Local Sports Notebook

Marian Catholic Grads Set to Turn the Page

Spartan standouts look forward to continuing their athletic careers in the collegiate ranks.

As the 2010-2011 high school sports season comes to an end, the following Marian Catholic student-athletes already are beginning to look forward to competing on the collegiate level in the fall. Six different sports are represented on the Spartan list, highlighted by the softball team with eight player moving on to the collegiate ranks:  Girls Basketball: Maryssa Cladis, North Central College; Jamie Johnson, Lewis University; Simone Law, Loyola University; Jasmine Mathews, Bowling Green State University. Football: Wes Fleming, St. Ambrose University; Marc Grkinich, St. Ambrose University; Michael Toliver, St. Ambrose University;  Alyssa Wlodarczyk, St. Ambrose University. Girls Lacrosse: Hannah Conway, Adrian College; Alexis DiGiovanni, …

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Athlete of the Week: Marian's Gray Earns Conference Player of Year Honor

Senior pitcher and slugger concludes a sensational career with the Spartans.

Marian Catholic had a great softball season, as the Spartans won 29 games and edged Marist for the East Suburban Catholic Conference crown. One of the main reasons for that success was pitcher Becca Gray, who was a force on the mound and at the plate. Gray recently was named the ESCC Player of the Year. She logged 163 innings on the mound and picked up 20 victories this season. At the plate, she had 49 hits, scored 40 runs and collected 22 walks. Gray had an outstanding four-year career for the Spartans, leaving her mark in the record books. On the mound, she logged the most innings pitched in school history with 553 1/3 and the most wins with 64, and she finished third in strikeouts with 444. Offensively, she has the most hits in school …

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Local Sports Notebook

Rich Central Seniors Helped Forge 'Incredible' Baseball Turnaround

Despite falling short of their ultimate goal, the Olympians enjoyed remarkable success this season.

Though Rich Central’s baseball season came to an end with Wednesday’s loss to Oak Forest in the sectional semifinals, there’s no doubt that the Olympians had a hugely successful season. The Olympians won their first conference title in 22 years and won their first regional title since the mid-1980s. "To see how far this program has come in the last three years is incredible," Olympians coach Corey Stallings said.  "Three years ago we had nobody watching us play, but the guys kept believing. Jayme (Taylor), Nick (Collins) and the rest of the guys put this program in the direction we want to head." Several players will be heading off to the college ranks, including Collins (Northern Illinois) and Tyler House (Missouri). The emotions that …

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Local Sports Notebook

Marian Catholic Softball Takes Aim at Regional Crown

Spartans' boys tennis success reaches new heights.

Marian Catholic’s softball team is looking for win No. 30 on the season and the Providence Catholic Regional championship when the Spartans take on Lockport today at 11 a.m. in New Lenox. The Spartans (29-5) had no problem taking care of T.F. South in the regional semifinals on Tuesday. Marian won 10-0 in five innings for their 21st win in the last 22 games. Pitcher Rachel Glenn threw a no-hitter and struck out six Rebels, and Shawna Sadler had three hits, including two doubles and four RBIs. The Spartans pounded out 14 hits, including two apiece from Becca Stanton, Bri Clark and Kelly Foley, and also took advantage of four Rebel errors. The Spartans also won MVP and Coach of the Year honors in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Becca …

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Local Sports Notebook

Marian Hopes to Start New Softball Streak

Spartans saw their 14-game winning streak end in dramatic fashion against rival Marist this week.

Marian Catholic’s softball team had been on quite a roll before Wednesday’s game against Marist—a 14-game winning streak, in fact. On May 6, the Spartans pounded Kankakee 20-6, as Becca Stanton and Alex Nickel each knocked in three runs, while Julie Kistner, Jenny LaBella and Kelly Foley each had two RBIs. On May 7, the Spartans pounded Nazareth 9-1 and 10-0, as Rachel Glenn went 4-for-4 and had four RBI in the opener and then pitched a two-hitter in the second game. Bri Clark led the Spartans in the second game with a homer and five RBIs. Becca Gray pitched a four-hitter and struck out 10 in game one. With first place in conference on the line, the Spartans had a home-and-home showdown with Marist. The Spartans rallied for three runs in …

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Athlete of the Week: On Mound and at Plate, Gray Sparking Spartans

Becca Gray's contributions have helped Marian Catholic's softball team put together a 13-game winning streak.

