Sports
Rich Central Baseball Has Something to Prove
Olympians motivated by what they think is too low of a seed for the upcoming Lincoln-Way West Sectional. Meanwhile, many favorites do well and some surprises at area track and field meets.
The Rich Central baseball team felt a bit slighted by getting the No. 4 seed in the Lincoln-Way West Sectional. Despite losing to Rich East on Thursday, the Olympians have a dazzling 15-2-1 overall record and are 8-1 in the Southland Conference. They are looking forward to hosting Homewood-Flossmoor today at 11 a.m.
To hear what Olympians coach Corey Stallings thinks of his team's play so far this season and his reaction to being the No. 4 seed, check out the accompanying video.
Marian Softball Squad in Top Form
Look out for the Marian Catholic softball team. The Spartans are on quite a hot streak as the season enters the final stretch. They were 7-0 in the last week, including a doubleheader sweeps of Joliet Catholic and Benet Academy, a big win over Illiana Christian and close wins over Oak Forest and Bishop McNamara.
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The win over McNamara shows how the season has been going of late for the Spartans. They trailed 2-1 in the seventh inning when Becca Stanton homered to tie the contest. Then in the ninth inning, the Spartans scored four runs to pull out the 6-2 victory.
The Spartans are 18-4 overall and 8-0 in the East Suburban Catholic and have now won 1o in a row overall. They will be the No. 4 seed in the Lockport Sectional.
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Growing Pains for Rich Central Softball
Despite the struggles of Rich Central’s softball team this season, first-year coach Mina Data says her team is making progress. The team’s biggest challenge has been playing without their ace pitcher, Daivonya High, who has been sidelined for the last month with an injury.
“We are having a hard time finding someone to replace her,” Data said.
Tracking Rich Central, Bloom Township in Conference Meet
Both Rich Central’s and Bloom Township’s girls track teams competed well in the recent Southland Conference meet at Bloom Township. The Blazing Trojans led for most of the day before finally being overtaken by Crete-Monee.
Blazing Trojans coach Huey L. Johnson was not surprised that happened.
To find out more about why Johnson could feel his team’s lead slipping away and how happy he was with his young team’s performance, check out the accompanying video.
As for the Olympians, they are finally getting into a groove in the outdoor season. While most teams have the poor weather to blame for slow starts to the track season, the Olympians have an entirely different reason that’s completely out of their control.
“We didn’t have an indoor season this year,” coach Dorthea Franklin said. “The district wouldn’t let us.”
The Olympians had to wait until the official outdoor season to start in order to practice as a team.
Key performers at the meet for the Blazing Trojans included Justice Howard (first place in the high jump, second in the 300 hurdles), Ariana Jackson (first place in pole vault) and the 4 x 200 relay team (first place).
For the Olympians, Aliyah Harmon took first in the triple jump, while Adesola Ibitayo took first in the shot put and second in the discus.
Both teams will be competing at sectionals on Thursday. Bloom will be at H-F, while Rich Central will be at Kankakee.
Spartans Girls Track Takes Second in Conference Meet
The Marian Catholic girls track team took second on Wednesday in the East Suburban Catholic Conference meet.
Individual winners for the Spartans included Shammaree Allen in the 100 meter dash, Jasmine Godfrey in the shot put and Imani Haynes in the long jump and 100-meter hurdles.
The 400-meter relay team of Allen, Haynes, Breana Payne and Tyler Walton took first, as did the 800-meter relay team of Allen, Haynes, Payne and Taylor Jones. The Spartans move on to sectionals at H-F on Thursday.
