•June 1, 2016•
The softball all conference first team from Okaw Valley -LOVC northwest conference includes Natalie Jeffers at catcher, Maddie Perrine at pitcher, Grace Harlin, an infielder and Madison Vogel, an outfielder.
Jessica Robinson and Paige Robinson, both outfielders, were named to the second team.
Photo furnished
SHS Softball Awards
Pictured are: Most Improved Abby Elzy, Offensive player Irie Dulin, Redskin and Defensive player Makenzie Reppert and MVP Heidi Clements.
•June 1, 2016•
By Kirk Whitaker
News Progress Sports
For the second straight year the Okaw Valley softball Timberwolves advanced to the Sectional semis.
And for the second straight year, they were eliminated without the chance to advance to a second game.
This year’s opponent was none other than ranked fifth in Class 1A Casey Westfield, who used a combination of power hitting—many hard-hit balls, highlighted by a two-run, line-drive homer by senior Kyleigh Decker –and high quality pitching from fellow-senior and Parkland College commit Lexie Black. Read More
Photo by Brynna Sentel
•June 1, 2016•
By Brynna Sentel
For the News Progress
Since she began working at the Sullivan Civic Center, Sue Weaver has offered swim lessons to children three years of age and up.
She does these swim lessons through the Red Cross Organization, the same organization in which she got licensed to teach swim lessons. Weaver utilizes the staff employed at the Civic Center, typically lifeguards, who have shown an interest in children, giving lessons, etc.
When asked what her primary reason is for doing lessons year after year, Weaver explains, “I do it for the kids. I love kids!” This program is broken up into six ability levels: Water Exploration (1), Fundamentals (2), Stroke Development and Improvement (3-4), Stroke Refinement (5), and Endurance (6). Approximately 50 kids sign up each summer, and this year is no exception. Read More
Photo furnished
SMS State Track Participants
Sullivan Middle School eighth grade students Ian Hill and Madalyne McPheeters participated in the state track and field finals in East Peoria on May 21. Hill competed in the discus throw, recording a 111 foot effort. McPheeters ran the 200 meter dash in 28.6 seconds.
•June 1, 2016•
Plagued by two days of rain delays the 1A sectional baseball tournament in Danville had a dismal end to the Okaw Valley Timberwolves season.
Even with the 4-0 loss to Salt Fork, denying a second Sectional championship to the Timberwolves, coach Andrew Hagerman’s teams have a 51-12 record over the past two seasons.
Okaw Valley faced Crete Illinois Lutheran in first round Sectional play Saturday afternoon, after a two day rain delay.
Senior Drew Fruchtl set the tone for a tournament of strong pitching backed by good defense, as he used five strike outs over six innings, to shut out the Chargers 10-0. Frutchtl allowed two hits. Read More
Photo furnished
SOV Track Awards Banquet
Award winners from the SOV girls’ track banquet are from left to right: Co-Captain-Ashlynd Risley, Co- Captain- Hannah Elzy, Co-Captain & Lady Redskin Award- Alyssa Marshall, High Points- Laine Cameron.
•May 25, 2016•
Okaw Valley Timberwolves took the regional baseball title in a 10-0 win over Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg Comets in the Class 1A St. Teresa tournament May 21.
A five-hit fifth inning topped off with a one out single from Taylor Coleman drove in the 10th run, icing the cake for the Regional win.
This sets up a Sectional face off with Crete Illinois Lutheran in Danville Thursday, May 26.
It’s the third Regional championship for Timberwolves head coach Andrew Hagerman, who took the team to a fourth place state finish last year. Read More
•May 25, 2016•
By Matt Kracht
News Progress Sports
Postseason wins over Pana and regional host Warrensburg Latham propelled Sullivan to the Regional championship game versus Maroa Forsyth on Saturday.
The Trojans scored four runs in the first three innings and held on for a 5-1 victory. The Redskins finished the season 15-14 and have several returning starters to fill big holes left by six graduating seniors.
Sullivan entered the Class 2A Regional as the eight seed.
Pitcher Zach Hrvol for Sullivan earned a win over nine seeded Pana 4-1 last Monday. The Regional play in game at Leon Lane Memorial Field let the Redskin hosts get sweet revenge for a brutal loss to Pana in last year’s regional. Hrvol was dominant from start to finish in the complete game win. Sullivan scored four runs in the first inning, and Hrvol’s wicked over the top curveball made it stand up. Head coach Troy Rogers complemented Hrvol’s performance afterward. “Zach was dominant he looked good; he was really able to mix it up, and they were not able to square much up on him. I think he ended up with 14 K’s on the day so he really pitched a solid outing. He stayed low; pitch count he was in the 80’s and really dominated.”
The top of Sullivan’s order set the tone in the first inning with back to back leadoff hits. A dying quail and error then brought home the game’s first runs. Read More
•May 25, 2016•
Okaw Valley softball team’s 13-0 win over Beecher City/Cowden was behind a perfect game pitched by Maddie Perrine.
Perrine struck out five batters in five innings. Read More