Category Archives: Sports

Eight Return This Season For OV Softball Team

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Photo furnished Front row (l-r) Kalie Reed, Miaya Lehman, and Amelia Landreth Middle row (l-r) Madalyne McFedders, Kailey George, Bella Benning, and Kami Landreth Back row (l-r) Grace Bunfill, Kailyn Walker, Kate Jeffers, Madison Vogel, and Paige Coleman

•March 13, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

After losing Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest first-team all-conference infielders Grace Harlin and Natalie Jeffers to graduation, Okaw Valley softball coach Dave Benning will have to adjust from last year’s line-drive and power hitter to a more traditional offense.
“I think we have good team speed, possibly better than last year’s team,” said Dave Benning. “I foresee us playing more traditional softball by bunting more and stealing bases. In previous seasons we had more line drive hitters with home run power.”
OV returns eight players from last year’s 14-13 squad.
In his 10th year as head coach, Benning returns 2018 second-team all-LOVC infielder senior Bella Benning and sophomore catcher Grace Bunfill. Read More

Sullivan Track Team Best Records

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•March 13, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan boys’ tack and field team competed in the Mt. Zion Indoor Invitational last Wednesday and the University High School Indoor Invitational two Saturdays ago.
Jadon Nuzzo wasted no time in showing his improvement from last year by resetting his own pole vault record in each meet.
Despite no team scores, many Redskins broke personal records. Read More

OV Eighth Grade Sectional Champs

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OV Eighth Grade Sectional Champs
The Okaw Valley eighth grade volleyball team won its second-straight regional title by defeating Shiloh 25-15, 26-24 last week, then won the IESA Sectional with a 25-23, 25-20 win over Sigel St. Michael’s Monday. The team is set to play advance to the state tournament on Friday at Pana and will play at 5:45 p.m.

Sullivan Girls’ Track Team Returns Experience

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•March 13, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Redskin coach Kali Taylor, in her 11th year, will have to rely on her seniors and returning letter winners “to raise the bar as we progress throughout the season.”
“We are hungry to add to the team success that we had last year and to have our underclassmen step up to score points in their events,” said Taylor. “We also have a goal of scoring points in every event that we compete in.”
We have six seniors and eight returning letter winners.
Top returning scorer from last season, senior Esther Miller, returns from a junior year in which she qualified for state in three events.
At the Charleston Invitational at Eastern Illinois University Saturday, Miller third in the 400-meter dash in a time of 1:02, and she also placed fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 32 feet 11 inches.
“She is already off to a great season as she achieved her second best career performances at the EIU indoor meet,” said Taylor. “She and Zoe (Ray) have been named co-captains, and I once again look to them to lead the team.” Read More

Wrestlers Place at State

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•March 13, 2019•

Over the weekend freshman, Brady Foster competed in the IWCOA State Wrestling Championship Tournament in Springfield.
Competing with the top 35 freshmen and sophomore athletes in his weight class, Foster finished his two days of bouts standing on the podium. He placed seventh in the state and went 4-2 for the weekend.  Read More

Five from Sullivan All-Conference CIC

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•March 13, 2019•

The Central Illinois Conference announced its girls’ 2018-19 all-conference teams last week.
Sullivan packed the teams with five players, more than any other team in the CIC.
Senior Esther Miller was a unanimous choice for all-conference first team honors. Read More

Local Wrestlers Punch Their Ticket & Earn a Spot at State

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•March 6, 2019•

Over the weekend, local wrestler, Lincoln Scroggins competed in the IKWF Central Sectionals. He battled his way through his sectional bracket victorious and competed in the championship bout. He placed second in Illinois Central Sectionals and will advance to the IKWF Midget State Finals March 19 and 20 at the David Palmer Arena in Danville.
Freshman Brady Foster competed in the IWCOA Sectionals in Heyworth Sunday. Foster went 2-1 for the day and placed second in the championship bout. He will compete in the state finals this Saturday and Sunday at the Bank of America Center in Springfield.

Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance Banquet a Success

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•March 6, 2019•

The First Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance Banquet was held at the Sullivan VFW on February 23 with 100% of the proceeds going to improve the fisheries and fish habitat in Lake Shelbyville.
When the dust settled on a fun-filled evening, a net profit of just over $20,000 was realized.
The doors opened at 5 p.m. with 290 supporters of the resource in attendance. The LSFHA was honored to have Terry Brown of Wired to Fish (www.wired2fish.com) and Mike McClelland, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Chief of Fisheries, as guest speakers along with retired IDNR Director Brent Manning.
Led by emcee Richard Glazebrook, retired IDNR site superintendent for Eagle and Wolf Creek State Parks, there was plenty of fun for everyone.  Read More

Sullivan Blue Dolphins Compete at Regionals in Peoria

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•March 6, 2019•

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Pictured are members of the Sullivan Blue Dolphin Regional Team.

Fourteen swimmers represented the Sullivan Blue Dolphins at the Regional Championship Meet in Peoria.
Included are Madalyn Booker, Mason Booker, Calista Clark, Emily Crosier, Rylan Diener, Natalie Drury, Mackenzie Erixon, Brodie Goss, Alivia Melvin, Devon Richardson, Ethan Schmohe, Gabrielle Spain, Matthew Wesselman, Anna Wooters.
Top finishers for the Dolphins were Madalyn Booker, 6th in the 200 breaststroke
Emily Crosier, 1st place 200 IM, 2nd place in 50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 freestyle 3rd place 200 freestyle, 100 IM Read More

Record Setting OV Swimmer

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Record Setting
OV Swimmer
Blue Dolphin swimmer Anna Wooters competed last weekend at the Illinois Senior State Championship meet, held in Lincolnshire, Illinois. She set a new Sullivan Blue Dolphins’ record in the 50 meter freestyle at Senior State this weekend with a time of 24.73 seconds. Old time was 25.09.