cornell 36-33
Semi-Final lost to Wenona 42-34
Wenona
beat Minonk in title game
1950-51 14-10 Wenona Regional Runner-Up
Coach Milo B. Watson
1st
Rd Beat Long Point 45-34
Semi-Final
Beat Granville 43-40
Title
Game lost to Minonk-Dana 47-38
MINONK-DANA (47): Toler 14, Woltzen 12, Dishinger 10, Klendworth 6, Harms 5.
TOLUCA (38): Vosberg 12, Ciccarelli 8, Gabrick 7, Rolinski 7, Spires 2, Schumacher 2.
1951-52 8-15 Granville Regional Tourney
Coach Milo B. Watson
1st
Rd lost to Minonk-Dana 62-30
Varna
Mid-County beat Henry in title game
1952-53 9-16 Hennepin District Tourney
Coach George Henderson
1st Rd Beat Rutland 79-48
Semi-final lost to Sparland 62-60
Magnolia
Swaney beat Sparland in title game
1953-54 13-12 Granville Regional Tourney
Coach George Henderson
1st
Rd lost to Varna Mid-County 66-63
Wenona
beat Varna Mid-County in title game
1954-55 5-18 Henry Regional Tourney
Coach Joe Salisbury
1st
Rd lost to Granville 47-40
Tonica
beat Wenona in title game
1955-56 4-19 Granville Regional Tourney
Coach Joe Salisbury
1st
Rd Beat Wenona 58-55
Semi-Final
lost to Granville 59-51
Varna
Mid-County beat Granville in title game
1956-57 17- 6 Tri-County Tourney Champs
Coach Chuck Rolinski
Streator
Regional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Mid-County 73-65
Streator Woodland beat Granville Hopkins in title game
1957-58 23- 7 Henry Regional Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Henry
Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Henry 62-53
Semi-Final Beat Mid-County 60-52
Title
Game Beat Streator Woodland 77-68
TOLUCA (77): Baker 18, Ji. Mariotti 17, Fenoglia 14, Daghe 13, Rankin 11, Frederick 2, Jo. Mariotti 2.
WOODLAND (68): J. Pastirik 15, B. Pastirik 15, Noble 14, Grant 10, Yock 10, McBride 2.
LaSalle Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final lost to Tiskilwa 70-65
TISKILWA (67): Sash 18, Nevitt 16, Huston 14, McCoy 9, Russell 8, Vaughn 2.
TOLUCA (65): Mariotti 22, Fenoglia 16, Baker 11, Fredricks 9, Daghe 4, Rankin 4.
Ottawa beat Tiskilwa in title game
1958-59 30- 1 Granville Regional Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Undefeated Regular Season
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Granville Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Mid-County 52-45
Semi-Final Beat Streator Woodland 56-54
Title Game Beat Granville 74-50
TOLUCA (74): Marotti 15, Gardner 15, C. Fenoglia 14, Rankin 13, Daghe 13, Schubert 2, Robinson 2.
GRANVILLE HOPKINS (50): Aimone 24, Borri 10, Nannie 6, Botoletto 4, Ghibellini 2, Fiedler 2.
Ottawa Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final Beat LaSalle-Peru 68-67
TOLUCA (68): Fenoglia 21, Daghe 15, Rankin 15, Mariotti 12, Gardner 5.
LASALLE-PERU (67): Mills 20, Pittman 14, Croissant 14, Galassi 12, Ficek 4, Orlandini 3.
Title Game Lost to Ottawa 58-57
OTTAWA (58): Schlosser 21, Schiffbauer 11, Love 7, Johnson 7, Blue 6, Chevalier 6.
TOLUCA (57): Gardner 16, Daghe 11, Rankin 11, Mariotti 9, Fenoglia 6.
Ottawa
lost in Sweet 16 Rd.
Toluca High School "Wildcats" - 1958-59 |
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Submitted by Terri & Mark Taylor (www.tntimages.com) |
1959-60 29- 4 District/Regional Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Toluca
District Tourney Scores
Semi-Final Beat Hennepin 84-62
Title Game Beat Cornell 75-61
Wenona Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Henry 92-63
Semi-Final Beat Streator Woodland 59-58 (O/T)
Title
Game Beat Mid-County 64-47
TOLUCA (64): Rankin 20, Baldwin 18, Gardner 18, Imm 5, Hemenway 3.
