The team taking first at Monday night’s scrambler at Timberlake with a combined 8-under par consisted of Brett “B-Money” Marshall, Scott “T. Rex” Ohm, Seth “Soy Sauce” and Tim “Soy Bean” Sawyer. Read More
Category Archives: Sports
OV Wins Three-way Match at Clinton
Purple-Rider Knights take close second
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Sophomore Drew Fruchtl led his Timberwolves Tuesday night to their first win of the season, shooting a 43 after nine holes, defeating both Clinton and the new co-op Arthur/Lovington-Atwood/Hammond-Arcola (ALAHA). Read More
Richter Inherits Rebuilding Year for Golf
Former assistant coach to instruct 19 golfers this fall
Photos by Phil Dickens/Dickens Studio
Pictured is the Sullivan boys’ golf team: Front row, left to right– Cody Johnson, Tristan Hendrix, Andrew Freeman, Gavin Harlin, Luke Delong, and Tommy Schibur. Back row-Coach Ben Richter,Kenneth Farley, Sam Mulligan, Layne McMahon, Dylian Liddiard, Liam Bechtold, and Joey Davison. To purchase this photo visit www.dickensstudio.com.
Photos by Phil Dickens/Dickens Studio
Pictured is the Sullivan girls’ golf team: Front row, left to right– Dani Boyer, Emmalee Hortenstine, and Jessica Yantis. Back row: Kali Forsyth, Beretta Phelps, Ariel Heppe, and Alexis Matlock. To purchase this photo visit www.dickensstudio.com.
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Taking on the head softball coach position last year was just the beginning for Sullivan High School teacher Ben Richter. On August 12, he was also made the head golf coach after serving as the assistant to Jerry Lane last year. And though the new head coach says this year will be a rebuilding year for Sullivan golf, the program has attracted 19 players this year, providing an encouraging sign for the years to come.
“We’re mostly freshmen, sophomores, and a couple juniors so it’s going to be a rebuilding year,” said Richter. “Coming into it, a lot of these kids didn’t get to play very much over the summer.”
While the team graduated only two seniors last year, including then number one golfer Lucas Mossman, the team’s rebuilding woes continue from last year with still a largely young group of players.
Of the 19 golfers out this year, 12 are boys, while seven are girls, including four returning varsity players in senior Emmalee Hortenstine, Jessica Yantis, Ariel Heppe, and Beretta Phelps.
“Emmalee is the only senior girl on the team, and she is definitely the leader of the girls’ team,” said Richter. “Thursday we competed in a scramble in Charleston. Emmalee and Jessica Yantis and Beretta and Ariel paired up and both did very well, shooting a 45 and 46. It was very impressive. They were having a lot of fun which was neat to see. They knew that they were sticking with the pack, so they could see their game was improving while having a good time.” Read More
In Fifth Year, Brown and the Boys Stay Diligent
Replacing large senior class a challenge, but not impossible
Photo by Phil Dickens/Dickens Studio
Pictured is this year’s SOV varsity football team, which will begin its season at Tuscola Friday night. To purchase this photo visit www.dickensstudio.com.
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Andy Brown. Caden May. Jacob Vail. Bailey Matheson. Four of just 18 that this year’s SOV football program will miss and have to replace–a large task at hand to say the least.
But for fifth year head coach Charles Brown, it’s not an impossible task.
“We’re going to be filling in seven positions on both sides of the ball with some people who didn’t play a whole bunch of varsity ball,” said Brown. “So that’s going to be the interesting thing– how do they come in and how do they up their game to the varsity level? This is going to be their first opportunity. And they’re excited, but it’s a whole different ball game, and they’re going to find that out.” Read More
SOV Cross Country Looks for Sectional Return for Boys and Girls
Big squads to continue breeding success
Photo by Phil Dickens/Dickens Studio
Pictured is this year’s SOV cross country team’s seniors: Front - Devin Mosier. Middle, left to right– Maggie Plank, Brooke Mitchell, Noah Workman, Abigail Weybright, and Elizabeth Priest Back–Reagan Miller, Patrick Hogan, Adam Davis, Sam Harshman, Mollie Bowman, and Tori Floyd. To purchase this photo visit www.dickensstudio.com.
by Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
After fourth place finishes in the OVC for both the SOV boys’ and girls’ cross country teams, both are looking to advance in a competitive OVC.
