Sports News,  Past Articles,  Sports Talk,  Schedules,  Announcements

Calendar,  Sports News Elsewhere  (fresh daily from the Web)

Monday, Nov. 11

Lincoln Gator Swim Club results

[NOV. 11, 2002]  Lincoln Gator results from weekend competition at Olympia High School:

Girls 8 and under

Taylor Lowe — 25 back, seventh, B, 23.67; 25 free, 12th, B, 20.06; 25 fly, sixth, B, 23.67; 25 breast, 14th, C, 37.10; 50 free, third, C, 46.32

Kaylee McAllister — 100 IM, seventh, B, 1:52.29; 25 breast, 13th, B, 27.80; 50 free, seventh, B, 43.55

Girls 10 and under

Alberta Danley — 200 IM, second, B, 3:14.98; 500 free, first, C, 8:02.79; 50 back, third, B, 41.00; 100 free, sixth, B, 1:18.56; 100 IM, fourth, B, 1:29.39; 50 fly, ninth, B, 4.78; 50 breast, seventh, B, 47.56; 50 free, 10th, B, 335.94

Sarah Fuller — 200 IM, third, C, 4:06.73; 500 free, second, C, 9:56.02; 100 breast, second, C, 2:11.54

Ashlyn Schleder — 50 back, fourth, B, 41.10; 100 free, fourth, B, 1:17.12; 100 IM, eighth, B, 1:30.78; 50 fly, second, B, 39.27; 50 free, first, B, 34.87

Sommer Williams — 50 back, 18th, C, 59.45; 100 free, 17th, C, 1:54.42; 50 fly, 18th, C, 1:04.33; 50 free, eighth, C, 49.96

[to top of second column in this report]

Boys 10 and under

Brennan Elsas — 200 IM, first, A, 2:53.29; 50 back, first, A, 36.82; 100 free, second, A, 1:10.10; 100 IM, second, A, 1:25.06; 50 breast, second, A, 44.66; 50 free, second, A, 1.39; 50 fly, first, A, 35.87

Sam Wood — 200 IM, third, A, 3:07.51; 100 back, first, B, 1:27.38; 100 free, first, B, 1:15.61; 100 IM, third, B, 1:28.46; 100 fly, second, A, 1:25.83; 100 breast, third, B, 1:43.78; 50 free, second, B, 33.82

Zach Ziemba — 50 back, first, B, 40.22; 100 free, 17th, B, 1:24.38; 100 IM, 17th, B, 1:38.01; 50 fly, ninth, B, 44.23; 50 breast, third, C, 55.29; 50 free, 14th, B, 36.80

[Heidi Heidbreder, Gator coach]

Remembering and forgetting

By Rick Hobler

[NOV. 11, 2002]  To the 2002 Lincoln Lady Railer volleyball team:

Some things you should remember and cherish for a lifetime…

Others you should forget as soon as possible…

In the “forget” category would be Saturday night’s loss to Normal Community High School, 15-7, 15-1. They won it fair and square, and YOU NEVER QUIT. Enough said. (game stats)

In the “remember” category I would hope all of you would include, among many others:

J     Three-peat IHSA Class AA Sectional champions.

J     Three-peat IHSA Class AA Regional champions.

[Photos provided by Rick Hobler]
[Lady Railers, fourth place in State, 2000]

J     Unanimous No. 1 seed in your IHSA Sectional complex.

J     Thirty-one wins overall against some other really great teams.

J     Six wins and second place in the tough Central State Eight Conference.

J     Tournament champions at the East Peoria Tournament.

J     Second place at the elite St. Francis Borgia Tournament.

[Lady Railers, Sectional champs 2001]

J     4-1 record at the Bradley Bourbonnais Tournament.

J     The matches you won when your backs were against the wall.

J     “Humble pie” served to a certain opposing coach. 

[Lady Railers, sectional champs 2002.
Click here for more photos of this year's team]

[to top of second column in this article]

In the “cherish” category I hope you will include, among many others:

{     Your teammates and the lifelong relationships you have created this year.

{     Your excellent coaches, who are, as you know, much, much more than coaches.

{     Your parents, families, friends and fans who have been there through it all.

{     Your school and the community that enthusiastically supports it, which allowed you the privilege of representing them wherever you went.

{     Your conversations on long bus rides to and from everywhere.

{     The laughs and tears you have shared.