MID-COUNTY (47): Varney 18, Wood 10, Orrison 7, Kanive 6, Starks 4, Leihley 2
LaSalle Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final Beat Normal HS 91-69
TOLUCA (91): Rankin 25, Gardner 23, Imm 17, Baldwin 15, Hemenway 6, Clark 3, Fengler 2.
NORMAL (69): Shoemaker 29, Barton 12, Willis 7, Ehrlich 6, Lamb 5, Bilyeu 4, Foster 4.
Title Game lost to Ottawa 85-64
OTTAWA (85): Blue 24, Love 19, Johnson 15, Stahley 11, Ristau 6, Bernardoni 6, Polancic 4.
TOLUCA (64): Gardner 26, Rankin 15, Baldwin 8, Fenoglio 6, Hemenway 5, Imm 4.
Ottawa
lost in Elite 8 Rd.
1960-61 23- 5 Streator Woodland Regional Champs Coach Chuck
Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Streator
Woodland Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Wenona 72-61
Semi-Final Beat Henry 69-52
Title Game Beat Woodland 71-47
TOLUCA (71): Daghe 23, Gardner 14, Imm 14, Hemenway 12, Bernardi 6, Dahlbach 2.
WOODLAND (47): Holland 13, Carby 10, Zellman 9, McBride 8, Noble 4, Leonard
Ottawa
Sectional Tourney
Semi-FInal lost to Shabonna 63-60
SHABBONA (63): Benson 24, Hopwood 16, Meserole 10, Johnson 7, Krabenbuhl 3, Sutton 3.
TOLUCA (60): Daghe 17, Gardner 15, Hemenway 13, Imm 12, Dahlbach 3.
Ottawa Beat Shabonna in title game
1961-62 26- 2 Henry Regional Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Henry Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Woodland 72-27
Semi-Final
Beat Mid-County 71-55
Title Game Beat Henry 58-48
TOLUCA (58): Vignali 19, Gardner 16, Daghe 15, Bernandi 4, Dahlbach 2, Zilm 2.
HENRY (48): Davis 19, Stickel 12, Dewey 9, Villiger 5, Hageman 3.
LaSalle
Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final lost to Pontiac 66-52
PONTIAC (66): Thompson 19, Fuss 16, Armbruster 12, Bond 11, Stamps 8.
TOLUCA (52): Gardner 24, Daghe 13, Vignali 5, Zilm 4, Bernardi 4, Fenogla 2.
Pontiac
Beat Ottawa in title game
Pontiac lost in Sweet 16 Rd.
1962-63 27- 2 Granville Regional Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Granville Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Woodland 80-45
Semi-Final Beat Cornell 81-44
Title Game Beat Wenona 63-56
TOLUCA (63): Vignalli 16, Bernardi 15, Massino 13, Dahlbach 10, Haugens 9.
WENONA (56): D. Forrest 17, Beckman 12, Baker 10, Campbell 7, Bassi 5, Skaggs 5.
Ottawa
Sectional Tourney
1st
Rd Beat Streator 56-49
TOLUCA (56): Bernardi 15, Vianoll 12, Houans 11, Massino 8, Dahldach 8, Hemenway 2.
STREATOR (49): Ahearn 16, Williamson 10, Bailey 10, James 6, Moore 5, Soirouso 2.
Title Game lost to Braidwood 62-59
Braidwood lost tin Sweet 16 Round
1963-64 27- 1 Wenona Regional Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Undefeated Regular Season
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Wenona Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Granville 90-23
Semi-Final Beat Henry 74-54
Title
Game Beat Wenona 64-49
Streator Sectional Tourney
1st Rd lost to Pontiac 49-48
PONTIAC (49): Fuss 18, D. Shurr 9, Ruppel 9, Thompson 9, Jacquat 4.
TOLUCA (48): Vignall 19, Hemenway 13, Haugens 10, Burks 4, Pescitelli 2.
Streator
Beat Pontiac in title game
Streator lost in Sweet 16 Rd.
