Sports News,  Sports Talk,  Announcements,  
World/National Sports News

High school baseball

[APRIL 26, 2001] 

Mahomet-Seymour traveled to Stanford yesterday afternoon for a quick baseball game against Olympia. When the five-inning game ended, Olympia was the winner, 12-2.

Ryan Kendrick pitched his third game and third win for Olympia. Lance Leesman relieved him in the last inning. Rush Olson was the team’s catcher.

Jeff Darnall made two hits and batted in three runners for Oly.

Cole Jones pitched for Mahomet-Seymour, and Brad Gonzales took over in the last inning. Kyle Reed was the team’s catcher.

Olympia’s baseball record is 20 wins to only five losses; they are 5-0 in the Corn Belt Conference. Mahomet-Seymour’s record is 7-14-1, and 1-3 in the Corn Belt Conference.

Score by innings

Olympia 101 37 – 12-13-4

Mahomet-Seymour 000 02 – 2-6-2

[LDN]

High school track and field

[APRIL 26, 2001]  

Lincoln vs. Springfield

Springfield’s girls track team visited Lincoln yesterday afternoon for a track-and-field meet. The final score was 77-60, Lincoln.

The events in which Lincoln placed first were as follows:

100 meters – Dominique Dawson, 12.5

200 meters – Dominique Dawson, 27.2

400 meters – Angela Maestas, 1:08

800 meters – Brittney Dellow, 2:51.8

Long jump – Dominique Dawson, 17-1

High jump – Amy Humbert, 4-10

Shot put – Mallory Coons, 36-2½

Discus – Becca Hahn, 101-3

400 relay – Lincoln, 53.0

1,600 relay – Lincoln, 4:30.5

3,200 relay – Lincoln, 12:33.3

800 medley relay – Lincoln, 2:00

High school baseball

[APRIL 25, 2001] 

The Hartem Stags took a beating at their home plate, with Tri-Valley winning 13-4.

Score by innings

Hartsburg-Emden    000 202 0 – 4-5-3

Tri-Valley                210 114 4 – 13-15-1

Matt Chapman (4-5) and Blane Fletcher (6) pitched for Hartem, with Matt Gleason catching. Mike Herald and Tanner Springer were up front for Tri-Valley.

Gleason had a home run with one on in the fourth.

Tri-Valley is 14-5 and Hartsburg-Emden is 9-10 for the season.

The Spartans love staying home. They outscored Prairie Central every inning, not bothering with the bottom of the seventh and winning 11-2.

Score by innings

Prairie Central      200 000 0 – 2-5-4

Olympia               313 121 x – 11-12-1

Brandon Gale (W, 6-0) and Ryne Sherman (7) pitched for Olympia. Rush Olson was catcher.

The Spartans hit two home runs, one by Jeff Darnall (two on in the first) and the other by Chris Frank (one on in the fifth).

Outstanding hitters for the game were Darnall (two hits, three RBIs), Ryan Kendrick (three hits, a double, and an RBI) and Gale (two hits and a double).

Olympia is 19-2 overall, 4-0 in the Corn Belt Conference. Prairie Central is 15-6-1, and 1-1-1 in the Corn Belt.

[LDN]

High school softball

[APRIL 25, 2001] 

In softball played at Brimfield, the Lady Stags took the game with the last run brought in at the top of the sixth inning, 4-3.

Score by innings

Hartsburg-Emden     002 011 0 – 4- 4-3

Brimfield                  102 000 0 – 3-10-4

Nicki Chapman, Jenni Tuttle (S, 2) and Leann Alberts were pitching and catching for Hartem, Miller and Durra for Brimfield.

Hartsburg-Emden is 5-11; Brimfield, 7-8.

Illini Central vs. Athens

With no need to play the bottom of the seventh, Athens swept Illini Central 14-6.

Score by innings

Illini Central       310 200 0 – 6-5-7

Athens               622 103 x – 14-6-2

Pitching for the Cougars was Brooke Oney, and Katie Mielke was catcher; for Athens were Chestnut and Polle.

Hitting star for the game was Oney, with two hits and one RBI for Illini Central.

Illini Central is 2-11 overall.

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln vs. Southeast

In an away game at Springfield, Lincoln bettered Southeast by one run, 3-2. The winning run came at the top of the seventh.