{     The strength of character and maturity you have gained.

{     The respect you and the Lady Railer volleyball program have earned statewide.

{     The life lessons that you have learned from being on a team, setting and working hard toward challenging goals, winning and losing, being passionate and committed, believing in yourselves while relying on each other, getting back up after being knocked down, giving it your all, and being able to proudly stand together at the end.

{     Having an experience that no one can ever take away from your memories.

And most importantly this year,

{     Missy, Mindy, Kari and Christina.

Thanks, ladies, for the privilege of watching you play. You’re the best! Enjoy the pictures and the memories they will bring to mind. HOO-AH! GO, RAILERS!!

[Rick Hobler]

Note: If you would like to comment on this or any other Rick Hobler article or our Lady Railer volleyball coverage, you may e-mail Rick at rhobler@lccs.edu or, if you prefer, ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.

High school volleyball

[NOV. 11, 2002] 

Class A super-sectionals

At Warrensburg

Mount Pulaski def. Central Catholic 15-8, 15-10.

Mount Pulaski:  Service points, Bethany Dulle and Mary Olson 7; kills, Dulle 11; Blocks, Mallory Clements 4; assists, Clements 26.

Record:  Mount Pulaski 38-2.

Class AA super-sectionals

At Bartonville

Normal Community def. Lincoln.

Lincoln:  Service points, Samantha Conrady, Maria Benitez, Brooklyn Robbins 2; kills, Kari McFadden 8; blocks, Robbins 2; assists, Robbins 16.

Record:  Lincoln 31-9.

High school cross country

[NOV. 11, 2002] 

Class A state meet - boys

At Peoria - Detweiller Park

23.Olympia 565

3 miles:  100. John Neisler, 16:36; 141. Vince McClain, 17:02; 153. Caleb Dietrich, 17:11; 159. Jason Springer, 17:18; 182. Cody Lingle, 17:42; 187. Robert Dudgeon, 17:51; 199. Andy Behrens, 18:19.

Class A state meet - girls

At Peoria - Detweiller Park

2.Olympia 179

3 miles:  29. Jill Floyd, 18:59; 32. Christa Juell, 19:01; 43. Kate Freshour, 19:12; 49. Tiffany Prager, 19:19; 129. Kristin Seggerman, 20:49; 149. Becky Hieser, 21:14; 190. Britt Fredericks, 22:33.

High school swimming

[NOV. 11, 2002] 

University High Invitational - girls

At Normal

5. Olympia

Olympia:
200-yard medley relay:  4. Olympia
Diving:  1. Sarah Alberts, 276.50;
             5. Allison Spence.
200 freestyle relay:  5. Olympia
100 breaststroke:  2. Alyssa Ludwig

LCC brings home an undefeated record

[NOV. 11, 2002]  LCC wrapped up a great weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio, starting their season 3-0.

Saturday afternoon the Preachers got past the Eagles of Toccoa Falls College from Georgia (0-3). The final score: LCC 87, TFC 83.

Coach Randy Kirk was pleased with the win, commenting on the team’s ability to sustain down the stretch. They took their 43-35 lead at halftime and held on, which was key. "If we can do that later in the season, I think we’ll be fine," he said. Coach Kirk also mentioned the tough tournament schedule — three games in three days is always difficult.

He indicated that the guys came out focused and ready to play. That readiness can be credited to the senior leadership, he said.

[to top of second column in this article]

Joel Searby, who had 30 points and 11 rebounds, led the team in scoring. Other double-digit contributers were Cory Rayhorn with 17 and Caleb Edson and Zach Below, who each had 12.

The Lincoln Christian College Preachers have their home opener at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Robert Morris College from Springfield. This will be the first full season that LCC plays in the Laughlin Center, which opened during the 2001-2002 season.

[Aaron Johnson]

Lincoln College defeats Shawnee

[NOV. 11, 2002]  CANTON — Lincoln College regained its winning ways by downing Shawnee 82-65 here Saturday afternoon. The victory raises the Lynx record to 2-3 for the season.

Rueben Trotter paced a balanced Lincoln attack as four players reached double figures.  Trotter had 18, while Derik Hollyfield added 16.  Terrance Chapman and Amir Major contributed 15 points for coach B.J. McCullum.

Lincoln shot 50 percent from the floor (28-56) and out-rebounded Shawnee 47-36, with Trotter pulling down a game-high 14. James Roberson scored eight points for the Lynx but contributed greatly with seven assists.  

