Okaw Valley girls game rescheduled

Okaw Valley's Lady Timberwolves game in Sangamon Valley postponed Thursday has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 6. The game will start at 6:15 and will be followed by the boys varsity game against S-V at 7:45 p.m.

Mother Nature wins again

Once again, mother nature has won out, forcing the cancellation of tonight's boys basketball games. Make-up dates for Sullivan @ St. Teresa, Lovington @ Cerro Gordo and Okaw Valley vs. Atwood-Hammond will be announced at a later date. We will provide this information as soon as it becomes available.

Area games cnacelled for tonight

Due to the expected inclimate weather this evening, all area basketball games have been postponed for tonight. Make-up dates for the girls game, which were Sullivan hosting Monticello; Okaw Valley at Sangamon Valley, and Arthur-Lovington at Tri-County in Oakland, will be announced at a later date. We will provide this information as soon as possible.

Area games cancelled for Dec. 16

All area games scheduled for last night were postponed to due to weather and hazardous road conditions. Make up dates for the Sulivan @ Arcola, Okaw Valley vs. Stewardson, and Lovington vs. Windsor games will be determined at a later date. We will provide this information as soon as it becomes available.

Arcola tops Arthur-Lovington

Arthur-Lovington started off quickly against Arcola, but couldn't hang on to an early lead, eventually losing 45-33.

Cortney Rahn led the Lancers with 16 points and eight rebounds.

For the full story on this game, be sure to check out next Wednesday's News-Progress.

Lovington nearly doubles up on D-W

The Lovington Panthers nearly doubled up on the Deland-Weldon Eagles on Tuesday night, winning 64-33.

Dan Bolsen led the way with 31 points, while Jared Brewer finished with 11 for Lovington.

Please see today's News-Progress for a full story and pictures.

Lady Redskins fall to .500 for the year

The Sullivan Lady Redskins fell to 3-3 on the season after losing to Tolono-Unity 59-45 last night on their home court. The loss also dropped them to 0-3 in conference play.

Lauren Taylor led the way with 24 points. For a more detailed story, please see tomorrow's News-Progress

Sullivan Lady Redskins win home opener

The Sullivan Lady Redskins won their home opener against Okaw Valley last night 59-45.

Lauren Taylor led the way for the Redskins with 17 points. Sam Inman led all scorers with 19 points.

I'll have a full write-up on this game in next Wednesday's News-Progress

Chase? What Chase?

They call it the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

I call it the end of any excitement in NASCAR.

By now most of you know that Jimmie Johnson just wrapped up his third consecutive Sprint Cup championship. While three titles in a row is a huge feat in any sport, Johnson has been an exception to the rule. The NASCAR championship is determined by a 10-race playoff, basically rendering the season's first 26 races useless. The last three years, Johnson and his Chad Knaus have gotten hot at the right time and rode the momentum to their titles.

Now, did Cale Yarborough have to do that when he won his three straight titles back in the 1970's? No way, no how. Yarborough did it the hard way - racing his way through an entire season and fighting off the likes of Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, David Pearson and others. Racing was much tougher then and the cars didn't drive themselves much like they do today and the guys who drove them were true warriors out there on the track.

Fast-forward to today. Do you really think any of those guys would race under a system like that? They would for the love of the sport, if nothing else.

Take this season for example. Kyle Busch set the world on fire for the early part of the year, winning 8 of the season's first 26 races. After the August Bristol race, Bush had a 200+ point lead over Carl Edwards and Johnson, but saw that reduced to a scant 40 points at the start of the chase. That's a whole bunch of domination for nothing! Busch's season fell completely apart after the start of the chase, and even under the old points system his lead would have completely eroded enroute to a third place finish.

Your champion under the old system? It would have been Edwards by a scant 13 points over Johnson. Sure, Edwards got a couple of cheap wins at the end of the season thanks to fuel mileage, but wins are wins and he finished the season with 9 to Johnon's 7. Johnson, by the way, would have lost the title last year too to Jeff Gordon under the old system.

Now am I crying over spilled milk? No way, but let's make the entire season count for something instead of it being 10-race championship. Johnson has been and will continue to be an excellent champion for the sport. But to be mentioned in the same context as Yarborough as a triple-champion? Don't think so.

Blue Dolphins' results

Here is a complete listing of SBD results from Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at the Terra Haute Torpedoes Halloween Splash Meet:

Time F/P/S Event Place Points

Atchison, Beau (7) B
18.45Y F # 14Boys 7-8 25 Free 4 11
24.66Y F # 20Boys 7-8 25 Back 6 9
29.21Y F # 26Boys 7-8 25 Breast 6 9
27.52Y F # 32Boys 7-8 25 Fly 4 11
2:02.76Y F # 36Boys 8 & Under 100 I 4 11
42.95Y F # 80Boys 8 & Under 50 Fr 4 11
57.39Y F # 84Boys 8 & Under 50 Ba 6 9
1:05.70Y F # 88Boys 8 & Under 50 Br 3 12
1:06.21Y F # 92Boys 8 & Under 50 Fl 4 11
1:35.68Y F # 96Boys 8 & Under 100 F 3 12

Atchison, Shane (12) B
1:14.42Y F # 102Boys 11-12 100 Free 12 1
41.34Y F # 108Boys 11-12 50 Back 18 ---
1:51.53Y F # 114Boys 11-12 100 Brea 16 ---
40.74Y F # 120Boys 11-12 50 Fly 15 ---
2:49.79Y F # 126Boys 11-12 200 Free 14 ---
33.29Y F # 132200 Free Relay Lead --- ---

Bales, Brock (13) B
2:29.55Y F # 44Boys 13-14 200 IM 7 7
2:29.05Y F # 50Boys 13-14 200 Back 6 9
1:12.57Y F # 56Boys 13-14 100 Brea 3 12
26.90Y F # 62Boys 13-14 50 Free 6 9
2:42.17Y F # 68Boys 13-14 200 Fly 5 10
1:00.68Y F # 104Boys 13-14 100 Free 7 7
1:10.28Y F # 110Boys 13-14 100 Back 6 9
2:39.59Y F # 116Boys 13-14 200 Brea 3 12
1:08.74Y F # 122Boys 13-14 100 Fly 4 11
2:16.49Y F # 128Boys 13-14 200 Free 5 10
26.73Y F # 136200 Free Relay Lead --- ---

Bales, Lily (10) G
1:14.53Y F # 15Girls 9-10 100 Free 3 12
41.46Y F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back 5 10
1:44.36Y F # 27Girls 9-10 100 Brea 5 10
40.01Y F # 33Girls 9-10 50 Fly 2 13
1:29.63Y F # 37Girls 9-10 100 IM 4 11
33.16Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 2 13
1:29.26Y F # 85Girls 9-10 100 Back 4 11
48.67Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 8 5
1:45.07Y F # 93Girls 9-10 100 Fly 6 9
2:43.66Y F # 97Girls 9-10 200 Free 2 13

Beck, Chris (14) G
2:48.25Y F # 43Girls 13-14 200 IM 7 7
2:48.93Y F # 49Girls 13-14 200 Bac 9 4
1:28.26Y F # 55Girls 13-14 100 Bre 8 5
31.39Y F # 61Girls 13-14 50 Free 9 4
1:08.23Y F # 103Girls 13-14 100 Fre 13 ---
1:19.32Y F # 109Girls 13-14 100 Bac 9 4
3:02.46Y F # 115Girls 13-14 200 Bre 7 7
1:32.92Y F # 121Girls 13-14 100 Fly 13 ---
2:29.93Y F # 127Girls 13-14 200 Fre 11 2
31.92Y F # 133200 Free Relay Lead --- ---

Beck, Joel (9) B
1:27.09Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 10 3
48.29Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 13 ---
2:01.70Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 11 2
46.90Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 9 4
1:43.54Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 10 3
39.85Y F # 82Boys 9-10 50 Free 13 ---
1:40.99Y F # 86Boys 9-10 100 Back 11 2
57.28Y F # 90Boys 9-10 50 Breast 14 ---
1:44.06Y F # 94Boys 9-10 100 Fly 6 9
3:18.72Y F # 98Boys 9-10 200 Free 11 2

Bowsher, Charlotte K (8) G
40.52Y F # 13Girls 7-8 25 Free 22 ---
41.40Y F # 19Girls 7-8 25 Back 22 ---

Bowsher, Cole (11) B
2:13.44Y F # 48Boys 11-12 100 Back 25 ---
1:17.56YDQ F # 54Boys 11-12 50 Breas --- ---
48.34Y F # 60Boys 11-12 50 Free 30 ---

Boyer, Brittin (11) G
1:09.63Y F # 41Girls 11-12 100 IM 2 13
1:13.37Y F # 47Girls 11-12 100 Bac 3 12
35.09Y F # 53Girls 11-12 50 Brea 1 16
27.94Y F # 59Girls 11-12 50 Free 1 16
1:14.20Y F # 65Girls 11-12 100 Fly 2 13
1:01.53Y F # 101Girls 11-12 100 Fre 2 13
32.98Y F # 107Girls 11-12 50 Back 2 13
1:19.98Y F # 113Girls 11-12 100 Bre 1 16
31.78Y F # 119Girls 11-12 50 Fly 2 13
2:17.71Y F # 125Girls 11-12 200 Fre 1 16
30.46Y F # 131200 Free Relay Lead --- ---

Boyer, Kailyn (9) G
1:13.01Y F # 15Girls 9-10 100 Free 1 16
37.68Y F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back 1 16
1:52.69Y F # 27Girls 9-10 100 Brea 10 3
39.21Y F # 33Girls 9-10 50 Fly 1 16
1:29.00Y F # 37Girls 9-10 100 IM 2 13
40.19Y F # 39200 Medley Relay Lea --- ---
32.69Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 1 16
1:23.95Y F # 85Girls 9-10 100 Back 2 13
53.38Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 11 2
1:36.41Y F # 93Girls 9-10 100 Fly 3 12
2:47.56Y F # 97Girls 9-10 200 Free 4 11
36.29Y F # 99200 Free Relay Lead --- ---

Brannam, Katelin A (11) G
2:11.92Y F # 47Girls 11-12 100 Bac 24 ---
1:09.75Y F # 59Girls 11-12 50 Free 27 ---

Cravatta, Abby (8) G
22.05Y F # 13Girls 7-8 25 Free 8 5
25.49Y F # 19Girls 7-8 25 Back 6 9
30.01Y F # 25Girls 7-8 25 Breast 7 7
25.88Y F # 31Girls 7-8 25 Fly 6 9
2:00.91Y F # 35Girls 8 & Under 100 5 10

Delong, Luke (9) B
1:52.44Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 20 ---
55.49Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 20 ---
1:59.46Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 14 ---

Donnel, Michaela D (10) G
1:45.04Y F # 15Girls 9-10 100 Free 17 ---
46.35YDQ F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back --- ---
2:10.87YDQ F # 27Girls 9-10 100 Brea --- ---
1:15.80Y F # 33Girls 9-10 50 Fly 17 ---
2:01.21Y F # 37Girls 9-10 100 IM 13 ---
47.27Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 21 ---
1:45.68Y F # 85Girls 9-10 100 Back 10 3
59.60Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 13 ---
3:42.42Y F # 97Girls 9-10 200 Free 12 1

