Northwest Upstate Illini Conference

The Northwest Upstate Illini Conference is a high school conference in northwest and north central Illinois. The conference participates in athletics and activities in the Illinois High School Association. The conference comprises 21 small public high schools with enrollments between 60-340 students in Carroll, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties.

History

In 1996 the Northwestern Illinois Conference and Upstate Illini Conference merged under the Upstate Illini banner. Initially three divisions were formed for all team sports except football: West - Dakota, East Dubuque, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, River Ridge, Stockton, and Warren East - Ashton-Franklin Center, Durand, Kirkland-Hiawatha, North Boone, Pecatonica, Rockford Lutheran and South Beloit, and South - Forreston, Freeport Aquin, Fulton Unity Christian, Eastland, Pearl City, Milledgeville, [Mount Carroll County, Illinois|Carroll, Illinois|Mt. Carroll] and Polo. In 1999 Savanna was added to the South Division and Rockford Christian Life to the East Division for a total of 24 teams. In 2000, after six schools left to form the Four Rivers Conference, the two remaining schools from the East, Rockford Christian Life and Rockford Lutheran, also left the conference looking for competition within closer proximity.
Based on all of these changes, the remaining schools realigned under the new moniker '"Northwest Upstate Illini"' starting with the 2001 school year. The 18 remaining schools maintained divisional balance in all sports for 4 years, however, during the 2004-05 school year, the school districts of Savanna, Mt. Carroll and Thomson consolidated into the West Carroll School District, becoming the largest high school in the conference. This consolidation reduced the teams in the Northwest Division of football to 6 and also created a scheduling issue due to an odd number of teams within the conference. To correct this, prior to the 2005-06 school year, four schools, Ashton-Franklin Center, Durand, Pecatonica, and South Beloit, joined the conference. These four schools were previously members of the Four Rivers Conference and raised the number of schools from 17 to its highest total of 21. Fulton Unity left the conference to join the Northern Illinois Christian Conference after the 2007 school year, reducing the conference to a total of 20.
South Beloit left the NUIC after the 2015-16 season. The Sobos joined the Northeastern Athletic Conference to compete against schools from Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, Arlington Heights, Elgin, Hebron, Crystal Lake, Ottawa, Mooseheart and Kirkland. To replace the exiting team, the NUIC added Amboy High School, formerly a member of the Three Rivers Conference. The Clippers began competition in the NUIC during the 2016-17 school year.
Between 2019 and 2020, seven teams within the conference announced that they would begin playing 8-man football. This change, as well as several schools cooping, reduced the number of 11-man football teams to nine. In order to maintain competitive balance, Fulton High School joined the NUIC for the 2021-22 school year from the Three Rivers Conference. A member of the Three Rivers Conference since the league's inception in 1975, Fulton made the move to the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference prior to the 2021-22 school year. The addition of Fulton brought the total number of schools back to 21. The Morrison Mustangs joined the NUIC starting in 2024, also leaving the Three Rivers Conference. This addition reunites Fulton and Morrison in the Battle for the Wooden Shoe, a rivalry game that began in 1977 and was halted in 2021 after Fulton left the conference. The addition of Morrison took the total number of schools in the conference to its highest total, 22. However, due to drastic decline in enrollment, Aquin Catholic High School closed in May 2024 reverting the total number of schools back to 21.

NUIC Sportsmanship Creed

Prior to every varsity sporting event, the following creed is read to everyone in attendance.

Current Membership

The Northwest Upstate Illini Conference comprises 21 high schools, grades 9-12. There are 21 public high schools within the conference.

