News Progress

Photo by Mike Brothers
New Athletic and Activities Director for Sullivan Schools Ryan Aikman is on the job.

•August 26, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

Ryan Aikman is Sullivan Schools athletic and activities director and is getting into the new job with a little help from some friends.

“One my best resources has been Charlie Brown” Aikman said of former Sullivan athletic director , now A&M principal.

Another advisor is Mt. Zion athletic director Mike Mose. “When your head is spinning like a tornado, seasoned veterans such as Mose and Brown are a big help,” he reflected.

As athletic and activities director Aikman schedules all sports for junior high and high school teams in addition to other extra curricular activities, including show choir.

“Strengthening all activities through good communication,’”Aikman said is his goal. “ I would like to build camaraderie among the coaching staff.”
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Now prepare for district tournament

•July 15, 2015•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Moultrie-Douglas County American Legion baseball swept a double header against rival Shelby County winning 9-4 and 9-5 in a Sunday matinée hosted by Windsor.
The stifling heat was shrugged off by both squads with Legion Post 479 racking up 18 total runs in back to back come from behind wins.
Mo-Do jr. legion head coach Duff Hoel knew that his team was facing a tough opponent going into the contest.
“We told the kids before the game that we were facing a good pitcher who is from Windsor originally and is pitching in college right now. So he is going to try and get ahead of you early so look for the fastball and shoot it the other way because he is going to have some velocity. Dylan Hart started us off with a big home run. That was nice since we were down two to nothing before Dylan hit a ball into the trees in right field. That got us going and the other guys picked it up behind him.” Read More

OV baseballer to continue sport at Lake Land

Photo by Keith Stewart
Recent Okaw Valley graduate Devon still signed his letter of intent to play baseball at Lake Land College during a May 19 ceremony. Pictured, left to right, back row are: Lake Land head baseball coach Bill Jackson and OV head baseball coach Andrew Hagerman. Front row: father Jeff Still, Devon Still, and mother Rachel Still.

June 17, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

It’s true that Devon Still has played golf and basketball throughout his high school career and excelled in both. But neither compares to his love for baseball. The sport is less a game to him than more a necessity.
And for the recent Okaw Valley graduate, not to mention member of the school’s fourth place state finishing team, that necessity has been extended two more years.
“I’ve always loved baseball. It was a couple years ago that I figured out if I worked hard enough I would be able to keep playing baseball, which is exactly what I wanted to do,” said Still. “I wanted to play in college, whether it was just playing or for a scholarship. I just wanted to play. So it was really nice getting an offer from Lake Land.”
That offer came relatively late into Still’s career, however. A fact that surprised his high school head coach Andrew Hagerman. Read More