Drury, Kyle (13) B
1:14.48Y F # 110Boys 13-14 100 Back 8 5
2:56.34Y F # 116Boys 13-14 200 Brea 8 5
1:22.11Y F # 122Boys 13-14 100 Fly 9 4

Drury, Natalie (7) G
16.98Y F # 13Girls 7-8 25 Free 2 13
21.57Y F # 19Girls 7-8 25 Back 2 13
25.37Y F # 25Girls 7-8 25 Breast 3 12
23.68Y F # 31Girls 7-8 25 Fly 3 12
1:48.23Y F # 35Girls 8 & Under 100 2 13
40.12Y F # 79Girls 8 & Under 50 F 3 12
45.62Y F # 83Girls 8 & Under 50 B 1 16
57.66Y F # 87Girls 8 & Under 50 B 8 5
55.54Y F # 91Girls 8 & Under 50 F 3 12
1:33.45Y F # 95Girls 8 & Under 100 3 12

Ellis, Tatum C (9) G
1:32.81Y F # 15Girls 9-10 100 Free 11 2
48.49Y F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back 11 2
2:20.33YDQ F # 27Girls 9-10 100 Brea --- ---

Foster, Ethan B (7) B
31.86Y F # 14Boys 7-8 25 Free 16 ---
35.23Y F # 20Boys 7-8 25 Back 14 ---

Goss, Kylie (13) G
3:00.59Y F # 43Girls 13-14 200 IM 8 5
2:55.10Y F # 49Girls 13-14 200 Bac 10 3
1:42.02Y F # 55Girls 13-14 100 Bre 10 3
32.98Y F # 61Girls 13-14 50 Free 12 1
1:16.15Y F # 103Girls 13-14 100 Fre 16 ---
1:24.65Y F # 109Girls 13-14 100 Bac 12 1
1:29.83Y F # 121Girls 13-14 100 Fly 12 1
2:47.02Y F # 127Girls 13-14 200 Fre 15 ---

Griffin, Garrett (13) B
2:57.55Y F # 44Boys 13-14 200 IM 10 3
1:33.48Y F # 56Boys 13-14 100 Brea 10 3
32.76Y F # 62Boys 13-14 50 Free 11 2
1:09.92Y F # 104Boys 13-14 100 Free 11 2
1:23.02Y F # 110Boys 13-14 100 Back 9 4
1:39.16Y F # 122Boys 13-14 100 Fly 11 2
2:44.12Y F # 128Boys 13-14 200 Free 11 2

Griffin, Sara (10) G
1:18.43Y F # 15Girls 9-10 100 Free 7 7
41.84Y F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back 6 9
1:48.11Y F # 27Girls 9-10 100 Brea 6 9
49.88Y F # 33Girls 9-10 50 Fly 9 4
1:35.14Y F # 37Girls 9-10 100 IM 6 9
36.08Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 7 7
1:31.33Y F # 85Girls 9-10 100 Back 7 7
46.90Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 5 10
1:44.72Y F # 93Girls 9-10 100 Fly 5 10
2:57.05Y F # 97Girls 9-10 200 Free 7 7
39.12Y F # 99200 Free Relay Lead --- ---

Hanson, Travis (12) B
1:18.35Y F # 42Boys 11-12 100 IM 4 11
1:21.23Y F # 48Boys 11-12 100 Back 5 10
42.28Y F # 54Boys 11-12 50 Breas 4 11
31.58Y F # 60Boys 11-12 50 Free 7 7
1:18.06Y F # 66Boys 11-12 100 Fly 2 13
1:05.89Y F # 102Boys 11-12 100 Free 4 11
38.05Y F # 108Boys 11-12 50 Back 8 5
1:31.37Y F # 114Boys 11-12 100 Brea 6 9
33.75Y F # 120Boys 11-12 50 Fly 3 12
2:31.18Y F # 126Boys 11-12 200 Free 5 10

Jent, Shelby D (9) G
1:00.49Y F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back 24 ---
1:06.53Y F # 33Girls 9-10 50 Fly 15 ---

Jones, Justin M (9) B
1:32.00Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 13 ---
50.45Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 15 ---
1:59.38Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 9 4
57.95Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 14 ---
1:54.28Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 13 ---
55.79Y F # 40200 Medley Relay Lea --- ---

Jones, Leman A (7) B
21.67Y F # 14Boys 7-8 25 Free 8 5
25.95Y F # 20Boys 7-8 25 Back 8 5
30.34Y F # 32Boys 7-8 25 Fly 7 7

King, Bryce (9) B
1:22.41Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 7 7
43.75Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 9 4
1:51.76Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 7 7
45.50Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 6 9
1:36.08Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 7 7
35.56Y F # 82Boys 9-10 50 Free 7 7
1:32.98Y F # 86Boys 9-10 100 Back 9 4
51.29Y F # 90Boys 9-10 50 Breast 8 5
1:45.59Y F # 94Boys 9-10 100 Fly 8 5
3:12.19Y F # 98Boys 9-10 200 Free 9 4

King, Grant (10) B
1:06.99Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 2 13
37.32Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 2 13
1:34.82Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 3 12
34.03Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 2 13
1:19.99Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 3 12
42.76Y F # 40200 Medley Relay Lea --- ---
31.15Y F # 82Boys 9-10 50 Free 3 12
1:21.90Y F # 86Boys 9-10 100 Back 2 13
42.46Y F # 90Boys 9-10 50 Breast 2 13
1:17.80Y F # 94Boys 9-10 100 Fly 1 16
2:29.82Y F # 98Boys 9-10 200 Free 2 13
31.88Y F # 100200 Free Relay Lead --- ---

Merryman, Jarod (9) B
1:30.47Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 12 1
48.72Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 14 ---
1:52.28Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 8 5
49.10Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 10 3
41.54Y F # 82Boys 9-10 50 Free 14 ---
1:37.35Y F # 86Boys 9-10 100 Back 10 3
52.54Y F # 90Boys 9-10 50 Breast 9 4
3:13.97Y F # 98Boys 9-10 200 Free 10 3

Merryman, Reilly K (13) G
2:48.85Y F # 49Girls 13-14 200 Bac 8 5
1:33.65Y F # 55Girls 13-14 100 Bre 9 4
31.68Y F # 61Girls 13-14 50 Free 10 3
1:08.53Y F # 103Girls 13-14 100 Fre 14 ---
1:20.22Y F # 109Girls 13-14 100 Bac 11 2
3:13.72Y F # 115Girls 13-14 200 Bre 10 3
1:27.97Y F # 121Girls 13-14 100 Fly 11 2
2:45.31Y F # 127Girls 13-14 200 Fre 14 ---

Mitchell, Brennon C (9) B
1:36.20Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 15 ---
51.99Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 17 ---
2:22.10Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 14 ---
56.21Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 13 ---
38.68Y F # 82Boys 9-10 50 Free 10 3
1:52.69Y F # 86Boys 9-10 100 Back 16 ---
56.08Y F # 90Boys 9-10 50 Breast 12 1
42.25Y F # 100200 Free Relay Lead --- ---

Molzen, Ty (11) B
1:21.53Y F # 42Boys 11-12 100 IM 8 5
1:21.73Y F # 48Boys 11-12 100 Back 6 9
42.98Y F # 54Boys 11-12 50 Breas 9 4
32.11Y F # 60Boys 11-12 50 Free 9 4
1:23.81Y F # 66Boys 11-12 100 Fly 6 9
1:11.36Y F # 102Boys 11-12 100 Free 10 3
36.84Y F # 108Boys 11-12 50 Back 5 10
1:35.12Y F # 114Boys 11-12 100 Brea 7 7
36.09Y F # 120Boys 11-12 50 Fly 6 9
2:35.54Y F # 126Boys 11-12 200 Free 8 5

Mosier, Mackenzie (11) G
1:23.50Y F # 41Girls 11-12 100 IM 8 5
1:26.66Y F # 47Girls 11-12 100 Bac 10 3
44.79Y F # 53Girls 11-12 50 Brea 9 4
32.32Y F # 59Girls 11-12 50 Free 5 10
1:31.01Y F # 65Girls 11-12 100 Fly 6 9
1:12.31Y F # 101Girls 11-12 100 Fre 6 9
39.01Y F # 107Girls 11-12 50 Back 8 5
1:37.84Y F # 113Girls 11-12 100 Bre 6 9
38.79Y F # 119Girls 11-12 50 Fly 6 9
2:37.03Y F # 125Girls 11-12 200 Fre 5 10

Mosier, Tyler (15) B
2:18.07Y F # 46Boys 200 IM 5 10
2:16.47Y F # 52Boys 200 Back 4 11
1:14.76Y F # 58Boys 100 Breast 5 10
25.02Y F # 64Boys 50 Free 3 12
2:26.34Y F # 70Boys 200 Fly 3 12
54.56Y F # 106Boys 100 Free 5 10
1:02.34Y F # 112Boys 100 Back 5 10
2:41.03Y F # 118Boys 200 Breast 5 10
1:02.60Y F # 124Boys 100 Fly 7 7
2:02.14Y F # 130Boys 200 Free 4 11

Nuzzo, Cadisen L (10) G
39.43Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 12 1
59.82Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 15 ---
3:27.05Y F # 97Girls 9-10 200 Free 10 3

Nuzzo, Carlin R (10) G
40.53Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 13 ---
1:44.07Y F # 85Girls 9-10 100 Back 9 4
1:01.04Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 17 ---

Pratt, Bailee (10) G
1:13.50Y F # 15Girls 9-10 100 Free 2 13
39.94Y F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back 3 12
1:37.31Y F # 27Girls 9-10 100 Brea 2 13
40.01Y F # 33Girls 9-10 50 Fly 2 13
33.21Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 3 12
1:29.58Y F # 85Girls 9-10 100 Back 5 10
46.27Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 2 13
1:30.02Y F # 93Girls 9-10 100 Fly 2 13
2:43.12Y F # 97Girls 9-10 200 Free 1 16

Pratt, Becca (12) G
1:30.30Y F # 41Girls 11-12 100 IM 14 ---
1:35.78Y F # 47Girls 11-12 100 Bac 15 ---
46.73Y F # 53Girls 11-12 50 Brea 11 2
38.55Y F # 59Girls 11-12 50 Free 18 ---
1:50.21Y F # 65Girls 11-12 100 Fly 14 ---
1:24.99Y F # 101Girls 11-12 100 Fre 12 1
43.59Y F # 107Girls 11-12 50 Back 13 ---
1:40.60Y F # 113Girls 11-12 100 Bre 10 3
46.20Y F # 119Girls 11-12 50 Fly 14 ---
3:00.95Y F # 125Girls 11-12 200 Fre 12 1

Ray, Dalace (10) B
1:07.67Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 3 12
39.00Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 4 11
1:32.60Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 2 13
34.15Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 3 12
1:19.16Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 2 13
30.48Y F # 82Boys 9-10 50 Free 1 16
1:24.34Y F # 86Boys 9-10 100 Back 5 10
42.64Y F # 90Boys 9-10 50 Breast 3 12
1:23.70Y F # 94Boys 9-10 100 Fly 4 11
2:37.80Y F # 98Boys 9-10 200 Free 3 12