1964-65 18- 7 Streator Regional Runner-Up
Coach Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County
Tourney Runner-Ups
Streator
Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Henry 67-36
Semi-Final
Beat Mid-County 53-47
Title Game lost to Wenona 60-51
WENONA (60): Hallam 17, Jackson 15, Bassi 13, Melvin 13, Spaulding 2.
TOLUCA (51): Pescitelli 25, Zilm 10, Bastion 6, Nenne 4, Althaus 2, Haugens 2, Burks 2.
1965-66 25- 3 Henry Regional Runner-Up Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Granville 97-46
Semi-Final Beat Mid-County 57-43
Title Game Lost to Wenona 80-58
1966-67 17-10 IHSA SWEET 16 FINALISTS
Coach Chuck Rolinski
Wenona
Regional Tourney Scores
1st Rd Beat Mid-County 52-49
Semi-Final
Beat Henry 76-65
Title Game Beat Wenona 71-70
TOLUCA (71): Haugens 33, Tyner 13, Zilm 13, Moore 10, Clark 2.
WENONA (70): Spaulding 25, Meinhold 18, Salz 17, Foote 7, Zulz 3.
*Streator Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final Beat LaSalle-Peru 90-72
TOLUCA (90): Haugens 36, Tyner 21, Kazenske 13, Modro 12, Zilm 8.
LASALLE-PERU (72): Ellberg 23, Youngdale 22, Lamps 10, Windy 9, Kohr 6, Welch 2.
Title
Game Beat Lockport Central 68-67 (3 O/Ts)
TOLUCA (68): Haugens 22, Tyner 20, Kazenske 13, Modro 7, Clark 6.
LOCKPORT CENTRAL (67): Hickman 23, Handy 19, Green 17, Czerkies 4, Tusek 4.
IHSA
Sweet 16 Finalists
1st Rd lost to Pekin 77-64
Pekin
Won IHSA State Championship
*Only Tri-County team to win Sectional in
one-class System
Toluca Wildcats of 1966-67 |
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Courtesy of Mark & Terry Taylor (www.tntimages.com) |
1967-68 22- 5 Wenona District Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Runner-Ups
Wenona District Scores
1st Rd Beat Woodland 101-51
Semi-Final Beat Low Point-Washburn 98-51
Title
Game Beat Roanoke-Benson 77-75
Peoria Manuel Regional Tourney
1st Rd Lost to Peoria Spalding 82-71
Peoria Central beat Peoria Manuel in title game
1968-69 26- 4 Wenona District Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Wenona District Scores
1st Rd Beat Minonk-Dana-Rutland 102-47
Semi-Final Beat Mid-County 88-54
Title
Game Beat Roanoke-Benson 57-55
Peoria Richwoods Regional Tourney
1st Rd Beat Peoria Bergan 70-62
Semi-Final Lost to Peoria Manual 87-78
Peoria
Spalding beat Peoria Manual in title game
1969-70 21- 6 Wenona District Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Woodland 85-66
Semi-Final Beat Metamora 66-63
Title Game Beat Mid-County 70-66
Peoria Regional Tourney
1st Rd Lost to Peoria Spalding 58-55
Peoria Bergan beat Peoria Spalding in title game
1970-71 21- 6 Wenona District Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st
Rd Beat Roanoke-Benson 62-42
Semi-Final
Beat Mid-County 62-52
Title
Game Beat Metamora 62-51
Peoria
Sectional Tourney
1st
Rd Beat Peoria Bergan 53-48
Semi-Final lost to Peoria Woodruff 82-74
Peoria
Woodruff beat Peoria Central in title game
1971-72 20- 7 Metamora Class A Regional Champs Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Metamora Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Low Point-Washburn 53-52 (O/T)
Semi-Final Beat Eureka 68-50
Title Game Beat Henry 59-57 (O/T)
Wenona Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final lost to Woodland 52-48
WOODLAND (52): Highland 16, Adams 13, Weiss 11, Kern 6, Tombaugh 6.
TOLUCA (48): M. Rinker 20, J. Rinker 12, Heck 7, Egleton 4, Ghiglieri 3, DeRubels 2.
Woodland
beat Princeville in title game
Woodland lost in Elite 8 Rd.
