The Uni chess team played its last league match of 2007 Thursday night at Parkland College, defeating Danville in a two-round contest by a combined score of 116-0. The Uni squad is 7-0 and will resume league play after winter break. The IHSA state finals are scheduled for Feb. 8-9 in Peoria. Last year the team finished eighth overall and first among small schools.

Rachel Skoza had another monster game as she led the visiting Illineks to a 59-38 nonconference victory over LeRoy this afternoon. The junior post player scored 22 points, her second consecutive game above 20. The Illineks are now 5-8 with one more game to play before winter break. The varsity will take on Buckley Christ Lutheran 6 p.m. Tuesday at Kenney Gym.

Lauren Piester isn't crazy about Christmas the holiday, but she loves the music. For one month out of the year, singing holiday classics makes her happy. And at a time when finals-induced gloom has descended on Uni, she's determined to share that happiness with others.

The team's quest for the best start in Uni history ended Friday night as the Illineks lost to Oakwood on the road 67-54. The team is now 6-1 on the season. Seniors Mike Renner and Austin Rundus were the only two Illineks to score in double digits, with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

It's not often that you see 17 teenagers singing in costumes better suited for a Renaissance fair than an American high school. However, that is exactly what happens during the winter holidays when the Uni High Madrigals perform. The madrigals are a group of Uni singers known almost as much for their distinctive dress as for their soaring voices. And this is the time of year when they shine.

Should subfreshman year be turned into a formal trial period to see if students really belong at Uni? Should subbies be told they're not welcome back if they don't measure up? The school is about to look into that possibility. Things are still very much in the preliminary stage, and current subfreshmen would not be affected regardless of the outcome. When school resumes after winter break, the Gargoyle will take a closer look at this topic. In the meantime, reporter Maritza Mestre gets things started with this opinion column.