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[OCT. 15, 2001]   

[OCT. 15, 2001]   

Results

IVC def. Lincoln College 30-12, 29-31, 15-12

Morton Community def. Lincoln College 33-31, 30-27

Lincoln College stats

Janine Buettner — nine points, 15 kills, five blocks

Amy Cox — six points, three aces, nine kills, five blocks

Erica Miller — seven kills, three digs

Molly Owens — 13 kills

LC season record — 13-14

Coach Tippett:

"Mentally we never got going. We were competitive but couldn’t get over the hump. We had a lot of unforced errors and missed several serves."

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

[OCT. 11, 2001]  Ayana Evans scored a first half goal on an assist from Francie Noreuil to give Lincoln College a 1-0 halftime lead at Springfield College Wednesday afternoon; however, the Lady Lynx gave up three second-half goals and lost the contest 3-1.

Lincoln College, 3-6, had just seven shots on the day while Springfield College had 23 shots. Goalie Stephanie Savery had 15 saves for the Lady Lynx.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

[OCT. 11, 2001]  Lincoln College continued to show improvement as they defeated Lincoln Land in Springfield 30-20, 30-21, 30-27 in volleyball Wednesday night. The victory pushes the Lincoln College record to 13-12 for the season.

"We played a very solid match," said coach Mark Tippett.  "Our passing, serving and defense were excellent. We are probably playing our most fundamental ball of the season right now. We were able to control the match until the third game; however, we were able to turn it on near the end and pull out the match and win in three games."

Beth Guy led the Lady Lynx with 20 points, four aces and 20 set assists.  Eric Miller had four kills, four blocks and five digs, while Janine Buettner contributed nine points, three aces, eight kills and four blocks. Amy Cox had a total of nine kills and also had nine points.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

[OCT. 10, 2001]  Lincoln College raised its volleyball season record to .500 (12-12) with an impressive three-game win over Olney Central at Lincoln Tuesday night.  Lincoln won by the scores of 30-23, 30-17 and 30-17.

Coach Mark Tippett stated: "It is good to get back to the .500 mark, and we did it against a Division I program. We had everybody back and that made a difference. I also think the tourney at LCC last weekend really helped us. We were a lot quicker and sharper in nearly every facet of the game tonight."

Molly Owens had 11 kills and two blocks, while Janine Buettner had 12 points and six kills. Beth Guy contributed 29 set assists, eight points and four kills, while Angela Maestas had 10 points. Amy Cox was a contributor with six points, three aces, seven kills and three blocks.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

[OCT. 9, 2001]  Illinois bounced back after last week’s loss at Michigan on Saturday in Champaign, defeating the visiting Minnesota Gophers 25-14.

Illinois totally dominated the first half of play, yet led just 13-0 at halftime. Twice in the first half, Illinois marched inside the Minnesota 10-yard line, only to see their offense stall. Each time, Illinois settled for a Peter Christofilakos field goal. Quarterback Kurt Kittner and wide receiver Brandon Lloyd resurrected their exciting partnership after a two-game absence, as Kittner completed nine passes to Lloyd for the game, including two long passes for touchdowns. Illinois’ running game also showed good signs of life, as three running backs (Rocky Harvey, Antonio Harris and Carey Davis) ran for 65 yards each, and the team rushed for 198 yards for the game.

The defense played great for three of the four quarters. Minnesota was shut out the entire first half and the fourth quarter. However, the Gophers had two sustained touchdown drives in the third quarter to make the game competitive.

Minnesota was coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to Purdue last week. The Big Ten conference admitted two crucial mistakes by officials that eventually cost the Gophers the game. As a result, Minnesota appeared to be in a funk for most of the first half of the game.

Illinois is now 1-1 in conference play and 4-1 overall, and they need just two more wins to qualify for a bowl game. Next week’s game at Indiana was thought to be a fairly secure victory by most experts, but Indiana went to Wisconsin on Saturday and scored 32 points in the first quarter to blow out the Badgers 63-32. Illinois will face Wisconsin the following week (Oct. 20) on homecoming weekend.

[to top of second column in this article]

Plus points

•  Illinois’ running attack looked very strong and deep.

•  Kittner greatly improved his pass percentage.

•  Lloyd had another great game despite double coverage at times.

•  Illinois’ kicking and punting game excelled.

•  Illinois’ young linebackers are becoming a force to be reckoned with.

•  Senior Nick Piazza blocked a punt early in the third quarter.

•  Over 53,000 showed up — highest attendance in Champaign this fall.

