| Joy Westmer HS Building – Now Mercer County GS | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Photo Taken by Richard Soseman | |||||||||
| Westmer HS Building Front |
 |
| Courtesy of Richard Soseman |
The History of Westmer High School
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! 1985-86 12 – 0 IHSA Finalist – FOURTH PLACE!! Coach Doug Crowell Regional Champions STATE MEET FINAL STANDINGS 1) Elmwood 69 2) Pontiac 93 3) Yorkville 126 4) Joy (Westmer) 152 5) Streator (Woodland) 170 1987-88 Regional Champions! Coach Doug Crowell 1989-90 Regional Champions! Coach Doug Crowell
1992-93 12 – 0 IHSA Finalist – FIFTH PLACE!! Coach Doug Crowell Regional Champions Individual Medalist Steve Leathers 19TH Place!! 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 Regional Champions Sectional Champions
1994-95 Coach Doug Crowell 1995-96 8 – 1 Coach Doug Crowell 1996-97 Coach Doug Crowell 1997-98 6 – 4 Coach Jeff Sedam
BOYS BASKETBALL 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)
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 1986-87 0 – 9 Coach Robert Stockham 1988-89 4 – 5 Coach Robert Stockham 1989-90 8 – 3 Qualified for IHSA 1A Playoffs Coach Robert Stockham 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 1993-94 7 – 3 Qualified for IHSA 1A Playoffs Coach Robert Stockham Lost to Monmouth (Warren) 32 – 16 1994-95 4 – 5 Coach Robert Stockham 1995-96 6 – 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 2000-01 5 – 4 Coach Marty Sanders 2001-02 8 – 2 Qualified for IHSA 1A Playoffs Coach Marty Sanders Lost to ROWVA 13 – 0 2002-03 3 – 6 Coach Marty Sanders 2003-04 1 – 8 Coach Robert Stockham 2004-05 0 – 9 Coach Robert Stockham 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. 1984-85 Individual Medalist – Teresa Dehon Discus 3RD Place!! 1985-86 Individual Medalist – Lisa Carey 400M Dash 4TH Place!! 1989-90 3 – 1 Coach Gary Heard Individual Medalist – Jill Dennison Discus 2ND Place!! 1990-91 6 – 1 Coach Gary Heard Individual Medalist – Jill Dennison Discus 2ND Place!! Jill Dennison Shot Put 7TH Place!! 1991-92 6 – 0 Coach Gary Heard 1992-93 4 – 2 Coach Gary Heard 1993-94 4 – 4 Coach Michelle Aldinger BOYS TRACK & FIELD 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 Dennison Discus 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. 1990-91 11 – 12 Coach Jim Campbell 1992-93 9 – 13 – 1 Coach Jeannette Neeld 1993-94 13 – 10 – 1 Coach Jeannette Neeld 1997-98 22 – 4 Coach Jeannette Neeld 2005-06 9 – 20 – 1 Coach Heather Randall GIRLS BASKETBALL 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 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: IHSGD Website 6439 N. Neva Ave. Chicago, Il. 60631 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