School	Location	County	Mascot	Colors	Joined	Enrollment	IHSA Classes 2/3/4	IHSA Music Class	IHSA Football Class	Team Division	Previous Conference
Amboy High School	Amboy, IL	Lee	Clippers	Red, White, Black	2017	216	A/1A/1A	C	8-man	South	Three Rivers
Ashton-Franklin Center High School	Ashton, IL	Lee	Raiders	Black, Gold, White	2005	163	A/1A/1A	C	8-man	South	Four Rivers
Dakota High School	Dakota, IL	Stephenson	Indians	Maroon, White	2001	250	A/1A/1A	C	1A	North	Upstate Illini
Durand High School	Durand, IL	Winnebago	Bulldogs	Royal Blue, White	2005	172	A/1A/1A	C	3A	North	Four Rivers
East Dubuque High School	East Dubuque, IL	Jo Daviess	Warriors	Royal Blue, White	2001	221	A/1A/1A	C	WI	West	Upstate Illini
Eastland High School	Lanark, IL	Carroll	Cougars	Royal Blue, Orange	2001	202	A/1A/1A	C	2A	South	Upstate Illini
Forreston High School	Forreston, IL	Ogle	Cardinals	Red, White, Black	2001	246	A/1A/1A	C	1A	North	Upstate Illini
Fulton High School	Fulton, IL	Whiteside	Steamers	Red, Black	2021	289	A/1A/2A	C	1A	South	Three Rivers
Galena High School	Galena, IL	Jo Daviess	Pirates	Royal Blue, White	2001	243	A/1A/1A	C	1A	West	Upstate Illini
Lena-Winslow High School	Lena, IL	Stephenson	Panthers	Black, Gold	2001	236	A/1A/1A	C	1A	North	Upstate Illini
Milledgeville High School	Milledgeville, IL	Carroll	Missiles	Orange, Black	2001	160	A/1A/1A	D	8-man	South	Upstate Illini
Morrison High School	Morrison, IL	Whiteside	Mustangs/ Fillies	Red, White	2024	286	A/1A/1A	C	1A	South	Three Rivers
Orangeville High School	Orangeville, IL	Stephenson	Broncos	Purple, Gold	2001	102	A/1A/1A	D	8-man	North	Upstate Illini
Pearl City High School	Pearl City, IL	Stephenson	Wolves	Red, White, Black	2001	135	A/1A/1A	D	2A	North	Upstate Illini
Pecatonica High School	Pecatonica, IL	Winnebago	Indians	Purple, Vegas Gold	2005	256	A/1A/1A	C	3A	North	Four Rivers
Polo Community High School	Polo, IL	Ogle	Marcos	Blue, Gold	2001	160	A/1A/1A	C	8-man	South	Upstate Illini
River Ridge High School	Hanover, IL	Jo Daviess	Wildcats	Navy Blue, Grey	2001	142	A/1A/1A	D	8-man	West	Upstate Illini
Scales Mound High School	Scales Mound, IL	Jo Daviess	Hornets	Kelly Green, White	2001	63	A/1A/1A	D	WI	West	Upstate Illini
Stockton High School	Stockton, IL	Jo Daviess	Blackhawks	Maroon, Gold	2001	180	A/1A/1A	D	1A	West	Upstate Illini
Warren High School	Warren, IL	Jo Daviess	Warriors	Orange, Black	2001	110	A/1A/1A	D	WI	West	Upstate Illini
West Carroll High School	Savanna, IL	Carroll	Thunder	Black, White, Forest Green	2001	340	A/1A/2A	B	2A	West	Upstate Illini

Divisions and alignments

Basketball divisions

In 2001, as the conference realigned under its new label, the divisions were broken into 2; nine team divisions.
Those groups were:

North - Dakota, East Dubuque, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, and Warren
South - Aquin, Eastland, Forreston, Fulton Unity, Milledgeville, Pearl City, Polo, Savanna, Mt. Carroll

Starting in 2005, after the addition of the teams from the Four Rivers Conference and the unification of Savanna, Mt. Carroll and Thomson into West Carroll, the league broke into three divisions for basketball. Each division had 7 teams, however, for girls basketball, River Ridge and Scales Mound formed a coop that would keep the West with only 6 teams.
Those groups were:

North - Aquin, Dakota, Durand, Orangeville, Pearl City, Pecatonica and South Beloit.
South - Ashton-Franklin Center, Eastland, Forreston, Fulton Unity, Milledgeville, Polo, and West Carroll.
West - East Dubuque, Galena, Lena-Winslow, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, and Warren.

This three division system lasted only for two years when Fulton Unity Christian joined the North Illinois Christian Conference for basketball prior to the start of in 2007-2008 school year. The league realigned back into two divisions with each having 10 teams. These divisions remained constant with the only change occurring in 2016 when Amboy was added to the East to replace South Beloit after their departure.
These groups were:

East - Amboy, Aquin, Ashton-Franklin Center, Dakota, Durand, Forreston, Milledgeville, Orangeville, Pecatonica, and Polo.
West - East Dubuque, Eastland, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Pearl City, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, Warren and West Carroll.

Prior to the 2019-2020 school year, the conference realigned back to three divisions. The divisions would be labeled North, South and West and would be unbalanced with two divisions having 7 teams and one having 6. Fulton joined the conference for the 2021-22 season and were placed in the South Division, giving each division 7 teams. Prior to the 2023-24 season, Orangeville and Aquin boys basketball began a coop, reducing the number of teams in the North to 6.
These divisions were:

North - Dakota, Durand, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville/Aquin, Pearl City, and Pecatonica
South - Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, Eastland, Forreston, Fulton, Milledgeville, and Polo
West - East Dubuque, Galena, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, Warren, and West Carroll

