Category Archives: Sports Section

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

Local Wrestlers Advance to Sectionals

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•February 27 2019•

Lincoln Scroggins competed in the IKWF (Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation) Central Regionals over the weekend. He placed second and will advance to IKWF Central Sectionals in Springfield Saturday, March 2. Scroggins wrestles for Mattoon Youth Wrestling Club and attends Lovington Elementary School. His record so far this year is 21-5.
Brady Foster competed in the Freshman Sophomore IWCOA (Illinois Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association) Central Regionals. He was the Regional Champion and will advance to Sectionals in Heyworth Sunday, March 3. Foster, who attends ALAH, is a coach for Mattoon Youth Wrestling Club and a national wrestling competitor.

OV Boys End Season

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•February 27 2019•

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team season ended last Wednesday with a loss in the Class 1A Edinburg Regional.
Central A&M defeated the Timberwolves 73-40.
No other details were available.
Okaw Valley finished the season with a record of 11-20.

A Good Time for a Swim at the IHSA State Meet

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Brodie Goss swims at state.

Goss Breaks School Record

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Sullivan senior Brodie Goss picked the perfect time to swim his best races.
Heading into the Sectional meet at Centennial High School Feb. 16, Goss knew he had a good chance of making his first trip to state.
This had been a goal Goss had set when he was a freshman.
“He knew going into the state meet that this was a goal that was certainly attainable,” said coach Nichole Hendry. “He proved (us) correct, meeting that goal.”
He took advantage of the opportunity at sectionals and swam a personal-best time in the 100-meter breaststroke at 59.96.
“I surprised myself at sectionals,” Goss said. “I dropped two seconds which won the race and put me close to the school record.”
Brock Bales set the Redskin 100-meter breaststroke record with a time of 59:86 in 2013, which was also the last time a Sullivan swimmer advanced to state. Read More