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"When you run against the best of the
best, it is already a privilege," said Goy. "I tried to keep my pace
steady early in the race, but there is a big psychological factor in
a race at this level. You pass people constantly and they pass you
constantly, so it difficult to know where you are at.
"To be able to finish my career at the
national level is definitely a thrill," continued Goy. "I would like
to extend many thanks to all the people that helped me get where I
am, especially my family, friends and all the people that make up
the Redbird community."
Jorge Torres from Colorado won the
men’s race with a time of 29:04.70, while Stanford won the team
competition on the men’s side.
The
Rheinsburg, Germany, native has officially completed his stellar
career as an Illinois State athlete with the conclusion of the cross
country season.
[Rob Huizenga, ISU] |
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Semple told the LDN after the crushing
overtime loss that he played at the stadium as a member of the
Railers during the old passing camp days… The stakes were a little
higher yesterday, and Semple did all he could to make sure that his
Lions would come away with the win.
In fact, Semple, who is Detroit’s
starting left guard, and his interior line-mates did about as good
of a job protecting rookie QB Joey Harrington as you could ever
expect. On numerous occasions Semple was knocking down Bears lineman
and rolling over on them. Sometimes after the passes were released
he would cruise downfield and make multiple blocks before the
whistle would blow.
The LDN also noticed something that
always sticks out with us. Semple was constantly encouraging his
young quarterback and his fellow teammates. It’s easy to do that
when you’re on a team headed for the Super Bowl… Try doing that for
a young team that is trying to make its way!
When the LDN crew caught up with Tony
in the Lions’ locker room, which is perched in the northwest corner
of the stadium, he was visibly upset. He told us that he was very
frustrated and disappointed. While I pointed out to him that I
thought that he and his young squad are making great strides, he
said, "But we should have won today!" He went on to tell us that he
can’t shed this disappointing feeling and that they have to get
things done and take care of business.
I felt that he did just that. I was
also impressed with his fiery, competitive spirit. I don’t remember
him having that totally refined during his days with the Railers,
but either coach Flowers at Memphis or somebody now has instilled it
wholeheartedly within him. Maybe he’s even grown into it himself,
but it is a very becoming characteristic.
[to top of second column in this
article] |
I did FINALLY get him to smile. I told
him that nothing I could say would take away the sting of the
defeat… but, that win or lose, there is a community not too far from
here that is so proud of you no matter what you do!
A huge throng of Lincoln and Logan
County supporters rushed Semple as he descended out of the locker
room tunnel. Using a rough crowd count, it appeared that more than
100 local residents were on hand to wish Tony well.
As always, Tony signed for every
autograph seeker and posed for every picture request… You try doing
that after you’ve just been dealt a crushing defeat in overtime… I
can tell you that’s not an easy thing to do.
But Tony Semple does not travel the
easy road. The strides he made from high school to college are
staggering. And then to get in the pros may be even more incredible.
And then to stay as a multiyear veteran… Come on? You’ve got to be
kiddin’? Nope. Tony is a small-town kid who has made good. He
continues to work hard and shows us all what can be accomplished
with a strong work ethic coupled with some great opportunities.
The LDN
salutes you, Tony... and we hope you stick around long enough to
taste the fruit of turning your team’s fortunes around!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
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Enter the "Fantastic Five." That’s how
I’m referring to this newest crop of Illini recruits. Some of our
staffers who have already seen these guys in practice or during one
of the two exhibition games say that these kids are "the REAL DEAL!"
Those of you holding onto tickets might have a gold mine in your
wallets. These guys don’t seem to care if Cook, Howard or Head ever
make it back to the lineup. Forget about taking it slow and being
worked into the system. When their warm-ups come off, they put it in
overdrive! They were flying down the floor and peskily picking the
Hawk’s collective pockets repeatedly!
Now the Illini’s upperclassman did have
strong performances, and they weren’t totally upstaged by their
younger counterparts. Illinois was led by Roger Powell, who had 15
points and nine rebounds, and another returning player, Nick Smith,
chipped in 10 points and three boards.
But it was the FANTASTIC FIVE who made
their opening statement before a court-room crowd listed at 11,758…
and an inspiring statement it was. All they did was score 52 of
Illinois’ 90 points on the evening, while three of the quintet
scored in double figures.
Also, you would expect a lot of sloppy
play from freshmen just learning a new system… maybe guessing 20-30
turnovers? How about 14? And the majority of those were during the
first five minutes, due to jitters.