Game time for Saturday at Indiana is 1 p.m., and the game will not be televised. Listed below is Illinois’ remaining schedule for 2001:

Oct. 13 — at Indiana, 1 p.m. (no TV)

Oct. 20 — Wisconsin, TBA

Nov. 3 — at Purdue, TBA

Nov. 10 — Penn State, TBA

Nov. 17 — at Ohio State, TBA

Nov. 22 — Northwestern, noon

[Greg Taylor]

[OCT. 12, 2001]  This new column I’m starting will simply be devoted to short sports quips, facts, stats, stories, factoids and other sundry material to run on lighter news days. Hope you enjoy getting ’em as much as I enjoy bringing ’em to you!

•  How about that Lady Railer volleyball team? They just keep rolling along. I think they will contend for the CS8 title and may have another trip to state up their sleeves! Keep up the great work, ladies!

•  Speaking of volleyball, don’t forget to check out the local college scene. LCC doesn’t rebuild under the incomparable coach Kevin Crawford…they just reload! They were something like 20-7 last time I checked. And how ’bout the job Mark Tippett has done in his first year at Lincoln College. Last time I checked, the Lady Lynx were something like 12-12. I take my hat off to that, as that is quite a turnaround!

•  Lots of soccer stuff to cover in the weeks ahead as well. The team that continues to impress me is Mark Howard’s bunch over at LC. I don’t know much about the sport (to prove it, I’ll tell you how much I hate the offsides rule), but I’ve seen three of his games so far, and his futballers have won all of them. They are hard workers just like their coach and are really fun to watch. Last I heard they were 8-4.

•  Former Railer John Allison’s Illinois College Blueboys continue to put up the wins. They had another thriller Saturday as they upended Knox College.

[Jeff Mayfield]

[OCT. 2, 2001]   

[Click here for Part 2]

Q. What do you miss about living in Lincoln?

A. I miss seeing my family and friends on a regular basis. I have made some really good friends at school, but the people in Lincoln are the people who have known me since I was in diapers. Those are the people who accept me for who I really am, even with all my flaws.

Q. Do you ever get homesick?

A. I got a little homesick my freshman year. It was the first time I was away from home for an extended period of time, and I had a girlfriend back home, as well as the fact that life as a freshman is not very enjoyable. Since freshman year though, being homesick has not been an issue. I like getting home, but I am used to the fact that I do not [get] home very often.

Q. What do you like about living in New York or out East?

A. The thing I like the most about living out East is the fact there is so much to do within driving distance. I can drive to the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area one weekend and drive to Boston the next. Being in New York also gives me a perspective on how people and lifestyles are different in other parts of the country. All in all, it has been a good experience for me.

Q. It appears that you’ve made an excellent choice going to West Point? How so?

A. I am not sure how "excellent" it looked a few years ago, but I think I made the right decision for myself by coming here. I have been able to get a great education for no monetary cost to my family or myself. Since I get the opportunity to serve in the best Army in the world after I graduate, I do not even have to worry about finding a job. More importantly, West Point is a very unique experience, and I feel privileged to have been a part of the tradition here at the academy. Also, if anyone has any question about the academy, Lincoln Daily News has my e-mail address.

[to top of second column in this section]

Q. What advice would you give the kids of Lincoln today?

A. My advice to the kids of Lincoln would be to never limit yourselves, and enjoy being a young person in Lincoln. There is a whole world of opportunity waiting for people that are willing to take risks and go after their goals. Lincoln is a great place to live and grow up in, but do not get tunnel vision. There actually is a huge world that exists outside the Lincoln city limits. Do not be afraid to go into that world. Maybe Lincoln is the right place for you, but you will never truly know unless you see other places.

Whether you believe it or not, growing up in Lincoln is great. Lincoln is a safe place full of people who really care for you. Lincoln is a caring community all the way from its churches to its tee ball fields. Take advantage of the wisdom and love of all those people.

Q. Anything else that you’d like to say to the people of Lincoln?

The list is too long for me to thank everyone I know in Lincoln that helped me out along the way. But those people know who they are, and I am forever indebted to them. My outlook and attitude toward life was molded by a number of people from Lincoln. Anything that I ever do or accomplish in life has their imprints on it.

Finally, I would like to say to the people of Lincoln to never forget the important things in life. It is very easy to get caught up in paying the bills, going to practice and things of that nature. In light of the recent events in our country, I hope we never lose focus on things like family, friends, faith and community. Those things are always there when you come home at night. That is what matters in the long run. Also, all my love to my mom, dad, brother and stepdad. I am really lucky.

[Jeff Mayfield]

[SEPT. 28, 2001]   

Q. Is it hard to get fired up for an Army football game or is it easier?

A. We haven’t had a home game since the attack, but I think it will be easier. Now more than ever, the team represents something bigger than the academy. The team represents our country and all the ideals we hold true.