The Lynx built an eight-point lead, 40-32, at halftime and connected on 56 percent of their field goal attempts the second half to pull away. The Lynx also had a decided edge at the free-throw line, hitting on 21 of 30, while Shawnee was able to make eight of its 16 attempts.

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln College (82) — Josh Clark 2-3-0-0-4, Jeff Carlson 0-1-0-0-0, Michael Fowler 2-5-0-0-6, Rueben Trotter 7-11-4-4-18, Loyd Bowen 0-2-0-0-0, Amir Major 4-8-7-9-15, James Roberson 3-7-1-2-8, Terrance Chapman 5-10-5-9-15, Derik Hollyfield 5-9-4-6-16, Rian Lazzerini 0-0-0-0-0. Totals: 28-56-21-30-82. Three-point goals: Fowler 2, Roberson, Hollyfield 2.

Shawnee (65) — Eric Roberson 1-4-0-0-2, Ron Powell 4-16-2-3-12, Chad Tapp 1-3-1-2-3, Andrew Hoaman 4-9-0-3-9, Robert Robinson 8-19-0-1-20, Byron Wright 1-6-0-0-2, Tommy King 4-8-5-7-13, Ben Ferguson 2-5-0-0-4.  Totals: 25-70-8-16-65. Three-point goals: Powell 2, Hosman, Robinson 4.

[Bill Martinie, Lincoln College
sports information director]

Articles from the past week

Preachers preview

By Brandt Wilson

[NOV. 11, 2002]  November is here and many people are already decorating for Christmas. The fall is over, and in central Illinois that means below-freezing weather, cold rain and college basketball. It’s been a long off-season that’s seen the Lakers win yet another title, the Angels win their first and a BCS that still can’t get things right. So I think I speak for all college basketball fans when I say, ditch the BCS and NBA and bring on the NCCAA. No, that’s not a typo. You did see an extra "C" in that abbreviation. That’s because no fans are crazier about college basketball than the fans on the small campus of Lincoln Christian College.

But things seem to be different for this year’s Preachers. Is it the beautiful new athletic facility? Is it the promising new recruits? Maybe. However, fans are a little uneasy because when the ball goes up for the first time in the ’02-’03 season, Matt Clark won’t be on the floor. You might call this the "post-Clark era." How do you replace 2,744 career points, a three-time All-American and National Player of the Year, not to mention veteran leadership? If you have the answer to that question, give coach Randy Kirk a call. The biggest challenge for Kirk’s team this year is replacing the heart and soul of this team for the past four seasons. This team has to develop a new identity and new habits. This team has to learn how to play without the school’s all-time leading scorer.

The Preachers have 11 new faces on a team that returns three starters. Coach Kirk is optimistic about this year’s recruiting class: "The good news is this is the deepest recruiting class I’ve had since I’ve been here." Kirk says several of these players will have significant roles this year, while others may be a year or so away.

Caleb Edson, true freshman out of Centralia, is one who will have immediate impact. Edson has an impressive resume that includes two appearances in the state finals of the 3-point competition. "He’s a very athletic kid who can shoot the ball very well," says Kirk. Edson will start at shooting guard at the beginning of the season.

Another recruit who will have an immediate impact is Chad Nelson. Nelson is a transfer from Grace Bible College, where he started as a freshman. With a 6-foot-7 frame, Nelson provides the Preachers with a big body who can also shoot the ball. He will also start for the Preachers.

Tim Schultz has been a surprise for Kirk and the Preachers. Schultz ran the second fastest 800-meter in Indiana as a high school senior. Kirk points out, "He’s been a pleasant surprise for us and brings a lot of energy to this team."

Two transfers who will help the Preachers are Cory Rayhorn and Brian Dunaway. Both have been injured in the preseason and haven’t had much practice time. However, Kirk believes they will help the team as soon as they get healthy. Rayhorn is four years out of high school but a true freshman. Even though he’s only 5-foot-8, Rayhorn is extremely quick. "He’s the quickest player with the ball I’ve ever coached," claims Kirk. Brian Dunaway will also bring a lot to this team. He is a transfer from the DI school Southern Louisiana. Dunaway is extremely athletic and will provide the Preachers with both an inside and outside threat.