1972-73 22- 6 Regional/Sectional Champions
Coach Chuck Rolinski
*Ranked
#2 in State at beginning of season
Tri-County Tourney Runner-Ups
Roanoke Regional Scores
Semi-Final Beat Roanoke Benson 71-42
Title
Game Beat Henry 50-49
TOLUCA
(50): M. Rinker 14, DeRubeis 14, Da. Rinker 10, Heck 10, Bond 1, Egleton 1.
HENRY (49): Hunter 20, Smith 11, Gibbs 7, Watkins 7, Allard
4.
Wenona Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final
Beat Wenona 91-72
TOLUCA (91): M. Rinker 25, DeRubeis 19, Heck 14, Bond 13, D.
Rinker 13, Egelton 3, Stones 2, Seoglia 2.
WENONA
(72): Peterson 22, Flahaven 20, Barke 17, Hatton 8, Stasell 2, D. Scheuer 2, J. Scheuer 1.
Title Game
Beat Peru St. Bede 62-58
TOLUCA (62): M. Rinker 32, Bond 15, DeRubeis 7, D. Rinker 4,
Egelton 2, Heck 2.
ST. BEDE
(58): Comiskey 24, Mattioda 18, Koehler 8, Manilak 6, Morris 2.
Pontiac
Super-Sectional
Title
Game lost to St. Anne 81-62
St.
Anne had future NBA All-Star Jack Sikma.
St.
Anne placed 4th in Class A State Tourney
Toluca Wildcats - 1972-73 |
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Courtesy of Terri & Mark Taylor (www.tntimages.com) |
1973-74 14-10 Henry Class A Regional Runner-Up Coach Chuck
Rolinski
Semi-Final
Beat Minonk-Dana-Rutland 59-54
Title
Game lost to Roanoke Benson 61-54
ROANOKE-BENSON
(61): Aeschliman 17, Boeschen 14, Schroeder 14, Rudin 9, Sauder 7
TOLUCA (54): Rinker 20, Bond 20, McCully 6, McAllister 4, Egleton
2, Mariani 2.
1974-75 18-10 Varna Class A Regional Champs Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Sparland 71-48
Semi-Final
Beat Putnam County 77-59
Title Game Beat Mid-County 43-41
Wenona
Sectional Tourney
Semi-Final Beat Woodland 48-43
TOLUCA (48): Rinker 18, McCully 12, Mariani 10, Egleton 4, McAllister 4.
WOODLAND (43): Stimpert 15, Myers 12, Cassady 8, Mudrock 8.
Title
Game Lost to Buda Western 51-50
BUDA WESTERN (51): Sprowls 22, Bowman 11, Anglin 6, Horton 6, Taylor 4, Hartz 2.
TOLUCA (50): Rinker 22, McCully 10, Mariani 6, McAllister 6, Egleton 6.
Buda Western lost in Elite 8 Rd
1975-76 13-13 Roanoke Class A Reg. Runner-Up Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Low Point-Washburn 52-45
Semi-Final Beat Flanagan 53-36
Title Game lost to Roanoke-Benson 49-37
1976-77 11-15 Varna Class A Regional Tourney Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Sparland 75-39
Semi-Final
lost to Mid-County 72-65
Roanoke-Benson beat Mid-County in title game
1977-78 4-17 Minonk Class A Regional Tourney
Coach Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd lost to Low Point-Washburn 51-49
Flanagan beat Mid-County in title game
1978-79 11-14 Toluca Class A Regional Tourney Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st
Rd lost to Roanoke-Benson 61-56
Roanoke-Benson
beat Mid-County in title game
1979-80 17-9 Varna Class A Reg. Runner-Up
Coach Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Henry 73-43
Semi-Final Beat Low Point-Washburn 75-64
Title Game lost to Mid-County 57-48
1980-81 13-13 Wenona Class A Reg. Runner-Up Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Woodland 69-67 (5 O/Ts)
Semi-Final Beat Lostant 56-55
Title Game lost to Ottawa Marquette 42-37
1981-82 16- 9 Marseilles Class A Reg. Runner-Up Coach Chuck
Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Marseilles 62-35
Semi-Final Beat Woodland 65-55
Title Game lost to Ottawa Marquette 48-45
1982-83 22- 5 Roanoke Class A Reg. Runner-up Coach
Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Roanoke Regional Scores
1st
Rd Beat El Paso 63-36
Semi-Final Beat Roanoke-Benson 59-58 (O/T)
Title
Game lost to Flanagan 53-52
Flanagan placed 2nd in State Class A Tourney
1983-84 29- 1 Regional/Sectional Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
*Undefeated Regular Season
*Ranked
in Top 5 all season
*Tri-County
Tourney Champs
Minonk Regional Champions
1st Rd Beat Eureka 56-46
Semi-Final
Beat Flanagan 42-30
Title Game Beat Roanoke-Benson 58-51
Pontiac Sectional Champions
Semi-Final Beat Manito Forman 25-23
TOLUCA (25): Rankin 11, Beoletto 10, Hamlet 4.