Q. Tell us a little about your experience in playing 150-pound football for the academy.

A. Well, I spent most of my time playing "left out." It was a challenging experience. The practices were more intense than any practices I had in any sport in high school. They were longer, tougher and just drained your energy.

Q. Are you just too busy to play now and are you playing any other sports like IMs?

A. I left the team because I wanted to improve my grades and because I wanted more time for myself. I would leave for practice a little before 3 p.m. and not get back to my room until 7 or 7:30 p.m. That is a big chunk of my day that I could be using for other things.

Everyone here has to do an IM if they are not involved in a varsity sport. I have done basketball and some other sports. Doing an IM is fun, competitive and takes up less time than a varsity sport.

[to top of second column in this section]

Q. Reflect on your days of being a Lincoln Railer...

A. Being a Railer. I know I have only been out of high school four years but it seems like so long ago. Being a Railer was great. The fans are great. They are always there to support you. My best friends from high school are people from the Railer teams I was fortunate enough to be a part of. High school was a lot of fun. I have some great memories from things like student council, homecoming, prom and just running around like an idiot with my buddies. But, I realize already that high school is just a short part of your life, and if the most meaningful things you ever did were in high school, then you have missed the boat on life.

Q. What did you like most about it? Least?

The thing I liked most about being a Railer was the whole atmosphere of high school. LCHS is not so small that you know everyone by first names but not so big that on your last day of your senior year you meet another senior for the first time.

Also, I enjoyed the laid-back environment. I feel strongly that high school should be as pressure-free as possible. Set accomplishable goals and achieve them. Everyone has a skill they excel at. High school is a time to search for those things. If you weigh yourself down with the pressure of doing everything, you will not find the skill you are the best at. I think I was able to find out what I was good at, thanks to the people and environment at LCHS.

The thing I liked least was changing the beginning of school from 8:50 to 7:30 after my sophomore year. That really threw my schedule off !

Seriously, the thing I liked least, in retrospect, is the overall lack of diversity in the LCHS student body. That is not the fault of anyone in particular, but you meet people of different colors, faiths, and backgrounds in the real world. There is no real exposure to that at LCHS, and that is a real disadvantage for its students.

[Jeff Mayfield]

[Click here for Part 3]

[SEPT. 27, 2001]   

Q. Jon, where were you when you heard of last week’s tragic events?

A. I was in between classes, and I heard another student say that the WTC was on fire. So, when I got to my next classroom I told my teacher what I had heard, and he turned on CNN. At that point the second plane had just crashed into the second tower and another plane had struck the Pentagon. All I could think was, "My God, we’re at war."

Jon Barton

Q. Did life as an Army cadet change for you immediately?

A. I think my life changed in the sense that my mission here at the academy became very real. I am here to become an officer in the Army and it is easy to lose sight of that when you have tests and papers and all the other distractions of college life. The current status of our nation’s military agenda has made me focus more on what I will be doing in 18 months.

Q. Will life for you be different for a long time coming?

A. Life will be different for me, but I think life is going to be different for every U.S. citizen. Many people are concerned about the safety of our country. No one knows if the attacks are over, so many people are reluctant to live their lives the way they did prior to the attacks.

On a positive note, the attack has brought our nation together in a way we have not seen since World War II. The way the country is going to retaliate is unclear, but the resolve and courage of our people is not. The citizens of this country will not be intimidated by the acts of a fanatical few bent on the destruction of our way of life.

[to top of second column in this section]

Q. What is your attitude and how is the mood in your dorm and on campus?

A. My attitude has taken on a more serious tone. I know now that I am not thinking as much about where my friends and I are going this weekend and more on the things I need to do to better myself as a leader before I graduate.

The attitude on campus is somber but focused. The academy is only 50 miles from New York City, so the attack really hit home. Many of us have visited the WTC. I even have friends that stayed at the Marriott at the base of the tower just a few weeks before the attacks. Another cadet who lives on my floor had a brother working in the WTC at the time of the attack. As of right now his brother is missing and presumed dead. The attacks are very real for most people at the academy.

Q. I imagine that you young men may have more purpose and more resolve than ever?

A. That’s true. I have never seen so much concern or resolve from myself and other cadets since I have been here. We realize now just how important the job of the military is going to be over the next decade, and there is not a more noble cause than protecting the people and the country you love.

Q. Is it hard to go to class, or did the events make your studies more real?

A. It has been very hard to go to class. There is all this horror and suffering going on 50 miles away, and I am sitting in a finance class learning the present value of a corporate bond. Class just seems very trivial right now. There has been an outcry from cadets to go to the city and help out, but there are enough volunteers right now. All we can do is sit and wait for our turn.

(To be continued)

[Jeff Mayfield]

[Click here for Part 2]

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