•March 30, 2016•

Taekwondo Master Roberts along with 22 of his students competed in the Southern Illinois Taekwondo Invitational Championship in Olney March 12. The team won 40 medals and two grand champion trophies.

Pictured are Taekwondo Invitational Participants: Aubree Olmstead, Brett Matusas of Neoga, Mia Bianca Roberts, Lillian Daniels of Mattoon, Amaya Queitzsch of Effingham, Alex Corrie, Logan Corrie of Windsor, Reeze Bok of Mattoon, Caden Loew of Effingham, Ayla Schilling of Mattoon.
Seth Rakestraw of Windsor, Toby Cline of Mattoon, Josie Roberts of Windsor, Joshua Reside of Charleston, Damien Coney of Bethany and Natalie Zakowski of Mattoon.
Jack Nacke of Arcola, Paul Olmstead, Ethan Olmstead and Brooklyn Matusas of Neoga, Lahiru Perriyannan of Charleston, Kyle Meyer and Master Kevin Roberts of Mattoon.

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2016 Okaw Valley Timberwolves Varsity Roster: Taylor Coleman, Hayden Francisco, Drew Fruchtl, Dylan Park, Justin Johnson, Ian Tiarks, Alex Martin, Connor Cloyd, Tanner Coleman, Jared Bunfill, Trey Yarnell, Garrett Fritz, Sam Hagerman, Stewart Morgan, Hutson Dickens, Austin Hill, Cody Drake, Austin Sutton, Kam Roley.

•March 23, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
News Progress Sports

Timberwolves baseball fans have been looking out the window waiting for spring ever since last season’s team finished as one of four state finalists in Peoria. Now the sun is out, the grass is kind of green and it’s time for another season of Timberwolves baseball!

Returning head coach Andrew Hagerman has produced back to back conference championships including a 20 plus game winning streak during last year’s Cinderella run.

This year Hagerman sees a group of seniors who know what they are playing for. “All of our seniors have displayed leadership in practice. They’ve been a part of something special here and want to keep a good thing going. Really, everyone returning from last year has come in ready to compete and help others.”

Okaw Valley’s home opener versus Central A&M scheduled for March 14 was cancelled due to conditions. The Timberwolves will instead start with three consecutive road games 3/16 at Mt Pulaski, 3/18 at Stew-Stras Windsor (at Stew-Stras High School) and 3/22 in Ramsey. The first game back at home will be March 23 and the de facto opener versus Brownstown/St. Elmo.   Read More

Photo by Darian Hays
ALAH High School Softball Team back row left to right: Taylor Powell, Alyssa Herschberger, Janette Comstock, Morgan Mercer, Callie Schable, Bri Smith, Madi Corum, Reagan Miller; front row left to right: Marissa Herschberger, Macy Hollingsworth, Mycaela Miller, Logan Kauffman, Jazmine Arnett, Nisa Asghar, Shelby Frederick, Megan Osborne.

•March 23, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
News Progress Sports

The 2016 Lady Knights softball season got off to a promising start Tuesday despite an 8-3 loss to rival Tuscola.

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond head coach Jerry Lane was positive about the takeaways from the contest. “There are lot of positives I can take away from this game. I got four freshmen starting, a couple sophomores and a couple juniors. We just got to get used to playing together since we have only been outside twice before today.  We get rid of one inning, and we are right there in the ball game against one of the better teams we are going to face all year.”

In a matchup of staff, aces Macy Hollingsworth for the Lady Knights faced off against Morgan Day for Tuscola. Day is a velocity strike out pitcher while Hollingsworth pitches to contact with an excellent change up.   Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan High School softball team. Front row left to right: Sarah Green, Bailee Pratt, Dani Boyer, Abby Elzy, Heidi Clements, Seleste Smith, Makenzie Ruppert and Jordan Bassett; Back row left to right: Irie Dulin, Ally Elzy, Lacie Green, Madison Wall, Josie Orris, Brooke Tuttle, Maryann Quiroz, Ally O’Neill, and Alexis Britton.

•March 23, 2016•

Although Sullivan Redskins softball team is young coach Andy Wagner has seven returning letter winners from the 2015 team to help guide the way.

Among the strengths for the 2016 Redskins is their pitching.

“I’m hoping to have many strengths,” Coach Wagner said. “A few I think will be nice, is having some solid pitching”

Those pitchers include Heidi Clements, Madison Wall and Abby and Ally Elzy.

“We have a very solid receiver of the softball in Makenzie Ruppert,” he continued. “I feel as if offensively and defensively we should be pretty solid.”

He pointed out that having Clements back on the mound with Ruppert catching makes a great leadership duo that could help the team reach new levels this season.

The team focus is on getting plenty of swings, pitching, defensive situations and running. Read More

Photo Furnished
Okaw Valley softball front from left: Kailyn Boyer, Moranda Matheson and Grace Harlin; second row: Kaylee Thomas, Jess Robinson, Natalie Jeffers, Bella Benning, Chloe Weybright and Kailey George; back row Paige Robinson, Danielle Lochbaum, Kyra Jackson, Maddie Perrine, Madison Vogel, Gracie Weybright, and Kayla Wheeler. Not pictured: Dani Dick

•March 23, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
News Progress Sports

Head Coach Dave Benning’s team went 9-1 in conference last season winning the Little Okaw Valley Northwest Division title. The Lady Timberwolves outscored their opponents 11 runs to 3 on average in one of the most dominant seasons in conference history. After a regional championship loss Coach Benning got right back to work breaking down the season ahead. “The challenge this year is to reboot the system I think we can improve on every aspect. Defensively we are working on our range and getting better situationally. We have Maddie Perrine who has gone 14-4 over her career ready to take the reins and see what she can do.”

The Lady Timberwolves tentative home opener Monday March 14th versus Central AM was a rain out. Unfortunately that means the first seven Lady Timberwolves games will be played on the road. The First home game barring a makeup date will be April 1st versus Villa Grove. The game will mark the start of a three game home stand ending April 5th against Windsor Stew-Straus. April 27th marks the start of a stretch of games where five of seven will be played at home ending with 5/6 Arcola, 5/10 Neoga, and 5/12 versus Altamont. The schedule is definitely formidable and the reigning champs will be sure to get everyone’s best shot.  Read More