Category Archives: Sports Section

Sullivan Girls’ Track Team Returns Experience

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•March 13, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Redskin coach Kali Taylor, in her 11th year, will have to rely on her seniors and returning letter winners “to raise the bar as we progress throughout the season.”
“We are hungry to add to the team success that we had last year and to have our underclassmen step up to score points in their events,” said Taylor. “We also have a goal of scoring points in every event that we compete in.”
We have six seniors and eight returning letter winners.
Top returning scorer from last season, senior Esther Miller, returns from a junior year in which she qualified for state in three events.
At the Charleston Invitational at Eastern Illinois University Saturday, Miller third in the 400-meter dash in a time of 1:02, and she also placed fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 32 feet 11 inches.
“She is already off to a great season as she achieved her second best career performances at the EIU indoor meet,” said Taylor. “She and Zoe (Ray) have been named co-captains, and I once again look to them to lead the team.” Read More

Wrestlers Place at State

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•March 13, 2019•

Over the weekend freshman, Brady Foster competed in the IWCOA State Wrestling Championship Tournament in Springfield.
Competing with the top 35 freshmen and sophomore athletes in his weight class, Foster finished his two days of bouts standing on the podium. He placed seventh in the state and went 4-2 for the weekend.  Read More

Sullivan’s Brynna Sentel Swims in National Championships

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Brynna Sentel is pictured with Swimmer of the Year plaque.

•March 13, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

In her freshman year on the Franklin women’s swimming and diving team, Brynna Sentel was one second away in the 100-yard backstroke from qualifying to the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving National Championships.
Sentel, a Sullivan High School graduate, took that experience, as well as advice from her coaches, and channeled it into a new goal.
“My goal this year was to make it in the 500 freestyle because all throughout last year I focused on that so much it seemed like something that was going to be more realistic for me to make it in,” Sentel said. “And even through this season, my coach was like, ‘I think the 500 free is your best shot’ so I was constantly working toward that.”
During her sophomore year swimming for Franklin, Sentel racked up several awards.
She broke Franklin’s record and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s (HCAC) record in the 500 freestyle (4:54.99) and 200 freestyle (4:54.99) and earned HCAC championships in those events in Terre Haute Feb. 14-16.
She also won the 100-yard backstroke in 57.66 for the championships trifecta and was twice named HCAC Swimmer of the Week.
“We have a mid-season taper,” said Sentel. “I knew with the time I had then that I had a chance at swimming at nationals, but I didn’t know until I swam at our conference meet (that she qualified for nationals). When I swam the time I got, I knew I had a pretty good chance at getting in.” Read More

Five from Sullivan All-Conference CIC

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•March 13, 2019•

The Central Illinois Conference announced its girls’ 2018-19 all-conference teams last week.
Sullivan packed the teams with five players, more than any other team in the CIC.
Senior Esther Miller was a unanimous choice for all-conference first team honors. Read More

Local Wrestlers Punch Their Ticket & Earn a Spot at State

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•March 6, 2019•

Over the weekend, local wrestler, Lincoln Scroggins competed in the IKWF Central Sectionals. He battled his way through his sectional bracket victorious and competed in the championship bout. He placed second in Illinois Central Sectionals and will advance to the IKWF Midget State Finals March 19 and 20 at the David Palmer Arena in Danville.
Freshman Brady Foster competed in the IWCOA Sectionals in Heyworth Sunday. Foster went 2-1 for the day and placed second in the championship bout. He will compete in the state finals this Saturday and Sunday at the Bank of America Center in Springfield.

Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance Banquet a Success

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•March 6, 2019•

The First Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance Banquet was held at the Sullivan VFW on February 23 with 100% of the proceeds going to improve the fisheries and fish habitat in Lake Shelbyville.
When the dust settled on a fun-filled evening, a net profit of just over $20,000 was realized.
The doors opened at 5 p.m. with 290 supporters of the resource in attendance. The LSFHA was honored to have Terry Brown of Wired to Fish (www.wired2fish.com) and Mike McClelland, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Chief of Fisheries, as guest speakers along with retired IDNR Director Brent Manning.
Led by emcee Richard Glazebrook, retired IDNR site superintendent for Eagle and Wolf Creek State Parks, there was plenty of fun for everyone.  Read More

Sullivan Blue Dolphins Compete at Regionals in Peoria

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•March 6, 2019•

Photo furnished
Pictured are members of the Sullivan Blue Dolphin Regional Team.

Fourteen swimmers represented the Sullivan Blue Dolphins at the Regional Championship Meet in Peoria.
Included are Madalyn Booker, Mason Booker, Calista Clark, Emily Crosier, Rylan Diener, Natalie Drury, Mackenzie Erixon, Brodie Goss, Alivia Melvin, Devon Richardson, Ethan Schmohe, Gabrielle Spain, Matthew Wesselman, Anna Wooters.
Top finishers for the Dolphins were Madalyn Booker, 6th in the 200 breaststroke
Emily Crosier, 1st place 200 IM, 2nd place in 50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 freestyle 3rd place 200 freestyle, 100 IM Read More

Record Setting OV Swimmer

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Record Setting
OV Swimmer
Blue Dolphin swimmer Anna Wooters competed last weekend at the Illinois Senior State Championship meet, held in Lincolnshire, Illinois. She set a new Sullivan Blue Dolphins’ record in the 50 meter freestyle at Senior State this weekend with a time of 24.73 seconds. Old time was 25.09.

OVHS Bass Fishing Hosts Fish Fry

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•March 6, 2019•


The Okaw Valley bass fishing team held their ninth annual fish fry Saturday, March 2 at the Findlay American Legion.
Approximately 100 people attended the annual fundraising event. This is the only fundraiser held by the team to raise money to pay for expenses needed during the season. Read More

Blue Dolphin Swimmer Breaks Coaches’ 37 Year-Old Team Record

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•March 6, 2019•

By Jamie Crosier
for the Blue Dolphins

Ten year-old Johnathan Iacobazzi of Sullivan broke a 37-year-old record for the Sullivan Blue Dolphins Swim Team.
The 100 backstroke record had been held by none other than the head coach himself, Jason Drury. When asked about the broken record, Drury commented, “It’s a blast from the past. I placed fifth in state with that time. As a coach, I have pushed Johnathan like all of my swimmers. If there is a record or a time to beat, I let them know. Johnathan breaking the record confirms to me as a coach that the program is moving in the right direction.” Read More