Rhodes, Laney (12) G
1:27.99Y F # 41Girls 11-12 100 IM 11 2
1:30.58Y F # 47Girls 11-12 100 Bac 12 1
47.19Y F # 53Girls 11-12 50 Brea 13 ---
35.32Y F # 59Girls 11-12 50 Free 12 1
1:39.85Y F # 65Girls 11-12 100 Fly 12 1

Rogers, Dalton H (8) B
19.80Y F # 14Boys 7-8 25 Free 5 10
24.53Y F # 20Boys 7-8 25 Back 5 10
27.36Y F # 26Boys 7-8 25 Breast 4 11
29.92Y F # 32Boys 7-8 25 Fly 6 9
2:03.34Y F # 36Boys 8 & Under 100 I 5 10
44.95Y F # 80Boys 8 & Under 50 Fr 5 10
54.05Y F # 84Boys 8 & Under 50 Ba 4 11
1:06.07Y F # 88Boys 8 & Under 50 Br 4 11
1:07.58Y F # 92Boys 8 & Under 50 Fl 5 10
1:46.30Y F # 96Boys 8 & Under 100 F 5 10

Rogers, Drew (5) B
32.88Y F # 12Boys 6 & Under 25 Fr 3 12
32.91Y F # 18Boys 6 & Under 25 Ba 4 11
1:11.74Y F # 80Boys 8 & Under 50 Fr 9 4

Root, Justin (9) B
1:51.20Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 19 ---
52.21Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 18 ---
2:10.92Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 15 ---
51.89Y F # 40200 Medley Relay Lea --- ---

Rousser, Aryn (8) G
1:05.83Y F # 79Girls 8 & Under 50 F 15 ---
1:16.82Y F # 83Girls 8 & Under 50 B 14 ---

Rousser, Sam (10) B
1:13.34Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 4 11
38.31Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 3 12
1:42.21Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 4 11
34.40Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 4 11
1:25.36Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 4 11
31.92Y F # 82Boys 9-10 50 Free 4 11
1:23.09Y F # 86Boys 9-10 100 Back 3 12
45.33Y F # 90Boys 9-10 50 Breast 4 11
1:21.48Y F # 94Boys 9-10 100 Fly 3 12
2:42.90Y F # 98Boys 9-10 200 Free 4 11

Rowland, Cole B (11) B
58.79Y F # 54Boys 11-12 50 Breas 24 ---
43.39Y F # 60Boys 11-12 50 Free 28 ---
55.84Y F # 72200 Medley Relay Lea --- ---
53.92Y F # 108Boys 11-12 50 Back 28 ---
59.99Y F # 120Boys 11-12 50 Fly 21 ---

Russell, Connor L (12) B
1:29.60Y F # 42Boys 11-12 100 IM 16 ---
1:24.75Y F # 48Boys 11-12 100 Back 11 2
46.85Y F # 54Boys 11-12 50 Breas 13 ---
32.27Y F # 60Boys 11-12 50 Free 10 3
1:38.05Y F # 66Boys 11-12 100 Fly 14 ---

Schodlatz, Ryan W (6) B
29.38Y F # 12Boys 6 & Under 25 Fr 1 16
31.16Y F # 18Boys 6 & Under 25 Ba 2 13

Sentel, Brynna (9) G
1:16.63Y F # 15Girls 9-10 100 Free 4 11
39.61Y F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back 2 13
1:43.89Y F # 27Girls 9-10 100 Brea 4 11
42.09Y F # 33Girls 9-10 50 Fly 4 11
1:29.09Y F # 37Girls 9-10 100 IM 3 12
33.92Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 5 10
1:23.12Y F # 85Girls 9-10 100 Back 1 16
46.70Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 4 11
1:29.77Y F # 93Girls 9-10 100 Fly 1 16
2:46.54Y F # 97Girls 9-10 200 Free 3 12

Short, Aiden T (6) B
29.52Y F # 12Boys 6 & Under 25 Fr 2 13
31.13Y F # 18Boys 6 & Under 25 Ba 1 16
1:06.32YDQ F # 24Boys 6 & Under 25 Br --- ---

Thompson, Makayla N (14) G
2:24.78Y F # 43Girls 13-14 200 IM 2 13
2:18.37Y F # 49Girls 13-14 200 Bac 1 16
1:18.73Y F # 55Girls 13-14 100 Bre 2 13
28.46Y F # 61Girls 13-14 50 Free 2 13
2:44.66Y F # 67Girls 13-14 200 Fly 1 16
30.16Y F # 73200 Medley Relay Lea --- ---
1:00.55Y F # 103Girls 13-14 100 Fre 3 12
1:05.00Y F # 109Girls 13-14 100 Bac 1 16
2:50.80Y F # 115Girls 13-14 200 Bre 3 12
1:10.45Y F # 121Girls 13-14 100 Fly 3 12
2:13.87Y F # 127Girls 13-14 200 Fre 3 12

Todd, Max (9) B
1:33.42Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 14 ---
43.24Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 8 5
46.60Y F # 34Boys 9-10 50 Fly 8 5
1:45.55Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 12 1

Towle, Carley R (6) G
37.38Y F # 11Girls 6 & Under 25 F 9 4
35.23Y F # 17Girls 6 & Under 25 B 7 7

West, Rachel (13) G
3:37.27Y F # 43Girls 13-14 200 IM 9 4
3:39.69YDQ F # 49Girls 13-14 200 Bac --- ---
32.83Y F # 61Girls 13-14 50 Free 11 2

White, Adam (10) B
1:14.68Y F # 16Boys 9-10 100 Free 5 10
40.41Y F # 22Boys 9-10 50 Back 6 9
1:46.94Y F # 28Boys 9-10 100 Breas 6 9
1:31.26Y F # 38Boys 9-10 100 IM 6 9
34.75Y F # 82Boys 9-10 50 Free 5 10
1:24.00Y F # 86Boys 9-10 100 Back 4 11
51.13Y F # 90Boys 9-10 50 Breast 7 7
2:46.80Y F # 98Boys 9-10 200 Free 5 10

Wiley, Torie H (11) G
1:49.74Y F # 41Girls 11-12 100 IM 15 ---
1:35.38Y F # 47Girls 11-12 100 Bac 14 ---
58.94Y F # 53Girls 11-12 50 Brea 18 ---
39.97Y F # 59Girls 11-12 50 Free 19 ---
1:32.26Y F # 101Girls 11-12 100 Fre 17 ---
42.70Y F # 107Girls 11-12 50 Back 11 2
2:15.00Y F # 113Girls 11-12 100 Bre 18 ---
51.56Y F # 119Girls 11-12 50 Fly 15 ---
3:17.85Y F # 125Girls 11-12 200 Fre 15 ---

Williams, Abby (9) G
1:48.75Y F # 15Girls 9-10 100 Free 20 ---
55.72Y F # 21Girls 9-10 50 Back 21 ---
1:37.73Y F # 33Girls 9-10 50 Fly 18 ---
2:27.02Y F # 37Girls 9-10 100 IM 16 ---
48.76Y F # 81Girls 9-10 50 Free 25 ---
1:56.37Y F # 85Girls 9-10 100 Back 17 ---
1:05.38Y F # 89Girls 9-10 50 Breas 20 ---

Wirey, Chloe A (7) G
25.43Y F # 13Girls 7-8 25 Free 13 ---
26.85Y F # 19Girls 7-8 25 Back 9 4
1:08.67Y F # 79Girls 8 & Under 50 F 17 ---
1:04.23Y F # 83Girls 8 & Under 50 B 11 2

Zindel, Megan (11) G
1:09.54Y F # 41Girls 11-12 100 IM 1 16
1:09.36Y F # 47Girls 11-12 100 Bac 1 16
37.39Y F # 53Girls 11-12 50 Brea 2 13
28.46Y F # 59Girls 11-12 50 Free 3 12
1:12.93Y F # 65Girls 11-12 100 Fly 1 16
32.38Y F # 71200 Medley Relay Lea --- ---
1:01.30Y F # 101Girls 11-12 100 Fre 1 16
32.13Y F # 107Girls 11-12 50 Back 1 16
1:22.94Y F # 113Girls 11-12 100 Bre 2 13
31.36Y F # 119Girls 11-12 50 Fly 1 16
2:19.34Y F # 125Girls 11-12 200 Fre 2 13

Relay:

Event # 39 Girls 10 & Under 200 Medley
:43.82 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 1 32
Kailyn Boyer (9) Brynna Sentel (9) Lily Bales (10) Bailee Pratt (10)
:30.63 YF B Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 3 24
Natalie Drury (7) Abby Cravatta (8) Sara Griffin (10) Michaela D. Donnel

Event # 40 Boys 10 & Under 200 Medley
:33.37 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 1 32
Grant King (10) Adam White (10) Dalace Ray (10) Sam Rousser (10)

Event # 71 Girls 11-12 200 Medley
:23.55 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 1 32
Megan Zindel (11) Becca Pratt (12) Mackenzie Mosier (Brittin Boyer (11)

Event # 72 Boys 11-12 200 Medley
:45.62 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 3 24
Cole B. Rowland (1Connor L. Russell Travis Hanson (12)Ty Molzen (11)

Event # 73 Girls 13-14 200 Medley
:19.82 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 2 26
Makayla N. ThompsonChris Beck (14) Kylie Goss (13) Reilly K. Merryman

Event # 99 Girls 10 & Under 200 Free
:20.34 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 1 32
Kailyn Boyer (9) Bailee Pratt (10) Lily Bales (10) Brynna Sentel (9)
:46.95 YF B Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 4 22
Sara Griffin (10) Michaela D. Donnel Carlin R. Nuzzo (1Cadisen L. Nuzzo (

Event #100 Boys 10 & Under 200 Free
:10.29 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 1 32
Grant King (10) Dalace Ray (10) Adam White (10) Sam Rousser (10)
:41.51 YF B Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 3 24
Brennon C. MitchellJarod Merryman (9)Joel Beck (9) Bryce King (9)

Event #131 Girls 11-12 200 Free
:06.60 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 1 32
Brittin Boyer (11)Becca Pratt (12) Mackenzie Mosier (Megan Zindel (11)

Event #132 Boys 11-12 200 Free
:19.29 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 2 26
Shane Atchison (12Cole B. Rowland (1Ty Molzen (11) Travis Hanson (12)

Event #133 Girls 13-14 200 Free
:03.75 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 3 24
Chris Beck (14) Kylie Goss (13) Reilly K. Merryman Makayla N. Thompson

Event #136 Boys 200 Free
:51.87 YF A Rela Sullivan Blue Dolphins 4 22
Brock Bales (13) Garrett Griffin (1Kyle Drury (13) Tyler Mosier (15)

Boom! Shaka laka

Whoomp! Here we are.

Tag Team - Where Are They Now? Where's that one-hit wonder that set the (sports) world on fire in the mid-'90s with a super cheesy hit rap song about.. well.. not really sure what that song was about.

And, quickly mentioning, man, I wish the music industry didn't correct itself and stop selling cheesy rap songs. Looking back, I would really enjoy to hear more songs like "Come On Ride The Train (And Ride It)," or "Who Let The Dogs Out."

Anyways, Whoomp! Here we are. High school basketball season edition. The Fall sports season has come to a complete halt, and now basketballs are rolling.

