Category Archives: Sports

Injected with Numbers, OV Golf to See First Ever Girls’ Team

News Progress Posted on by
August 20, 2014

Group of 20 hopes to breed success

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

For head coach Andy Wagner, seeing his high school golf team grow from last year’s seven to this year’s 20 is more than just exciting. It’s promising.

“I feel really good about this year with our numbers,” said Wagner. “The numbers are incredible. For a school of 165 students that has a JV team, a varsity team, and a girls’ team, the best thing I can say as a coach is locally, in this smaller community, junior golf is coming back and I really love that.”

Over half of the program’s numbers this year are from freshmen with 11 in all.

“With the freshmen, it’s going to be competitive,” said Wagner. “They are a nice group of athletic freshmen, and from what I’ve been told, they compete, get after it hard, and most importantly, they’re good students.”

Photo by Keith Stewart Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Seth Bartimus, Connor Sheehan, Grace Harlin, Natalie Jeffers, Paige Harlin, Kali Forsyth, Trey Yarnell, Cameron Nickerson, and Austin Harshman. Back row: Ian Tiarks, Connor Cloyd, Drew Fruchtl, Devon Still, Logan Tipsword, Ethan Macklin, Tanner Coleman, Jay Orris, and Jared Bunfill.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Seth Bartimus, Connor Sheehan, Grace Harlin, Natalie Jeffers, Paige Harlin, Kali Forsyth, Trey Yarnell, Cameron Nickerson, and Austin Harshman. Back row: Ian Tiarks, Connor Cloyd, Drew Fruchtl, Devon Still, Logan Tipsword, Ethan Macklin, Tanner Coleman, Jay Orris, and Jared Bunfill.

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Big Shoes to Fill Defensively for Knights Soccer

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August 20, 2014

Key 2014 graduates prompt search for fullbacks

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

There’s an ongoing search at the soccer field in Lovington.

Last year’s 7-7-1 Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond soccer program graduated seven including defensive leaders in David Emrick and Natalie Bicknell who had long anchored the team’s fullbacks. 

When Emrick wasn’t sweeping or stopping, he was a big presence in the midfield along with fellow graduates Brianna Morgan, Matt Robinson, and Cassandra Lambdin.

But as far as offense goes, this year’s team looks to fare better, at least initially, than its defense.

“We lost a lot of seniors,” said head coach Jeff Trower, who continues to be assisted by JD Graham. “We’re going to have to rebuild our defense this year, that’s for sure. We have big, big holes there.”

Photo by Keith Stewart Pictured, front row, left to right are: Annika Slabaugh, Cassandra Adams, Megan Hug, Cade Day, Payton Wellbaum, Samantha Landers, and Keegan Morfy. Back row: Head coach Jeff Trower, Javi Briseno, Lucas Lee, Eusebio Briseno, Tanner Brewer, Brayden Coble, Eilis Stewart, Darian Hays, and assistant coach JD Graham. Not pictured are: Brianne Jones, Omar Martinez, Jakob Brewer, Jovany Martinez, Richard Wright, Bradiey Miller, Nick Wilheim.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured, front row, left to right are: Annika Slabaugh, Cassandra Adams, Megan Hug, Cade Day, Payton Wellbaum, Samantha Landers, and Keegan Morfy. Back row: Head coach Jeff Trower, Javi Briseno, Lucas Lee, Eusebio Briseno, Tanner Brewer, Brayden Coble, Eilis Stewart, Darian Hays, and assistant coach JD Graham. Not pictured are: Brianne Jones, Omar Martinez, Jakob Brewer, Jovany Martinez, Richard Wright, Bradiey Miller, Nick Wilheim.

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Team Sectionals in the Cards for SOV Runners   

News Progress Posted on by
August 20, 2014

Girls look to three-peat while boys try to get back to streak

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Ted Walk won’t hesitate to say he expects both his boys’ and girls’ teams to get to sectionals come November.

Last year the Sullivan-Okaw Valley cross country team’s largely youthful bunch of girls reached sectionals as a team for the second year in a row. The boys missed qualifying out of the Shelbyville regional by just two points, a first in five years.

And while the girls return most of their top seven from last year, the boys will have to grapple with the loss of their no. one runner Ethan Lehman, who moved out of the district.

Photo by Keith Stewart Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Atticus Harris, Cameron Harner, Isaiah Plank, Michael Priest, Tyson Brown, Allie O’Neill, and Abby Cravatta. Second row: Charlie Goss, Anne Hogan, Mason Harner, Austin Schmohe, Evan Blakey, Bailee Pratt, JT Bland, Will Nolen, and Ashlynd Risley. Third row: Danielle Tingey, Kaleb Shumard, Adam White, River Edwards, Trevor Tarr, Elissa Stewart, April Shuman, Mackenzie Mosier, and Cadisen Nuzzo. Back row: Keegan Kruckeberg, Shawn Cody, Brent Mauck, Nick Cravatta, Clayton Waldhoff, Layne McMahon, Alex Harvey, Calen Landrus, and Jacob Cameron. Not pictured are: Jordan Bassett, Seth Bricker, Laine Cameron, Abby Elzy, Alyssa Marshall, Tori Murphy, Carlin Nuzzo, Logan Pedigo, Montana Roberts

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Atticus Harris, Cameron Harner, Isaiah Plank, Michael Priest, Tyson Brown, Allie O’Neill, and Abby Cravatta. Second row: Charlie Goss, Anne Hogan, Mason Harner, Austin Schmohe, Evan Blakey, Bailee Pratt, JT Bland, Will Nolen, and Ashlynd Risley. Third row: Danielle Tingey, Kaleb Shumard, Adam White, River Edwards, Trevor Tarr, Elissa Stewart, April Shuman, Mackenzie Mosier, and Cadisen Nuzzo. Back row: Keegan Kruckeberg, Shawn Cody, Brent Mauck, Nick Cravatta, Clayton Waldhoff, Layne McMahon, Alex Harvey, Calen Landrus, and Jacob Cameron. Not pictured are: Jordan Bassett, Seth Bricker, Laine Cameron, Abby Elzy, Alyssa Marshall, Tori Murphy, Carlin Nuzzo, Logan Pedigo, Montana Roberts