FORMAN (23): C. Harms 8, Woiwode 6, Thomas 5, Dosier 2, Pearson 2.
Title
Game Beat Bloomington Central Catholic 42-39
TOLUCA (42): Beoletto 15, Rankin 13, Hamlet 8, DeRubeis 4, Egli 2.
BLOOMINGTON CC (39): Lanier 13, Schilkoski 10, Krause 10, Brady 4, Neirynick 2.
IHSA 'Sweet 16' Super-Sectional FInalist
Title Game lost to Hoopeston-East Lynn 51-48 (O/T)
Hoopeston-East Lynn lost to Mt. Pulaski in Elite 8 Rd.
Mt. Pulaski placed 2nd in IHSA State Tourney
Toluca Wildcats 1983-84 |
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Submitted by Terri & Mark Taylor (www.tntimages.com) |
1984-85 16-11 Roanoke Class A Regional Runner-Up Coach Chuck Rolinski
1st
Rd Beat Low Point-Washburn 61-60 (O/T)
Semi-Final Beat El Paso 48-47 (O/T)
Title Game lost to Roanoke-Benson 59-57
1985-86 19- 7 Eureka Class A Regional Tourney Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd Beat Low Point-Washburn 67-36
Semi-Final lost to Roanoke-Benson 54-45
Roanoke-Benson beat El Paso in title game
1986-87 18- 7 Minonk Class A Regional Tourney
Coach Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Champs
Semi-Final lost to Minonk-Dana-Rutland 60-53
M-D-R beat Gridley in title game
1987-88 18- 8 Wenona Class A Regional Tourney
Coach Chuck Rolinski
Tri-County Tourney Runner-Ups
Wenona Regional Scores
1st Rd Beat Minonk-Dana-Rutland 58-39
Semi-Final lost to Mid-County 62-61 (O/T)
Flanagan
beat Mid-County in title game
1988-89 1-21 Varna Class A Regional Tourney Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd lost to Minonk-Dana-Rutland 56-47
Mid-County beat Flanagan in title game
1989-90 14-10 Minonk Class A Regional Tourney Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1st Rd lost to Mid-County 56-47
Gridley beat Minonk in title game
1990-91 15-10 Wenona Class A Regional Tourney Coach
Kim Whittington
Tri-County Tourney Runner-Up
Wenona
Regional Scores
1st Rd lost to Flanagan 75-65
Flanagan beat Low Point-Washburn in title game
1991-92 9-14 Varna Class A Regional Tourney
Coach Kim Whittington
*1st Rd lost to Gridley 83-52
Flanagan beat Mid-County in title game
*Final game for Toluca High School boys basketball program. Became part of the Fieldcrest School District in
the summer of 1992.
Incredible Job Toluca High School boys basketball program!!
Toluca High School Gym |
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Toluca High School |
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Chuck Rolinski Gymnasium |
Girls Basketball
Toluca High School girls basketball got its start like many high school girls teams in the early 1900s. However, in the
late 19-teens the IHSA dropped girls basketball. Girls basketball was not reinstated by the IHSA until 1974. Below is a photo
of the Toluca High School girls basketball team of 1913-14. If you have any information about the girls basketball program
please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.
