Joy (population 373) is located in the near northwestern part of the state on Il. Rt. 17 approximately 7.5 miles east of the Mississippi River. The town is located in the middle-western portion of Mercer County, approximately 30 miles (as the crow flies) southwest of the Quad Cities.
Keithsburg (population 714) is located in upper-western Illinois along the banks of the Mississippi River. For further information, Keithsburg is in the southwest corner of Mercer County, about 45 miles southwest of the Quad Cities.
New Boston (population 632) is located on the banks of the Mississippi River along Il. Rt. 17. New Boston is located in the western portion of Mercer County placing it approximately 40 miles due southwest of the Quad Cities.
Eliza (population 20) is a small hamlet located on County Highway 8 at the intersection of 155th Avenue in western Mercer County.
Joy, Keithsburg, and New Boston each supported their own high school from the early 1900s through the 1959-60 school year. It was in the spring of 1960 the decision was made to merge the educational resources of these three towns, and of nearby Eliza, to create a new district. Beginning with the 1960-61 school year the new school district was in effect.
Westmer HS Side View With Sign
Provided by Richard Soseman
Since all towns involved in this merger were located in the western portion of Mercer County, a unique name emerged for the district. It was appropriately named the Westmer School District. The high school was situated at a location that gave it an address in Joy.
Westmer High School existed through the 2008-09 school year. Consolidation talks with nearby Aledo had been on-going for several years. In the fall of 2008 the voters of Aledo and Westmer agreed to support a consolidation effort between the two schools. The spring of 2009 would be the last for Westmer High School, and for Aledo High School, as the previous 49 years had known them.
The new district has been named the Mercer County School District. The high school will be located in Aledo. Kathy Olson tells us the former Westmer High School facility will now be utilized as the Mercer County Junior High School for 7th and 8th graders.
The enrollment of Westmer High School for the 2008-09 school year was 169, according to www.ihsa.org.
Westmer High School Quick Facts
Year formed: 1960
Year closed: 2009
Consolidated to: Mercer County School District #404 (Aledo)
Westmer HS nickname: the “Warriors”
Westmer HS colors: Columbian Blue & Scarlet
Westmer HS Fight Song: “On Ye Warriors”
Sung to “On Wisconsin”
Courtesy of Kathy Olson
On ye Warriors, on ye Warriors,
March to the Vic-tor-y!
We will win this game tonight
If the West-mer Warr-iors Fight,
Fight, Fight, Fight
Keep on fighting, keep on winning,
Hold your banners high!
Onward now to vic-tor-y
For West-mer High.
ATHLETICS
The Westmer High School Warriors and Lady Warriors had some great seasons during the 49 years the school was open. The best success on a state-competition level came in the sport of Cross Country. Successful seasons were experienced in other sports as well. We are still looking for the Westmer High School fight song. The following records and results were found on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org).
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
The boys cross country harriers had two top-5 finishes in state finals competition. In addition, the program qualified the team for the state finals 7 times, won 7 Regional Championships, and one Sectional Championship. Two boys also placed in the top twenty in different years!
STATE MEET FINAL STANDINGS
1) St. Joseph (S.J.-Ogden) 101
2) Georgetown (G.-Ridge Farm)109
3) Coal City 117
4) Normal (University) 140
5) Joy (Westmer) 161
1993-94 4 – 2 Team Qualified for State Meet Coach Doug Crowell
1997-98 Regional Champions! Coach Jeff Sedam 1999-00 Regional Champions! Coach Jeff Sedam
1997-98 Regional Champions! Coach Jeff Sedam
1998-99 Individual Medalist Coach Jeff Sedam
Cory Shook 19TH Place!!
1999-00 Regional Champions! Coach Jeff Sedam
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
The Lady Warriors also enjoyed some great success in the cross country venue. The girls won a Regional Championship, a Sectional Championship, and qualified the entire tema for the state meet on two other occassions!