2024 Realignment:
Morrison's entrance into the league and Aquin's departure created an imbalance that required an adjustment in order to maintain equal numbers for each division. In the North, the Orangeville/Aquin coop was eliminated and Forreston was moved from the South to put the total number of teams at 7. The addition of Morrison to the South division kept the total number of teams at 7 with the West being untouched and also keeping 7 teams total.
These divisions are:

North - Dakota, Durand, Forreston, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Pearl City, and Pecatonica
South - Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, Eastland, Fulton, Milledgeville, Morrison, and Polo
West - East Dubuque, Galena, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, Warren, and West Carroll

Football alignment

Initially in 2001, the Northwest Upstate Illini was divided into two football divisions, each having 7 total teams.
These divisions were:

Northwest - Dakota, Eastland-Pearl City, Forreston, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Mt. Carroll and Savanna
Upstate - Aquin, East Dubuque, Milledgeville, Orangeville, Polo, Warren-River Ridge, and Stockton

In 2005, Mt. Carroll and Savanna consolidated with Thomson to become West Carroll. During the same year, four teams from the Four Rivers Conference were accepted to join the conference. Durand, Pecatonica and South Beloit joined the Northwest Division and Ashton-Franklin Center entered the Upstate. In 2016, upon the departure of South Beloit, Amboy took their position in the Northwest division.
The final alignment of these divisions were:

Northwest - Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio, Dakota, Durand-Pecatonica, East Dubuque, Eastland-Pearl City, Forreston, Galena, Lena-Winslow, West Carroll
Upstate - Aquin, Ashton-Franklin Center, Milledgeville, Orangeville, Polo, River Ridge, Stockton, and Warren

Starting in 2019, Polo and River Ridge ceased playing traditional 11-man football and began playing 8-man. This change, along with Warren forming a coop with Black Hawk High School in South Wayne, Wisconsin, has created a conference realignment specifically for football. The conference split geographically into North and South divisions with seven schools on each side. Crossover games between schools in different divisions were scheduled based on enrollment.
These divisions were:

North Division - Dakota, Durand-Pecatonica, East Dubuque, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Stockton
South Division - AFC, Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio, Aquin, Eastland-Pearl City, Forreston, Milledgeville, and West Carroll

In 2021, five more teams from the conference transitioned to 8-man football. These teams include Ashton-Franklin Center, and Milledgeville as well as the 1984 state champion Amboy, the 1989 state championship team Orangeville, and Freeport Aquin, who claimed the state championship in 1981, 1986 and 2005. However, with the 2022 addition of Fulton High School, the conference has a net loss of only four teams. These changes will reduce the number of 11-man teams to 10 teams and eliminate the need for divisional play. The 2022 season included:

11-Man Football - Dakota, Durand-Pecatonica, East Dubuque, Eastland-Pearl City, Forreston, Fulton, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Stockton and West Carroll
8-Man Football - Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio, Ashton-Franklin Center, Aquin, Milledgeville, Orangeville, Polo, and River Ridge

On November 18, 2021, the East Dubuque board of education voted 5 to 1 in favor of joining Southwestern High School for football, leaving the NUIC and bringing the total number of teams competing in 11-man football down to nine. This reduction causes each team in the conference the need to seek a non-conference game each season. The 2023 season included the following alignment:

11-Man Football - Dakota, Durand-Pecatonica, Eastland-Pearl City, Forreston, Fulton, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Stockton and West Carroll
8-Man Football - • North 1 Division: Ashton-Franklin Center •North 2 Division: Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio, Aquin, Milledgeville, Orangeville, Polo, and River Ridge

The 2024 season creates a change in the structure of NUIC football. Regarding 11-man, Morrison joins the league with 2A state championships in 2009 and 2011. The total number of 11-man schools, however, remain at 9 due to the fact that West Carroll converts to 8-man. An additional change in 8-man includes Aquin closing and no longer competing.
The 2024 season included the following alignment:

11-Man Football - Dakota, Durand-Pecatonica, Eastland-Pearl City, Forreston, Fulton, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Morrison, and Stockton
8-Man Football - • North Division: Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio, Ashton-Franklin Center Milledgeville, Orangeville, Polo, River Ridge, and West Carroll

Volleyball alignment

In 2001, the conference utilized the same concept of North and South divisions for girls volleyball.
Those groups were:

North - Dakota, East Dubuque, Eastland, Galena, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, and Warren
South - Aquin, Forreston, Fulton Unity, Milledgeville, Mt. Carroll, Pearl City, Polo and Savanna

Similar to basketball, when the league expanded in 2005, some teams shifted and the arrangements moved to the following 3 division system:

North - Aquin, Dakota, Durand, Orangeville, Pearl City, Pecatonica and South Beloit.
South - Ashton-Franklin Center, Eastland, Forreston, Fulton Unity, Milledgeville, Polo, and West Carroll.
West - East Dubuque, Galena, Lena-Winslow, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, and Warren.