Let me interrupt this post to quietly make a big announcement: I won't be here for the basketball season. I am leaving the News-Progress to pursue my own business exploits, a writing career. I have greatly enjoyed my time with the News-Progress, a paper that has been nothing but great to me, and I will never forget the warm small towns of Sullivan, Bethany and Lovington.

That being said, I have my ideas about what this basketball season will bring to our local teams, though mostly the boys' as I came in last season during the boys' regionals, after the girls' season already ended.

Lovington is excited. They are coming off a real surprise season that landed them a regional trophy, and they never really put the ball down since. The team lost a couple key seniors to graduation - Andy Askins and Dalton Allyn - but they have some players stepping up to their roles, as fourth-year starter Lucas West is moving to the point guard position to replace Allyn and Jared Brewer and Jezzy Zeimet (last I checked) were fighting it out to take Allyn's position.

All right, so the plan is that the incoming sports editor is doing the boys' previews. Sorry for any lack of certainty (or info), but I guarantee that he will fill in any gaps.

Anyhow, each player worked hard throughout the summer and fall to stay in shape, and the team took some players to a summer camp at EIU, where they performed very well. They have several returning to players to really watch out for, especially West, the athletically-accomplished Dan Bolsen at power forward, and center Mike Arnold, a towering presence at 6'6 (last I checked. High school kids grow fast, you know).

With seasoned veteran coach Ray Duncan, this team will no longer be able to surprise anyone, because they are expected to be good. Watch out for Lovington to be tough this season.

Also watch out for Sullivan. They lost only two seniors, one of which was a starter (Ben Wheeler), and have a lot of talent coming back, including guard Chance Typer, center Chris Marrs, and another guard, Seth Bowman.

Unfortunately, Lovington and Sullivan will not meet each other during the regular season after they met in the regional championships for a blistering intense match that went into overtime, Lovington taking the win.

I won't lie, I'm not too sure about Okaw Valley's hopes this year, as they were knocked out of last season's regional before I got to watch them. One thing I do know, though, is that the school brought in a new basketball coach, Mark Tovey, who has a ton of coaching experience, and a lot of that was winning, particularly as a coach a few years back at Lovington. I think you can count on it that Tovey will shake some things up at OV and make them into a different team.

So, there you have it. Whoom! There it was. That's all I know right now going into the basketball season. If you have anything to add, please, add it into the comment box.

Fall-ing for volleyball

Well, there you have it.

After the final team and athlete were eliminated this weekend (A-L's football Knights and Sullivan's cross country runner Caitlyn Cordell) The Fall sports season in Moultrie County is complete.
It goes fast, and it's both fun and hard to watch. When I met with coaches and players this preseason, each and every last one of them had a reflection in their eyes. What were they looking at? A championship.

But, alas, each and every one of them have ended up looking elsewhere. Although it may be interesting to watch teams and their coaches from the television or sideline, it's even more interesting from the sports reporter's perspective. When the season begins, they are happy to give quotes and send back e-mails and send over stats and answer questions, but that excitement shrinks with each loss, and by season's end the sports reporter will be excited if that same coach would even look in their direction when their name is called, even if it is a distant, glazed-over stare.

But, that's that. Now each coach can contemplate what went wrong (and right!) and what they will do about it next year (if there is a next year!).

And the sports reporter and the fans just move on to the next sport, basketball.

I enjoyed football and its grandiose showing. It's the most complicated and hands-on high school sport there is and it gets the fans more riled up than any baseball game I went to (and they have great nachos!), but it wasn't my favorite sport this fall.

That's right, I'll admit it, it was volleyball.

I won't lie, my exposure to volleyball prior to this season had been slim, and I had no idea what I had been missing! I had blogged a bit about this earlier in the season, but, oh man! The cheers from the players! I wish the baseball team had tried a few of those, it would have made the games a LOT more exciting! And maybe if they pumped on some pre-game warmup jams and slid up the baselines two at a time, then hopped up and down from first, second to third.

Seriously, the pre-game warmup was my favorite part of each match.

And that's not saying I didn't enjoy the matches at all. These girls, on every team, were fierce competitors. And I thought I was pretty decent at volleyball until I started watching any of these teams, I would be dead if I tried to play any of these girls.

I also really enjoyed the scoring system, as even if the team I was covering went down 14-1 to start, a few points in their favor and I would think, here we go, they're on the comeback trail! It never was the case, but every single time I thought it would be the first time.

Cordell runs well in sectional

According to times posted online, Sullivan freshman Caitlyn Cordell finished 51st in this weekend's sectional meet with a time of 20:38.9. The top runner at the sectional finished with a time of 18:02.
For more about Cordell, see this week's News-Progress.

SBD Swim Meet Results

Below are results from the Sullivan Blue Dolphins' performance at the Olympia Otter Plunge, Oct. 18-19. If any parents or grandparents are looking to clip some refrigerator or scrapbook items, we are printing the first and second-place finishers in this week's paper.

Individual:
Boys
Shane Atchison, 12, third in 50 Free(32.49), second in 100 Fly(1:37.58), first in 50 Back(41.54), first in 100 Breast(1:49.72), first in 100 Free(1:13.77), first in 50 Fly(39.12), third in 100 Back(1:32.05), third in 50 Breast(46.18); Brock Bales, 13, sixth in 200 IM(2:30.77), sixth in 100 Free(1:00.39), first in 200 Fly(2:37.79), third in 100 Back(1:14.81), fourth in 50 Free(26.44), fourth in 100 Fly(1:07.40), first in 100 Breat(1:13.87), fifth in 200 Free(2:13.29); Joel Beck, 9, first in 100 IM(1:44.26), second in 50 Fly(50.07), first in 100 Back(1:46.18), sixth in 50 Free(38.82), eighth in 100 Free(1:29.11), sixth in 50 Back(45.45), first in 100 Fly(1:50.13), second in 50 Breast(1:02.30); Cole Bowsher, 11, sixth in 50 Free(52.55), seventh in 50 Back(1:00.56); Nick Cravatta, 11, fifth in 100 Free(1:31.32), fourth in 50 Fly(54.46), sixth in 50 Breast(57.91); Kyle Drury, 13, first in 100 Free(1:07.72), first in 200 Breast(2:57.30), eighth in 50 Free(28.94), ninth in 100 Breast(1:20.26); Ethan Foster, 7, seventh in 50 Back(1:12.70), ninth in 25 Free(33.77);Garrett Griffin, 13, first in 200 IM(2:54.71), second in 100 Free(1:12.53), sixth in 100 Back(1:23.66), second in 200 Breast(3:27.43); Travis Hanson, 12, first in 200 Fly(2:49.47), first in 100 Fly(1:19.26), second in 50 Back(39.34), first in 50 Free(0:30.63), first in 50 Fly(33.79), second in 100 Back(1:24.17), first is 50 Breast(45.09); Justin Jones, 9, second in 100 IM(1:44.93), third in 100 Back(1:59.03), first in 50 Free(40.54); Leman Jones, 7, first in 25 Fly(29.22), second in 50 Back(57.80), first in 25 Free(22.22); Bryce King, 9, second in 100 IM(1:34.42), first in 100 Back(1:29.11), first in 50 Free(35.49), second in 100 Breast(1:47.02), first in 100 Free(1:18.77), second in 50 Back(41.63), second in 100 Fly(1:33.06), first in 200 Free(2:54.62); Grant King, 10, third in 100 IM(1:19.37), second in 50 Fly (0:34.16), second in 100 Free (1:07.36), second in 50 Back(0:37.84), third in 100 IM(1:19.37), third in 50 Free(0:31.31), second in 200 IM(2:51.29), third in 100 Breast(1:35.17); Jarod Merryman, 9, third in 100 IM(1:40.02), third in 50 Fly(50.36), first in 500 Free(40.54), third in 100 Breast(1:50.42), sixth in 100 Free(1:27.67), first in 50 Back(49.89), fourth in 50 Breast(53.42); Tyler Mosier, 15, first in 200 IM(2:21.44), first in 100 Free(56.57), first in 100 Back(1:05.20), second in 200 Breast(2:44.86), fifth in 50 Free(24.71), first in 100 Fly(1:02.37), second in 200 Back(2:18.74), fifth in 100 Breast(1:15.21); Dalace Ray, 10, first in 100 IM(1:18.07), first in 50 Fly(0:33.88), second in 50 Free(0:31.00). third in 100 Back(1:26.02), fourth in 100 Free(1:10.19), first in 100 Fly(1:20.84), second in 50 Breast(43.52), third in 200 IM(2:41.31); Drew Rogers, 5, seventh in 25 Free(33.56); Sam Rousser, 10, second in 100 IM(1:18.17), second in 100 Back(1:24.36), fourth in 50 Free(0:32.20), fourth in 100 Breast(1:39.25); third in 100 Free(1:08.88), third in 50 Back(38.07), fourth in 200 IM(2:58.10), second in 200 Free(2:32.56); Cole Rowland, 11, fifth in 50 Free(44.40), fifth in 50 Back(53.34), seventh in 100 Free(1:40.66); Connor Russell, 12, second in 100 Free(1:19.01), second in 50 Fly(40.34), first in 100 Back(1:28.41), fourth in 50 Breast(49.57); Ryan Schodlatz, 5, sixth in 25 Free(33.24); Adam White, 10, second in 100 Free(1:20.38), first in 50 Back(41.59); .

