Tough conference tests later this week
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
After losses to both Windsor/Stew-Stras and Maroa-Forsyth last week, the Okaw Valley softball team rebounded with two strong performances to improve to 3-2 on the year.
First taking on Argenta last Wednesday, the Lady Timberwolves blew open a close game in the bottom of the fifth with four runs to help solidify their 8-5 win. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan’s Kailyn Boyer goes to bunt Monday evening against Altamont’s Deidre Ledbetter, who struck out 14 Lady Redskins.
One hit surrendered, 14 K’s from Altamont’s Ledbetter
by Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
Sullivan played the first 5 2/3 innings of softball perfectly in the field against Altamont Monday.
Zeros were on the scoreboard for both sides, no errors either way, and sophomore Heidi Clements looked as if she could throw all night.
Then there was the one that got away. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
Trey Schlieker prepares to release during the shot put Saturday. He finished 10th with a throw of 42-7 1/2 feet.
Knights finish tied for last with three points
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Neither area boys’ track team had a strong performance at Saturday’s indoor meet hosted by Charleston at EIU’s Field House. Sullivan-Okaw Valley didn’t earn any points, while Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond tallied just three. Nonetheless, both teams did see some personal improvements on which they hope to add as the outdoor season begins later this week. Read More
Just two hits on the day for OV
by Emily Scott
Bethany Reporter
There are three aspects of softball that Okaw Valley head coach Dave Benning shows his team that always make or break a game: balls in play, walks, and errors. Time and time again, more than one of these statistics has gone in favor of the winning team.
On Friday, they showed their effects when the Stewardson-Strasburg Comets beat the Lady Timberwolves 11-1, defeating them in all three areas, with the Comets having 14 balls in play, allowing only three walks, and no errors. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Alec Ballinger sprints for first base Friday.
Fall in double-header Saturday
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The Sullivan baseball team took three more losses between last Friday and Saturday, falling to 0-4 on the year.
Friday, they hosted Mattoon and were crushed 10-2.
The Green Wave got off to a quick 4-0 lead after two innings.
Sullivan’s Nick Frerichs and Shane Atchison each had an RBI in the third to cut Mattoon’s lead to two, but the Green Wave stormed back with three runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two more in the seventh for good measure. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
Peyton Hagerman makes the tag at home on Windsor/Stew-Stras’ Christian Vonderheide in the bottom of the seventh, preventing the Blue Devils from winning.
Pitching duo Hagerman and Still strikeout 20
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Early on in Friday’s ball game it looked as though the score would be heading for double digits. Okaw Valley’s bats had earned seven hits and five runs after just two innings and Windsor-Stew/Stras had kept just a pace back with three hits and three runs. Windsor would tie the game at 5-5 in the fourth, but little did either team realize that just one run over the course of five more innings would decide the game. Read More
Submitted
Winning Big
The level three gymnasts at Mattoon Academy of Gymnastics had their state competition the weekend of March 7-9 in St.Charles, Ill.
The girls competed against more than 800 other qualifying gymnasts in the state, and all of the level three gymnasts had to earn a 33.00 all around throughout the year in order to be eligible to compete at the state championship. Mattoon Academy brought home 13 individual event awards and three all around state title awards.
From Sullivan, Kylie Godden (2nd row, far right) took 11th place on uneven bars, while Zoe Walton (2nd row, middle) placed in the all-around, taking second on vault, ninth on bars, second on floor and third all-around. The level three gymnastics team is coached by Michelle Gardner, Laura Sculley, and Lis White.
Submitted
Winter Regionals
Pictured is the Sullivan Blue Dolphins team that went onto the Springfield winter regional championships hosted by the Academy Bullets. Finishing with either eighth place or better: Natalie Drury: first-100 back; second-50 back & 100 IM; sixth-50 fly; seventh-200 back & 100 breast; eighth-50 free & 100 free. Charlie Goss: first 50 free, 100 breast, 200 back, 100 back, 200 breast, & 200 IM; second-100 fly & 100 free. Bryce King: fourth-100 fly & 100 back; eighth-400 IM. Grant King:first- 200 fly & 100 back; second-200 back; fifth-100 fly & 400 IM; sixth-200 IM. Dalace Ray: fifth-100 breast. Connor Russell: second-200 fly; seventh-100 fly & 400 IM. Dylan Sanders: second-200 fly; fifth-500 free; sixth-100 fly. Brynna Sentel: second-500 free, 100 free, & 200 IM; third-200 free; sixth-100 fly. Gabrielle Spain: second-200 free; third-100 fly & 50 fly; fourth-100 IM; fifth-500 free; sixth-100 back;eighth-100 breast.
Pictured front row: Gabrielle Spain, Noah Spain, Sophia Nuzzo, Mackenzie Erixon, and Calista Clark. Back row:Connor Russell, Dylan Sanders, Bryce King, Brynna Sentel, Dalace Ray, McKenna Kull, Natalie Drury, Jessica Renfro, Charlie Goss, and Grant King. Not pictured is Madison Fox, Anna Wooters, and Lauren Russell.
In all, 18 swimmers qualified to compete in the Springfield regional. Goss, Spain, Sentel, and both Grant and Bryce King advanced to the State Age Group meet held March 13-16.
Full results from the Springfield winter regional may be viewed at www.results.teamunify.com/ilabsc.
Area High School Sport Banquets
Sullivan's boys' basketball team and cheerleading squad as well as Okaw Valley's boys' and girls' basketball teams and Arthur-Lovington's boys' basketball team recently held their award banquets. Read More