In 2014, the conference eliminated divisions and created a single volleyball conference with all 20 teams and South Beloit was replaced with Amboy after they left the conference in 2016.
Prior to the 2019-2020 school year, the conference realigned back to three divisions. The divisions would once again be labeled North, South and West and would be unbalanced with two divisions having 7 teams and one having 6, however, this alignment changed for the 2021-22 season as Fulton joined the South Division, giving each division 7 teams.
These divisions were:

North - Aquin, Dakota, Durand, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Pearl City, and Pecatonica
South - Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, Eastland, Forreston, Fulton, Milledgeville, and Polo
West - East Dubuque, Galena, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, and Warren, and West Carroll

2024 Realignment:
Morrison's entrance into the league and Aquin's departure created an imbalance that required an adjustment in order to maintain equal numbers for each division. In the North, Forreston was moved from the South to put the total number of teams at 7. The addition of Morrison to the South division kept the total number of teams at 7 with the West being untouched and also keeping 7 teams total.
These divisions are:

North - Dakota, Durand, Forreston, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Pearl City, and Pecatonica
South - Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, Eastland, Fulton, Milledgeville, Morrison, and Polo
West - East Dubuque, Galena, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, Warren, and West Carroll

Membership timeline

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id:line value:pink
id:bg value:white
id:Full value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports
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id:AssocF value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member with 8-man football
id:AssocOS value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in a football coop
id:OtherC1 value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that has moved to another conference
id:OtherC2 value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that has consolidated
id:OtherC3 value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in some sports, but not all
id:OtherC4 value:rgb # Use this color to denote a team that coops in boys basketball

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bar:1 color:OtherC1 from:1996 till:2007 text:Amboy
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bar:1 color:AssocOS from:2017 till:2021 text:
bar:1 color:AssocF from:2021 till:end text:
bar:2 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Ashton-Franklin Center
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bar:2 color:AssocF from:2021 till:end text:
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bar:3 color:Full from:2001 till:end text:
bar:4 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Durand
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bar:4 color:Full from:2005 till:2017 text:
bar:4 color:AssocOS from:2017 till:end text:
bar:5 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:East Dubuque
bar:5 color:Full from:2001 till:2022 text:
bar:5 color:FullxF from:2022 till:end text:
bar:6 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Eastland
bar:6 color:AssocOS from:2001 till:end text:
bar:7 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Forreston
bar:7 color:Full from:2001 till:end text:
bar:8 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Freeport Aquin
bar:8 color:Full from:2001 till:2021 text:
bar:8 color:AssocF from:2021 till:2023 text:
bar:8 color:OtherC4 from:2023 till:2024 text:
bar:8 color:white from:2024 till:end text:School Closed
bar:9 color:OtherC1 from:1996 till:2021 text:Fulton
bar:9 color:Full from:2021 till:end text:
bar:10 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Galena
bar:10 color:Full from:2001 till:end text:
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bar:12 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Mt. Carroll
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bar:12 color:white from:2005 till:end text:Consolidated into West Carroll
bar:13 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Milledgeville
bar:13 color:Full from:2001 till:2021 text:
bar:13 color:AssocF from:2021 till:end text:
bar:14 color:OtherC1 from:1996 till:2024 text:Morrison
bar:14 color:Full from:2024 till:end text:
bar:15 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Orangeville
bar:15 color:Full from:2001 till:2021 text:
bar:15 color:AssocF from:2021 till:2023 text:
bar:15 color:OtherC4 from:2023 till:2024 text:
bar:15 color:AssocF from:2024 till:end text:
bar:16 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Pearl City
bar:16 color:AssocOS from:2001 till:end text:
bar:17 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Pecatonica
bar:17 color:OtherC1 from:2001 till:2005 text:
bar:17 color:Full from:2005 till:2017 text:
bar:17 color:AssocOS from:2017 till:2025 text:
bar:17 color:OtherC3 from:2025 till:end text:
bar:18 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Polo
bar:18 color:Full from:2001 till:2019
bar:18 color:AssocF from:2019 till:end text:
bar:19 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:River Ridge
bar:19 color:AssocOS from:2001 till:2010 text:
bar:19 color:Full from:2010 till:2019 text:
bar:19 color:AssocF from:2019 till:end text:
bar:20 color:OtherC1 from:1996 till:1999 text:Savanna
bar:20 color:OtherC2 from:1999 till:2001
bar:20 color:Full from:2001 till:2005 text:
bar:20 color:white from:2005 till:end text:Consolidated into West Carroll
bar:21 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Scales Mound
bar:21 color:OtherC3 from:2001 till:2004 text: Volleyball & Basketball
bar:21 color:FullxF from:2004 till:end text:
bar:22 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:South Beloit
bar:22 color:OtherC1 from:2001 till:2005 text:
bar:22 color:Full from:2005 till:2017 text:
bar:22 color:OtherC1 from:2017 till:end text:
bar:23 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Stockton
bar:23 color:Full from:2001 till:end text:
bar:24 color:OtherC1 from:1996 till:2001 text:Unity Christian of Fulton
bar:24 color:OtherC3 from:2001 till:2008 text:Basketball/Volleyball only
bar:24 color:OtherC1 from:2008 till:end text:
bar:25 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:Warren
bar:25 color:AssocOS from:2001 till:2010 text:
bar:25 color:Full from:2010 till:2019 text:
bar:25 color:FullxF from:2019 till:end text:
bar:26 color:Full from:2005 till:2024 text:West Carroll
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Cooperative Arrangements