Girls
Lily Bales, 10, first in 50 Fly(38.83), fourth in 100 Back(1:31.79), first in 50 Free(33.85), first in 100 Free(1:15.81), first in 50 Back(41.02), third in 50 Breast(41.02), third in 50 Breast(48.81), first in 200 Free(2:47.15); Chris Beck, 14, second in 200 IM(2:47.91), sixth in 100 Free(1:11.32), second in 200 Fly(3:13.03), first in 200 Breast(3:07.89), fifth in 50 Free(32.16), fourth in 100 Fly(1:31.35), second in 200 Back(2:46.70), first in 200 Free(2:34.59); Charlotte Bowsher, 7, 13th in 25 Free(45.36); Brittin Boyer, 11, second in 50 Free(27.98), first in 100 Breast(1:24.49), first in 100 Free(1:02.32), first in 50 Breast(36.84); Kailyn Boyer, 10 & Under, second in 100 Breast(1:49.41), second in 100 IM(1:29.72), first in 100 Back(1:28.29), third in 50 Free(33.21), second in 100 Free(1:16.94), second in 50 Back(37.93), fifth in 50 Breat(50.84), third in 200 Free(2:53.35); Katelin Brannam, 11, 10th in 50 Free(1:11.96); Abby Cravatta, 8, third in 50 Free(42.07), seventh in 25 Back(24.14), second in 50 Fly(59.72), third in 100 Free(1:38.52); Michaela Donnel, 10, 10th in 50 Free(48.84), eighth in 100 Free(1:42.99), fifth in 50 Back(52.44), 12th in 50 Breast(1:06.18); Natalie Drury, 7, fourth in 25 Fly(23.16), third in 50 Back(0:46.28), third in 25 Free(18.26), second in 50 Breast(59.05), second in 50 Free(40.86), third in 25 Back(22.26), first in 50 Fly(59.06), first in 100 Free(1:35.88); Tatum Ellis, 9, third in 50 Fly(1:00.81), fourth in 50 Free(41.31); Kylie Goss, 13, third in 200 IM(3:04.20), first in 100 Free(1:17.05), fifth in 100 Back(1:26.07), fourth in 200 Breast(3:36.87), seventh in 50 Free(32.80), fifth in 100 Fly(1:33.15), fifth in 100 Breast(1:42.07), fourth in 200 Free(2:47.78); Sara Griffin, 10, third in 100 IM(1:30.77), third in 50 Fly(43.01), third in 100 Back(1:29.92), seventh in 50 Free(37.07); Shelby Jent, 9, eighth in 50 Fly(1:14.32), seventh in 100 Back(2:05.24), 19th in 50 Free(1:13.17); Reilly Merryman, 13, third in 200 IM(2:51.99), seventh in 100 Free(1:12.36), fourth in 100 Back(1:25.68), third in 200 Breast(3:25.34), fourth in 50 Free(31.92), second in 100 Fly(1:25.41), third in 100 Breast(1:36.41), third in 200 Free(2:43.64); Mackenzie Mosier, 11, third in 200 IM(3:01.47), second in 50 Free(32.47), fourth in 50 Back(39.56), first in 100 Breast(1:38.68), first in 100 Breast(1:38.68); third in 100 Back(1:28.29), third in 50 Free(0:33.21);
Makayla Thompson, 13-14, first in 200 IM(2:25.66), first in 100 Free(1:00.31), first in 100 Back(1:04.84), third in 100 Free(1:11.85), fourth in 100 Back(1:26.60), first in 50 Breat(44.94), fourth in 200 Free(2:40.83); Cadisen Nuzzo, 10, fourth in 100 Free(1:35.15), first in 50 Back(49.56), 11th in 50 Breast(1:05.16); Carlin Nuzzo, 10, third in 100 Free(1:34.10), eighth in 50 Back(46.19); Bailee Pratt, 10, second in 100 IM(1:25.28), third in 50 Fly(0:36.90), second in 100 Back(1:29.61), second in 50 Free(34.07); Becca Pratt, 11, third in 50 Free(36.75), fourth in 100 Fly(1:52.55), third in 50 Back(43.44), second in 100 Breast(1:40.91), first in 100 Free(1:24.75), third in 50 Fly(45.35), second in 100 Back(1:34.63), first in 200 Free(3:04.48); Aryn Rousser, 7, 11th in 50 Free(1:00.47), second in 50 Breast(50.11), second in 200 IM(3:23.06); Abby Williams, 9, eighth in 100 Back(2:06.30), 13th in 50 Free(50.52); Chloe Wirey, 7, eighth in 50 Back(1:05.46), 12th in 25 Free(31.63), 12th in 50 Free(1:04.71), third in 25 Back(25.80).


Relay:
Boys
Tyler Mosier, Garrett Griffin, Kyle Drury, Brock Bales, 13-14, fourth in 200 Free(1:40.21); Nick Cravatta, Connor Russell, Travis Hanson, Shane Atchison, first in 11-12 200 Medley(2:45.05); Travis Hanson, Cole Rowland, Cole Bowsher, Shane Atchison, 11-12 200 Free, first place(2:41.97); Bryce King, Justin Jones, Jarod Merryman, Joel Beck, second in 10 & Under 100 Free(1:09.96); Leman Jones, Ethan Foster, Drew Rogers, Ryan Schodlatz, second in Eight & Under100 Free(1:59.94).

Girls
Kylie Goss, Reilly K. Merryman, Makayla Thompson, Chris Beck, first in13-14 200 Medley(2:21.72); Chris Beck, Reilly Merryman, Kylie Goss, Makayla Thompson, second place in 13-14 200 Free(2:03.30); Brittin Boyer, Becca Pratt, Katelin Brannam, Mackenzie Mosier, third place in 11-12 200 Free(2:55.36); Kailyn Boyer, Bailee Pratt, Sara Griffin, Lily Bales, first in 10 & Under 100 Free(1:01.95); Kailyn Boyer, Brynna Sentel, Lily Bales, Cadisen Nuzzo, first in 10 & Under 100 Medley(1:16.87);

Lovington loses to Windsor

Lovington's injury-riddled season ended tonight with a loss to Windsor in the regional, 18-25, 23-25.

See Wednesday's News-Progress for more.

Sullivan ends season in loss

The Sullivan Lady Redskins came out on fire but lost tonight to Pana, ending their season at 14-18.

The Lady Redskins lost to Pana in tonight's regional, 22-25, 10-25.

For more about the game, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

Phillies Win Series, Fans Beat Up Santa

So, the Phillies are your new World Champions.

Betcha didn't see that one coming when the season began. Betcha didn't see that one when the playoffs began, either.

In spite of a not-too-shabby 92-win season, I don't think the Phillies were on the lips of too many World Series predictors, even after they notched those 92 wins.

Nevermind that they had three players with more than 100 runs and three player also with 33 or more home runs (including one with 48, Ryan Howard, who knocked in 146 runs!), and nevermind that they had a closer who saved 48 games out of 48 tries, a pretty remarkable feat. Still, no one saw it coming.

And I'm glad I'm not a Phillie fan, though I should expect this and more if my Cubs ever make it to the promised land - I don't think I have read an article during this postseason where the Phillies have triumphed without a headline or opening lead mentioning their awful past. Is it newsworthy that a loser team has won the World Series? Sure, but at least let the fan get down to the bottom of the story before you remind them what kind of schmucks their team had been.

Regardless, they did it, and Mitch Williams is now off the hook, and Joe Carter can maybe shop or dine comfortably in Philadelphia again. Well, maybe, this is the meanest sports town there is, where Santa Claus was once booed and pelted with snow at an Eagles game.

Regardless, it was kind of a 'whatever' World Series, between a Florida baseball team with about as rich of a heritage as a Rally Monkey, and a Phillies franchise that, for the reasons listed above and more, has just never been that lovable...well, except for the Phils' era of long hair and chew, AKA Lenny Dykstra, Darren Daulton, John Kruk and the aforementioned Mitch Williams. It was hard not to like those guys.

That's what we baseball fans are kind of up against. Season ticket sales and hype are through the roof, but the hype dwindles each season because the playoffs are far too long and have too many teams, and unexpected, undeserving teams are entering each season.

I'm not saying either the Rays or Phils are undeserving.

The baseball execs have pretty much sold their sport out for the sake of TV contracts and ticket sales. I can't even tell you who won the World Series in the last five seasons, and I expect I'm not the only one, just because with SO MUCH PLAYOFFS it all kind of blurs together.

It's nice that more fans can be interested deeper into the season than in the past, but then there is less acclaim placed on making it to the postseason.

Okaw Valley knocked out of regional

The Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves were knocked out of the regional last night by the Arthur Lady Lancers, who then surprised everyone with a win over tough contenders Arcola.

The Lady Timberwolves lost to Arthur, 18-25, 23-25.

The Lovington Lady Panthers are playing tonight at the regional, which is held in Arcola. Action starts at 5:30.

Regional volleyball action.

What are you doing this week? Want to see some volleyball??

The Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves are starting their regional games on Wednesday at Arcola, starting with a match against Arthur.

Lovington is playing Thursday, also at Arcola, starting with a match against Windsor.

Sullivan will play Thursday at St. Teresa, with their opening match against Pana.

A-L playoff game on Saturday

Arthur-Lovington will play at Villa Grove this Saturday afternoon for the first-round of the playoffs.

The Knights and Blue Devils will square off at 1 p.m.

The Knights are looking to get revenge, and more, after they lost to the Blue Devils on Friday night, 39-6.

For more about the upcoming match, see tomorrow's News-Progress.

S-OV loses to Cllinton

Sullivan-Okaw Valley started strong against Clinton tonight, scoring first and holding the lead in the first quarter, but they ended up losing in the cold, muddy weather, 19-7.

Running back Chance Typer carried the ball a whopping 28 times for 108 yards. See Wednesday's News-Progress for more of the story.

A-L loses to Villa Grove

Arthur-Lovington lost big tonight to undefeated Villa Grove, 39-6.

The Knights could not stop the Blue Devils' running game, which ran all over them, and they could never get their passing game going.

For more information, pictures and quotes, see tomorrow's News-Progress.

OV wins

The Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves defeated Mount Zion last night, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22.

Parents, Meet The Parents - Matt Rennels Edition

This past weekend was the first weekend of my new life, my parents just met my girlfriend's parents.

Here's a little disclaimer for you: Wednesday's are often slow due to a lack of scheduled sports and the start of a new work week (As print day, our Wednesdays are your Mondays), so I thought I'd get a little personal on the ol' blog.

My girlfriend, Tasha, is a graduate student at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, which is where I also live. She actually came there straight from Minnesota, why? Well, let's just call that a fate thing, because I'm not sure why else anyone would land in podunk Charleston if it weren't for fate.

Well, I won't lie, my romantic life before Tasha was pretty dry. Yep. It's true. I never had a relationship last beyond three months, so, this was the first time my parents got to shake hands with another set of parents and impress them with baked goods and/or grilling skills.

My dad cooked bratwursts, my mom made a cherry dessert.

And somehow I saw my parents and brother in a new light, and it wasn't necessarily a bright one. It's at moments like these that your mom's interesting choice of phrases or your father's selection of pants really shine through, like never before. And you never really noticed how ugly that green kitchen wallpaper is until a moment like this...

And, yes, turns out its ugly.

I spent much of the weekend helping Tasha entertain her family, going to EIU's Homecoming game, taking them to the bizarre, yet fun, Lincoln Springs Resort for mini golf, and everything else Tasha could think up. The families' mixer was relatively brief, as my dad visited with them for one evening and then the whole clan came together for the dinner.

As these things normally go, it went fine, and, or, very well. It's one of those things that you walk out, check your pulse, and then say,

"ALLLLL RIIIGHT, BABY! I'm STILL alive!!!!! ... and then you start worrying back to specific instances, like the fork you dropped or the milk you dribbled off your chin and onto your shirt, or when the family dog had a seizure and your mom started crying (Don't worry, Mr. Flizzle Flop is OK.), but then you remember your beating pulse, you're fine.

Honestly, I've been very blessed by the whole relationship with this beautiful young woman, and the addition of her family to the mix is nothing but a bonus. I'm very excited about what lays ahead of us, as I hope this was only one of many more adventures.

Sound off!

Hey everybody,

I'm inviting your comments about this fall sports season about any (or every) team, your choice, whether football, soccer, volleyball, golf or cross country.

For instance, are you pleased or disappointed with the way your Knights football team has played? Are you pleased or disappointed with the way the Redskins football team has played? Do you think the Sullivan Redskins volleyball team is going to click in the playoffs? Do you think that Chelsee McMahan is a rising star on the team? Do you think Ruthie Wheelock's injury was the key to Lovington's falter, and if she didn't get injured they could have done some real damage this season??

What do you think? What do you think? The sports season is just wrapping up and there are a lot of storylines to talk about, and we can always start looking to next season for teams that are out of it. We can even chat about the upcoming winter sports season and anything we foresee about it.