[to top of second column in this article]

Who will lead this young, inexperienced team? The Preachers will look to senior Joel Searby for leadership. Searby averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds last year. A U-High grad and former DIII player, Searby will need to step up and anchor this team of new faces. Senior Zach Below also returns. Below averaged 12 points a game last year and will be looked on to take up the slack, not only of Clark’s scoring but also senior leadership. How far the Preachers go may rely on how well these two seniors can lead them. The Preachers also return key upperclassmen Jake Raymer, John Holderby and Jim Turney. So that gives them something to build around.

The schedule is extremely tough, and November will make or break this young team. They play five nationally ranked NAIA schools as well as potentially six NCCAA nationally ranked teams. The stretch in November includes three of these ranked NAIA teams and DII team Alaska Anchorage.

Kirk talked about the Preachers’ rough schedule: "This is a very ambitious stretch. If we can survive this with a thread of confidence, we’ll be a very good team in February. However, this is a stretch that could destroy a young team."

The Preachers have never been to the national tournament. Maranatha Baptist returns all five starters, and the Preachers have to get by them if they want to get the monkey off their back. Upsets and heartbreaks have kept the Preachers out of nationals in years past. They have an advantage this year because they are host to the regional tournament.

If this team wants to shed the reputation of not being good in the postseason, two things must happen. One, they have to establish good chemistry. Talented as they may be, if they don’t play well together, you can guarantee an early exit. The second thing they have to do is have people step up. When the Preachers needed a score, Matt Clark was always up to the task. Who will take on that role? It’s essential that the Preachers find someone to step up and want the ball in the final two minutes.

The question still remains if this is the Preachers’ year. The talent is there, but will they gel together? The trip to nationals is well overdue, so Preacher fans, get out the rally monkey and let’s go to Oklahoma.

[Brandt Wilson]

[NOV. 4, 2002]  Is it November already? Where did the year go? Someone PLEASE tell me that the years of my boy’s life are not going to continue to march on at this pace! Work and school are already deep into their routines. At least there are a lot of sports activities. Notice I didn’t say that there was a lot to cheer about. Central Illinois seems to be in a big slump… Maybe something will snap us out of it soon. Until then, let’s take the voyage together and sort through the local sports scene…

My coach of the week could very easily be my coach of the year, and that is none other than LCHS head football coach John Oaks! Coach Oaks told me and a LIVE TV audience on "FANdamonium" BEFORE the season began that he had high hopes and high expectations for his gridders. They reached several of those lofty dreams and goals. It took some of the hardest work and patience that you can ever imagine, but this man and his team got the job done and turned in what I believe is the best record in some 11 years. And that’s not the half of it! The freshmen may have had their best season ever, or at least one for the ages, as well. And the sophomores had their moments too! I’m compelled to give John and his staff the award as just a grateful fan.

Thanks, you guys, for beginning to restore some of the pride back into the program. Perhaps this season will serve as a launching pad to greatness! The LDN salutes you!

Staying with this same theme, I’m picking the Lincoln High School football team (on all levels) as my team of the week. Seldom will you see me reward a team on this side of the ledger, but you have to start somewhere. And this is a special team. First of all, I commend EVERY kid who just stuck it out! Especially those of you who went through it all for four years! And then to all of you who talked your friends into going out for the team. And then to you guys who went out amidst pressure NOT to do so from friends, family or whoever. You guys showed what hard work, determination and teamwork can do when no one cares who gets the glory! Hopefully our city and county officials are getting a glimpse of this picture.

At any rate, we here at the LDN salute your performance, and we’re proud of your accomplishments. May those of you who return next year, pick up the baton and head straight for the playoffs!

The LDN wants to take this opportunity to extend condolences to the family of coach Ed Butkovich. Coach had some exciting days and I believe has at least one Class A state title in his rich legacy.

He was especially good to me in my early days as the coach out at LCC. He allowed his players to come to our summer camp.

(You might be surprised that SOME coaches don’t let their kids come to our camp or any camp other than their own for that matter. I can STILL remember the scathing letter I received from one of the coaches from Jacksonville, questioning the methods I employed. History shows that some of the kids from THAT area needed more than just ONE week of our camp experience… BUT I won’t go into that now. Let me just say that our graduates went on to win many A and AA regional, sectional and a few state titles. I THINK that speaks for itself).

Anyway, coaches Butkovich and Rucks and Gasaway and others in Mount Pulaski always supported me and my program, and I’ll never forget that. I will always be loyal and grateful for that kind of friendship, especially when it comes from an unexpected source like that.

