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LC player signs

[JUNE 10, 2002]  Chicago State has announced the signing of Steve Turner to a letter of intent to play basketball.

Turner played in 33 games last season at Lincoln College. He averaged 12.1 points per game and pulled down 167 rebounds while playing a team-high of 952 minutes. The Lynx freshman connected on 148 of 330 field goal attempts and added 80 of 103 at the foul line.

Coach McCullum of Lincoln College said, "Steve will be sorely missed on and off the court. He was a leader and a very good player. Chicago State is getting a good one."

 Coach Bob Ellis of Chicago State is a former Marquette University standout. 

Turner is the seventh Division I player to sign out of Lincoln College in the past four years under McCullum. Turner will have three years of eligibility at Chicago State.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

[JUNE 7, 2002]  Bright Ideas triumphed over Waterstreet Catering by a score of 18 to 8

Jace Barns (1-0) got the win for Bright Ideas. Andrew Ulry went 3-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer and two singles. Blair Bruns went 2-for-4 with two singles and three RBIs. Tyler Jones went 3-for-5 with three singles and two RBIs. Tad Juilfs had one single and two RBIs. Jace Barns and Randy Singleton each scored three runs.

Brock Heibreder took the loss for Waterstreet Catering. Tyson Smith went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Matt Graham and Cody Swartz both hit singles.

[Provided by Thomas McGlasson]

[JUNE 7, 2002]  The Lincoln Railers had their season finale baseball banquet and appreciation program Wednesday night at the Knights of Columbus. About 150 people attended the event, enjoyed a delicious meal, reflected on the season as game-video highlights were shown, and shared in honoring three teams, four coaches and some individual players for special achievements.

The program began with a brief review of some of the accomplishments spearheaded by the booster club, including the installation of a new yellow-capped outfield fence, the construction of a second two-mound bullpen and an improved batting cage, the purchase of a new pitching machine, and the addition of new uniforms and equipment.

Freshman coach Jeff Cooper distributed certificates to the players on his team, which went one game over .500 and won five of the last six games. The freshman season was regarded as very successful, although it was frustrated by the cancellation of about a dozen games due to inclement weather. Cooper humorously stated that "every time the words ‘freshman’ and ‘baseball’ are used in the same sentence, it rains."

[Photos provided by Rich Knopp]
[Four senior leaders on this year’s team were (left to right) Blake Schoonover, Danny Schick, Andy Knopp and Ryan Williams.]

The 11-10 sophomore team was headed by veteran Chester-East Lincoln coach and first-year high school coach Gary Stoltzenburg, who described his season and the entire high school baseball program in very positive terms. His players "were never out of a game" due to their spirit and determination.

Second-year head coach Pat Hake and assistant coach Brad Shaw awarded certificates and some special awards to the Lincoln varsity players. Second-year letter winners included junior catcher John Peters; senior designated hitter Jeremy Ohmart; senior Michael Aper, who was used as the team’s primary pinch runner; and pitcher Matt Boyer.

[The only four-year letter award went to manager Brian Boyer.]

Third-year varsity letters were granted to junior pitcher and first baseman Ryne Komnick; senior pitcher, first baseman and outfielder Ryan Williams; senior shortstop and pitcher Blake Schoonover; senior center fielder Danny Shick; senior outfielder Michael Martin; and senior second baseman Andy Knopp. The only four-year letter winner was senior Brian Boyer, who served as a dedicated team manager throughout his high school tenure. Brian also received a special picture plaque.

The varsity was 18-16 on the year and brought home the first regional championship trophy since 1991.

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Four players were all-conference selections: Matt Boyer, Blake Schoonover, Andy Knopp and Mitch Sheley. Two made the academic all-conference team: Danny Schick and Michael Martin, who will continue his baseball playing at Springfield College. Six players ended the season hitting .323 or higher: Danny Schick, Ryan Williams, Blake Schoonover, Jeremy Ohmart, Mitch Sheley and Andy Knopp. Williams will attend Millikin University and play baseball.

Special recognition was given to players for their performance and attitude. Sophomore Mitch Sheley received the "most improved" award. Sheley ended up second on the team in batting average, at .381. Senior Michael Aper was recognized as the base-stealing leader, having stolen 19 bases and being caught only six times. The "Railer" award — the one that epitomizes the character and spirit of Railer baseball — went to senior first-year letter winner Adam Schonauer.

Senior Blake Schoonover was recognized for his pitching excellence and defense. Schoonover had the team’s lowest ERA, at 2.10. Schoonover had a 3-2 record along with two saves. Schoonover, who is headed to Kankakee Community College to play baseball, also received the team’s defensive award for his consistent play at shortstop.

[Matt Boyer received special awards for varsity pitching.]

