Five so far for cross country team in line with recent years

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is this year’s Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Cross Country team, from leftt to right: head coach Ryan Whalen, Kate Edwards, Ian Edwards, Justin Laughlin, and Brienne Jones. Not pictured: Mary Singer.

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond cross country team so far boasts just five runners. Compared to other area teams, the Knights may appear meager at best. But for head coach Ryan Whalen, his 13th season is getting off to much of the same start as those prior.

“That’s fairly consistent with the numbers I’ve had,” said Whalen. “It’s teetered around five to six for the last eight to 10 years. At a school this size, that’s what you’re going to get.”

But Whalen isn’t bitter about his low numbers over the years. In fact, this year’s group, as those before it, looks to receive the individualized attention Whalen has grown fond of being able to give. Read More

Some returning players to take on new positions

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the Arthur/Lovington-Atwood-Hammond soccer team, which will begin its season Saturday at home in Lovington against Mt. Pulaski, starting at 10 a.m.

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

After finishing 5-7-3 overall last year as a newly formed co-op, the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond soccer team returns this year in hopes of improving on their first year record, while continuing to build up their program.

“That’s not a bad start. For being a new team, we’re still trying to build the program up,” said head coach Jeff Trower.

And in its second year, the co-op has 20 players out, including nine returning who saw varsity playing time last year. At the same time, the team lost several seniors, including all-star forward Anthony Hettinger, whom the team came to depend upon for most of its scoring. Read More

Reminder of 2-19 season to be volleyed away

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the Okaw Valley Volleyball team: Back, left to right–Coach Jody McCormick, Amy Monroe, Amy Orris, Shelby Dash, Kristy Burford, Megan Dash, Devan Nave, Savannah Birch, Jessica Robinson, Blair Monroe, and assistant coach Sarah Henderson. Middle–Manager Sydney Zimmerman, Jasmine Baumbarger, Brianna Casias, Mollee Decesaro, Charli Uhlrich, Caity Ohm, Abby Vander Burgh, and Nicole Miller. Front: Manager Sadie Zimmerman, Moranda Matheson, Brianna Creviston, Paige Meredith, Hayley Carlson, Kayley Thomas, Jasmine Miller, and manager Sophie Zimmerman. Not pictured: Emily Walker.

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

New Okaw Valley volleyball head coach Jodi McCormick says she has an idea that when she was first hired two years ago as the assistant coach, that varsity coach Jennifer Crowder had her eventual replacement in mind.

“I have a feeling that she had a grand scheme in mind when she hired me two years ago,” said McCormick. “She has full confidence in me, and the day she told me she decided she didn’t want to coach anymore, I was pretty nervous. But I’ve had a lot of good support, administratively as well as parent and player wise; they’ve all accepted the transition very well, and the support is overwhelming, and I’m really excited to move forward.”

McCormick, who has also been running the middle school program for the last two years, may be nervous about her position, but she has plenty of positive signs around her including a 23 member squad, a whole host of returning experienced varsity players, and a new, but not-so-new assistant coach in former OV outside hitter Sarah Henderson. Read More

Season opener spoiled for OV

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Competing at Oak Terrace, Okaw Valley and Pana went head to head on the greens August 20, and despite the Timberwolve’s Devon Still taking the top individual spot, Pana edged their competition out by three strokes.

Still shot a 44 after nine holes, a stroke better than second place Kody Bland. But Pana would also take the number three and five individual spots with Dylan Moon shooting a 47 and Jim LaMarche tallying a 53. Pana’s Blake Stauder was the fourth and final score with a 55, totaling 200 for the team. Read More

Submitted by Don Rousser
SBD Publicist

For 10 years now head coach Jason Drury has been teaching more than swimming to his swimmers. He also instills a hard work ethic and the belief in giving back to the community. These successes continually show with coach Drury taking swimmers to the state and zone level swim meets.

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