Matt Logie and Zlatko Savovic led
Lehigh with 18 points each, and don’t be surprised IF these guys
take the Patriot League by storm under first-year coach Billy
Taylor. I like their perimeter game, and if their interior post
players can come up big, they could really turn that program around.
This was a well-scheduled game for both
teams.
Illinois will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Wednesday night in the Assembly Hall. Plenty of tickets are still
available.
Stray
shots
• Illinois now owns an
all-time record of 85-13 in season-opening contests, including a
33-7 record in the Hall.
• Three freshmen finished
in double figures: Dee Brown (14), Deron Williams (12) and Kyle
Wilson (14). The last time three rookies scored in double figures in
a season opener was in 1990, when Deon Thomas (21), Scott Pierce
(14) and Rennie Clemons (14) pulled off the feat vs. American
University on Nov. 23, 1990.
• I personally don’t know
when the Illini ever opened the season on a Sunday night either, do
you?
• Illinois’ 90-point
outburst was the most ever in a season opener.
• The 34-point margin of
victory was the most in an opener since the Illini humbled Utah
99-65 in 1983 at the Horizon in Rosemont.
• Roger Powell’s 15-point,
nine-rebound performance were both career highs. However, the LDN
wants you to know that more of that may be in store. Powell played
outstanding ball this summer and led the Big Ten All-Stars on their
romp through Europe!
ISU
opener not as pretty
ISU played a very tough opponent in
Utah State as the Aggies upended the Redbirds, spoiling their season
opener 68-53. Utah State took a 32-22 halftime advantage and cruised
home from there. The Redbirds did get close a couple of times but
could never get over the hump. ISU did have some exciting play from
NC State transfer Trey Guidry, who pumped in 20 points, including
six 3s! Lincoln’s Gregg Alexander added six points for the Redbirds.
Desmond Penigar showed the Redbird faithful why he may be a future
NBA prospect by dazzling the crowd with 22 exciting points. He was a
reason that the Aggies shot over 50 percent for the contest. ISU
shot only 39 percent for the game and was a disappointing
one-for-eight from the free-throw line. (See
game report from ISU.)
ISU plays next on Tuesday at Central
Michigan. (See
pre-game
notes.)
[to top of second column in this
article] |
 Support
your local Railers
The Lincoln Railer boys basketball team
will open the season tonight in Roy S. Anderson gymnasium as they
host the always pesky Danville Vikings. Lincoln’s game will be
preceded by a 5 p.m. game pitting Peoria Manual vs. Rantoul and a
6:30 contest that has East St. Louis going up against Morton. The
Railers will be back in action Wednesday night at 8, when they host
the Potters of Morton High School. For a look at the complete
tournament schedule, stats and other exciting Railer stuff go to
www.railerbasketball.org.
We attended "Meet the Railers" the
other night, and all of our teams, including the freshmen,
sophomores and the varsity, all went through their paces very
crisply.
I like that about Railer basketball. We
expect hard work and play, we expect proper execution, we expect
poise and composure, and we expect to be well-prepared for every
opponent. We also expect to have award-winning cheerleaders and pom
squads, as well as the best pit band of any ISHA team. Hopefully our
crowds will get bigger and want to be known as the most
knowledgeable and most sportsmanlike of any in the state!
Lady
Railers
At press time we had no info regarding
the Lady Railers’ schedule.
How ’bout
those Preachers?
Did you hear about LCC’s game with the
University of Alaska? First, let me tell you that UAA will open the
Great Alaskan Shootout this week with a game against one of the best
teams in the country, Oklahoma State. But, on Friday night they were
just playing little ol’ Lincoln Christian College of Lincoln, Ill.
Not so fast, my friend! The report I
got was that LCC’s Joel Searby fired in a long, desperation 3 at the
buzzer… and it went in, and the Preachers had taken the Seawolves to
overtime! So much for scheduling LCC for an easy win before the
Shootout… Do you think they’ll ever invite LCC back?
Oh, yah, LCC did succumb in overtime,
but what a thrilling effort by our Lincoln boys! (See
game report.)
LCC has its last home game of the first
semester Tuesday night at 7 versus Principia. We hope to see a lot
of community fans out for that one in the new Laughlin Center behind
the chapel.
"Fandamonium"
Excitement is obviously running high
for this week’s episode. Greg and I interviewed Illini head coach
Bill Self and Illini senior Brian Cook for this week’s show. It has
STILL not been decided whether these interviews will run during the
show or before or after it. We also hope to have Lincoln Railer
football coach John Oaks on the show to wrap up one of the most
exciting seasons in years! See you at 6 o’clock.
Have a great
week, everybody!!!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
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