Sound off on any of this, Sullivan, Bethany and Lovington.

Okaw Valley loses to Cerro Gordo

The Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves lost last night to Cerro Gordo, 14-25, 24-26.

Further information will be printed in next week's News-Progress.

Lady Panthers lose in two sets

Lovington lost last night to the best team in the conference, Tri-County, 7-25, 11-25.

For more information, see today's News-Progress.

Sullivan loses to St. T

Sullivan lost tonight to a scrappy St. Teresa team, 20-25, 14-25.

See tomorrow's News-Progress for more.

Evaluating The Teams - Football

The Arthur-Lovington Knights are no longer playoff hopefuls after beating the Tri-County Titans on Friday (read all about it in this week's News-Progress! O yea!), as they secured their entry with the win, but what's this mean??

We won't really know much until the playoff schedule established on Oct. 25, but we do know that the Knights are back in it for the sixth time in seven years. The surprisingly small squad of 26 first has to take on the undefeated powerhouse of Villa Grove this weekend at home (BE THERE! Root on your Knights and help them pull off an upset!), and then we'll let the fun begin.

I look forward to seeing the Knights in the playoffs, and I even look forward to seeing them next weekend against Villa Grove. This is a team that has a TON of heart, and that's often what wins games, not just talent.

They have a lot of that, too. When you ask coach Dale Schuring how he is able to win with such a small team (both in number and physicality), he always tells you the same thing, that he has ALWAYS had a small team with the Knights and that they have had to cope with this. The Knights take what they have and win.

Schuring has no problem saying that the Knights are a finesse team, and they apparently do it well. They have racked up 1,931 yards rushing this season (241 yards/game) on only 278 carries (an amazing average of seven yards per carry),

Running back Justin Schuring, Dale's son, could break 1,000 yards rushing this season on Friday against Villa Grove, as he has already piled up 934 yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Adam Carver is a scrambling quarterback who keeps the defenses guessing, and he has tucked it in and ran 45 times for 404 yards and 10 touchdowns.

In this week's poll, many have stated that Sullivan-Okaw Valley could maybe learn something from Arthur-Lovington's success, and I believe that it's true that a struggling team should take note of any successful program and what their skill is. As mentioned, the Knights are now in the playoffs for the sixth time in six years, and they have always done this on finesse, meaning they have recognized what kind of team they were and have embraced that. I believe Nate Lorton is learning what kind of team he has and they are also learning what kind of coach he is.

Dale Schuring was an assistant with Arthur-Lovington many years before taking over as head coach six years ago. Being that Lorton had never seen the Redskins before wearing the coach's hat this year, he has to have a window of time to work with.

It would also be good to see S-OV's players learn something from the players of a winning program like A-L, which starred several vocal leaders on the field, particularly Dan Bolsen. Bolsen wanted the playoffs this season more than anything, and his focus became playoffs, playoffs, playoffs, and his teammates followed. That's the sort of personality the Redskins will need next season, a critical year for Lorton and the Redskins.

All year long I have been posting polls and have found some interesting responses. One interesting response, one I hear away from the blog, too, is that many people blame the Redskins' poor records in recent years on the tough conference. That statement has some validity, but that excuse and every other one needs to be tossed out the window starting in this offseason.

Our parents and teachers often told us to not make excuses, and I believe that applies in high school football, too. Many believe it would be nice for the Redskins to get more players from Okaw Valley, and it would be, but Arthur-Lovington has proven they can win with only three players from Lovington. Many say they can't win in the conference, but it appears to simply be a matter of getting students out there to play, get them trained and filled with confidence, because smaller schools in the conference have been able to do much more.

Lovington loses, but hosts breast cancer benefit tonight

The Lovington Lady Panthers lost to Effingham St. Anthony last night, 16-25, 13-25.

Tonight the girls' team will be hosting a "Volley For The Cure" game, and all proceeds will go to the Susan G. Kramer Foundation. All breast cancer survivors will be allowed free entry.

S-OV loses big to St. Teresa

Sullivan-Okaw Valley lost to conference heavyweights St. Teresa tonight in a blowout, 56-6.


For pictures, quotes and more, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

Arthur-Lovington is going to the playoffs!

The Arthur-Lovington Knights won tonight over Tri-County, 54-26, and are now automatically entering the playoffs.

It was their sixth win of the season against two losses, and six wins means an automatic playoff entry.

Now the Knights will be prepping for a tough game against undefeated Villa Grove next week.

See this week's News-Progress for pictures of the game, quotes and stats.

Sullivan VB wins again

Sullivan came back to beat Clinton last night, 20-25, 25-20, 25-15.

It was their second straight conference victory after losing their first seven, and they will next play Tuesday at home against St. Teresa. It will be Senior Night.

Okaw Valley loses to red-hot Titans

Okaw Valley lost last night to red-hot Tri-County last night, 13-25, 11-25.

The Lady Timberwolves are now 4-6 in the conference and are playing at Cerro Gordo on Tuesday.

Lovington VB loses to Sangamon Valley

Lovington's volleyball team suffered a loss to Sangamon Valley last night, 19-25, 19-25. Their next match is Monday at Effingham-St. Anthony.

OV VB wins over Windsor

The Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves took home a win against Windor last night, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21.

A sudden boost in voting...

It seems to be unanimous, Dan Bolsen is awesome!!!!!

Or, at least it was unanimous yesterday, as the Arthur-Lovington linebacker got nine votes in one day for biggest Knights contributor of the year, and no one else got any!

And suddenly, everyone agreed that they had NO IDEA why Sullivan-Okaw Valley lost last weekend, as there were seven or so votes yesterday for that, to, again, none.

AMAZING!

OV VB loses close match

The Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves suffered another loss last night, losing to Sangamon Valley in three close sets, 24-26, 25-22, 20-25. They are now 6-16 on the season.

The News-Progress didn't receive the information until after the print deadline for today's paper, so the story will be included in next week's paper.

Results From Monday Tournament

The Sullivan volleyball team won two and lost two on Monday in a tournament at Mount Zion, giving them fourth place.

Sullivan defeated Mount Zion (25-14, 26-24) and Okaw Valley (25-8, 25-15), but lost to Murphysboro (14-25, 18-25), and Mattoon (19-25, 15-25).

Also in the tournament, Okaw Valley lost all five matches they played in, losing to St. Theresa (14-25, 17-25), Mt. Zion (18-25, 20-25), Murphysboro (17-25, 7-25), Lemphier (25-23, 22-25, 14-16) and Sullivan.

Arthur-Lovington wins again

The Arthur-Lovington Knights won their fifth game of the season tonight, convincingly, beating East-Central 45-18.

For stats, quotes and the game story, see this week's News-Progress.

Sullivan-Okaw Valley loses to Shelbyville

The Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins lost to the Shelbyville Rams tonight, 27-14.

The Redskins were unable to get their running game going tonight, running for only 71 yards on 3d carries.

For more game stories, stats and quotes, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

A Little Help From My Friends

This is a nod to who has helped me the most this Fall sports season.

Being a one-man sports desk, I always need some help and I have gotten just that this year, and it shouldn't go unnoticed.

I have received helping hands from players, such as Lovington students Dan Bolsen and Lucas West. Dan has been helping each week to supply me with game story information about every contest I couldn't make, and Lucas has taken pictures of games I haven't been able to attend. Dan, a lineman for the team, is a great assistance to help me learn about what happened at games I was unable to see for myself.
Lucas, a star on the Lovington basketball team, has been taking time off the court to supply pictures of Arthur-Lovington games I have been unable to attend, and he's a crafty photographer.

For Sullivan-Okaw Valley games, Bob Hagen has been more than helpful, supplying stats and scores after games, along with game stories.

S-OV board member Chris White has supplied us with excellent information about every week of the JFL season, and that helped a great deal.

Thanks also to all the coaches. We, at the News-Progress, are trying to turn around the mentality about this paper, getting information faster so we can put it on the Web and so we can ensure we have it, and I thank the coaches who helped make this happen.

And you. Thank you for all your help, and I hope that we can make the News-Progress even more of a community newspaper, and a lot of that starts right here on the blog. Please, stir up some conversation around here and let's get some dialog goin' about local sports!

Looking Ahead: Friday Football

In a Fall sports season that has been muddied by injuries and tough luck seasons, we still have Friday football to look forward to. And for the first time this season, both of the teams the News-Progress covers, the Knights and Redskins, are coming off of wins.

So, will each team win again this week?

The Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins are no doubt excited. After a lot of hard work and enduring some grueling losses, it has appeared recently, ESPECIALLY last week against Monticello, that they have discovered how to move the ball.

They ran the ball for 245 yards this past week on 46 attempts, and they had the defense perplexed as to who was getting the ball, as four backs had 30 yards or more on the ground.

Coach Nate Lorton likes to keep the defense (and the sports reporter!) guessing.

This running game also opens up for a potent passing attack, especially since quarterback Tyler Frerichs can take off with such bursts of speed when receivers aren't open. He had 93 yards last week, including a running play where he burnt the defense for a 60-yard touchdown run at the start of the game.

It's been fun to watch these Redskins advance. Well, it wasn't much fun at first, but it's fun to look back and compare to weeks 1, 2 & 3. Lorton is a coach who isn't about flash, he's about x's and o's and well-executed plays, which usually translates to an effective ground game, and it will always take a while for a team to learn a playbook and for a coach to get comfortable in his setting, and it's obvious that has happened here.

Now, against winless Shelbyville, this game is for the Redskins' taking, but they have to take it. With the game away at Shelbyville, they won't have the hungry Homecoming crowd behind them and now the Rams will be the ones fighting for their first win of the year.

As for the Arthur-Lovington Knights, they aren't going to beat you with strength, but they will with passion. This team has the spunk and heart that every coach dreams of. This spunk adds up to a LOT of yards each week on offense. Last week the team had a very potent and freakishly balanced attack, 203 yards on the ground and 205 in the air, and I see them on a fast track to the playoffs, but they have to stay on track.

They will go up against East Central this week, a team with a bad record (1-5) and even worse point total, scoring 68 on the season while allowing 198, but A-L coach Dale Schuring knows that anything can happen, and he doesn't want to see his team go in unprepared. I have a good feeling about this game, though, after talking to Schuring and team captain Dan Bolsen, and I know that what they will need is integrity and this team has just that.

Panthers soccer remains winless

The Lovington-Sullivan soccer team lost again tonight, 5-1 to Altamont, the number one-seeded team in their region.

Patrick Tomczewski scored the Panther's only goal.

For more about the game and other Panther's games from this week, see tomorrow's News-Progress.

Sullivan volleyball continues to struggle

The Sullivan Lady Redskins suffered another conference loss tonight, losing to Tuscola, 21-25, 17-25.

Each of those nine games have been within the conference. Their overall record is now at 8-11.

Lovington knocked out of conference tournament, OV advances

Lovington was knocked out of the Little Okaw Valley Conference Tournament last night after losing to Okaw Valley in two sets, 14-25, 22-25, and then to top-seeded Tri-County, 9-25, 17-25.
The team also lost setter Alyssa Yoder in the first match against OV to a leg injury.

