Sports

ENTERTAINMENT

Sterling drag racer buys the track of his dreams

BY KATHLEEN SCHULTZ kschultz@shawmedia.com

Dan Crownhart is not like a kid in a candy store. He’s more like a kid who owns his very own candy store.

C r o w n h a r t , s e c o n d - g e n e r a t i o n owner of Sterling Fence and an avid drag racer, is about to be the new owner of the historic Cordova International Raceway, after his racing enterprise, Dan and Shelly Crownhart’s 1320 Promotions, reached an unspecif i e d a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e c u r r e n t owner, International Race Group.

I R G b o u g h t t h e r a c e w a y , t h en called Cordova Dragway Park, 7 years ago this month. It’s a quarter-mile, International Hot Rod Association member track.

The announcement of new ownership was posted recently on Cordova’s Facebook page. The sale will be finalized in a few weeks, he said.

“We’re in excited for the opportunity there. We’re hoping to embrace the history of the track and just bring friend and family and fans back,” Crownhart said, sheer delight in his voice.

“It’s been dream of mine for more than 20 years.”

The Sterling native, who has been racing funny cars more than 25 years, will be running the day-to-day operations at the 65-year-old track at 19425 state Route 84 N.

“Cordova has always been a special place for racers and fans,” he said in the post. “We all have fond memories of our time at the track. I am confident we can celebrate the long history of Cordova and create a bright future simultaneously.”

Perhaps most famously for race fans, the 190-acre park is home to the world’s longest continually running drag-racing event, the World Series of Drag Racing, which has drawn up to 20,000 spectators in recent years.

Crownhart and his wife, Shelly, have many plans for their new playground – facility upgrades, new events, the sportsman racing series, and a meet-and-greet for racers and fans early next year.

“In the spirit of past major events of the [United Drag Racers Association] and IHRA being held in June, we are excited to announce that Funny Car Chaos will be a part of the return of the Summer Nationals contest June 17 & 18,” he posted.

“We are expecting more than 30 supercharged nitro and alcohol funny cars to compete in a no-holds-barred format that will surely become a premier annual event here at Cordova.”

AREA SPORTS ROUNDUP

Girls Basketball

Morrison 52, Orangeville 31: The Morrison girls basketball team opened the season with a 52-31 win over Orangeville in the Warren tournament, as Shelby and Camryn Veltrop both scored 17 points to lead the Fillies.

BayLeigh Brewer added 12 points for Morrison, which led 20-9 after one quarter, 33-17 at halftime, and 43-20 after three quarters.

M o r r i s o n 5 4 , P o l o 2 4 : T h e F i l l i e s improved to 2-0 with their second win in as many days to open the season, this time topping the Marcos on the road.

Shelby Veltrop scored 19 points to lead Morrison. Kendra Fisher finished with 10 points, and Camryn Veltrop added eight as the Fillies led 16-5 after one quarter, 28-10 at halftime, and 41-18 after three quarters.

Oregon 43, Erie-Prophetstown 39: The Hawks opened their season with a come-from-behind victory Wednesday over The Panthers on Day 1 of the Oregon Tip-Off Tournament.

Sydney Schwartz paced the Panthers with 15 points, OIivia Purvis added eight, and Hayley Wuebben and Kennedy Buck each scored six.

Erie-Prophetstown 44, AFC 27: The Panthers topped the Raiders in the seventh-place game, taking a 17-4 lead after one quarter and never looking back.

Kennedy Buck’s 15 points paced E-P, and Hayley Wuebben scored 14.

Amboy 49, Erie-Prophetsown 19: The Clippers cruised past the Panthers in a fifth-place consolation semifinal, taking control with a 17-1 scoring edge in the second quarter.

S y d n e y S c h w a r t z h i t a p a i r o f 3-pointers for six points, and Buck added five points in a balanced effort by E-P.

NEWS BRIEFS

Legends in Erie collecting for Toys for Tots

With just two weeks left, Legends Sports Bar & Grill in Erie is in their final push to get as many toys as possible for their annual USMC Toys for Tots drive. Two events are planned for donors to bring a new, unwrapped toys or monetary donations to help area children have a happy Christmas.

Drive through with donations on Saturday, Nov. 27 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. and see a live nativity scene and enjoy free hot chocolate and candy canes. On Sunday, Dec. 5, the annual Chili Cook Off returns - enter your chili or stop by and sample all the flavors, with all proceeds to go towards Toys for Tots.

Anyone donating at Legends this year will also be entered to win a kid’s battery powered BMW or a free Christmas dinner giveaway. Every donor can also get $2 off their meal. Last year, Legends donated $3,000 in cash and filled a mini-van full of toys, and they hope to exceed those numbers this year.