1991-92 Team Qualified for State Meet Coach Doug Crowell
1992-93 Team Qualified for State Meet Coach Doug Crowell
The following seasons were recorded on the IHSA website. As you can see, the boys had some great years on the hardwood court. Unfortunately the last few seasons were not nearly as successful in terms of wins and losses. The program failed to secure a Regional or District title, but it did reside in a true “hotbed” of high school sports.
1973-74 20 – 6 Coach Doug Crowell
1976-77 4 – 19 Coach Neil Alexander
1987-88 3 – 18 Coach Brad Jackson
1988-89 0 – 25 Coach Brad Jackson
1989-90 12 – 16 Coach Jay Bizarri
1990-91 5 – 20 Coach Jay Bizarri
1991-92 17 – 8 Coach Jay Bizarri
1992-93 22 – 7 Coach Jay Bizarri
1993-94 0 – 24 Coach Matt Elder
1994-95 9 – 15 Coach Darren Bizarri
1995-96 9 – 17 Coach Darren Bizarri
1996-97 6 – 19 Coach Darren Bizarri
1997-98 11 – 15 Coach Darren Bizarri
1998-99 12 – 18 Coach Darren Bizarri
1999-00 12 – 14 Coach Ken McCance
2000-01 6 – 19 Coach Carl Carlson
2001-02 1 – 24 Coach Carl Carlson
2002-03 2 – 20 Coach Carl Carlson
2003-04 0 – 24 Coach Carl Carlson
2004-05 0 – 25 Coach Carl Carlson
2005-06 1 – 27 Coach Stephen Bradsaw
2006-07 0 – 26 Coach Stephen Bradsaw
The following are records that Westmer High School holds or was a part of in boys basketball. The records reflect the all-time ranking of the record in the history of boys basketball as recorded by the IHSA (www.ihsa.org).
Most points in one quarter/ two teams combined:
(#1) 81, Joy (Westmer) (45) vs. Kewanee (Wethersfield), (36), 1992-93 (4th quarter)
Most points in one quarter/ one team:
(#13) 45, Joy (Westmer) vs. Kewanee (Wethersfield), 1992-93 (4th quarter)
3-point FG Made, one game, one team:
(#29) 15, Joy (Westmer) vs. Princeville, Jan. 6, 1998
Consecutive 3-point FGs Game/ Individual
(#26) 5, J.R. Brown, Joy (Westmer) vs. Princeville, Jan. 6, 1998
Most Wins Coach, Career
(#50) 546*, Neil Alexander, Joy (Westmer), Monmouth (Yorkwood), Bushnell (B.-Prairie City), Lincoln, 1976-2007 (546-295)
Highest Win %, Coach, Career
(#27) .635, Neil Alexander, Joy (Westmer), Monmouth (Yorkwood), Bushnell (B.-Prairie City), Lincoln, 1976-2007 (546-295)
Westmer HS Press Box
Courtesy of Richard Soseman
Westmer Football Field Announcers “Crow’s Nest”
Photo by Richard Soseman
Westmer Warriors Grid Iron Goal Post & Score Board
Submitted by Richard Soseman
FOOTBALL
The Warriors of the grid iron held their own in a very rough and tumble football area. During the program’s reign, at least what is reported on the IHSA website, the Warriors earned their way into the Class 1A football playoffs on six occasions. Several season records are missing, the ones we do have are listed below.
