9771 - 2025 Harlem Fall Seasonal Guide by Precision Marketing Group

HARLEM FALL SEASONAL

Welcome Sports Fans,

As we kick off another exciting fall sports season, I want to extend a warm welcome to everyone joining us for what promises to be a memorable few months of competition, teamwork, and school spirit. Our studentathletes have been working tirelessly, preparing to give their all on the field, court, and course, and I am incredibly proud of the dedication they have shown.

Fall sports are a special time of year, where the crisp air and changing leaves provide the perfect backdrop for the energy and enthusiasm that our teams bring. Harlem High School is happy you are here to support our programs, your presence and encouragement are invaluable to our athletes and our school community.

I want to take a moment to thank our coaches, staff, and volunteers, whose efforts behind the scenes make all of this possible. Your hard work and commitment to our programs are truly appreciated.

As we cheer on our teams, let's remember that sportsmanship, integrity, and respect are just as important as the final score. Let's support our athletes with the same passion they bring to the game, and let's celebrate the values that make our school and our community strong.

Thank you for being part of our fall sports season. I look forward to seeing you on the sidelines, in the stands, and everywhere our teams compete. Together, let's make this a season to remember!

Dr. Terrell Yarbrough Superintendent

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HEAD COACHES HARLEM FALL SEASONAL

JAMES MORROW

NATE DODSON

FOOTBALL:

Coach Morrow is excited to begin his 32nd year of coaching football. This is his seventeenth nonconsecutive season as head football coach of the Huskies. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University. He has been married for 30 years to Meg Morrow and has two children, Julia and Gavin.

GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL:

Nate Dodson is entering his third year as Head Coach of the Harlem Flag Football team. In addition, Coach Dodson spent four years on the Harlem Football coaching staff. A Harlem High School graduate, Nate returned to serve his alma mater both in the classroom and on the field. He currently works as a Special Education teacher at the high school. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master's degree from National Louis University. In his free time, Coach Dodson enjoys traveling and spending time near the water—most often with a fishing rod in hand.

BILL DREDGE

GIRLS TENNIS: Coach Bill Dredge has been a dedicated member of the Harlem School District for the past 51 years. Throughout his impressive career, he has held a variety of coaching roles, demonstrating his commitment and versatility across multiple sports and seasons. Even after retiring from teaching, Coach Dredge continues to make a lasting impact by coaching in three different athletic programs—one in each season of the school year. Among the many highlights of his career are the meaningful and lasting relationships he has built with students, families, and the broader community. Coach Dredge is a proud graduate of Aurora College and holds a Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University. He and his wife, Gayle, are the proud parents of two children, Cathy and Joe. Coach Dredge's dedication, passion, and unwavering support of student-athletes have made him a respected and beloved figure in Harlem athletics.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY:

Kelsey Lueshen is in his 14th year of coaching in the Cross Country and Track program here at Harlem. This is his eighth year as Head Girl's Cross Country coach. He teaches in the English department here at Harlem High School. In his free time, he enjoys reading great books, having fun with his kids, and rooting for the Chicago Cubs. Currently, Kelsey lives in Rockton with his two sons Charlie and Henry.

BOYS SOCCER:

Coach Wendt is entering his fourth year as the Varsity Boys Soccer Coach and his seventh year overall coaching at Harlem. With over 35 years of experience in the soccer community, he brings a deep passion and wealth of knowledge to the program. A proud Harlem graduate from the Class of 2000, Coach Wendt reached the semi-professional level during his playing career. Off the field, he enjoys time with his family—his wife, Dee, and their two sons, Kole and Lukasz. Coach Wendt is proud to continue giving back to the program and community that helped shape his own journey.

CHEER:

Madeline Burke is entering her second year as Head Cheer Coach at Harlem High School, after serving as the Varsity Assistant Coach for three years. A proud Harlem alumna, Madeline was a standout member of the HHS cheer team and earned the title of NIC-10 MVP during her time as a student-athlete. Following high school, she continued her cheerleading journey by both competing and coaching in All-Star Cheer. Coach Burke brings energy, experience, and a deep passion for the program as she leads the next generation of Harlem cheerleaders.