Toluca HS Girls Basketball Team of 1913-14 |
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Submitted by Bruce Firchau |
Boys Track & Field
The Toluca Wildcats of the early 1920's had two athletes who brought the program fame on a state-wide level. One
athlete, Joe "Joe Day" Dicenzo, won two gold medals in consecutive seasons to lead the Toluca thinclads
to consecutive top-ten finishes at the State "B" Track Meet. The Wildcat coach of the 1921, '22, and
'23 teams was Ed Foley. One other athlete, with only a last name of Hoswell, also brought
home a medal (3rd Place) in 1921. The track accomplishments of Toluca High School on a State Meet level are
listed below.
1920-21 ?? Hoswell 50 Yard Dash
3rd Place
1921-22 Team Placed 4TH Overall at the State "B" Track Meet
Coach Ed Foley
Individual
Medalist
Joe
"Joe Day" Dicenzo 50 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!
Joe
"Joe Day" Dicenzo 100 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!
Final
Team Standings
1.) Forrest HS
19.5
2.) Elmwood
HS 15.2
3.)
Greenfield HS 12
4.)
TOLUCA HIGH SCHOOL 10
5.) Monticello
HS 9
1922-23 Team Finished 6TH Overall at the State "B" Track Meet Coach
Ed Foley
Individual
Medalist
Joe Dicenzo
50 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!
Joe Dicenzo
100 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!
Final
Team Standings
1.)
White Hall HS
20.2
2.) Bridgeport
HS 15.5
3.) Hinsdale
HS 15
4.) Carlinville
HS 12
5.) Havana
HS 11
6.)
TOLUCA HIGH SCHOOL 10
Olney
HS, Pickneyville HS, and Wheaton HS
all
tied for 6th with 10 points also.
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Baseball Field |
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Toluca High School |
Boys Baseball
The Toluca High School boys were a multi-talented bunch and proved this on the baseball diamond. They
won two District Titles and two Regional Titles. It was even said they at one point won eight consecutive
Tri-County Conference Championships, going an incredible 72-1 during that span. The years of the State winners
are listed below. Unfortunately, the team records of these and other great Toluca baseball teams are not available
at this time.
Toluca Baseball Team - Conference Champs |
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Courtesy of Mark & Terri Taylor (www.tntimages.com) |
Toluca HS Baseball Team of the 1950s (8 - 3) |
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Chuck Rolinski Batting Average - ,558 !! Photo Courtesy of Terri & Mark Taylor (www.tntimages.com) |
1941-42 District Champions
Coach Anton J. Kresl
Lost to Streator in the Sectional
1949-50 District Champions Coach
Milo Watson
1958-59 Regional Champions Coach
Chuck Rolinski
1969-70 Conference Champions
Coach Chuck Rolinski
1981-82 Regional Champions
Coach Chuck Rolinski
Toluca Baseball Team of 1970 - Conference Champs |
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Courtesy of TnT Images - Mark & Terri Taylor (www.thtimages.com) |
The following articles were sent to us by Terri and Mark Clark:
"1951 Fall Baseball
Season – The Toluca Wildcats breezed through their 7 game schedule without a defeat, to win the Tri County
Championship. The 1st game was at Wenona. The Wildcats 9 scored 31 runs before Wenona in the last inning could
get a run across. Final score 31-4. The following game was with Sparland at home. The local boys weren’t hitting well
but managed to pull through a 5-3 Victory. The next game was at Lostant & the boys got back in the stride to roll over
the opposition 18-6. The Henry team was the next victim, with Joe Gabrick, the regular hurler, pitching a fine 7 hit game.
Final score 13-5. Our next game was at Tonica. The boys played their usual good brand of baseball & won 10-5. At Swaney,
Gabrick turned in a beautiful game. He gave up 4 hits, 5 walks & struck out 12 men. It was another massacre 16-1. The
final game was against the highly touted Hopkins of Granville team. Our boys had no trouble at the plate & turned in some
real fielding gems that were worthy of more experienced teams. They took the championship 16-2. A very successful season for
a fine bunch of ball playes.
