•August 23, 2017•
The Sullivan girls’ golf team opened its season by finishing fifth out of 12 schools in the Charleston Scramble last Monday and defeated Windsor last Wednesday.
“It was a beautiful day for the girls to play, and they really look forward to building from this start,” said coach Ben Richter.
Addison Darush and Irie Dulin each shot a 42 for eighth place, and Alexis Britton and Esther Miller each shot 44 for 13th. Read More
Photo furnished
OVHS Golf Wins First
The Okaw Valley High School varsity golf team won the six team Moweaqua Invite Thursday, August 10 to open the season. The team shot a 336 to win. Junior Case Crawford was individual medalist with a 78. Remaining individual scores: Cameron Nickerson 84; Tanner Coleman 85, Austin Harsman 89, Grace Harlin 92 and Ethan Macklin 107. Photo front row: Cameron Nickerson, Austin Harshman, Grace Harlin; back Row - Ethan Macklin, Tanner Coleman, Case Crawford. The OV golf team is coached by Steve Nickerson. They play their home matches at Eagle Creek golf course.
•August 16, 2017•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
If the Okaw Valley golf team wants to make a run at state this year, then it has started off the season in correct fashion.
The Timberwolves won its first meet of the season, the Meridian Early Bird Invite, Thursday.
Junior Case Crawford, the most improved award winner from last season, won the Individual with a score of 78.
Senior Cameron Nickerson placed fourth with a score of 84.
Head coach Steve Nickerson in his second year returns a senior and junior filled team including eight letter winners and six senior boys and one senior girl.
“They have played with one another for a few years now,” Steve Nickerson said, “and have a lot of confidence this year as they have continually progressed and have really started to see some results and had some really good finishes.” Read More
•August 9, 2017•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
In his fifth year as Sullivan golf coach, Ben Richter has high expectations for his 2017 girls’ and boys’ teams.
“We expect to win conference for both the boys’ and girls’ teams,” said Richter. “Hopefully, go undefeated like last year.”
Last season, the boys’ team was 15-6 overall and 10-0 in the Central Illinois Conference but came up short in the CIC tournament.
The girls’ team finished 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the CIC. Read More
•August 9, 2017•
by Jason Brown
NP Sports
A complete transition and implementation of a new system is not easy.
For Sullivan-Okaw Valley football head coach Andy Kerley the first game of the season will be a good barometer in measuring what to expect for the rest of the season.
In his first year Kerley has had to get to know his players, install a new offense and defense, evaluate talent and figure out how to best utilize that talent.
As if that was not enough, Kerley’s 2017 varsity team will be comprised of only five seniors with 2/3 of the team underclassmen. Read More
Photo submitted
Pictured is Blue Dolphin swimmer Anna Wooters
•August 2, 2017•
By J.D. Graham
for the Blue Dolphins
Sullivan Blue Dolphins had nine swimmers qualify to represent at the 2017 Summer Regional Championships.
Anna Wooters brought home three first place finishes for the Dolphins in the 100 butterfly, 200 backstroke and 100 backstroke. She finished out the weekend placing in the top three in five out of seven events.
Sofia Nuzzo followed close behind with two first place finishes out of five events. Brodie Goss finished first in the 200 butterfly, and third in the 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley.
Natalie Drury brought home a second place finish in the 100 breaststroke and third place in the 50 freestyle and 200 breaststroke. Read More
•July 26, 2017•
Aquafest at Dam West Beach is no ordinary day at the beach. The Lake Shelbyville, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host Aquafest noon-4 p.m. Saturday, August 5.
Children and adults of ages all are welcome to attend. The beach fee will be waived for the entire day to allow all beach users a chance to come out and enjoy the free games and activities. Read More
•July 26, 2017•
Tryouts for the Mo-Co Rush girls’ traveling softball will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6 on the west diamond of Jurgens Park in Arthur. The diamond is located next to ALAH high school and the four-way stop on 133. The day will start with the 10U tryouts from 10 a.m –12:30 p.m., 11/12U will be from 12:30–3 p.m., and 14U will be from 3–5:30 p.m. Registration and warm-ups will begin 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Read More
•July 19, 2017•
The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond sports was ranked No. 4 in overall girls’ programs by the News-Gazette last week.
The judges used a formula which combines volleyball, basketball, and softball wins together.
State champion Logan Hall (Class 1A 3,200 meter run) was listed on the 10-member all-interview team, and Kenli Nettles was listed as one of 10 fantastic freshmen in an area that includes Urbana, St. Joseph-Ogden, Champaign Central and Centennial, and Tolono Unity and Danville, just to name a few.
A-L-A-H boys’ and girls’ sports programs ranked 10th overall. Read More
Photo furnished
•July 19, 2017•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
Saturday, Okaw Valley baseball catcher Garrett Fritz made a verbal commitment to play at Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill.
“It was a good offer so I couldn’t really turn it down,” said Fritz. “And I talked to all my coaches and parents, and it just turned out to be the right fit for me.”
“He is one of the most competitive young men I have been around,” said OV coach Andrew Hagerman, “and I can tell you Rend Lake, as much as they may think they know about him now, landed a gem here. I look forward to his senior year here and following his success at the next level.”
Part of the good fit was the familiarity Fritz has with the Warriors and the distance.
He already knew a couple players who play for Rend Lake and a few more the Rend Lake coaches had interest in. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Luke Harlan throws the ball.
•July 19, 2017•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
New Sullivan-Okaw Valley football coach Andy Kerley has had to use this summer as a crash course in familiarizing himself with his team and assistant coaches.
“It’s going well, I think,” he said. “It’s been a process both for the players and me. Me getting used to them and the new situation, and them adjusting to new things and me. I think in the past two-three weeks we’ve been gelling well.”
The summer has given Kerley a good idea of what strengths and weaknesses the team might have. Read More