•March 20, 2019•
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ track and field team placed 29th out of 33 teams in the Charleston Indoor Invitational at Eastern Illinois University Saturday.
The Knights had three top 20 finishers and two top 15 relay teams. Read More
•March 20, 2019•
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team will have two representatives in the 26th annual Central Illinois All-Star boys’ basketball game in Waldrip Gym at Cumberland March 23. Read More
Photo furnished
Madalyne McPheeters, Kylie Stauder, Karlie Stauder and Danae Nave 800-relay team.
•March 13, 2019•
The Okaw Valley girls’ track team competed with teams from all over the state in the Charleston Invitational Saturday.
Kylie Stauder took fourth place in pole vault at 8 feet 6 inches, and Madalyne McPheeters ran the 200 dash in 28.99 for eight place.
The 800-relay team of McPheeters, Kylie Stauder, Karlie Staude and Danae Nave placed seventh with a time of 1:58.2.
The Timberwolves are scheduled to compete in a Mt. Zion Mini-meet Thursday, March 14.
Photo furnished Front row (l-r) Kalie Reed, Miaya Lehman, and Amelia Landreth Middle row (l-r) Madalyne McFedders, Kailey George, Bella Benning, and Kami Landreth Back row (l-r) Grace Bunfill, Kailyn Walker, Kate Jeffers, Madison Vogel, and Paige Coleman
•March 13, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
After losing Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest first-team all-conference infielders Grace Harlin and Natalie Jeffers to graduation, Okaw Valley softball coach Dave Benning will have to adjust from last year’s line-drive and power hitter to a more traditional offense.
“I think we have good team speed, possibly better than last year’s team,” said Dave Benning. “I foresee us playing more traditional softball by bunting more and stealing bases. In previous seasons we had more line drive hitters with home run power.”
OV returns eight players from last year’s 14-13 squad.
In his 10th year as head coach, Benning returns 2018 second-team all-LOVC infielder senior Bella Benning and sophomore catcher Grace Bunfill. Read More
•March 13, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Sullivan boys’ tack and field team competed in the Mt. Zion Indoor Invitational last Wednesday and the University High School Indoor Invitational two Saturdays ago.
Jadon Nuzzo wasted no time in showing his improvement from last year by resetting his own pole vault record in each meet.
Despite no team scores, many Redskins broke personal records. Read More
Photo furnished
OV Eighth Grade Sectional Champs
The Okaw Valley eighth grade volleyball team won its second-straight regional title by defeating Shiloh 25-15, 26-24 last week, then won the IESA Sectional with a 25-23, 25-20 win over Sigel St. Michael’s Monday. The team is set to play advance to the state tournament on Friday at Pana and will play at 5:45 p.m.
•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
•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
Photo furnished
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
•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