Just as a gauge of conference strength, in the girls’ division, St. Teresa won the state meet and on the boys’ side Shelbyville finished third and fellow conference foes Monticello and Tolono Unity qualified for the state meet as teams.
But SOV cross country has by no means been a slouch in the OVC.
“Last year was the first in the last four years where we didn’t have a state qualifying runner,” stated head coach Ted Walk. “Ethan Lehman ran about a 16:45 at the sectional meet and was two individual places away from qualifying for state. This year he is looking really well and has been working hard. I believe if things keep going well he has a very realistic shot at making state.” Read More
Purple Rider-Knights See Promising Signs
New co-op golf team enjoys largest group in three years
Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the Arcola-Arthur/Lovington-Atwood-Hammond Golf Team. Front row, left to right: Parker Ingram, Robert Hill, Clayton Miller, Mitchell Bernius, and Shandon Herschberger. Back row: Derek Rhodes, Tyler Kearns, Noah Yantis, Chris Davis,Dylan Bugos, and Coach Tyler Renshaw. Not pictured is Bailey Conner.
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
In his third year coaching golf at Arcola, Tyler Renshaw is excited to have the addition of Atwood-Hammond to the Arcola-Arthur-Lovington golf team. This year, the co-op altogether has produced 11 players, six from Arthur-Lovington, five from Arcola, and one from Atwood-Hammond–the largest group since Renshaw became coach.
“It’s a big increase,” said Renshaw.
Last year, not only did the team possess just five players, but they managed to win only one match–an ugly stat Renshaw says he believes will change this year.
“I’m certainly excited about the season,” said Renshaw. “Coming off a tough year last year, it’s hard for a coach in having had low numbers…We want the golf team to grow and grow and grow. With 11 kids, that’s great. It makes for better practices, better camaraderie. I’m very excited to have another shot at it.” Read More
Knights Football Hopes for Return to Post-Season
After going 7-3 last year, Knights excited for another go
by Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
After a first season co-oping with Atwood-Hammond yielded a 7-3 record and playoff berth, Arthur/Lovington-Atwood-Hammond is looking to repeat the act this season.
The Knights bowed out in the first round of the playoffs last year to no. 6 Carlinville 46-12 but have since been taking steps to get back to the post season.
“We lifted three days a week and had a 10 day camp,” said Knights head coach Dale Schuring. “The players are bigger, stronger, and quicker than last season and have a much greater knowledge of our offense and defense.”
Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured are the Arthur/Lovington-Atwood-Hammond football team’s returning varsity lettermen, from left to right: Jesse Ruff, Drake Nelson, Tyler Schuring, Jordan Feagin, Logan West, Cody Sebens, Steven Wright, Colton Yeakley, Mitchell Helton, Curtis Plank, and Dylan Black.
Knights’ Runners Stay on Individual Track
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
After Sweet 16 Run, Lancers Look to Continue Success in Cornwell’s Final Season
Though a few key graduations, players to step up to fill voids
Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the Arthur/Lovington volleyball team: Back, from left to right–Hannah Leal, Eilis Stewart, Ally Irwin, Logan Kauffman, Alyssa Herschberger, Chelsey Chupp, and Jordan Jent. Middle–Felicia Wolfe, Jessica Davis, Emily Seegmiller, Brooke Tabb, and Kaya James. Front–Sherelle Coller, Karly Goodman, and Hannah Schrock.
by Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
After back-to-back Regional Championships as Arthur and then as Arthur-Lovington High School, the Lancers of Arthur-Lovington are looking to continue the streak in Head Coach Valerie Cornwell’s 34th and final season at the helm.
“It was an easy decision, because that’s just the order of things,” said Cornwell on her retirement. “You teach for 34 years and then you retire! Although the finality of it may be difficult, only time will tell.”
Cornwell says that her retirement isn’t of concern when it comes to practice–things are business as usual.
A/L is coming into the season following a 26-6 record which lead them to the Sweet 16 before being knocked out by LOVC foe and eventual state finalist Tri-County. Read More
In Second Year, Knight Soccer Shifts
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