Phelps Helps Out, One Pop Tab at a Time

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Tabs converted into cash to help Ronald McDonald House May 20, 2015 by Ariana Cherry Arthur/Sullivan Reporter Forty-four gallons of soda are drunk per year, according to an associated press article published in 2013. Of those who consumed the 44 gallons, it is quite possible that they did not give much thought to the worth of a pop can tab. At the Ronald McDonald House, however, they think much differently when they see a can of soda-they think of hope and the chance at helping save lives. Each year nearly 40, 000,000 tabs are collected for the Ronald McDonald House … Read More

Sullivan Splits Pair at Softball Invitational

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Two seniors also celebrated May 20, 2015 By Matt Kracht & Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A beautiful Saturday for softball ended with rain as invitational hosts Sullivan beat Cumberland in their first game 5-4 but fell 6-3 to tournament winner Mt. Zion during a torrential downpour in the championship. Taking the mound in game one of the senior day invitational, Heidi Clements pitched seven innings of four run ball allowing six hits and striking out two in the win over Cumberland. The Pirates led 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Redskin offense manufactured two runs. Seleste Smith … Read More

Redskins Spoil ALAH Senior Night with 13-3 Victory

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Errors cost Knights in loss May 20, 2015 By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter Seleste Smith went 3-5 for the Redskins last Thursday, driving home four RBI in support of Heidi Clements who allowed two earned runs over seven innings, striking out four in the win. Knight’s starter Macy Hollingsworth had a tough day on the mound, surrendering 18 hits over seven innings. The Knights were held to just six hits on the day with Erin Wildman driving in two RBI and Brooke Tabb adding Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s final tally. Both teams put up zeros in the first two innings before Sullivan … Read More

Lady Red Send Four on to State Meet

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McClain and Neuhauser lead the pack in state qualifying May 20, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newprogress.com The SOV girls finished in third place with 67 points at the 14-team Central A & M sectional last Thursday. Amanda McClain qualified for state in all four of her events with wins in the long jump (17 feet, 11 1/2 inches) and 400 (58.80 seconds), second place in the 200 (25.74) and as part of the 4 x 200 relay. Emily Neuhauser qualified for state in three events. Individually she placed first place in the 200  (25.69) and second place in the 100m … Read More

OV Drops Two Games at Sullivan Softball Invitational

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Defensive improvements stressed heading into regionals May 20, 2015 By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter The Timberwolves played a difficult double header on Sullivan’s north diamond Saturday, losing in the first game to Mt. Zion 16-2 and then falling in the second contest versus Cumberland 14-4. Senior Amanda McClain took the loss versus Mt Zion, and sophomore Matty Perrine fell against Cumberland. “We definitely faced two strong offensive clubs today,” said head coach Dave Benning. “But there are times even if the ball is hit well you need to make a play. We had a couple catchable balls in game … Read More

Timberwolves Softball Claim Northwest Division Title in 10-0 Victory over Arcola

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Beat Purple Riders and rain for win May 20, 2015 By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter Okaw Valley had two opponents Friday night–the first being an Arcola squad and the second a storm front quickly approaching the pivotal contest. With a 20-win season and a Little Okaw Valley Northwest division championship on the line the Timberwolves sprung into the rarely seen baseball version of the “two minute drill.” Timberwolves head coach Dave Benning spoke about the situation after the win. “We knew the storm was coming in so we started early, and when we got a lead, we wanted to … Read More

SOV Girls Finish Regular Season in Urbana

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McClain completes record setting achievement May 20, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Rounding out their regular season prior to the state track meet Thursday, the SOV girls’ track and field team left Urbana after leaving a big mark. In particular, Amanda McClain broke the 30 year old meet record of 58.5 seconds in the 400. The SOV senior ran a 57.85. As if that itself wasn’t impressive enough, the record setting feat also marked a personal achievement for McClain. “It was the only meet she hadn’t set a record at,” said Taylor, referring to all outdoor meets over McClain’s career. … Read More

OV Baseballers Celebrate Seniors in Style

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Hagerman tallies 15 strikeouts in win May 20, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Last Thursday’s Okaw Valley senior night game saw masterful play on the mound by Peyton Hagerman, who had Meridian missing the ball just about all evening long as he and his fellow teammates cruised to a 7-0 victory. The one of six seniors went all seven innings, throwing a one-hit shutout on the back of a 15-strikeout performance. “He was really locked in,” said his father and head coach Andrew Hagerman. “He had one rough outing this year at LSA a few weeks ago, and since then … Read More

Redskins Back to their Ball in Senior Night Win Over Pana

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Sullivan’s staple defense shows up in victory May 20, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com It was back to Sullivan baseball Thursday night as the Redskins’, celebrating their eight seniors, took care of Pana in five innings winning 10-0. Sullivan was coming off just their fifth loss of the year after falling to underdog Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Tuesday, who was then celebrating their own seniors. “I think that woke them up,” said Rogers. “They didn’t want to have another game like that. The seniors were ready today from the start. You could tell. They came out with a different mindset. It was great.” … Read More

Lady T-Wolves Win Two on the Fly this Week

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Now prepare for LOVC division championship opportunity May 15, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com The Okaw Valley softball team won two games this week to further improve to 19-3 on the year. Both games were scheduled on the fly due to scheduling conflicts with original opponents’ schedules. As a result, OV, rather than facing Neoga Wednesday, traveled to play Central A&M and came away with a 4-2 win. “A&M is a tough opponent,” said head coach Dave Benning. “They play a predominantly 2A schedule, and they’re in a tough conference.” Amanda McClain went all seven innings allowing two runs on … Read More