note: Highlighted school is the host

Amboy, and Ohio High Schools co-operate for boys basketball. '
Amboy, and Ohio High Schools co-operate for girls basketball. '
Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for boys cross country. '
Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for girls cross country. '
Amboy, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for boys football. '
Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for boys golf. '
Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for girls golf. '
Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for boys track & field. '
Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for girls track & field. '
Amboy, Ashton Franklin-Center, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for boys wrestling. '
Amboy, Ashton Franklin-Center, La Moille and Ohio High Schools co-operate for girls wrestling. '
Amboy, and Ohio High Schools co-operate for girls volleyball. '
Ashton and Byron co-operate for boys swimming & diving. '
Ashton and Byron co-operate for girls swimming & diving. '
Dakota and Orangeville High Schools co-operate for boys wrestling. '
Dakota and Orangeville High Schools co-operate for girls wrestling. '
Durand and Pecatonica High Schools co-operate for boys cross country. '
Durand and Pecatonica High Schools co-operate for girls cross country. '
Durand and Pecatonica High Schools co-operate for football. '
Durand and Pecatonica High Schools co-operate for boys wrestling. '
Durand and Pecatonica High Schools co-operate for girls wrestling. '
East Dubuque and Hanover High Schools co-operate for boys cross country. '
East Dubuque and Hanover High Schools co-operate for girls cross country. '
Durand and Pecatonica High Schools co-operate for girls cross country. '
Eastland and Milledgville City High Schools co-operate for boys golf. '
Eastland and Milledgville City High Schools co-operate for girls golf. '
Eastland and Pearl City High Schools co-operate for football. '
Forreston and Polo High Schools co-operate for boys track & field. '
Forreston and Polo High Schools co-operate for girls track & field. '
Forreston and Byron High Schools co-operate for boys swimming & diving. '
Forreston and Byron High Schools co-operate for girls swimming & diving. '
Hanover and Scales Mound High Schools co-operate for boys baseball. '
Hanover and Scales Mound High Schools co-operate for boys golf. '
Hanover and Scales Mound High Schools co-operate for girls golf. '
Hanover and Scales Mound High Schools co-operate for girls basketball. '
Lena-Winslow and Stockton High Schools co-operate for boys wrestling. '
Lena-Winslow and Stockton High Schools co-operate for girls wrestling. '
Lena-Winslow and Pearl City High Schools co-operate for girls track. '
Morrison and Erie High Schools co-operate for girls swimming and diving. '
Orangeville and Freeport Aquin High Schools co-operate for boys baseball. '
Orangeville and Freeport Aquin High Schools co-operate for girls softball. '
Orangeville and Freeport Aquin High Schools co-operate for boys basketball. '
Pearl City and Lena-Winslow High Schools co-operate for boys golf. '
Pearl City and Lena-Winslow High Schools co-operate for girls golf. '
Pearl City and Eastland High Schools co-operate for Speech Individual Events. '
Pecatonica and Durand High Schools co-operate for boys baseball. '
Pecatonica and Durand High Schools co-operate for boys golf. '
Pecatonica and Durand High Schools co-operate for girls golf. '
Pecatonica, Dakota and Durand High Schools co-operate for boys soccer. '
Pecatonica, Dakota and Durand High Schools co-operate for girls soccer. '
Pecatonica and Byron High Schools co-operate for boys swimming & diving. '
Pecatonica and Byron High Schools co-operate for girls swimming & diving. '
Pecatonica and Durand High Schools co-operate for boys track & field. '
Pecatonica and Durand High Schools co-operate for girls track & field. '
Polo and Byron High Schools co-operate for boys swimming & diving. '
Polo and Byron High Schools co-operate for girls swimming & diving. '
Polo, Forreston, Eastland and Milledgeville High Schools co-operate for boys wrestling. '
Polo, Forreston, Eastland and Milledgeville High Schools co-operate for girls wrestling. '
Scales Mound and River Ridge High Schools co-operate for girls softball. '
Scales Mound High School co-operates with Benton High School (WI) in Benton, Wisconsin, for football, therefore they do not participate in the IHSA football playoffs.
Stockton, Lena-Winslow, and Warren High Schools co-operate for speech individual events. '
Stockton and Lena-Winslow High Schools co-operate for boys cross country. '
Stockton and Lena-Winslow High Schools co-operate for girls cross country. '
Stockton and Warren High Schools co-operate for boys track and field. '
Stockton and Warren High Schools co-operate for girls track and field. '
Stockton and Warren High Schools co-operate for girls softball. '
Warren and Stockton High Schools co-operate for boys baseball. '
Warren High School co-operates with Black Hawk High School (WI) in South Wayne, Wisconsin, for football, therefore they do not participate in the IHSA football playoffs.