Score by innings

Lincoln         000 002 001 – 3-6-4

Southeast      001 010 000 – 2-7-3

Hilary Schweitzer (5-7) and Emily Wilkinson were pitcher and catcher for Lincoln, with Prino, Mueller (4), and Willey playing for Springfield.

Kelsey Walsham had two hits and two RBIs for the Lady Railers.

Schweitzer was recognized for her pitching, with one earned run, four strikeouts and two walks.

Lincoln is 6-12 overall, 3-4 in the Central State Eight.

[LDN]

High school track and field

Mount Pulaski competes in meet at Clinton

[APRIL 25, 2001]  In track and field for high school boys, the results of a meet at Clinton were as follows: Monticello 208, Sullivan 130, Clinton 103, Mount Pulaski 41, Lexington 36, Blue Ridge 27.

Mount Pulaski winners

800 meters — Waymire, 2:06.1

High jump — Winkler, 5-8

College baseball

Lincoln College vs. Springfield College
[APRIL 25, 2001]  Great pitching performances were the highlight of the day for coach Tony Thomas as his Lincoln College Lynx shut out Springfield College in Springfield twice Tuesday afternoon. Lincoln won the first game 1-0 behind Jaren McLane and Rick Sherren and took the nightcap 6-0 behind the complete game performance of Kyle Eastman.   The double victory raises the Lynx record to 16-25 for the season. Lincoln has a makeup game in East Peoria Wednesday against Illinois Central College.

Lincoln scored its lone run in the sixth inning of the first game when Chris Ackman led off with a double and came around to score on a single by Chad Blackburn. The sixth-inning run made a winner of Jaren McLane, who worked the first five innings, allowing just one hit. McLane walked six batters and fanned two. Rick Sherren came on in relief in the sixth and struck out three batters while giving up no hits.

The Lynx jumped on SCI with four runs in the first inning of the second game, and Kyle Eastman made it stand up. Eastman permitted just three hits, walked two and struck out nine in going the distance. Lincoln was aided by consecutive errors to start the top half of the first inning. With the two runners on base, Brad Bone hit into a force play, driving in the first run. Gary Ryan followed with a double to drive in a run, and after Chad Blackburn was hit by a pitch, Jake VanDyke singled in another run. The final run of the frame crossed the plate when Robert Sherren hit into a fielder’s choice.

Ahmad Richie, Chris Ackman and Brad Bone all had two hits for the Lynx in the second game, while Matt Carnahan collected a pair of hits to lead the first-game attack.

[to top of second column in this article]

First game

Lincoln College        000 001 0 – 1 - 6 - 1

Springfield College   000 000 0 – 0 - 1 - 3

McLane (W), Ri. Sherren (6) & Ro. Sherren; Gobble (L) & Frawley.

Lincoln College         410 100 0 – 6 - 8 - 0

Springfield College    000 000 0 – 0 - 3 - 2

Eastman (W) & Ro. Sherren; Ruyle (L) & Mulvey.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

High school baseball

LCHS frosh baseball vs. Glenwood

[APRIL 24, 2001]  Glenwood High School hit the Lincoln High School freshman baseball team with a 10-spot in the fourth inning as they rolled to a 12-0, five-inning victory at Lincoln Monday afternoon. The loss drops the Railer freshman record to 4-5 for the season.

Trent Kavelman had Lincoln's lone hit, a double in the second inning. Kavelman was the starting and losing pitcher with Bobby Ward working the final inning. Glenwood scored its 10 runs in the fourth on seven hits and three errors.

Score by innings

Glenwood           010 (10)1  – 12 - 9 - 0

Lincoln                000    0 0  –   0 - 1 - 8

Ruppert (W) & List;  Kavelman (L), Ward (5) & Melton.

[Bill Martinie]

Area high school baseball games

[APRIL 24, 2001]  

Hartem’s baseball team welcomed Havana to Hartsburg yesterday afternoon and sent them packing, 10-3.

Ryan Anderson pitched his sixth game for Hartem (three runs, two walks and six strikeouts). Blane Fletcher pitched the last inning for Anderson. Matt Gleason was the team’s catcher.

Stags player Matt Gleason earned half the team’s points. In the first inning, Gleason hit a home run with two men on base. In the second inning, Gleason hit a home run with one man on base.

Dennis Carr pitched for Havana, and Jamie Holmes was the catcher.

Hartsburg-Emden’s new baseball record is 9-9.

Score by innings

Hartem      430 102 x – 10-14-0

Havana     101 100 0 – 3-9-0

Illini Central and Midwest Central met in Mason City yesterday afternoon for a high school baseball game. Midwest won 9-2.

Matt Harris was IC’s pitcher. Josh McDaniel also pitched for the team. Luke Bohm was the team’s catcher.

Doty pitched for Midwest, and Roberts was the catcher.

Score by innings

Illini Central          000 020 0 – 2-3-2

Midwest Central   000 342 0 – 9-13-2

[to top of second column in this article]

Olympia visited Pontiac yesterday long enough to beat their high school baseball team and return home. The final score was 12-4.

Chris Frank pitched his third game and third win for Olympia. Jeff Darnall replaced Frank in the third inning, Lance Leesman replaced Darnall in the sixth inning, and Cam Cheek replaced Leesman in the seventh inning. Rush Olson was Oly’s catcher for the first six innings, and Steve Raleigh relieved him in the final inning.

Chris Frank and Brandon Gale each hit a home run. Frank’s home run was in the fourth inning, with two players on base. Gale’s home run was in the sixth with a player on base. Besides his home run, Gale made two other hits during the game. Steve Raleigh made two hits for his team and batted in two runners.

Bobby Arbogast pitched for Pontiac. John Lambert relieved him in the sixth inning. The seventh inning was split between Pontiac pitchers Brad Gregory and Frank Arnolts.

Olympia has 18 wins and only two losses. In the Corn Belt Conference, they are 3-0. Pontiac’s record is 5-10-1, and 1-1-1 in their conference.

Score by innings

Olympia     200 305 2 – 12-9-3

Pontiac       010 000 3 – 4-3-5

[LDN]

High school softball

[APRIL 24, 2001] 

Lincoln and Morton competed in a high school softball game in Lincoln yesterday afternoon. Morton won 6-0.

Borowick was Lincoln’s pitcher, and Wilkinson was the catcher.

Reinwald made two hits for her team.

Sammi Whitcomb pitched her seventh game for Morton, with Katie Collins replacing her in the fifth inning. Erin Collins was the team’s catcher.

Score by innings

Lincoln     000 000 0 – 0-2-4

Morton     000 600 0 – 6-8-0

[LDN]

High school baseball

Tournament report

Lincoln varsity baseball vs. Kankakee,
Midwest Central and Edwardsville

[APRIL 23, 2001]  The Lincoln Railers made a solid showing at their own tournament over the weekend, taking two of three games and coming away with a 14-5 season record. They held on to a 5-4 win over Kankakee on Friday; outlasted Midwest Central 9-6 Saturday morning; but got a good old fashioned spankin’ by Edwardsville on Saturday afternoon, losing 15-1.

In Friday’s first game, coach Pat Hake’s ball club faced his former players from Kankakee, where he had coached for six years before coming to Lincoln. It was undoubtedly an important game for Hake, since Chris Phillips, the Lincoln pitching ace, got the start. Phillips pitched the complete game, striking out 11 and walking only two. He surrendered seven hits, two of which (along with his two walks) came in the seventh inning. As a result, Kankakee’s two-run seventh inning put them within one run of Lincoln, and they had runners at first and third when the game ended with a fly out to right field.

Lincoln’s first four hitters (Derek Schrader, Justin Dedman, Andy Knopp and Chris Phillips) had hits, with Schrader’s being a third-inning leadoff homer. The offensive story of the game, however, was senior catcher Andrew Bartman. Bartman had an RBI double with two out in the second inning and a two-out, two-RBI single in the sixth that scored Nick Bay and Michael Martin, who were pinch running for Andy Knopp and Phillips, who led off the inning with singles. At the time, Lincoln’s lead was just 2-1. As it turned out, Bartman’s two-RBI single allowed the Railers to take the game 4-3.

In the second game, Justin Dedman got the start against Midwest Central but found the going a little rough. He went 2 1/3 innings and allowed five runs (four earned), striking out two, walking three, hitting two and allowing five hits, including a home run. Junior left-hander Michael Martin, who relieved Dedman with Lincoln down 5-4, went the rest of the way and picked up the win—his first of the season. Martin gave up just one run (earned), four hits, one walk, and struck out five.

Fortunately, the Railers scored in every inning but the sixth. Lincoln’s nine runs and eight hits were paced by two hits from Aaron Matson (RBI), a triple by Martin, a double by Knopp (two RBIs), and a season-first home run by Danny Schick (two RBIs) that broke a 5-5 tie in the fourth inning. Two important runs came in the fifth when Matt Aper singled, stole second and was pushed to third by a right-side ground-out by Matson. Blake Schoonover then walked and immediately continued toward second. The play proved disastrous for Midwest Central. To nab Schoonover, Midwest’s senior pitcher Justin Goeken made an errant throw to second that went into center field, and Aper easily scored. Even worse for Midwest, the center fielder allowed the ball to get by him, and Schoonover rounded the bases on the play, giving Lincoln their 9-6 win.

[to top of second column in this article]

[Andrew Bartman gets his second hit and third RBI against Kankakee.]

[Michael Martin faces a Midwest Central batter. John Peters is catching.]

[Chris Phillips tosses another strike to a Kankakee hitter. Phillips struck out 11.]

The Railers knew that their third game, against Edwardsville (now 14-3), would be the toughest. Edwardsville had "10-runned" their opposition in their two previous games before coming to Lincoln. And in their opening two games in the round-robin tourney, a powerhouse Edwardsville scored 24 runs and allowed 0. Even worse, the field had a 90 mph wind blowing toward left field. (OK, it only seemed like that much, but it was probably 25-30 mph.) Edwardsville had seven extra base hits in the contest (three 2B, one 3B and three home runs). The home runs alone accounted for eight Tiger RBIs.

The Railers could produce only two hits in the game (by Justin Dedman and Chris Phillips). Their lone run (and the only run scored against Edwardsville in the tournament) came in the third inning. Andrew Bartman drew a walk to open the inning, and his pinch runner, Michael Martin, was awarded second on a balk. Blake Schoonover then grounded to third, but Edwardsville’s senior Josh Mercer threw the ball past first base and out of bounds, allowing Martin to score. However, later in the inning, with two runners on, Mercer started a perfectly efficient 5-4-3 double play to close the Lincoln inning.

Blake Schoonover had the inauspicious opportunity to start the game. Schoonover, who has had some arm tenderness this year, struck out his first batter but then surrendered two walks, a three-run homer and a double. Jamison Sheley then replaced a sore-armed Schoonover and went the remaining 4 2/3 innings of the shortened game. Sheley struck out two and surrendered eight hits, four walks, and hit one batter—all leading to 12 more runs (six earned).

Although the 15-1 score was obviously lopsided, the Railers played a decently solid game against a team that deserves recognition as a state-class ballclub. This year, the Tigers, whose school enrollment is nearly 2,200, have also beaten Chatham-Glenwood 13-0 and Collinsville 10-0. Two of their three losses have been by just one run (1-0 to O’Fallon and 4-3 to Alton). Carrying particularly big sticks against Lincoln were senior Matt Wyatt (HR, 1B) and junior Jeremy Loemker (2B, 2 HR).

The Railers have made a significant turnaround in their baseball program this year; yet they got a good taste of what kind of team they’d like yet to become. The only way to do that is to play better competition and develop. That’s one thing the Lincoln tournament provided.

This week, the Railers will be playing at Jacksonville on Tuesday and against Jacksonville at home on Thursday.

[Rich Knopp]

[Box score and stats vs. Kankakee.]

[Box score and stats vs. Midwest Central.]

[Box score and stats vs. Edwardsville.]

College baseball

Lincoln College vs. Springfield College

[APRIL 23, 2001]  Lincoln College split a baseball doubleheader with Springfield College on Saturday at Galen Shirley Memorial Field in Lincoln. Coach Tony Thomas and the Lynx pulled out a 6-5 victory in the first game with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Springfield scored three times in the top of the first inning of the second game, and it was enough, as the Lynx were beaten 3-2.

Lincoln scored its two eighth-inning runs with the aid of just one hit. The leadoff hitter reached base  safely when hit by a pitch. Jake VanDyke then doubled. An intentional walk loaded the bases, and the first run came home on a wild pitch. After another intentional walk, Chris Ackman drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the winning run. VanDyke had a pair of hits to lead the Lynx at the plate.

Anthony Hoffert started on the mound for the Lynx against Craig Courtwright.  Both Hoffert and Courtwright graduated from Lincoln High School. Hoffert worked five innings and did not figure in the decision. Courtwright, who pitched well in a losing effort, suffered the loss.

In the second game, all the scoring was in the first inning. SCI scored three times in the first, and Lincoln came back with two in their half of the inning. The Lynx had numerous scoring chances, leaving 13 on base, but could not come up with the big hit against two Springfield hurlers. Ahmad Richie had a pair of hits, including a double, while Brad Bone had two hits, drove in a run and scored a run.   Jeff King was the starting and losing pitcher for the Lynx.

First game

Springfield College    102 010 01 – 5-8-3

Lincoln College         120 100 02 – 6-9-3

Courtwright (L) & Frawley; Hoffert, Knepper (6), Ri. Sherren (8-W) & Ro. Sherren.

Springfield College   300 000 0 – 3-6-1

Lincoln College        200 000 0 – 2-10-2

Jasprin (W), Moore (6) & Maulvay; King (L), Deakin (6) & Ro. Sherren.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

College softball

Lincoln College vs. Springfield College

[APRIL 23, 2001]  The Lincoln College softball team played a twin bill in Springfield on Saturday against Springfield College and came home with a pair of victories. Lincoln won the first game 14-6 in six innings and took the nightcap 11-2 in five innings. The double victory raises the Lady Lynx record to 9-22 for the season.

In the first game the Lady Lynx were tied at 4-4 after four innings; however, LC put eight runs on the board in the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.  Ronni Beebe led a 13-hit attack with four hits, including a double.  Jody Hicks contributed three hits, including a triple. Crystal Wilkey and Heather Dobey both had a pair of hits. Brandi Barnes went the distance and picked up the pitching victory.

In the second game, Lincoln pushed across four runs in the first and then tallied seven times in the third to put the game out of reach for the hosts. Wilkey, Dobey and Beebe all had two hits to lead the Lady Lynx.   Jody Hicks picked up the victory on the mound for coach Jennifer Ciaccio.

First game

Lincoln College        020 228 – 14-13-6

Springfield College   010 302 – 6-7-4

Brandi Barnes (W) & Maggie Green; Stout (L) & Hagele.

Lincoln College        407 00 – 11-9-3

Springfield College   001 01 – 2-2-3

Jody Hicks (W) & Green; Urish (L) & Green.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

High school baseball

Illini Central vs. Illini Bluffs

[APRIL 21, 2001]  Playing at Mapleton, the two teams were tied in the bottom of the sixth.  Illini Central had a run in the top of the seventh, leaving it up to Illini Bluffs.  IB scored no points in the bottom of the seventh, leaving the Cougars the win by one.

Brandon Grimsley, Brandon Fletcher (6,W, 3-1) pitched, and Travis Scott was catcher for the Cougars.  For Illini Bluffs it was Schupp, Young and Diefendorf.

 Hitting home runs for the Cougars were Jon Harfst (grand slam in the first) and Josh McDaniel (two on in the second).

Outstanding hitters for IC were McDaniel (two RBIs), Harfst (two hits and four RBIs), Matt Harris (a double and two RBIs), Mike Mulford (two hits and a double).

Score by innings

Illini Central              4200041 – 11-11-2

Illini Bluffs                0304030 – 10-12-1

[LDN]

LC players sign

[APRIL 21, 2001] 

Crockrell signs with Brescia University

Eric Crockrell, a two year standout at Lincoln College, has signed with Bresica University in Owensboro, Ky., to continue his college basketball career. Bresica University is an NAIA Division I school.

Crockrell, the son of Sandra and Eric Crockrell, played his high school ball at Chicago Robeson for coach Charles Redmond. Coach of the Bresica University school is John Reilly.

While playing for B. J. McCullum at Lincoln College, Crockrell averaged 11.4 points per game as a sophomore and 9.6 points per game as a freshman. Crockrell pulled down 275 rebounds last season to go with 196 as a freshman. The inside player improved his shooting this past season from the floor by connecting on 149 of 230 attempts. As a freshman he connected on 109 of 249 attempts. He scored a total of 684 points for coach McCullum in his two years. The Lynx finished the past season with a 26-7 record, while his freshman season was a 25-7 mark.

[to top of second column in this article]

Lott signs with Missouri Baptist

Christine Lott, completing her sophomore year at Lincoln College, has signed with Missouri Baptist College to continue her college playing career.

Coach Carol Wilson of Lincoln College said, "Christine should have an opportunity to play right away for Missouri Baptist. We are glad she is going to have a chance to continue her playing career at a four-year school. Missouri Baptist is an NAIA Division I school coached by Lowell Pitzer."

Lott participated in 63 games during her playing days at Lincoln College. She averaged 10 points per game as a freshman and contributed 7.5 points per game this past season on a much more balanced team. This past season she made 104 of 234 field goal attempts and added 26 of 43 at the foul line. Lott also pulled down 207 rebounds. As a freshman she connected on 136 of 287 shot attempts and 47 of 78 at the foul line, with a total of 251 rebounds.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

Bartman signs with LC

[APRIL 21, 2001] Andrew Bartman, a senior at Lincoln High School, has signed to play baseball with Lincoln College after completing his high school career. Bartman is the starting catcher for the Lincoln High School team, and coach Tony Thomas plans to use him at that position in college.

Thomas said, "He (Bartman) has an excellent chance to start next season. We are losing our starting catcher; therefore, he will certainly get a crack at the No. 1 catching position. He is one of the hardest-working kids around, and he is a good listener. His day-to-day improvement over the past couple of years has been outstanding. He gives us a lot of plus aspects for the future with his work ethic."

Bartman said, "I have been working with the coaches at Lincoln College for the past two years, and I know the system pretty well. It gives me an opportunity to stay close to home and play some good baseball for a couple of years. I have worked out with coach Thomas in the off-season past couple of years and that should be a big help, since I already know a lot of the philosophy."

Bartman has gotten off to a slow start at the plate this season with a .208 average; however, he has driven in six runs for the Railers and has been coming on strong of late. He has thrown out better than 40 percent of the base runners attempting to steal thus far this season. Last season, his junior year, Bartman hit .262 with eight RBIs.

Lincoln High School coach Pat Hake said, "Andrew is a throwback type player who loves to play the game. He is very knowledgeable and knows how to play. He definitely fits the catcher mold. He is a good leader along with being a vocal leader, and he has a good sense of humor."

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

High school baseball

Lincoln varsity baseball vs. Springfield

[APRIL 20, 2001]  After having to score five runs in the sixth inning to beat Springfield 5-4 on Tuesday, the Lincoln Railers proved it wasn’t a fluke and won more decisively on Thursday, 4-1, at Lanphier Park in Springfield. And after committing 12 errors in their previous two games combined, the Railers played without an official miscue the entire game, the first time that has occurred all season. It came at a great time, as Lincoln moved to 12-4 on the year and 3-3 in the Central State Eight—now having one more conference win than they had all last season.

[to top of second column in this article]

[Ryne Komnick delivers a seventh-inning pitch leading to the second out.]

[The Railers discuss a sixth-inning, two-out
first-and-third situation.]

High school softball

[APRIL 20, 2001] 

Illini Central and Havana played a softball game in Mason City yesterday afternoon. Havana won 9-3.

Brooke Oney pitched for Illini Central, and Sarah Alcorn was the catcher.

Reba Winkelman made two hits for the Lady Cougars.

Havana’s pitcher was Specketer, and the catcher was Conway.

Illini Central is 2-10.

Score by innings

Illini Central    000 201 0 – 3-4-2

Havana           210 320 1 – 9-4-2

Lincoln and Jacksonville competed in a softball game yesterday afternoon, here in Lincoln. Lincoln won 1-0.

Hilary Schweitzer was Lincoln’s pitcher, and Emily Wilkinson was the catcher. Schweitzer was recognized for her outstanding pitching (six strikeouts, no walks).

Lori Reinwald batted in one runner for the Lady Railers.

Long pitched for Jacksonville, and Valentine was the catcher.

Lincoln is 5-11 overall and 2-4 in the Central State Eight Conference. Jacksonville is 3-10 overall and 0-5 in the conference.

Score by innings

Lincoln          001 000 x – 1-2-1

Jacksonville   000 000 0 – 0-4-2

[to top of second column in this article]

Olympia traveled to Pontiac yesterday afternoon for a softball game. The game went into two extra innings before the teams broke the tie. The final score was 2-1, Pontiac.

Jessis Shay pitched her 10th game for Oly, and this was only her second loss. Alicia Flessner was the team’s catcher.

Tiffany Prager made two hits for the Lady Spartans, and Liz Sunday batted in one runner.

Chelsea Nelson pitched for Pontiac, and Chelsey Rogers was the catcher.

Olympia’s record is now 10-2-2. They are 2-1 in the Corn Belt Conference. Pontiac is 9-2 overall and 2-0 in their conference.

Score by innings

Olympia    000 000 100 – 1-7-2

Pontiac      001 000 001 – 2-5-2

[LDN]

High school track and field

Lincoln vs. Mahomet-Seymour

[APRIL 20, 2001]  Lincoln’s boys made tracks over to Mahomet yesterday afternoon for a track-and-field meet with Mahomet-Seymour. The host team won 92-52.

The events in which Lincoln’s athletes earned first place are as follows:

100 meters—Chris Meyer, 11.4

200 meters—Tommy-John Gallagher, 24.6

400 meters—Tommy-John Gallagher, 54.4

300 intermediate hurdles—Chris Meyer, 44.9

High jump—Chris Meyer, 5-6

[LDN]

College baseball

Lincoln College vs. Parkland College

[APRIL 20, 2001]  Lincoln’s and Parkland College’s baseball teams went to bat yesterday afternoon. Parkland won 13-3

Whetsone was Lincoln pitcher. Barker replaced him in the fourth inning, and Knepper took over in the sixth inning. Robert Sherren was the team’s catcher.

Brad Bone hit two singles for the Lynx.

Widegren pitched for Parkland, and Heaberlin was the team’s catcher.

Lincoln’s baseball record is 13 wins and 22 losses. Parkland has 33 wins and only nine losses.

Score by innings

Lincoln College     000 000 3 – 3-6-2

Parkland College   202 115 2 – 13-11-1

[LDN]

College softball

Lincoln College vs. Spoon River

[APRIL 20, 2001]  Lincoln College’s and Spoon River’s girls competed in a softball doubleheader yesterday afternoon. In the first game, Lincoln won by two runs, 8-6. In the second game, they increased their lead by one run to win 6-3.

Brandi Barnes pitched the first game for Lincoln, and Maggie Green was the catcher.

Pistole was Spoon River’s pitcher, and Harper was their catcher.

Game 1

Score by innings

Lincoln            021 302 0 – 8-8-7

Spoon River    201 001 2 – 6-7-8

Jody Hicks pitched Lincoln’s second game, and Barnes relieved her in the sixth inning. Maggie Green was the team’s catcher again.

Spoon River’s second-game pitcher was O’Brein, and Tompkins was the catcher.

Game 2

Score by innings

Lincoln            004 200 0 – 6-9-6

Spoon River    200 001 0 – 3-10-3

Lincoln College’s softball record is now seven wins and 22 losses.

[LDN]

[APRIL 26, 2001]  This week's LDN Sports Talk takes on a different look than ever before. Since I couldn't get the LDN powers-to-be to send me out to Colorado Springs to do this interview, Race and I struggled together by e-mailing. I spent a Saturday coming up with a list of 20 to 25 questions and finally just told him to answer them when he could. He did that while going to class, studying for a test, practicing and, I think, writing a paper. It is very easy for a sports writer like me to have nothing but admiration for young men like Race Steinfort. I'm glad people like him are protecting Payne at night while he sleeps (or keeps his parents up). I hope you loyal LDN fans will enjoy Race's written response to my list of questions as much as I did! On behalf of the LDN, thank you, Race. We all wish you nothing but the best!

Response from Race Steinfort

I’ve been at the USAF Academy for almost three years now. I am currently a Second Class Cadet (junior) and I am still happy with my decision to come, though during my Fourth Class year (freshman) I wasn’t so sure about that one.

[Marshal Haylett and Lincolnite Race Steinfort, teammates on the U.S. Air Force Academy swim team, the Falcons, pose on a crisp-looking day in the Colorado Rockies.]

The application process was a pretty lengthy one. It entailed sending in an application to both the academy and my congressmen, including my representative, the Illinois senators and the vice president. Any of those four government officials could give me a nomination to the academy. Rep. Dick Durbin gave me my nomination. The process for nomination consisted of a few questionnaires and an interview. The next step was to get accepted to the academy. This consisted of a physical fitness test, a very lengthy application with everything from medical history to police records to exactly why I wanted to attend the academy, an interview with an Air Force liaison officer, and an essay on why I wanted to come and what I wanted to do in the Air Force.

One of my requirements for a college was Division I swimming, with the other being aeronautical engineering. I planned on swimming here, and there’s no doubt that it has helped me make it through here. I have been one of the top backstrokers here, placing sixth in both the 100 back and 200 back at the Mountain West Conference, with a 50.02 and a 1:50.09 respectively. My best swim at that meet was in the morning, where I finally broke 1:50 in the 200 back to go a 1:49.39, my lifetime best.

We do get to travel quite a bit. We usually alternate with teams, going to their place one year and having them here the next. The main teams we always swim against are University of Washington, BYU, Utah, UNLV and Wyoming, to name a few. We also travel during Christmas break. We usually leave shortly after Christmas to go somewhere warm like California or Florida to train day in and day out for a little over a week.

[to top of second column in this section]

The question of whether or not being intercollegiate is an advantage is a pretty tough one. Yes, it has helped me a lot, but it has also made some aspects of life more difficult. The best part of being on a team here is the camaraderie and the friendships. We have a very close team here, and all the guys on the team look out for each other like brothers.

The hardest part of the academy is the loss of freedom during freshman year. You come from a high school where you are at the top of the chain, and you walk into a place where you are worth less than the dirt on the ground. It provides quite a bit of emotional stress among other things. I seriously doubted why I came, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to stay. Everyone was always yelling at me and nothing seemed to be good enough. There was dust inside the smoke detector, a spot on the sink and my shoes were NEVER shiny enough (just a few of the things they’d pick on). The goal was to put as much stress on us as possible to weed out the people who didn’t want to be there and teach the rest of us how to deal with stress. That was pretty much all of basic training and freshman year.

This is where swimming and the team really helped me to get away and remember that I do have friends, and mainly, I wasn’t in this alone. Going down to the pool every day also helps to get away from the academic grind.

This, however, is also where sports are not so much an advantage. We, as intercollegiates, do not have a lighter academic load than anyone else here, despite the fact that we have three to four hours of our afternoon devoted to practice. This provides for many late nights and long weekends doing homework and studying. I’m taking 22.5 hours this semester as well as swimming for three hours every afternoon. Along with this, we, as cadets, have mandatory formations, In Rank Inspections (IRIs—uniform inspections) and Additional Morning Inspections (AMIs—room inspections) which we have to prepare and clean for at least twice a week and sometimes more depending on the leadership and how we did the previous week.

Traveling with the team is another bonus, in that for a weekend or at least a day or two you get to leave the academy and get away for a while. The only problem with that is that you miss classes and usually fall behind in the process, and catching up with 22 hours is not easy! Despite the disadvantages, the friends and the break from the grind for a day or two or even just a few hours in the day make being an intercollegiate well worth it in my mind.

(To be continued)

Announcements

Golf outing planned

[APRIL 12, 2001]  Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation has set Friday, June 29, for their seventh annual golf outing at the Elk’s Country Club in Lincoln.

The format will again be a four-person scramble with a 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. shotgun start. The $75 entry fee includes greens fee and free cart rental, along with opportunities to win prizes and awards, including Hole-in-One, Top Foursomes, Longest Putt, Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin, for both men and women. Also provided are a continental breakfast and buffet luncheon.

In addition to golfing, a variety of sponsorships are available, including Tee, Cart and Prize Sponsorships. Appropriate recognition and benefits are provided for each sponsor.

All funds raised from the golf outing support the ALMH Care-A-Van service. The Care-A-Van is a specially equipped van, custom-built to provide non-emergency transportation for individuals who are wheelchair-bound or need transportation assistance to get to necessary appointments.

For more information on player registration or sponsorship opportunities, please call Cynthia Kelley at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 405.

[News release]

Back to top

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Letters to the Editor