Senior Matt Boyer was granted the pitching award as the team’s pitching ace and received the team-leading award for number of strikeouts. Boyer fanned 50 and had 27 walks, a 2.87 ERA and an 8-3 pitching record. He pitched all three of the state tournament games for Lincoln, going 2-1. Boyer has not yet signed to play baseball with a college but probably will.

Senior second baseman Andy Knopp received team-leading awards for batting average (.385) and RBIs (26, with four home runs). He also was acknowledged as the team’s most valuable player. Knopp, who has signed to play baseball at Western Illinois University, had a slow start offensively. He hit just .226 in his first 13 games. After an eye problem was diagnosed, he began wearing glasses and batted .450 during his final 21 games and .625 during the state playoffs.

Coaches Pat Hake, Brad Shaw, Gary Stoltzenburg and Jeff Cooper should receive much credit for making the season not only successful but enjoyable. Athletic director Darrell Hanslow is to be thanked for his diligence in reacting to the unpredictable weather and rescheduling games.

Best wishes to the administration, the coaches and the players as the Railer program continues to build on its most impressive season.

[Rich Knopp]

[JUNE 4, 2002]  In a Pony Division baseball game Monday, June 3, Brian Willmert led the way in the Knights of Columbus Phillies’ 11-1 victory over the Bloomington Astros. He threw a complete game five-inning no-hitter and had 13 strikeouts for the game.

Offensively the Phillies were led by a double by Joey Heidbreder and singles by Jeremy Moore, Jonathan Lessen and David Williams.

[Provided by Duane Moore]

[JUNE 4, 2002]  Waterstreet Catering improved to 2-0 by defeating the Mason City Cobras 15-12 in Bronco League action.

Waterstreet stats: Nate Kunkel was 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Tyson Smith went 3-for-3 and scored three times. Jon Oliver reached base and scored three times, along with playing great defense at shortstop.

Mason City stats: Cole Brownfield reached base four times, had two doubles and scored three times. Trent Gardner had two hits, a walk and two RBIs.

[Provided by T.J. Swarts]

[JUNE 4, 2002]  The Lincoln Gator Swim Club came away from this past weekend’s season-opening meet with outstanding achievements. This was the first USS long-course meet of the summer season.  It was hosted by the Decatur Swim Club. Competition was fierce as teams from all over the state attended the three-day event at Nelson Pool in Decatur.

Coached by Heidi Heidbreder, the Gators had an exciting weekend setting team records, meet records and also one Junior Olympic qualifying time. Stephanie Couch, Gabrielle Ernst, Brennan Elsas, Sam Wood and Alberta Danley set team records. Elsas set both a meet and team record with his time of 44.02 in the 50 backstroke.

Elsas placed first overall in the 8 & Under Boys division and Sam Wood achieved a JO time in the 100 fly. That time qualifies him for the state meet the first part of August.

Lincoln Gator Swim Club results

Summer opener:  May 31-June 2 in Decatur

8 & Under Girls

Sara Fuller          50 fly         8th          1:14.96

                           50 free      9th             56.62

                           50 breast   6th          1:08.79

                           50 back   10th          1:10.20

8 & Under Boys

Brennan Elsas      50 fly        1st              42.88

                           50 free      1st              37.07

                           50 breast   1st             52.34

(team record)

                            50 back    1st             44.02

(meet record and team record)

Zach Ziemba        50 fly        2nd            49.98

                            50 free      4th             41.72

                            50 breast   7th          1:10.55

                            50 back     5th            57.74

10 & Under Girls

Alberta Danley    800 free     40th        15:27.95

(team record)

                            100 back  14th B      1:53.97

                              50 fly      10th B         48.50

                              50 free      7th B         41.03

                            100 breast 17th B      2:08.72

                            200 IM      16th         3:46.01

                           100 free       1st B      1:27.71

                             50 breast  13th B        57.79

                             50 back    13th B        53.30

                           100 fly          7th B     2:01.53

Ashlyn Schleder   100 back     10th B    1:51.23

                             50 fly           2nd C      54.52

                             50 free         8th B       41.10

Sara Fuller           100 back     12th C    2:26.91

                           100 breast     6th C    2:26.64

                            200 IM        27th       5:07.45

                            100 free       14th C   2:09.13

                           100 fly         13th C    2:59.92

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10 & Under Boys

Sam Wood          800 free       20th     13:22.14

(team record)

                            100 back      2nd B   1:43.78

                              50 fly          2nd A     42.12

                              50 free        4th A      36.90

                            100 breast    5th A    1:56.92

                            200 IM        3rd        3:27.57

                            100 free       5th A    1:21.64

                              50 breast   4th A       52.57

                              50 back     3rd B       47.38

                            100 fly       2nd A   1:34.12

(JO time)