KELSEY LUESHEN

MATTHEW WENDT

MADELINE BURKE

HEAD COACHES HARLEM FALL SEASONAL

SUMMER HENDERSON

DANCE:

Coach Summer Henderson is entering her 15th year as the Head Coach of the Varsity Dance Team at Harlem High School. A proud HHS alumna and former member of the Harlem Dance Team, Summer brings a lifelong passion for dance and coaching to the program. In addition to her role at Harlem, she is the owner and artistic director of Studio 11 Dance Company in Machesney Park, which she has led for the past 28 years. Under her guidance, the Harlem Dance Team has earned 6 NIC-10 conference titles and made 3 appearances at the IHSA State Finals, most recently in 2023. Summer was also a standout athlete on the HHS Track Team, earning All-Conference honors during her time as a student. She now lives in Roscoe with her husband, Scott, and their two sons, Dylan and Hayden.

DEREK MOORE

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:

Now in my 10th season coaching volleyball, my passion for the sport began back in high school, where I started playing as a freshman. Since then, volleyball has taken me across the country—competing and coaching in places like Dallas, St. Louis, Florida, and beyond. I'm proud to be a part of the Harlem program and excited to continue growing both Boys and Girls Volleyball here. Let's keep building something great—Go Huskies!

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY:

Marty Contreras is entering his 15th year coaching cross country and 1st year coaching at Harlem as Head Boys Cross Country Coach. Prior to Harlem, Coach Contreras was the Head Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach at Du-pec 2019-2024 and Rockford Auburn 2011-2018 Head Girls Cross Country Coach, and Belvidere 2010-2011 Assistant Coach Girls Cross Country. Coach Contreras also has the distinction of being one of the only coaches to lead teams to Sectionals in all three classes, Du-pec 1a, Belvidere 2a and Auburn in 3a. An Auburn High School graduate, He currently works at McIntosh Elementary School in Rockford, Il and loves to spend time with his niece Arlena who is currently in 3rd grade at McIntosh when not coaching or teaching at places like The Pottery Lounge. He is excited to be at Harlem and to be coaching the sport that he loves. He is also a former runner from Rockford Auburn and excited to be back coaching in the nic-10!

GIRLS GOLF:

My name is Brad Sweet and I am entering my 21st year of coaching girls' golf. I have been a teacher in the Harlem District for the past 29 years and have coached girls' soccer and am currently the Academic Team coach as well. I have been married for the past 31 years and have two boys, Jackson and Hunter.

BOYS GOLF:

Coach Lemke is excited to be entering his 9th season as the Varsity Head Coach. Coach Lemke previously served as the Assistant Varsity coach under Hall of Fame coach Jared Day for 8 years from 2007-2015. During his time as Assistant Coach, the Boys Golf Program earned its first team Regional Championship in 2010, and had the first individual state qualifier in school history in 2014. He is currently in his 19th year as a Business teacher and coach at Harlem High School. He is a 1999 graduate of Crystal Lake South High School, during which he was a member of the Boys Golf Program finishing 3rd place in the IHSA Class 3A State Finals Tournament. He received his BA in Business Administration from Augustana College in 2003 where he also played golf at the collegiate level. In 2007, he earned an additional BS in Secondary Business Education from St. Ambrose University, and in 2018 earned an MA in Educational Administration from Concordia University Chicago. Since coming to Harlem in 2007, Scott has also served as the Head Boys Basketball coach, and Boys Assistant Varsity tennis coach.

GIRLS SWIM & DIVE:

Rachel Rushing, a Hononegah High School graduate (Class of 2007), is excited to return to the NIC-10 as the new Head Girls Swimming & Diving Coach at Harlem High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Rockford University and recently completed her comprehensive exams for doctoral candidacy in industrial-organizational psychology at Northern Illinois University. Rushing brings extensive coaching experience from her role as Competitive Aquatics Head Coach for the Rock River Valley YMCA, where she has led the Stingrays Swim Team, ROCK Masters, and Penguins programs. She has coached athletes at every level, from beginners to national competitors, and is known for developing swimmers who are both technically skilled and mentally resilient. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes leadership development, inclusivity, and strong team culture. By combining her academic expertise with her passion for swimming, Rushing strives to help athletes reach their full potential in and out of the pool, while continuing to build a proud and competitive tradition at Harlem.

MARTIN CONTRERAS

BRAD SWEET

RACHEL RUSHING

SCOTT LEMKE