Okaw Valley lost to Tri-County in their first match, 11-25, 25-23, 7-25, but advanced to the next round, today in Villa Grove, after their win over Lovington.

See tomorrow's paper for tonight's results, and also pictures, quotes and stats.

Under Pressure!

I'm sure that if you actually care about this, you will have read your fair share of articles and columns about this already, but I think it would also be unfair for me to quietly sliver away after the Cubs' humiliating three-game sweep they just suffered, knocking them out of the playoffs.

But, to start with a defense of myself, I never actually said they were going to win it all, and I never even guaranteed a series win over the Dodgers. Now, to continue with a blast at myself, I still entered this thing with a pessimistic view, which a lot of us Cubs fans did, and I still firmly believe that's why our Cubs lost.

Please don't tell me any junk about how they're professionals and they should be able to handle this, because they're also humans, and humans can only handle so much pressure. The Cubs infield had all the pressure in the world on them on Wednesday, and then they were in the hole.

This is the problem, Cubs fans didn't know how to handle being the favorite. We've ALWAYS been the underdogs, and now that we had some pride to carry, we didn't know how. Boston fans know how to carry pride, and so do Yankees, Cardinals and Angels fans, and this year Dodgers fans are just thrilled to even be in the playoffs. That's what worked for the Cubs in 2003 and what was sailing them through the playoffs, until a fan (irony????) slowed it all down, and then once the fans suddenly didn't have the Cubs' back, the Cubs infield booted the next ball and everything collapsed (SOUNDS FAMILIAR!!!!).

I'm not sure how this will work. Everyone is crying on their pillows right now saying, "this was supposed to be our year!!! WAHHHH!!!!!" But an attitude like that, one that believes it is hopeless, will only ruin what this could and would be, what I'm ready to call the Cubs' era, which would lead to another excellent season. The Cubs could very easily win 95+ games again next season, but then we'll be at the same spot next season, worrying worrying worrying, rather than CHEERING!!! Something's got to change.

It does matter who the Cubs sign and re-sign this offseason, but what matters even more this offseason is what kind of attitude their players and fans carry, optimism, pessimism, or realism. Realistically, the Cubs can't shake that "curse" until they and their fans somehow forget it.

I hope for some seasoned Cubs fans. Fans who learn not to expect too much, learn to root for their team even if they might get hurt in the end, walk in confidence about BOTH the season AND post season, and leave behind this disillusioned hope, something we fans are famous for. Throw hope out the window and replace it with confidence.

And, of course, I hope these Chicago Cubs learn a lesson, too, don't take it too seriously. Al Yellon, editor of my favorite sports blog, bleedcubbieblue.com, posed a good argument today. First, we need to model ourselves after the 2004 Red Sox, (especially now that the Cubs' front office is starting to spend like the Red Sox. The Yankees have shown us that dollars don't translate to world series wins, and we know that a ridiculously long championship drought may take some special actions.)

Yellon pointed out that the 2004 Red Sox team called themselves the Idiots, and they did everything they could to take the pressure off, which helped them win their first title in 86 years. Now, not too sure if Lou Piniella would be all about this idea, but the end justifies the means, right? And I'm SURE Carlos Zambrano would be ALL ABOUT this.

And, of couse, being idiots not the only recipe for success, but my only point is that the Cubs players need to find a way to take the pressure off, too.

That's all for now. See you in the playoffs again next season, Chicago, I will step out and make that prediction.

A-L wins easily over South Piatt

The Athur-Lovington Knights remembered how to play hard tonight and handed it to South Piatt, 41-13.

The defense was extremely stellar, coach Dale Schuring said, allowing only one offensive touchdown, as South Piatt's other one was scored on a fumble recovery.

Come on, Redskins fans, make some noise!!! Redskins win, 35-28

The Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins won tonight against Monticello, 35-28, winning for the first time this season and snapping a 35-game losing streak.

The game was for the most part one sided, as it was 35-14 at the half, but then the Redskins let up in the fourth quarter and the Sages took advantage and made things a little bit scary, but S-OV held on in the end.

For the game story, pictures, quotes and stats, check this Wednesday's News-Progress.

Lovington VB team sweeps OV

The Lady Panthers showed they can play well even without their 6'3 middle hitter, Ruthie Wheelock, as they beat Okaw Valley in a close one last night, 29-27, 26-24.

For more of the game story and quotes and more, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

Sullivan VB loses fifth straight

The Sullivan Lady Redskins continued to struggle against their conference, losing to Meridian last night in two sets, 25-20, 26-24.

For more about the game and quotes from coach Heather Lindenmeyer, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

CHEER up, Cubs fans! Come on!!!

I must admit that I'm a little bit ashamed of myself.

Last night my editor and I sat back in our chairs for a little bit to chat about the baseball playoffs. We Cubs fans get to have our eyes light up at this conversation only once every so often, and this year it is totally out of the ordinary, since it's the second year in a row. You would think my excitement would have been bursting forth, that I would have been blowing up balloons, throwing confetti in the air and renting a pony or two, proclaiming a Cubs World Series already after their 97 win (!!!!) season.

But no. I sat back in my chair with a blank face, folded arms and a calm voice. When asked how I felt about the Cubs being in (she knows I'm a fan), I said, "eh, I'm just trying to not get too carried away, because it is the Cubs."

I realized my shame a few hours later when roughly 42,000 people with the same sentiment filled Wrigley last night. I've seen more electricity in a cold regular season game in May against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It took only a half inning for the announcers to catch on, saying "it almost seems these fans are only hoping they don't mess up!" and they were right.

The producers knew the story line here, a bunch of bitter, scared fans, too scared to cheer on their "beloved" Cubbies. We made an embarrassment of ourselves last night, Cubs nation, myself included, but let me say this: It has to stop there.

Where were all those crazed (or, idiotic) Cubs fans? You know at least one, too, the ones that have three tattered jersies from three decades, six worn out hats, and a dog named Ernie, a cat named Ryno, a bird named Sosa, and two children, Wrigley (girl) and Caray (boy). And nevermind he got fired from 7/11 yesterday, the biggest tragedy on his mind was the blown save by Kerry Wood later that night.

Where was that guy??? We could have used him in the fifth inning when Ryan Dempster was unable to find the strike zone and had a look of panic in his eyes! It appeared as though he was looking in the stands for his mother. I surely wasn't the only one who saw some sort of tragedy coming off the bat of James Loney, but no one in the stands did anything to try to stop it, like, oh say, cheer. They just hoped it wouldn't happen.

Why are we panicking, Cubs fans? First of all (and this is a big first, believe me, it took a long time for me to understand this, too), but this is baseball. It is a GAME played with a stick and a ball created (maybe) by Abner Doubleday in 1839 (the creator is still not proven). Point being, breathe a little bit. If the Cubs win this season, it'll be nice but your life won't really be any better unless you own stock in the Cubs, which you likely don't. I know you want to SHOVE IT IN COUSIN RICKY'S FACE, that STUPID CARDINALS FAN!!!!! ... but come on, that's kind of silly.
And if they lose, your life won't be any worse, unless you are too attached. If you are, then detach yourself just a bit.

OK, now that we have that out of the way, what happens if they lose this season? Will this all-star lineup disassemble? This isn't the Florida Marlins we're talking about, and these aren't the cheap Cubs of old. They have a their core players - and coach - locked up for a while:
• Carlos Zambrano (through 2012)
• Aramis Ramirez (2011)
• Alfonso Soriano (2014!)
• Derrek Lee (2010)
• Fukudome (2011 hahaha)
• Dempster (2008, OK, so there's one)

I guess it would be unfair for me to not mention that Kerry Wood and Tim Harden are also free agents this offseason, but these Cubs are different than your dad's Cubs and even your older brother's Cubs. After they watched the financial success begin to change hands to their crosstown rivals after the White Sox won the World Series in 2006, they realized that Cubs fans no longer were no longer OK with their team being lovable losers, they wanted a championship team and weren't going to buy tickets, jersies, hats or dogs named Ernie until happened.

This is no time to panic, Cubs fans, this is the time to embrace your team. The Cubs aren't as much playing against the Dodgers tonight as they are against a mindset, not the one that is in their own minds, but what's in your mind. To the many Cubs fans who have already said after one loss, 'IT'S OVER!!!!!" leaving the players to wonder where there beloved fans are, grow up and support your team.

Local teams in a dry spell

Winning isn't only fun for the ahtletes and the fans, it's also fun for the sports reporters.

It's nice to watch the kids have smiles on their faces. It's good to have a light, bouncy conversation with the coach, rather than one where I'm trying to find something nice to say and walking on egg shells with every word I say. It's also nice to write stories about wins, rather than losses.

But, sometimes games happen. The Sullivan Lady Redskins volleyball team have fallen a bit flat and have faced some tougher teams since the conference play has started. I have seen the Arthur-Lovington Knights football team hardly even compete against two of the top teams in the LOVC, which is bad for playoff aspirations, The Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins football team has had such a tough season and has played such a tough schedule that at this point a 48-20 loss is celebrated, and though the Lovington Lady Panthers were raising eyebrows everywhere with an unexpected 8-3 start and it looked like they could only get better, they lost their premier player to a leg injury and have since gone 1-3.

Tough luck for a tough team.

The other hard thing is that you start to get attached to these teams. You end up rooting for each team and when they win, it's good, and when not, it's bad. I nod my head in approval when the Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves volleyball team when they slam down a spike for a score, and cringe with the best of them when they misfire a serve.

I love this position because it's fun to watch sporting events and get paid for it, and I just hope these teams can break out of their funks and make things even MORE fun.

Sullivan keeps on making new ground in cross country

The Sullivan cross country boys' team placed second at a quadrangular meet yesterday at Central A&M, and the girls team placed third.
The boys' team scored a 45, behind Taylorville's 32 and ahead of Lincoln's 54 and Central A&M forfeited as they did not have enough participants to score.
The girls placed third with a 71, behind Central A&M's 25 and Taylorville's 42, and ahead of 81 by Lincoln.
See this week's News-Progress for more about the event.

Lovington VB loses to Arcola

Lovington held its own against Arcola tonight, in spite of premier player Ruthie Wheelock sitting on the sideline with an injury, but they never could overcome the Lady Riders, losing 18-25, 15-25.

For stats, quotes and much, much more, see tomorrow's News-Progress.

Sullivan VB loses to Maroa-Forsyth

Sullivan lost its fourth straight conference match to start the conference season tonight, losing to Maroa-Forsyth, 19-25, 17-25.

The Lady Redskins had their moments, but could never string their hits together to gain any real momentum.

For stats, the game story and quotes from coach Heather Lindenmeyer, see tomorrow's News-Progress.

Positive Post-Season Thinking

What now, Cubs fans?

I'm excited about this postseason, are you? I was jogging the other day in my neighborhood (Eastern Illinois University's campus in Charleston) and I ran into an old friend who I used to talk TONS of baseball with. I used to be an absolute fanatic, one of those guys who may have lost an arm the day before, and when asked how I'm doing, I'll first react about the Cubs' loss to the Padres.

Thankfully, I've calmed down, but this quickly got us into some Cubs talk, and though he's a Sox fan, he was quick to admit that this was the best Cubs team he's ever seen (he's 27), and I agreed (I'm 28).