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Knight Football Addressing Defensive Needs

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August 20, 2014

Offense, though not deep, looks strong with key returners

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Last May’s graduation of players such as linebacker Logan West, defensive linemen Ethan Gingerich and Jesse Ruff, defensive back Curtis Plank, not to mention all-around contributor in Jordan Feagin, (all of whom were first-team all-conference selections), has this year’s Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond football team trying to fill gaps in the defense.

“Defensively, we lost a lot, especially straight up the middle of the field. That’s where we’re at this point, concentrating and trying to find out who can play where and what we’re going to do defensively to fill those holes,” said head coach Dale Schuring. 

Photo by Keith Stewart Pictured is the 2014 Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond football team.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the 2014 Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond football team.

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In Step with Local Trend, Sullivan Golf Sees Increase in Participants 

News Progress Posted on by
August 20, 2014

Group of 24 out for fall season

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Just as other local teams have seen, Sullivan golf looks to benefit from an increase in players this and in following seasons.

The program improves from last year’s 19 to this year’s 24, something head coach Ben Richter actually attributes, in part, to Okaw Valley head coach Andy Wagner.

“We had decent numbers play over the summer and with Andy being out here was a godsend,” said Richter. “He was having clinics and was able to give them more technical practice on a Monday, and then on a Wednesday I was out here and letting them get out and play a little big. Having Andy out here was a big help.

Photo by RR Best Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Joey Davison,Luke Delong,Alexis Matlock,Hannah Elzy,Sammie Wood, Jessica Yantis, Ariel Heppe, Beretta Phelps, Grace Yantis, Dani Boyer, and Justin Root. Back row: Lake Atchison, Cody Johnson, Bretton Crouse, Gavin Harlin, Kent Taber, Kenneth Farley, Adam White, Eric Keller, Tom Schibur, Andrew Matlock, Ben Berner, Jacob Cameron, and Liam Bechtold.

Photo by RR Best
Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Joey Davison,Luke Delong,Alexis Matlock,Hannah Elzy,Sammie Wood, Jessica Yantis, Ariel Heppe, Beretta Phelps, Grace Yantis, Dani Boyer, and Justin Root. Back row: Lake Atchison, Cody Johnson, Bretton Crouse, Gavin Harlin, Kent Taber, Kenneth Farley, Adam White, Eric Keller, Tom Schibur, Andrew Matlock, Ben Berner, Jacob Cameron, and Liam Bechtold.

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Knights Cross Country Could See Team Scores

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Photo by Keith Stewart 2014 graduate Mary Singer is seen in stride during a race at Sullivan’s Tabor Park last fall. She is trailed by returning runner Kate Edwards.

Photo by Keith Stewart
2014 graduate Mary Singer is seen in stride during a race at Sullivan’s Tabor Park last fall. She is trailed by returning runner Kate Edwards.

August 20, 2014

With four boys so far, ALAH still searching for extra member

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

In his 14th year, head coach Ryan Whelan has, so far, seven athletes out for the fall cross country season, which is tied for the most participants he’s had in the program. What’s more, Whelan is still hopeful in preseason that his team will pick up another male runner, which would allow a boys’ team to score in a meet, which has only happened one other time during Whelan’s tenure.

“I’m trying to get the boys to talk one more into coming out,” said Whelan. “I said to them, ‘If you can find one more kid, we can have a scoring group, which has only been the case once ever.’ That’s one meet ever, that’s what I mean. I’ve had four of one gender plenty of times, but only at one meet ever did we have five together. So there is a kid or two that they’re going to try convincing to come out here.” Read More

Blue Dolphin Tryouts Aug. 23

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The Sullivan Blue Dolphins will hold tryouts at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 23  at the Civic Center.

Swimmers who plan to tryout should bring a suit and towel. The tryouts are open to those ages 5-18. A parent information table will also be set up during tryouts.

For more information contact Kim Drury at 246-2861.

New Swim Co-op Approved Between Sullivan, Shelbyville Schools

News Progress Posted on by
July 30, 2014

To take effect this school year

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Board members approved a formal swim co-op between Sullivan and Shelbyville schools a week ago Monday.

Citing the request from the current Sullivan Blue Dolphins swim club, the Sullivan school board approved the co-op, which will go through the 2015-2016 school year.

But approval for the co-op didn’t go without caution, as Superintendent Brad Tuttle, invoking the memory of the previously failed wrestling co-op with Shelbyville that brought increased transportation costs, clarified that such costs would not be incurred. Read More

Traveling Baseball Tryouts Aug. 2

News Progress Posted on by
July 30, 2014

The Mid State Curve 13 and under traveling boys’ baseball team will hold tryouts 1-3 p.m. Aug 2 at the middle diamond in Wyman Park in Sullivan.

Eligibility includes being at least 12 years of age and not turning 14 before May 1, 2015. Read More

Mo-Do Seniors Finish Year, While Jr. Team Advances in Division Tourney

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July 23, 2014

Jr. team to play Eureka Saturday

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The Moultrie-Douglas Jr. Legion Team advanced to the third round of the division tournament after a win this past Saturday, while their senior counterparts finished the year at 7-15.

After finishing their regular season at 29-8, the jr. team, which earned the no. 1 seed in the division tournament, took on Macon County Saturday at Tuscola’s Ervin Park, and won 11-1. Read More