Competitive Success

Teams currently competing in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference have won 139 team state championships in IHSA sponsored athletics and activities. This includes championships won prior to entering the league.
The conference also has produced 147 individual championships, including golf, public speaking, track & field, and wrestling. Josh Alber and Seth Milks from Dakota are the only individual 4-time state champions in the history of the conference. As a wrestler, Alber finished his 4 years of competition undefeated with a final record of 182 wins and 0 losses. Alber also became the first four-time state champion in IHSA history to complete high school competition without a loss or tie.

State Champions

Note: Championships listed here also include championships won by current member schools prior to any respective consolidations, as well as prior to the formation of the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference.

Team

*Polo's championship in 8-man football is in a non-sanctioned IHSA activity.

Individual

Male Athlete	School	Sport/Activity	Event/Level	Gender	Year	Class
Dave Melhus	Savanna	Wrestling	98 lbs	Boys	1974-75	A
Jerry Raab	Stockton	Wrestling	98 lbs	Boys	1975-76	A
Brad Anderson	Savanna	Wrestling	98 lbs	Boys	1979-80	A
Pete Alber	Dakota	Wrestling	98 lbs	Boys	1980-81	A
Dave Seward	Savanna	Wrestling	103 lbs	Boys	1961-62	-
Patrick Hamilton	Morrison	Wrestling	103 lbs	Boys	1995-96	A
Seth Milks	Dakota	Wrestling	103 lbs	Boys	2005-06	A
Josh Alber	Dakota	Wrestling	103 lbs	Boys	2010-11	1A
Butch Wingett	Fulton	Wrestling	105 lbs	Boys	1974-75	A
Jerry Raab	Stockton	Wrestling	105 lbs	Boys	1976-77	A
Mike Lizer	Dakota	Wrestling	105 lbs	Boys	1978-79	A
Tony Alber	Dakota	Wrestling	105 lbs	Boys	1979-80	A
Tyler Fleetwood	Fulton	Wrestling	106 lbs	Boys	2015-16	1A
Mark Massery	Savanna	Wrestling	112 lbs	Boys	1967-68	-
Dennis Lizer	Dakota	Wrestling	112 lbs	Boys	1976-77	A
Paul Evans	Savanna	Wrestling	112 lbs	Boys	1977-78	A
Matt Jacobs	Dakota	Wrestling	112 lbs	Boys	1997-98	A
Seth Milks	Dakota	Wrestling	112 lbs	Boys	2006-07	A
Alec Henze	Dakota	Wrestling	113 lbs	Boys	2014-15	1A
Alec Henze	Dakota	Wrestling	113 lbs	Boys	2015-16	1A
Pat Johnson	Savanna	Wrestling	119 lbs	Boys	1976-77	A
Dan Anderson	Savanna	Wrestling	119 lbs	Boys	1980-81	A
Randy Stubbe	Dakota	Wrestling	119 lbs	Boys	1997-98	A
Seth Milks	Dakota	Wrestling	119 lbs	Boys	2007-08	A
Mark Massey	Savanna	Wrestling	120 lbs	Boys	1968-69	-
Josh Alber	Dakota	Wrestling	120 lbs	Boys	2011-12	1A
Josh Alber	Dakota	Wrestling	120 lbs	Boys	2012-13	1A
Tyler Fleetwood	Fulton	Wrestling	120 lbs	Boys	2016-17	1A
Phoenix Blakely	Dakota	Wrestling	120 lbs	Boys	2019-20	1A
Phoenix Blakely	Dakota	Wrestling	120 lbs	Boys	2021-22	1A
Matt Jacobs	Dakota	Wrestling	125 lbs	Boys	1998-99	A
Cort Lawton	Polo	Wrestling	125 lbs	Boys	2005-06	A
Vince Alber	Dakota	Wrestling	125 lbs	Boys	2006-07	A
Steve Webster	Dakota	Wrestling	126 lbs	Boys	1973-74	A
Dave Melhus	Savanna	Wrestling	126 lbs	Boys	1976-77	A
Robert McKnight	Amboy	Wrestling	126 lbs	Boys	1977-78	A