Marian Catholic softball pitcher Becca Gray has been solid on the mound all season. And by chipping in with a hot bat, she has helped the Spartans enjoy great success. Riding a 13-game winning streak, the Spartans were 8-0 in the last week, outscoring their opponents 70-18. The hot streak has run Marian’s record to a sizzling 21-4. In Saturday’s doubleheader against Nazareth Academy, Gray went 7-for-9 at the plate. She whiffed 10 on the mound in the Spartans’ 9-1 victory in the opener. Gray improved her record on the mound to 16-3. For her efforts, Gray has earned recognition as Patch’s Athlete of the Week.

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Local Sports Notebook

Bloom Girls Track Rebuilding on the Fly

Future looks bright with a number of talented underclassmen on the squad.

The Bloom Township girls track and field participated in the highly competitive Lockport Invite on Thursday, and though the Blazing Trojans finished 11th out of 14 teams, there were some bright spots. Justice Howard took third in the 100-meter hurdles, the 4 x 200-meter relay team of Lacrisa Cool, Jamillah Jackson, Jannette Coleman and Romielle Gay took fourth, and Keshawna Mitchell and Ivory Cassell took fourth and sixth, respectively, in the triple jump. “We’re up and down because we’re so young,” Bloom coach Huey L. Johnson said. “We’re pretty much in a rebuilding mode. We got hit hard with graduation.” Johnson has very high expectations down the road for Howard and Cassell, who are both underclassmen. Bloom Township's boys track and …

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Local Sports Notebook

Lefty Lilek Leads Marian Catholic to Fast Start

Junior baseball standout considered one of the top southpaw's in the state.

The Marian Catholic baseball team figures to smash last year’s win total of eight.  After the Spartans dismantled Bremen (10-0) and Joliet Central (9-4), they were 8-2. So, one more win ... And Brett Lilek is in the middle of the Marian resurgence. He went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against Bremen. He is rated as one of the top pitching prospects in the state.  The 6-4, 185-pound southpaw has led the Spartans on the mound and at the plate. He plays in the outfield when he's not pitching. The Marian Catholic softball team took on defending state champion Sandburg.  With Becca Gray on the mound, you had to like the Spartans' chances. However, three unearned runs killed any hopes and the Eagles won 4-2.  Despite the loss, the Spartans took a 6-3…

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Sandburg Draws Sweep Satisfaction From Long Road Trip

Top-ranked Eagles take two from Moline in a rematch between two teams that met in Class 4A state semifinals last spring.

1. Sandburg (2-0): Travel risk, great reward. The Eagles opened with a doubleheader sweep at Moline (9-0 and 10-4) on Saturday. The matchup pitted two teams that met in the Class 4A state semifinals last spring. Lexi Bryant hit a three-run homer in Game 1. Jess Perkins pounded three doubles and had two RBIs in Game 2. Last week: No. 1. 2. Andrew (0-0): The T-Bolts get started this week with games against Thornton Fractional South and Marist. Then, on March 29, Sandburg plays at Andrew. Everyone in Tinley Park and Orland Park has the date circled. Last week: No. 2. 3. Providence (0-0): Andrew, Glenbard West and Lockport will join the Celtics in the four-team field for the inaugural Providence Softball Invitational April 1-2. “Our goal is to…

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Bloom Trail Alum Shines at NCAA Indoor Track Championships

Jay Cato earns Big Ten Freshman of Year Honors, places 15th in heptathlon at indoor nationals.

Bloom Trail alum and current University of Wisconsin track standout Jay Cato was named Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten Conference.  Cato finished first in the heptathlon at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and 15th at the NCAA Indoor Championships this past week. * Rich Central boys’ basketball coach Terrone Parham resigned after three tumultuous seasons.  The Olympians finished this season 11-14 and lost in the regional semifinals. Parham was suspended for one month last season.  The Olympians will be searching for their fourth head coach in 10 years. * The Marian Catholic girls’ lacrosse team started its season with a 14-3 victory over Naperville Central.  Emma Terrazas led the Spartans with five goals. Hannah Conway notched four …

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