So, what's that mean, though? In 2003 they were sailing through the playoffs as the N.L. Central Champs, like this year, but they only had 88 wins compared to 97 this season. And that's just win totals, this Cubs lineup is solid from top to bottom like none that I have ever seen before, and their pitching staff is just as impeccable, with three all-star calibur pitchers to (hopefully!) lead us through the playoffs.

And the leaders that the Cubs have is unlike any leadership in the past. Ryan Dempster would be the most well-spoken Cub I'd ever seen if it weren't for teammate Mark Derosa. And Carlos Zambrano, for better or for worse (I believe better), is as fired up as ever. This is a lot better leadership than Sammy Sosa, point-blank period.

And this is leadership that Lou Piniella was lacking on the 2001 Seattle Mariners team that won 116 games but was knocked out of the playoffs in the first round.

OK... so maybe this thing isn't a lock. There are a lot of hurdles for ANY playoff team, and this is the Chicago Cubs we are looking at, a team with a storied history of losing and losing some more. But, they didn't have this team or coach for any of those unsuccessful seasons, either.

Somehow this passed over my head, but not only had they not won a World Series since 1908, they also hadn't won their division in consecutive years since 1908, either, until they clinched it a few weeks ago. I'm ready for the Cubs' losing ways to be over, and I'm sure you Cubs fans out there are, too. How many people remember the Red Sox' drought of 86 years before winning it four years ago, and then again last season?

Lovington pulls out a win in Monday VB

Windsor barely pulled out a win against Deland-Weldon's volleyball team last night, 25-19, 25-22, their first win after losing outside hitter Ruthie Wheelock.

Lady Panthers' coach Amanda Doggett said she felt her team didn't play up to their potential. She was also saddened by the fact that Ruthie, after tearing some tendons in a match last week, is now off crutches and in a boot but could sit out the year.

For more game stories, quotes and stats, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

OV VB loses to Martinsville

The Okaw Valley volleyball team lost to Martinsville on Saturday, 12-25, 22-25. Coach Jen Crowder said right side hitter Ashley McCausland was out due to an injury and that she will be out for a while, and she said her team had a hard time adjusting to play without her in this matchup.

Check this week's News-Progress for more Lady Timberwolves volleyball stories.

Bowman reportedly OK

I talked to Sullivan-Okaw Valley coach Nate Lorton by e-mail today, and he told me that he talked to wide receiver Seth Bowman by phone on Saturday and said he seemed to be doing fine.
Bowman took a hit to his head on Friday night that required medics to help him on the field and that delayed play for 10 minutes. He was taken taken off the field by stretcher and taken to the hospital.

A-L loses, 40-24

Arthur-Lovington couldn't send the Lovington Homecoming crowd home with something to grin about, as they lost to conference favorites Cerro Gordo, 40-24.

The Knights' defense had a hard time getting off the field, as the Bronco's controlled the clock for a large majority of the game, as their drives were long and successful.

For more quotes, pictures and a detailed look at the game, check out this week's Progress.

Sullivan-Okaw Valley loses 48-20

Sullivan-Okaw Valley started the game with a bang tonight, getting on the board first with a touchdown against Unity High School, but Unity won 48-20.

Chance Typer ran for 158 yards. For more of the game story and quotes, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

Wide receiver Seth Bowman was also involved in a scary play, when he took a hit to the head and game play was stopped 10 minutes to evaluate him. Scorekeeper Bob Hagen said he was moving his fingers, arms and neck and thought he was likely OK, but Bowman was carried away on a stretcher.

The News-Progress will post an update once anything is known about Bowman's health.

What does this mean?

OK, let me begin by thanking you.

My recent poll asking what has happened to Sullivan-Okaw Valley season has received more of a response than any previous poll, and that's great because we really get a feel for what you, the fans, feel.

And now that we have that response, it's time to ask this - what's that mean for the Redskins? I agree, the Okaw Valley Conference is extremely tough, as there are several teams with storied histories of winning, winning, winning. And for the past few years, Sullivan does not. But does that mean S-OV should just shrug their shoulders and say, "eh, not much we can do 'bout this one." ?

I agree with you, that has a lot to do with what's happening right now, but I could also fill in the oval on a few of the other options on that list. I believe Lorton is a very good, detail-oriented coach, and that it will take some time to get his players and coaching staff adjusted to his playbook and coaching style, that's only natural. (Remember, in Jimmie Johnson's first year of coaching the Cowboys in 1989, his team went 1-16, and then they won two Super Bowls) But, the Redskins have to find the passion to play and I also firmly believe that more Okaw Valley players need to put on uniforms next year if they want to compete in this conference.

But what do you think? Recognizing that the Okaw Valley Conference is a tough one, what should the Redskins do to counteract that and make this into a winning program?

Sullivan takes third, Okaw Valley takes fourth at quadrangular

Sullivan had an off night yesterday at a four-team golf tournament at Tuscola, scoring a 196 for third place, and Okaw Valley continued its losing season with a 216 for fourth.

Nearly all of Sullivan's golfers scored above their averages, but Nick Hortenstine scored a 44. Okaw Valley's Nick Day had a 42.

Tuscola was first with a 176 and Monticello was second with a 179.

Lovington loses another, Wheelock out at least a week

The Lovington volleyball team lost to Heritage last night, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, suffering their second loss in a row while missing middle hitter Ruthie Wheelock.

Wheelock went down with an ankle injury on Wednesday, and Doggett said it is only sprained but had swollen to the size of a softball. Doggett said she hopes she won't be out much more than a week.

For stats, quotes and other info, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

Sullivan VB loses third in a row

The Sullivan volleyball team hasn't started its conference schedule very well, losing their third game to start the schedule last night, 23-25, 25-13, 24-26.

The girls had just lost to conference powerhouses Shelbyville and Warrensburg-Lathm, and probably didn't see the loss to the Raiders coming. Shelbyville is still undefeated, winning their first 16 games to start the season.

Sullivan is now 8-5 on the year, 0-3 in the Okaw Valley Conference. Check back here for more scores throughout the week and then see Wednesday's News-Progress for the usual in-depth stuff.

OV VB loses

The Okaw Valley volleyball team lost to Arcola tonight, 15-25, 14-25.

They started slow and could never really form as a team against Kim Fortney and the tough Arcola team.

For pictures, quotes, and more, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

Sullivan wins triangular meet

The Sullivan golf team took first in a three-team meet yesterday, and freshman Patrick Miller scored an impressive 40 on the day.
Sullivan won with a 177, Beecher City-Altamon was just behind them (181), and Bement came in third (238).
For more about this game and the rest of action this week, see Wednesday's News-Progress.

Lovington loses, Wheelock injured

Only hours after I went on about Lovington's big start this season and their standout net player, Ruthie Wheelock, Wheelock was injured in a loss to Windsor.
Coach Amanda Doggett wrote in a fax that Wheelock went down with an ankle injury half way through the first game, and she then went to the hospital to get an X-ray.
The Lady Panthers lost the game 16-25, 22-25. Wheelock had one kill before she was injured, and Lanna Trower had five kills and Colie Kuhns served three aces.
For more game stories, quotes from Doggett and pics, see Wednesday's News-Progress. Check back to the Grinding It Out blog for an update on Wheelock's condition.

Are you scared???

Hey Cubs fans, how do you feel??

I'm not sure. I feel a little scared. This is a new feeling...and it isn't quite assurance and it is a hair off from optimism...is it hope?

I don't want to hope. I want to keep myself as distant from these playoffs as possible, while still watching every minute that I possibly can. The Cubs are entering into it with a lock for home field advantage and are only waiting to see whose going to win the east, and who will take the wild card.

That's another question, who do you want in the playoffs, the Mets or Brewers???

Man, oh man, I stayed away from baseball this season for a reason, and that was so I would no longer have to endure questions like these, questions that have NOTHING to do with me or my well-being, rather, a multi-billion dollar corporation that is planted three hours to the north of me and that fears billy goats. But, hey, they're lovable!!!

And that's the other question, do any of you just *sorta* miss being the lovable losers? I mean, winning is nice and all, but with the way the Cubs are suddenly willing to spend (trillions more than in past seasons), it almost feels like I'm now being spoiled and it's unfair to the old Cub fan of years past, when we were out of the race by early August but we still watched Shawon Dunston, Dennis Eckersely, Rick Hundley and Sammy Sosa on WGN to pass the time between WKRP and I Love Lucy.

Well, WGN still has the same awful, stale programming, but the Cubs no longer have the same awful teams.

To answer these questions, I want to begin by telling you that this is by far the best Cubs team I've ever seen. Some of you may argue the '84 team, but I was 4 then, so I really can't be involved in that conversation. And though there is a lot of talent on the Cubs - Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, Carlos Zambrano, Kerry Wood, Mark Derosa, Alfonso Soriano and Ryan Dempster to name only a few - the big man at the top is Lou Piniella. I love Lou Piniella, and the thing I hope to get out of this season the most is a chance to say that I stood on Wrigley Field's grass, five feet from the man who brought them to the promised land. I did earlier this summer when I went to a game for the News-Progress. I also crowded into the press room and watched him in action. Though there were no rants.

Really, though, Piniella is amazing. This Cubs team plays more like a team than any Cubs team I've ever seen, if any team at all. The bench players contribute in major ways and even the star players can take days off without the Cubs missing a beat. The pitching staff is impeccable, and with Zambrano, Harden and Dempster going into the playoffs, we're in great shape.

Go Cubs!

Reviewing The Play - Lovington Volleyball

The Lady Panthers are surprising everyone. Nevermind they have only 12 girls on the team and were picked in the preseason to finish next to last in the 13-team Okaw Valley Conference, they have started off with a bang, compiling an 8-3 record to start the year.

And you should head to Lovington's oversized gym sometime to check them out, because they are A LOT of fun to watch. These girls are having more fun than any of the teams I have had to watch, and probably because there isn't as much pressure on them - they weren't supposed to win.

I was sitting beside Carol Smith, the recently removed long-tenured coach of the volleyball team, the other day, and she couldn't help but yell at the girls, too. And she has a GREAT volleyball yell. Anyways, she said they had a very good coach in Doggett, a former player of Smith's on Lovington's teams, 1998-2002, and I couldn't agree more. Amanda is a rough and tough coach who knows what her girls can do and what they are capable of, and she doesn't settle for any less. There is no doubt that her tenacity and demand of excellence is what has gotten this team to overachieve this season.

But, you can't count out the Lady Panthers. Ruthie Wheelock is one of the best players in the area. At 6'3, she is an intimidating presence as she stands at the net and peers down at the opposing team. Ashton Suforna, the 5'10 surprise force also at the net, is showing that she has some real skill, too, as she continually posts blocks at the position and is getting her spike down.

I could definitely see this team making some damage in the postseason. They have already lost to Sullivan once, though not by too much, though people may be skeptical about a regional victory, stranger things have happened.

Watch for Lovington's game against Arcola next week, as that will be the start playing established teams within the conference. Also watch for upcoming tough conference games against Bement (Oct. 14), Tri County (Oct. 21), and Cerro Gordo (Oct. 23).

The Lovington Lady Panthers have already doubled their win total from last season (4), so let's just see how much further they can take this.