Other area teams had and have just as much at stake and have every opportunity to be supportive of LCC and other area colleges but choose to focus solely on themselves. That is their option.

I’m glad coach Butkovich wasn’t like that. He came as a favor to watch my teams practice every year and then offered me tremendous insights and suggestions. If you don’t know much about basketball, let me just say that few things could be worth more to you than having someone with his expertise helping someone like me who was REALLY struggling at the time.

And more than that, Ed was just a good guy. Whenever I saw him in public, he always had a kind or gracious word for me.

I was sad and stunned to hear the news of his passing. He was an icon in and for this area.

Thank you, Coach, for what you meant to me and for countless others. Godspeed!

Yes. The Bears had another chance to win a game in the waning moments. And unlike last year, when no matter who threw the ball it would always end up in a Bear’s hands, that’s NOT the case this year!

The thing that this reporter is amazed by is that whenever a Bears coach states that he’s content to always have at least a chance, I have to ask, "What???" I don’t want just a CHANCE. If I can kick the tar out of you and win by two or three touchdowns, that’s what I’m going to do (my apologies to those of you who thought I was a nice guy).

[to top of second column in this article]

[Photos by Tom Seggelke]

Take for instance the score tied in the fourth quarter with the Bears possessing the ball just inside their 20-yard line. They run a pitch or a toss play that they’ve run six to eight times already during the game (which begs the question, is their playbook really THAT small?). On top of that, they try to run it this time to a wide-out. Is it just my imagination or are wide-outs suppose to run down the field and catch passes? When you run something like that you deserve to fumble and lose the game. I will never be able to figure out that kind of stuff!

Even just before half they ran some vertical passing offense and were able to jet down the field in less than a minute in time to get a last-second 53-yard FG from Paul Ettinger! I realize that the zone was a little softer in that situation, but do we KNOW that for sure? There was no attempt to go back to that except in third and long situations and in desperation mode.

On the other hand, I did feel that the Bears defense played well. With the exception of two or three runs by Donovan McNabb (and folks, this guy’s going to break away every once in a while; he’s just that good), the Bears held them in check. Great pursuit by Urlacher and others gave the Bears at least a CHANCE to win (I STILL don’t like that phrase!).

But when the offense didn’t put up even positive yardage in the second half until the last desperation drive, that’s what happens. I know the schedule is tougher this season, but I’m just not sure this group can get it done.

Click here for more Bears photos.

Our own Greg Taylor tried to help Illini coach Ron Turner. Greg suggested that coach Turner stick with QB Jon Buetjer, but Turner didn’t, and by the time Jon was inserted into the game he didn’t have enough time to incite a comeback, as the Illini dropped an 18-7 ugly one to Penn State!

And what’s up with the tackling? Or lack thereof? I haven’t seen such sloppy technique since guys used to run over me!!!

My mom used to say not to say anything if you can’t say something nice… THEREFORE, this subject matter is closed!!!

The Lady Railer volleyball girls just keep winning. Now they will travel to Rantoul for a Tuesday night showdown with who we believe will be the Champaign Central Chargers at 6:30. Good luck, ladies!

That’s the only other sports news that’s been turned over to me. If you’ve got something else, get it to us as quick as you can. You can reach us at ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.

Tonight our guests include the LCHS swimmers of George and Ruth Sloot, fresh off a fourth-place finish at the CS8 meet.

Illini assistant coach Billy Gillespie has accepted the head coaching position at UTEP. I hate to see him go!

Why didn’t Illinois give Donovan McNabb a better recruiting pitch when he was in high school?

Lincoln’s Brian Cook and Jerrance Howard will have to miss the first two games of the season because of playing in a non-sanctioned summer tourney. Don’t get me started with the NCAA and the IHSA again… Let’s just leave it alone!!!

Cook is featured in the new issue of Slam magazine. (Click here for details.)

Lincoln’s Greg Alexander and his ISU Redbirds get things started tonight versus SIU-E at 7:05 in Normal. Plenty of good seats STILL available!!!

LCC opens their season this weekend with a tourney in Cincinnati. LC dropped two tough ones on the road in their openers.

Have a great week, everybody!

[Jeff Mayfield]

• More columns...

Announcements

Back to top

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

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Calendar

Letters to the Editor