Courtesy of TnT Images |
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Terri & Mark Taylor |
This article appeared in the Toluca Star Herald, Volume 62, No. 41, Thursday, Oct. 10, 1957
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Toluca won the Tri County baseball for the 2nd
straight year. Toluca became the 1st team in history of the Tri County baseball league to go undefeated for 2 straight
seasons. On Monday, Oct. 7 the Hornets of Hopkins forfeited the game to Toluca . Their winning streak in Tri County baseball
now stretches to 18 games in a row. The 18 games in a row can be contributed to many different reasons. Hitting & pitching
are the 2 main reasons. The hard hitting Wildcats in the 1957 season collected 106 runs & 97 hits while the pitchers allowed
12 runs & only 21 hits. The team batting average is a fantastic .371 as the Wildcats had 7 starters that had batting average
of over .350. The scores of the 56 & 57 seasons follow. 1956 – Toluca 14, Hopkins 5 – Toluca 5, Mid County
0 – Toluca 5, Tonica 0 – Toluca 14, Henry 1 – Toluca 14, Lostant 0 – Toluca 15, Wenona 1 – Toluca
17, Sparland 1 – Toluca 3, Washburn 1 – Toluca 4, Swaney 3 – 1957: Toluca 6, Mid County 0 – Toluca
17, Wenona 4 – Toluca 11, Tonica 0 – Toluca 12, Henry 6 – Toluca 13, Sparland 0 – Toluca 11, Washburn
1 – Toluca 13, Swaney 1 – Toluca 9, Hopkins 0 (Forfeit) – Toluca Baseball Batting Averages: Mariotti, Jim
.379 – Mariotti, Jack .467 – Daghe, Joe .367 – Baker, Bill .440 – Burroughs, John
.276 – Schubert, Jeff .391 – Fengolia, Chuck .324 – Guderjan, Jerry .091 – Fredericks, Don .565 –
Hedrick, Chuck .300 – Rolinski, Jerry .600 – Imm, Ray .111 – Clark, Roger, Hemenway, Jerome & Haig,
Terry all .000 & Rankin, Roger .250."
Noteable Alumni / People
*The following players were named to the Illinois All-State Basketball Team:
Roger Rankin (1960)
Tom Gardner (1961 & 62)
John Bernardi (1963)
Tony Vignali (1964)
Bob Pescitelli (1966)
Ray Heck (1969) - Ray Heck
continued his athletic career at Lakeland College in Wisconsin
where he was named to the NAIA All-American Basketball Team.
Mike Rinker (1973)
Tom Fenoglia (1984)
Todd Rankin (1984)
Erin Barisch (1988)
*Coach Chuck Rolinski - Toluca Basketball Coach 1956-57 through
1987-88
Member Illinois Basktball Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Member Illinois State University Hall of Fame
Member Greater Peoria Area Hall of Fame
Member Bloomington - Normal Officials Assoc. Hall of Fame
"Father" of the Two-Class System in Illinois
Current IBCA Secretary-Treasurer
Named to the All-Time IHSA Legends team in 2007!
Check
out his bio at
32 Year Career at Toluca High School
30 Years and counting - IBCA Coach's Clinic Organizer
17 - Tri-County Conference Championships
16 - Twenty-plus games-won seasons
12 - Regional Championships
11
- Tri-County Conference Tournament Titles
8 - Twenty-five-plus games-won seasons
6 - District Championships
3 - Sectional Championships
3
- Sweet 16 Appearances
2 - Undefeated Regualar Seasons
1 - 30 games-won season
Baseball Coaching Record Unavailable
*Coach Anton J. Kresl - Toluca Basketball Coach 1932-33 through 1946-47
Toluca High School Graduate - Class of 1923
294-122
Overall
8 - Twenty-plus games-won seasons
7 - Consecutive seasons of 20+ wins
5 - Consecutive Tri-County Conference Championships
4 - Regional Titles
3 - 27 games-won seasons
1 - Top 32 Finish in State Playoffs
*B.H. "Duffy" Bass (Class of 1942) - Played on the basketball and baseball teams of
the early 1940's, Duffy went on to become the Head Baseball Coach at Illinois State University, leading the 1969 Redbirds
to the college division championship.
Need More Information
If you have any further information regarding the Toluca High School Wildcats and especially the Lady Wildcats' successes,
please send us an e-mail. You can e-mail photos and information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631
1983-84 Super-Sectional vs. Hoopeston-East Lynn |
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Rankin vs. H.E.L.'s Dave Busch H.E.L.'s Thad Matta (current Ohio State head coach) in background |
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