Boys Bowling

Sterling 3,049, Erie-Prophetstown 2,133:

The Golden Warriors won their home opener, defeating the Panthers at

The Whiteside Forum to host special event

The Whiteside Forum will hold a special event and host Victor Selman, as he presents “Adventure Travel in Iceland.” This event is free and open to the public and will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 28, in the community room of the Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison St., Morrison.

Victor, originally from Morrison, has been globetrotting for over 15 years and is Chief of Operations at No Plans Adventures, LLC. “No Plans” focuses on the belief that everyone can travel regardless of budget or experience, dealing with small groups and solo travelers. Victor has been to over 75 countries, all 50 states, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, and is skilled in scuba diving, skydiving, sailboating and bareboat cruising, hiking, rock climbing, and is a certified EMT.

A question and answer session will follow the presentation and masks will be required. For more information about the Whiteside Forum or this event, please contact Marc Adami at ardami@mchsi. com or 815-718-5347.

Prophet Hills Christmas Craft and Vendor Show

Prophet Hills Country Club will host a Christmas Craft and Vendor Show on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 2 - 4 p.m. Stop on by for some holiday shopping from a variety of local crafters and vendors. Cocktails and snacks will also be available. The club is located at 4319 Bishop Rd. in Prophetstown. Email prophethills@gmail. com to be added as a vendor at the show.

River Valley Library plans for shopping trip

River Valley District Library in Port Byron has booked a “Shopping in Chicago” bus trip for Friday, Dec. 3. The bus will depart at 8 a.m. and return by 9:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per person. To reserve a seat, contact Kathy Peschang at kathy@rivervalleylibrary.org.

Hooppole Fire Dept. pancake breakfast

Hooppole Fire Department will have their annual fundraising breakfast on Sunday, Nov. 28 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the station, 1011 Merchant St. The menu includes eggs, pancakes, whole hog sausage, hash browns, coffee, and juice. Donations for the meal will be accepted to help support the department.

Victor Selman will present the program, “Adventure Travel in Iceland,” during a Whiteside Forum special event on Nov. 28.

Blackhawk Lanes.

Bryce VanDeWostine led E-P with a 496 series and a 182 high game, while Michael Miner added a 476 series. Shawn Chandler (355), Keith Goodson (277), Dom Bray (273) and Robert Winters (256) also bowled for the Panthers.

Oregon 3,011, Erie-Prophetstown 2,331:

The Hawks rolled past the Panthers at Town & Country Lanes in Mt. Morris.

Michael Miner led Erie-Prophetstown with a 537 series, Shawn Chandler had a 443 series, and Bryce Van DeWostine added a 433 series. Keith Goodson (403), Dom Bray (263) and Robert Winters (252) also bowled for the Panthers.

MORRISON HIGH SCHOOL

MHS F/S Scholastic Bowl team brings home f irst place

Morrison High School’s F/S Scholastic Bowl team brought home first place in the Moline High School Butterfield Memorial Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 13. Morrison was among 14 teams competing. The MHS team won four morning matches which qualified them for the championship round. After defeating teams from Moline and Macomb, Morrison finished the tournament with an impressive 6-0 record. Members of the Morrison Scholastic Bowl team are, from the left, Hailey Freeman, Dylan Anderson, Violet Mills, and Blaine Williams.

Photo provided

FULTON HIGH SCHOOL

Meet Fulton High School B.L .I.N.D. leader A shley Bet ts

How has B.L.I.N.D. impacted your life?

B.L.I.N.D. has impacted me by showing me that no one is alone. Everyone is going through something and there is always someone that you can find that will be there for you. It has helped me to feel like I’m able to help other people, by showing them I am a person they could always come to if needed - and being that person in someone’s life feels amazing to know you were approachable and able to make them feel like they are important and worth being here.

What advice would you give to freshmen t h a t w o u l d e n c o u r a g e t h e m t o p u r s u e becoming a B.L.I.N.D. leader?

I would encourage them to become a B.L.I.N.D. leader because not only are you more involved but you are helping other people. I feel like B.L.I.N.D. overall, can really open your eyes and see the important things in life. You gain confidence and it overall just makes you feel really good about yourself knowing that you are helping people.

If you were given $1,000, what would you do with it?

If I was given $1000, I would probably donate, help out family members in need, and save some for my own future, like college.

If there was something you could do to change the world, what would it be?

If there was something I could do to change the world I think it would be h u m a n g r e e d i n e s s . P e o p l e a r e s o self-centered and rude towards others. I would change this so that people are more considerate of other people’s wants and feelings.

What is your claim to fame?

My claim to fame is being super clumsy and injured 99% of the time. Fulton High School junior Ashley Betts

We Support Our Local Schools!

GO STEAMERS AND KNIGHTS!