Jack Nickels	Savanna	Wrestling	126 lbs	Boys	1978-79	A
Greg Alber	Dakota	Wrestling	126 lbs	Boys	1987-88	A
Printice Walls	Dakota	Wrestling	126 lbs	Boys	2014-15	1A
Ethan Doty	West Carroll	Wrestling	126 lbs	Boys	2018-19	1A
TJ Silva	Dakota	Wrestling	126 lbs	Boys	2022-23	1A
Andy Reeter	Dakota	Wrestling	130 lbs	Boys	1998-99	A
Seth Milks	Dakota	Wrestling	130 lbs	Boys	2008-09	1A
Paul Engaldo	Savanna	Wrestling	132 lbs	Boys	1974-75	A
Josh Alber	Dakota	Wrestling	132 lbs	Boys	2013-14	1A
Phoenix Blakely	Dakota	Wrestling	132 lbs	Boys	2022-23	1A
Carver James	Dakota	Wrestling	138 lbs	Boys	2012-13	1A
J.J. Wolfe	Dakota	Wrestling	138 lbs	Boys	2013-14	1A
Nate Olsen	Dakota	Wrestling	138 lbs	Boys	2014-15	1A
Joe Eads	Morrison	Wrestling	138 lbs	Boys	2016-17	1A
Jesse Milks	Dakota	Wrestling	140 lbs	Boys	2005-06	A
Mark McDonnell	Morrison	Wrestling	140 lbs	Boys	2010-11	A
Lonnie Robinson	Savanna	Wrestling	145 lbs	Boys	1974-75	A
Dave Lloyd	Ashton	Wrestling	145 lbs	Boys	1981-82	A
Ryan Castro	Savanna	Wrestling	145 lbs	Boys	1996-97	A
Darren Olsen	Dakota	Wrestling	145 lbs	Boys	2004-05	A
Mark McDonnell	Morrison	Wrestling	145 lbs	Boys	2011-12	A
Quincy Kalkbrenner	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	145 lbs	Boys	2012-13	1A
J.J. Wolfe	Dakota	Wrestling	145 lbs	Boys	2014-15	1A
Greg Krulas	Dakota	Wrestling	145 lbs	Boys	2015-16	1A
Carver James	Dakota	Wrestling	152 lbs	Boys	2013-14	1A
Greg Krulas	Dakota	Wrestling	152 lbs	Boys	2014-15	1A
Joe Fosdick	Savanna	Wrestling	155 lbs	Boys	1973-74	A
Jim Kurth	Savanna	Wrestling	155 lbs	Boys	1981-82	A
Mike Kurth	Savanna	Wrestling	155 lbs	Boys	1982-83	A
Matt Wenger	Dakota	Wrestling	160 lbs	Boys	2003-04	A
Caleb Kraft	Dakota	Wrestling	160 lbs	Boys	2006-07	A
Quincy Kalkbrenner	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	160 lbs	Boys	2013-14	1A
Nathan Olsen	Dakota	Wrestling	160 lbs	Boys	2015-16	1A
Joe Fosdick	Savanna	Wrestling	167 lbs	Boys	1975-76	A
Mike Lindeman	Savanna	Wrestling	167 lbs	Boys	1979-80	A
Brian Woodley	Dakota	Wrestling	167 lbs	Boys	1993-94	A
Matthew Wenger	Dakota	Wrestling	167 lbs	Boys	2004-05	A
Matthew Wenger	Dakota	Wrestling	167 lbs	Boys	2005-06	A
Carl Bonvillain	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	167 lbs	Boys	2006-07	A
Trey Griffin	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	167 lbs	Boys	2009-10	1A
Jake Apple	Dakota	Wrestling	167 lbs	Boys	2010-11	1A
Carver James	Dakota	Wrestling	170 lbs	Boys	2014-15	1A
Andrew Wenzel	Dakota	Wrestling	170 lbs	Boys	2018-19	1A
Eli Larson	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	175 lbs	Boys	2024-25	1A
Logan Staver	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	182 lbs	Boys	2012-13	1A
Griffin Luke	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	182 lbs	Boys	2022-23	1A
Jeff Eastlick	Stockton	Wrestling	185 lbs	Boys	1977-78	A
Chuck Haas	Savanna	Wrestling	185 lbs	Boys	1978-79	A
Andy McPeek	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	189 lbs	Boys	1992-93	A
Wes Folk	Dakota	Wrestling	189 lbs	Boys	1994-95	A
Mitch Alberstett	Durand	Wrestling	189 lbs	Boys	2007-08	A
