Photo by Mike Brothers
Greenville Signs Ray
On Tuesday, March 12 Zoe Ray signed a letter of intent to participate in the Greenville University track and field program. Pictured above are front row: mother Rikki Ray, Zoe, father Quentin Ray. Back row are high school coach Kali Taylor and middle school coach Don Typer. Her main events will be long jump and sprinting. In addition, she will learn to triple jump and pole vault.
Photo furnished
OV Eighth Grade Semifinalists
OV eighth grade players are: Lexie Bartimus, Karson Park, Bailey Bennett, Reagan Reedy, Abbey Luckenbill, Avery Bruns, Kaydence Kennedy, Danielle Simpson, Kayla Fleshner and Brie Williams.
Photo by Jason Brown
Reagan Reedy, Abbey Luckenbill, Lexie Bartimus and Avery Bruns celebrate after scoring a point.
•March 20, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Okaw Valley eighth grade volleyball team defeated Pontiac St. Mary’s 25-19, 25-21 to advance to the semifinals of the IESA State volleyball tournament in Pana Friday.
After losing to Peoria Limestone Walters (25-22, 25-3) in the semifinals, OV eighth grade volleyball defeated Royal Prairieview Ogden (25-14, 25-15) to place third in the state volleyball tournament.
The trip to state was the eighth grade team’s first.
The players are Lexie Bartimus, Karson Park, Bailey Bennett, Reagan Reedy, Abbey Luckenbill, Avery Bruns, Kaydence Kennedy, Danielle Simpson, Kayla Fleshner and Brie Williams.
OV finished the season with a record of 17-4.
•March 20, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond’s baseball defeated Midland but lost to Mendota.
Against Midland the Knights scored two in the first inning and five in the fourth to take an early lead, but Midland plated five runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 7-6.
ALAH answered in the bottom of the fifth inning with a run for the final 8-6 score.
The Knights pounded out 11 hits and played errorless in the field. Read More
•March 20, 2019•
Okaw Valley started its season 0-2 with a loss to Maroa-Forsyth and Paris.
Monday night, Maroa-Forsyth scored six runs in the second inning and eight runs in the third en route to an 18-8 win.
Grace Bunfill and Madison Vogel each pitched two innings and struck out three. Read More
•March 20, 2019•
In its season opener, the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond’s softball team was shutout 6-0 in a non-conference game against Monticello at Millikin University Friday.
Makenzie Brown was the losing pitcher. In seven innings, she gave up five hits three earned runs and seven walks. She struck out 18.
Molly Day led the A-L-A-H offense by going 2-for-3, while Cheyenne Chupp, a freshman, had a triple. Read More
•March 20, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Sullivan boys’ track and field team placed 18th out of 33 teams in the Charleston Indoor Invitational at Eastern Illinois University Saturday.
Senior Jadon Nuzzo took first place in the pole vault at 14 feet 6 inches. Read More
•March 20, 2019•
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ track and field team placed 29th out of 33 teams in the Charleston Indoor Invitational at Eastern Illinois University Saturday.
The Knights had three top 20 finishers and two top 15 relay teams. Read More
•March 20, 2019•
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team will have two representatives in the 26th annual Central Illinois All-Star boys’ basketball game in Waldrip Gym at Cumberland March 23. Read More
Photo furnished
Madalyne McPheeters, Kylie Stauder, Karlie Stauder and Danae Nave 800-relay team.
•March 13, 2019•
The Okaw Valley girls’ track team competed with teams from all over the state in the Charleston Invitational Saturday.
Kylie Stauder took fourth place in pole vault at 8 feet 6 inches, and Madalyne McPheeters ran the 200 dash in 28.99 for eight place.
The 800-relay team of McPheeters, Kylie Stauder, Karlie Staude and Danae Nave placed seventh with a time of 1:58.2.
The Timberwolves are scheduled to compete in a Mt. Zion Mini-meet Thursday, March 14.
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