                           200 free   21st        3:03.65

Brennan Elsas          100 back   6th        1:39.62

(team record, 8 & Under)

                               200 IM      6th        3:32.84

(team record,  8 & Under)

                               100 free     4th A    1:20.56

(team record, 8 & Under)

                               100 fly       4th A    1:41.98

Zach Ziemba           100 free   11th B    1:35.74

                               100 fly     11th B    2:05.23

13 & 14 Girls

Gabrielle Ernst         800 free   24th     10:56.31

(team record)

                               200 IM     3rd B    3:00.62

(team record)

                              100 fly       10th B   1:27.98

                              200 back   10th B   3:11.72

(team record)

                              100 free      6th A   1:09.05

(team record)

                              100 back    5th B   1:30.70

                                50 free     2nd A      30.96

(team record)

                              200 free      7th A   2:31.99

(team record)

                              100 breast 18th B   1:48.29

Leanna Gleason      100 fly        8th C    2:00.69

                              100 free      1st C    1:26.47

                                50 free      4th B       35.58

Senior Girls

Stephanie Couch     800 free    34th     11:59.48

(team record)

[JUNE 4, 2002]  The LDN wishes to congratulate former Lady Railer Steph Reichle on her 4.0 (all A’s) GPA at ISU this year!  The junior from Lincoln was one of 22 Redbird athletes to accomplish the feat.

Nice going, Steph!

[Jeff Mayfield]

[JUNE 3, 2002]  ...Goes to former Railer Jon Barton. Jon distinguished himself and Lincoln, Ill., by graduating from West Point on Saturday and shaking hands with the president. I had the distinct privilege of being in attendance for the august ceremony and overheard the charge that President Bush presented to the new group of second lieutenants. It was an awe-inspiring event.

The LDN sports desk is always open to hearing graduation stories from other proud friends and or family members. And if you’ve got any photos, send them along to us as well. Have you ever noticed how well our Lincoln kids do on the college stage and on the national scene? I couldn’t be prouder of Jon and all of our Lincoln graduates! Same thing goes for all junior high, high school and every other graduate in Lincoln and Logan County. Nice going, everybody. You’re all making me wish that I was back in school!

This one is a no-brainer. In addition to our own Lincoln Railers winning the regional title for the first time since 1991, Olympia High School won both the Class A softball crown and the Class A baseball championship. Talk about a rare double?! That marks the first time that feat has been accomplished on the smaller-school level. Thorton pulled it off on the AA level several years ago. At any rate, congrats to all three of these stellar teams!

My personal thanks to Rick Hobler, Rich Knopp, Bill Martinie and anyone else who has been submitting stories and photos covering the athletes of Lincoln and Logan County. There is no way that the LDN could ever cover the plethora of games and contests that people like Rich, Bill and Rick help us report on. Not only that, but more times than not, their stuff is a lot better than ours! We have gone on record that we welcome your input, and these three men always deliver. My heartfelt thanks to the three of you! Keep up the good work!

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We really need your help this summer. We know that many of you are participating in sports like swimming, golf, track and field, tennis, baseball and a host of others. Please get word to us of your scores and statistics. Every month we try to improve our reporting skills, and the only way that can happen is if you let us know how you and your team are performing.

Did you really think that the Kings would eliminate the world champion Lakers? I didn’t… and I said so a few weeks ago right here in this column. Barring injury or record shooting by a road New Jersey Nets team, the Lakers will win it all again.

Every time I look up the Cubs start lookin’ better and the Cards keep stubbin’ their toe! I really like Matt Clement as a new Cubs ace. However, I’m starting to get concerned about Matt Morris’ outings. On the highlights he just looked really tired to me, and it’s only June!

...when I say that it’s so hot we should just work from inside the confines of the pool! I think we will all be more productive in a cooled-off state. If any of you are running for a political office and this plan is part of your platform, please let me know, because you just got another vote!

Have a great week, everybody!

[Jeff Mayfield]

Announcements

[JUNE 8, 2002]  Habitat for Humanity of Logan County is selling tickets to the Cardinals-Cubs game in St. Louis on Saturday, July 27. Game time is 12:15 p.m.

The cost is $20 per ticket, which includes a $1 donation to Habitat. There will also be a bus available. Bus and ticket cost is $45. The bus will leave from the Big R parking lot at 9:30 a.m. on July 27.

For tickets, call or stop by any of the following:

•  A.G. Edwards, Phil Dehner, (217) 732-3877

•  George Dahmm, (217) 732-6234

•  Chestervale Elevator, Allen Shew, (217) 732-4605

•  Illini Bank, Terry Lock, (217) 735-5400

•  MKS Jewelers, Melody Shew, (217) 732-6520

•  Chamber of Commerce, Connie Dehner, (217) 735-2385

[News release from Habitat for Humanity
of Logan County]

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