Mitch Alberstett	Durand	Wrestling	189 lbs	Boys	2008-09	1A
Trey Griffin	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	189 lbs	Boys	2010-11	1A
Matt McDonnell	Morrison	Wrestling	195 lbs	Boys	2011-12	A
Ty Harmston	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	195 lbs	Boys	2012-13	1A
Matt Kuebel	Fulton	Wrestling	215 lbs	Boys	1997-98	A
Scott Nicholas	Dakota	Wrestling	215 lbs	Boys	2005-06	A
Ty Harmston	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	220 lbs	Boys	2013-14	1A
Eli Pannell	Fulton	Wrestling	220 lbs	Boys	2018-19	1A
Noah Wenzel	Dakota	Wrestling	220 lbs	Boys	2022-23	1A
Jake Peterson	Polo	Wrestling	285 lbs	Boys	2009-10	1A
Ian Kuehl	Lena-Winslow	Wrestling	285 lbs	Boys	2017-18	1A
Jamin Soria	Ashton	Wrestling	HWT	Boys	1992-93	A
Jamin Soria	Ashton	Wrestling	275 lbs	Boys	1994-95	A
George Pulford	Savanna	Track & Field	880yd Walk	Boys	1896-97	-
Floyd "Bud" Smith	Mt. Carroll	Track & Field	High Jump	Boys	1952-53	-
Carl Colby	Pecatonica	Track & Field	Pole Vault	Boys	1900-01	-
Aaron Ruter	Forreston	Track & Field	Discus	Boys	2003-04	A
Steve Brondyke	Fulton	Track & Field	Shot Put	Boys	1977-78	A
Steve Brondyke	Fulton	Track & Field	Shot Put	Boys	1978-79	A
Dave Eaton	Galena	Track & Field	100m Dash	Boys	1986-87	A
Sammy Biggs	Morrison	Track & Field	100m Dash	Boys	2005-06	A
Troy Piper	Durand	Track & Field	400m Dash	Boys	1981-82	A
Gary Medendorp	Fulton	Track & Field	400m Dash	Boys	1982-83	A
Sammy Biggs	Morrison	Track & Field	400m Dash	Boys	2005-06	A
Kevin Glastetter	Milledgeville	Track & Field	400m Dash	Boys	2010-11	1A
Scott Bartelt	Polo	Track & Field	880yd Dash	Boys	1975-76	A
Jerry Funk	Forreston	Track & Field	800m Run	Boys	1984-85	A
Allen Berkstresser	Mt. Carroll	Track & Field	1 Mile	Boys	1905-06	-
Jeremy Daughenbaugh Kurt Kramer Jayson Lietzen Jeremy Spencer	Lena-Winslow	Track & Field	4x100m Relay	Boys	1992-93	A
De'Angelo Fernandez McKeon Crase Noah Dewey Michael Taylor	Forreston	Track & Field	4x100m Relay	Boys	2022-23	A
Doug Althaus Brian Ely Dennis Ely Doug Ely	Amboy	Track & Field	4x400m Relay	Boys	1983-84	A
Nick Allen Keegan Anderson Koby Brackemeyer Nathan Mickle	Morrison	Track & Field	4x800m Relay	Boys	2017-18	A
Keegan Anderson Koby Brackemeyer Nathan Mickle Hunter Newman	Morrison	Track & Field	4x800m Relay	Boys	2018-19	A
Mason Wright	Forreston	Track & Field	Triple Jump	Boys	2016-17	1A
Max Milbrath	Pecatonica	Track & Field	Triple Jump	Boys	2022-23	1A
A.J. Christensen	Forreston	Track & Field	110m High Hurdles	Boys	2017-18	1A
A.J. Christensen	Forreston	Track & Field	300m Intermediate Hurdles	Boys	2017-18	1A
Trey Timpe	Stockton	Golf	-	Boys	2013-14	1A

CoEd Athlete	School	Sport/Activity	Event/Level	Gender	Year	Class
Alec Mackenzie	Savanna	Individual Events	Extemporaneous Speaking	CoEd	1940-41	-
Alec Mackenzie	Savanna	Individual Events	Original Oratory	CoEd	1940-41	-
Stephen Baldridge	Savanna	Individual Events	Prose Reading	CoEd	1966-67	-

Championship totals

*Pearl City was the host school for the football coop with Eastland in the 2014 championship.

**Championships in 8-man football are considered a non-sanctioned IHSA activity.