Rival Illinois Valley high schools will join forces in the pool

L-P, Ottawa and Streator have had rivalries with one another for decades. However this winter, the three schools compete together.

Last night, the L-P School Board voted to establish separate stipends for a boys and girls swimming coach, another step in the development of a swim team co-op between the Cavs, Pirates and Bulldogs. The co-op will start with a boys’ team this winter and girls’ team next fall.

L-P will serve as the home district for the co-op, meaning they would host the meets and practices.