1968-69 5 – 2 – 1
1969-70 5 – 2 – 1
1984-85 2 – 7 Coach Gary Heard
1985-86 0 – 9 Coach Rick Reading
1986-87 0 – 9 Coach Robert Stockham
1987-88 4 – 5 Coach Robert Stockham
1988-89 4 – 5 Coach Robert Stockham
1989-90 8 – 3 Qualified for IHSA 1A Playoffs Coach Robert Stockham Beat Cambridge 18 – 7
Lost to Alexis 12 -10
1990-91 4 – 5 Coach Robert Stockham
1991-92 4 – 5 Coach Robert Stockham
1992-93 6 – 4 Qualified for IHSA 1A Playoffs Coach Robert Stockham
Lost to Carthage 36 – 26
1993-947 – 3 Qualified for IHSA 1A Playoffs Coach Robert Stockham
Lost to Monmouth (Warren) 32 – 16
1994-95 4 – 5 Coach Robert Stockham
1995-966 – 4 Qualified for IHSA 1A Playoffs Coach Robert Stockham
Lost to Sterling (Newman) 47 – 6
1996-97 2 – 7 Coach Robert Stockham
1997-98 0 – 9 Coach Robert Stockham
1998-99 3 – 6 Coach Robert Stockham
1999-00 6 – 4 Qualified for IHSA 1A Playoffs Coach Marty Sanders
Lost to Lexington 49 – 8
The following are records that Westmer High School holds or was a part of in boys football. The records reflect the all-time ranking of the record in the history of boys basketball as recorded by the IHSA (www.ihsa.org).
Fewest Yards Allowed Passing/Game
(#2)-13, Joy (Westmer) vs.Monmouth (Warren), 1983
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
Three Lady Warrior thinclads brought home a total of FIVE medals in IHSA state meet competition. Jill Dennison led the way earning three of those medals. The girls also had some great dual meet records under coach Gary Heard.
Three boys from the track program brought home a total of five medals from the IHSA state meet. One relay team also earned a medal. Brian Dennison led the way with three medals of his own!!
1984-85 Individual Medalist – Brian Dennison Shot Put 4TH Place!!
1985-86 Individual Medalist – Brian Dennison Shot Put 2ND Place!!
Brian DennisonDiscus 8TH Place!!
Tim Long 800 M Run 7TH Place!!
1991-92 Relay Team Medalist – 4x800M Relay 4TH Place!!
2004-05 Individual Medalist – Keith Lincoln 110M Hrdls. 9TH Place!!
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
The Lady Warrior netters had some nice seasons. Though no IHSA hardware was won, the team had a great year, and won many games. THe records as found on the IHSA website are listed below.
The Lady Warriors of the hardwood court had some great seasons as well. THey also hold some IHSA records that will be tough to beat!
1995-96 5 – 20 Coach Grant Smith
1996-97 14 – 12 Coach Grant Smith
1997-98 19 – 7 Coach Grant Smith
2005-06 6 – 20 Coach Steve Mosley
2006-07 3 – 20 Coach Steve Mosley
The following are records that Westmer High School holds or was a part of in girls basketball. The records reflect the all-time ranking of the record in the history of boys basketball as recorded by the IHSA (www.ihsa.org).
Most Free Throws Attempted/Game/Both Teams
(#4) 97, Joy (Westmer) (50) vs. Rockridge (47), Feb. 10, 1998
(Also listed in the National HS Basketball Record Book!)
Most Fouls Game/Both Teams
(#4) 68, Joy (Westmer) (33) vs. Rockridge (35), Feb. 10, 1998
Most Free Throws/ Both Teams in a Game
(#5) 59, Joy (Westmer) (27) vs. Rockridge (32), Feb. 10, 1998
Most Free Throws Attempted/Game/Team
(#9) 50, Joy (Westmer) vs. Rockridge, Feb. 10, 1998
Most Fouls Game/Team
(#9) 33, Joy (Westmer) vs. Rockridge, Feb. 10, 1998
Most Free Throws/ One Team in a Game
(#36) 27, Joy (Westmer) vs. Rockridge, Feb. 10, 1998
SCHOLASTIC BOWL
The Westmer extra-curricular program was not all about sports. There was a scholastic bowl team, however we do not currently have results from this program.
2000-01 Unknown results or coach’s name.
Do You Have Information on Westmer High School?
If you do, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. A photo of the original school building and gymnasium are especially being sought. You can also send items to us at:
