Sports News,  Sports Talk,  Announcements

Sports News Elsewhere  (fresh daily from the Web)

[AUG. 31, 2001]  Rematch: A second match between the same teams, usually played with vivid memories of the first match.  Super rematch: A match played between two teams that have recently met in a supersectional. That was the pre-game billing for last night’s high school girls volleyball match between the Lincoln Lady Railers and the Morton Lady Potters. The Railers and the Potters had tangled in last season’s Class AA Supersectional. The Railers, ultimately on their way to a fourth-place place finish in the state tournament, readily disposed of the Potters. But that was last year.

The atmosphere at the Potterdome in Morton was nothing like your usual early season matchup. There were large crowds for both teams, lots of noise, lots of emotion, a hard-fought battle and ultimately the same result. The Lady Railers (2-0) defeated Morton (0-1) in successive games, 15-7, 15-10. But the victory didn’t come easy.

In Game 1 the Railers jumped out to a quick start, briefly let the Potters back in, and then finished well. The Railers quickly took a 5-0 lead behind the serving of Kelli Gleason and the front-line play of Samantha Conrady and Christina Cook. Morton, though, quickly fought back and brought the score to 6-5. After a series of scoring exchanges, the score was 8-7. Railer Coach Charissa Howe had had enough and called a timeout. Whatever she said to her team worked, especially on Darcy White and Kari McFadden. Darcy, playing consistently great defense and serving out the last six points of the game, along with Kari’s net play, shut Morton down and brought home the 15-7 final score.

Game 2 was not so easy. The two teams were tied on six occasions. The Railers had to work hard and come from behind to pull off the victory. Game 2 began with a seesaw battle as each team refused to let much distance come between them. A whole team effort by the Railers held Morton to mostly one- and two-point leads. But in the end, the Railers’ consistency pulled them through to victory. Strong serving by Darcy White, Megan Franz and an end-game run by Kelli Gleason provided the back-line offensive punch. Christina Cook led the way on the front line but was strongly supported throughout with crucial kills by Michelle McFadden, Samantha Conrady and Kari McFadden. After another crucial heart-to-heart timeout talk from coaches Howe and Conrady, with Lincoln down 8-10, the Railers never looked back. They scored seven unanswered points to finish out the game and match.

[to top of second column in this article]

Overall the Lady Railers looked fundamentally solid and consistently strong. They hustled throughout the match and refused to lose, especially in Game 2.

The strong and emotional front-line play of Samantha, Kari, Christina and Michelle consistently created points and side outs for the Railers. I thought Michelle McFadden (in spite of being a freshman starter, with all the pressure that goes with that characterization) did a quiet but tremendous job at the net. Kelli Gleason did a marvelous job of covering every inch of the Potterdome floor while making excellent sets for her teammates and providing a few surprise dinks and consistent on-target serves of her own at crucial moments. Darcy played her usual excellent defense, diving on the floor everywhere, and served strongly throughout the match. Missy Aper, Megan Franz, Christina Xamis and Mindy Crawford came in and provided crucial points and defense throughout the match.

Coach Howe strategically substituted role players, called timeouts at appropriate points in both games and apparently motivated her team to win. After each timeout, the Lady Railers did not allow Morton another point and went on to win each game.

The Railers’ next test will come this weekend in the Centennial Invitational.

The Lady Railer JV squad showed a never-say-die attitude as they went on to also defeat Morton, by the match score of 15-12, 8-15 and 15-13. Among many other highlights was the serving of Katie Green, Julie Fults and Mia Benitez, along with the convincing kills by Kendall Paulus.

[Rick Hobler]

Reinwald’s team takes third, Zurkamer
comes in sixth in competition abroad

[AUG. 28, 2001]  Lori Reinwald stole home for the only run to lead her team to third place in People to People Sports Ambassadors competition in Haarlem, The Netherlands, while Luke Zurkamer, 18, placed sixth in decathlon at the Deaflympics in Rome, Italy. Both international competitors are from Lincoln.

American teams took all three medals in the People to People softball competition. The Titans, Reinwald’s team, played two German, one Dutch and two American teams. She played center field in all five matches, clocking as much game time as any Titan.

[Lori Reinwald (right) with her People to People friends, Thierry (Cherry) from the Netherlands and Leeanne England from Ottawa, Ill.]

Reinwald was chosen for the program in part for her bunting ability and used it to get on base and to move players around the bases. She was also the fastest runner on her team and stole several bases. In the match against Hamburg, Germany, for third place, she stole home for the only score in the game.

Although practices were less demanding than Reinwald expected, she said her coach, Bill Callaghan, was "really good" and she "actually learned a lot in five to six days." She improved her bunting range, with emphasis on drag, slap and left-handed bunts.

[Lori Reinwald with her team.  Reinwald is located in the far back right corner.]

The German teams used slow pitch and Reinwald found it "harder to hit a slow pitcher." "There was good competition," she added; "the games were close." In fact, her first two games went into extra innings.

Zurkamer’s best events in the Deaflympics decathlon were the throwing competitions and 1,500-meter run. In javelin he bested his qualifying time of a year ago by 30 feet to about 157. In discuss he improved from 96 to 110 feet and in shot put from 34 feet, 10 inches to 35-1. In the 1,500 he ran his lifetime best of 4:48.

[Luke Zurkamer]

Results are approximate because the Deaflympics, affiliated with the international Olympics, was slow to notify him of results. At the event about 5,000 athletes from 70 nations competed from July 21 to Aug. 1. The U.S. team had 290 members. The 70 in track and field won 12 gold and many silver and bronze medals.

[to top of second column in this article]

In June 2000 when he qualified for the U.S. team, Zurkamer scored a total of 4,200 in the 10 events; in Rome he improved to 4,500. His coach, Nancy Benson of Maryland, also coached the women’s heptathlon. The teams practiced in Washington, D.C., beginning July 7.

Overall, Reinwald rated hers a good experience and found it "neat to hang out with" the other American and European players. She experienced no communication problems because everyone spoke English. All 10 teams plus the boys in People to People Sports Ambassadors baseball competition attended a barbecue and disco party.

About half the 11-day trip (July 29-Aug. 8) was spent touring with a Dutch-born guide. Reinwald said the group took "lots of canal cruises and bus tours," saw the Anne Frank house and the World War II monument in Amsterdam and a mini Holland layout in The Hague, and viewed "cathedrals and neat old buildings" in Cologne and elsewhere. She was impressed with the amount of bicycle traffic. "The bikes will run you over," she said.

[(Left to right) Decathlon competitors from France, 
Germany, USA (Zurkamer), Italy and Bulgaria] 

Zurkamer, 18, had only one free day to tour Rome. His father, Mark Zurkamer, said Luke had some trouble communicating because there are 14 sign languages, and the foreign athletes did not sign as he does. Still he enjoyed trading parts of his American uniform, including the coat to a German and the vest for a German hat. He also returned with a couple of international T-shirts. Mark and Carmen Zurkamer traveled to Rome to form the cheering section. 

Luke hopes to try out as a wrestler for the next Deaflympics, to be in Melbourne, Australia, in January or February 2005. His father said Luke is actually a better wrestler than decathlete but was recruited for the track-and-field team at the 2000 Central State Deaf Track Meet.

Zurkamer left Aug. 14 for Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., to practice for the football team. He is a freshman at the university.

[Lynn Spellman]

[AUG. 28, 2001]  Saturday was a great day at the races with 23 soap box cars and drivers testing their limits on the South Kickapoo Street hill. Sgt. Ken Greenslate and Chief Rich Montcalm from the Lincoln City Police Department lent their support, serving about 200 delicious grilled hot dogs from the DARE-Neighborhood Watch Wagon at the event site. Thanks to the work of Rod Steele, many area youth enjoyed a new adventure.

Winners by age and division:

7- to 9-year-olds

Stock

1. Tyler Hartman, Mount Pulaski

2. Justin Knauer, Mount Pulaski

3. Ryan Amieon, Mount Pulaski

Super stock

1. Cole Awe, Mount Pulaski

2. Charles Aylesworth, Mount Pulaski

3. Caleb Painter, Lincoln

Custom

1. Mackenzie Oberreiter, Mount Pulaski

2. Will Wernsing, Mount Pulaski

3. Jonathon Oberreiter, Mount Pulaski

Masters

1. Nathan Lilly, Mount Pulaski

10- to 15-year-olds

Stock

1. Ethan Taylor, Latham

2. Nathan Treuthart, Lincoln

3. Ryan Gibbs, Mount Pulaski

Super stock

1. Kelsey Oglesby, Lake Fork

2. Christine Presswood, Lincoln

3. Jonathon Clevenger, Mount Pulaski

Custom

1. Mary Jane Letterle, Mount Pulaski

2. Kody Letterle, Mount Pulaski

3. Ethan Taylor, Latham

Masters

1. Kody Letterle, Mount Pulaski

[Click here for an earlier report on the derby]

[AUG. 28, 2001]  At the Sky’s the Limit 5K run hosted by the Lincoln Park District on Saturday morning, Jackson Johnson, 20, was the overall first-place runner in the male division. Barb Bowlby, 40, was the overall first-place runner in the female division. Runners and their times in order of finish are listed below.

Jackson Johnson, 15:16.91

Greg Collingwood, 17:53.58

Rob Flatner, 19:29.16

Bob DeHart, 20:15.62

Barb Bowlby, 21:10.18

Jeff Schleder, 21:32.57

Ryan Seggelke, 21:45.26

Jim Winter, 21:48.79

Kent Birmingham, 22:08.08

Doug Ebelherr, 22:19.26

Rod Lewis, 22:40.82

Stacey Douglas, 22:42.71

Jim Stahl, 23:00.22

Chuck Bernardes, 23:24.88

Don Johnson, 23:41.62

Lanny Lobdell, 23:41.62

Roy Ballinger, 25:00.74

Earl Thayer, 25:03.86

Don Shull, 25:11.83

Tom Phillip, 25:52.66

Kate Ruggless, 25:54.74

Steve Barmes, 26:03.07

Sheri Taylor, 26:41.14

Brenda Phillis, 26:14.41

Amy Madigan, 26:43.44

Amy Zachary, 27:18.33

Anne Saggins, 27:48.66

Marsha Perring, 28:25.86

Kelly McCraith, 29:40.54

Dawn Lanning, 29:40.54

Dave Hawkinson, 32:29.33

Beth Thomas, 33:51.63

[AUG. 27, 2001]  The second day of the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival kicked off with the balloon fest’s first derby organized by the Lincoln Soap Box Downhillers. This peculiarly American tradition thrives on our universal passion for anything that goes fast, even when driven by gravity.

Spectator Henry Johnson of Lincoln stated, "This is really nostalgic for me. My brother and I made our own soapbox car out of milk crates and old wheels many years ago, but it looked nothing like these."

A group of area 7- to 13-year-olds, their family and friends, gathered at 9 Saturday morning on South Kickapoo Street to try their luck. Drivers were divided into a 7- to 9-year-old age category and a 10- to 13-year-old category. Each age group was further divided into three classes: stock, super stock and custom.

[Looking like a pro, Mackenzie Oberreiter from Mount Pulaski focuses on the course before her.]

The stock division is designed to give the first-time builder a learning experience. These simplified cars are built from kits that assist the derby novice by providing a step-by-step layout for construction of a basic lean-forward style car. The super stock division gives competitors an opportunity to expand their knowledge and build a more advanced model. Both of these beginner levels make use of kits and shells available from the All-American Soap Box Derby Association. Many of the cars racing Saturday had been purchased second-hand from a supplier in Rockford who recycles cars that have already appeared in two national competitions, the limit for an individual car.

[to top of second column in this article]

The third class is intended for custom-built racers designed using other materials. Mike Oberreiter from Mount Pulaski said that his son’s custom car was "built from plywood and stuff we already had in the garage!"

Every builder has his own theory on the best style, fastest color of paint and most efficient wind design. Some builders go so far as to take cars to wind tunnels to experiment with a better aerodynamic design.

Oberreiter’s speed theory was more basic. He directed his son to continue spinning the racer’s wheels while waiting for his turn to race, stating: "It’s all in the wheels. If you keep spinning the wheels, the bearings stay warm and the car runs faster."

The sport has certainly come a long way since Johnson and his brother pushed each other up and down the block.

In addition to the three Oberreiter drivers, many of Saturday’s racers were Mount Pulaski youngsters who are pursuing a renewed interest in the sport triggered by local competitions in their community since 1998.

The Lincoln competition was based on double elimination, guaranteeing each racer at least two chances to fly down the wide sloping street in their gravity-powered creations.

[Judy Rader]

[Click here for race results]

[AUG. 31, 2001]  In August 2000, most Illinois football fans were greatly anticipating the upcoming 2000 season. Illinois had just completed their first winning season since 1994 and their best overall season since the days of John Mackovic way back in 1990. The icing on the cake was the phenomenal bowl game victory over Virginia, where the Illinois offense recorded an incredible 63 points, the most points scored in any bowl game for ’99-’00.

The season started great, with blowout victories over Middle Tennessee in Champaign and against San Diego State in Southern California. Week three brought a scare against Pac-10 team California-Berkley in Champaign, a game in which the franchise, Kurt Kittner, was injured and didn’t play most of the second half. However, Illinois held on and won 17-15 and appeared poised to make a run for the Roses.

Unfortunately, the storybook season ended on Saturday night, Sept. 23, when Illinois blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead against Michigan and lost 35-31. Including the Michigan loss, Illinois finished the season 5-6, and only 2-6 in the Big Ten.

While many Illini fans will point to terrible calls by Big Ten referees which cost Illinois games against Michigan and Michigan State (and rightfully so), the bottom line is this: Illinois’ defense in 2000 could not have stopped Sam Moore, much less the likes of Anthony Thomas (Michigan), T.J. Duckett (Michigan State), Damien Anderson (Northwestern) or any other quality Big Ten running back. All of this brings us to one very important question:

What will football 2001 bring for the Illinois team and their long overdue fans?

Illinois should once again be very exciting on offense, led by three-year starter and Heisman Trophy candidate Kurt Kittner at quarterback and several very good skill position players. However, the defense introduces six new starters, and the offensive line loses two absolute studs in Marcus Sullivan and Ray Redzeniak, both of whom will now play on Sundays.

The LDN today looks at Illinois’ team, position by position, and also highlights five players you can count on to carry their weight and five players who must establish themselves early and often if Illinois hopes to improve on last season’s 5-6 season record.

Illinois position-by-position rating

Quarterback — A major strength if Kittner stays healthy (he missed significant time in both the California win and the Ohio State loss and did not dress in the Northwestern blowout). If Kittner goes down, look out. Dustin Ward is a great local kid (Centennial HS in Champaign) but is not a Big Ten starting quarterback. However, Kittner is projected to be the first QB taken in next April’s NFL draft by Espn.com know-it-all Mel Kiper and has an outside chance to be in New York City when the ultimate individual prize in college football is handed out on Dec. 8.

Running back — Another very strong area for Illinois. Illinois has a great two-headed monster at tailback with senior Rocky Harvey, a cat-quick player who can find the end zone and reminds some of Warrick Dunn, and junior Antonio Harris, a big, strong runner who can carry the ball 25 times a game in the Big Ten and get major chunks of yards in the process. Illinois’ best fullback last year, Jameel Cook, left early for the NFL, but Brad Haywood will step in and Illinois should not miss a beat. Haywood’s strength is blocking and pass catching, and he should do a great job protecting Kittner’s blind side.

Receiver, tight end — Sophomore Brandon Lloyd is back and Kittner cannot wait. Lloyd missed all of last year due to a freak accident in the summer of 2000 but is back and has big-play capability every time he touches the ball. Junior Walter Young, junior Greg Lewis, sophomore Eric McGoey and sophomore Dwayne Smith round out a very solid core, with Young’s 6-foot-5 frame allowing Illinois to have a very tall target for Kittner. At tight end, four-year starter Josh Wittman leaves, but Brian Hodges steps right in for Wittman and is definitely a better athlete. Look for Chatham’s Ken Boyle to get significant minutes at TE as well.

Offensive line — This will be the deepest the OL positions have been since coach Ron Turner came to Illinois in 1997, but the loss of Sullivan and Redzeniak must be filled by quality. At posting time, center Luke Butkus (senior, 6-4, 290), guard Jay Kulaga (senior, 6-5, 300) and tackle Tony Pashos (junior, 6-6, 315) all appear to be returning to their starting positions. The best of the bunch is Butkus, who will follow his famous uncle, Dick, and play in the NFL. Look for Rantoul’s Sean Bubin (sophomore, 6-7, 300) and freshman Bucky Babcock (freshman, 6-6, 399) to round out the starting lineup.

Defensive line — This is the most crucial position for the 2001 Illinois football team. If LBs and safeties continue to lead the team in tackles, look for a long and losing season. However, if ends like Mike O’Brien, Derrick Strong and returning starter Terrell Washington can step up and create a significant pass rush, things could be different this season. The real test will be to see if tackles Jamie Hanton (juco transfer, 290 pounds), sophomore Charles Gilstrap (290 pounds) and senior Brandon Moore (285 pounds) can imitate Warren Sapp and stop teams from running up the gut at Illinois’ defense. If teams continue to run through Illinois, Kittner and crew will find themselves forced to play catch-up most of the season.

[to top of second column in this article]

Linebacker — Illinois returns just one starter, sophomore Jerry Schumacher. However, Illinois’ staff feels juco transfer Mario Ivy from Edwardsville and Ohioan Ty Myers are ready to become the next great Illini backers. Depth should be a strength at this position, as the staff feels they have seven legitimate starting linebackers, but only Schumacher has game experience. Translation: Only time will tell if this position continues as an Illini strength.

Defense backfield — Should be Illinois’ greatest strength on defense, led by senior starting safeties Bobby Jackson and Muhammad Abdullah, both four-year starters. They are backed up at safety by junior Marc Jackson, who will see plenty of time when Illinois goes to the nickel (five defense backs in the game) or dime (six defensive backs in the game) defense. The starting corners will be sophomore Christian Morton, former quarterback and the fastest player on the Illini roster, and junior Eugene Wilson, a two-year starter. Illinois plans to blitz early and often, leaving Morton and Wilson "on an island" with quality receivers. However, Turner and staff feel that Wilson is a great cornerback already and mention the name "Deion" when reflecting on the ability of Morton. Juco transfer Mike Hall will see serious minutes as well.

Kicking, punting — J.J. Tubbs will have a chance to be Illinois’ regular place-kicker but will have to show up game in and game out, something that did not happen last fall. Turner will not allow senior Steve Fitts to both punt and place kick, as the Illini staff felt Fitts’ punting, his real strength, suffered in the second half of many games. Look for Fitts to punt exclusively and possibly challenge for All-Big Ten punter. If Tubbs struggles, Turner will look to true freshman Steve Weatherford from Terre Haute North HS.

Five players you can count on

1. Kurt Kittner — He is the real deal, the franchise. If he is healthy, records will fall.

2. Brandon Lloyd — His big-play ability and deep threat will make a major impact.

3. Luke Butkus — A great center who anchors a very strong line.

4. Rocky Harvey — A three-year starter who leaves it all on the field.

5. Steve Fitts — A really good punter who will help Illinois win the "field position" game.

Five players who must step up

1. Christian Morton, CB/WR — Could become the program’s second most exciting player.

2. Dwayne Smith, WR — Has the athletic ability to give Illinois’ their best 1-2 receiver punch since the Williams boys played in the ’80s.

3. Sean Bubin, OT — Must replace All-American Sullivan — has the talent, but will he come through when needed?

4. Jerry Schumacher — Needs to play more like Dana Howard (circa 1994) than Michael Young (circa 2000).

5. J.J. Tubbs or Steve Weatherford, K — Several games could come down to how good Illinois’ place-kicking is in 2001.

Season forecast

Sept. 1 at California — Illinois wins a wild one, 35-24.

Sept. 8 vs. Northern Illinois — Illinois blows out the Huskies, 49-14.

Sept. 15 vs. Louisville — Illinois outlasts the Cards, 38-28.

Sept. 22 at Michigan — Big Blue too tough for Illinois, 35-28.

Oct. 6 vs. Minnesota — Illinois breaks through against the Gophers, 31-21.

Oct. 13 at Indiana — Illinois says goodbye to Randle El in style, 38-17.

Oct. 20 vs. Wisconsin — Badgers grind out victory, 24-21.

Nov. 3 at Purdue — Illinois falls to the retooled Tiller team, 31-24.

Nov. 10 vs. Penn State — Illinois overcomes Joe Pa, 31-23.

Nov. 17 at Ohio St. — The Bucks are too much, 31-17.

Nov. 11 vs. Northwestern — Illinois upsets the Cats on Turkey Day, 35-34.

Final projected record: 7-4 (4-4 in Big Ten)

[Greg Taylor]

Announcements

[JULY 17, 2001]  A 3-on-3 basketball tournament will be part of the Delavan Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 1.

There will be numerous divisions for males and females age 8 and up. This is a double-elimination tournament with awards to first-, second- and third-place teams in each division. Each player will also receive a T-shirt.

The tournament will include 3-point contests and free-throw contests throughout the day, with prizes awarded.

For more information or to obtain an entry form, call Jack Wheeler at (309) 244-9881 or Dennis Moehring at (309) 244-9241. Entries must be received by Friday, Aug. 17.

Back to top