Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview by Times-Republic Special Sections

April 2020 Page 1

Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview

A special supplement to the Times-Republic — April

2020

Cissna Park

The unfortunate events of the COVID-19 pandemic left this year’s graduating seniors so far without a spring sports season. Several weeks ago, the Times-Republic sent out questionnaires to the area’s coaches for their senior spring sports athletes to fill out. Unfortnately, not every senior was able to make a submission and therefore were unable to be featured in this preview. The Times-Republic newspaper would like to congratulate this year’s seniors on all of their accomplishments and wish them nothing but success in their future endeavors.

Name: Keegan Boyle

Name: Penn Stoller

Name: Rudy King

Name: William Petry

Name: Gavin Speirs

Age: 17

Age:18

Age: 17

Age: 18

Parents: Jennifer Boyle & Chet Boyle

Parents: Sam and Sue Stoller

Parents: Josh, Barb King

Parents: Bud and Abby Petry

Parents: Jennifer Redeker and Cameron Speirs

Years playing spring sport: 4

Years playing spring sport: 1

Other sports: Basketball & Football

Other sports: Football 4, Basketball 4

Favorite major league spring sports team: Cardinals

Favorite major league spring sports teams: Detroit Tigers

Favorite major league player: Mike Trout

Favorite major league player: Justin Verlander

Favorite food: Seafood

Favorite food: Steak

Favorite sports memory: My grandma passed away sophomore year and 2 months later on her birthday I got my 1st career homerun and a rainbow came out while I was running the bases.

Favorite sports memory: Winning playoffs my junior year in football and then playing for another state championship in basketball

Advice for incoming freshmen: Don’t take your playing time for granted. You think you have a lot of time but you never know when something could happen that could take it all away. Take this year for example. Just cherish every moment you have with your teams.

Advice for incoming freshmen: Do not take your high school years for granted because it will be over before you know it. These four years fly by so work hard and have fun with your teammates. Plans after graduation: Attend Wabash College to play football

Clifton Central

Plans after graduation: Attend Heartland Community College in Bloomington and study to become a physical therapist.

Years playing spring sport: 4 in HS Other sports: Football Favorite Team: Cubs Favorite player: Anthony Rizzo

Years playing spring sport: Years playing spring sport: I have played baseball for 4 years four years Other sports: Baseball (4), Other sports: I have also Golf (4), Scholastic Bowl (4) played golf for four years and Basketball (1 year)

Favorite team: The Chicago Favorite major league Cubs spring sports team: ChiFavorite Food: Tacos cago White Sox Favorite major league Favorite memory: Football: player: David Ross Favorite major league playing in the 2018 state player: Frank Thomas championship game and Favorite food: Cheeseburgplaying for 23 all game long. ers Favorite food: Tacos Baseball: hitting my second home run of the regional Favorite sports memory: Favorite sports memory: semifinal for a grand slam Playing at Danville stadium Winning Baseball Regionals with a clay heart with my my junior year 2019 grandmas name on it in my back pocket. Advice to incoming Advice for incoming freshfreshmen: Work hard your men: Never take any of your To the freshmen: never take beginning years and it will sports seasons for granted. any moment for granted. pay off when you become My Senior year Golf Season There IS a last moment and upperclassman. was cut short because I got you don’t know when it’s mono and My Senior year going to be. Also, don’t Plans after graduation: Baseball Season has been hang your head low, in the Either attend the United halted due to the Covid-19 long run this is all for filing. States Air Force Academy or pandemic. You just never Sometimes it doesn’t feel to join AFROTC in college know, play every season like that way but you love the to become a pilot. it could be your last. sport you’re playing, that’s why you’re playing it. Plans after graduation: Attend Illinois State University Plans after graduation: After I graduate I will be attending Carroll University in Wisconsin where I will be continuing my football career.

Name: Luke Balthazor

Name: Matt Gifford

Name: Parker Rabideau

Name: Trevor Meier

Name: Seth Raines

Age: 18

Age: 17

Age: 18

Age: 17

Parents: Mark and Kelly Balthazor

Parents: Dan and Sherri Gifford

Parents: Jennifer Rabideau and David Rabideau

Parents: Troy and Shannon Meier

Parents: Rob Raines Jeanine Dhans

Years playing spring sport: 7

Years playing spring sport: Years playing spring sport: 4 12

Other sports: None

Favorite major league spring sports team: Cubs

Favorite major league spring sports team: St.Louis Cardinals

Favorite Major league sports team: Chicago Cubs

Favorite major league player: Anthony Rizzo Favorite food: Steak Favorite sports memory: Winning Regionals last season Advice for incoming freshmen: N/A Plans after graduation: Undecided

Favorite major league player: Yadier Molina Favorite food: Cheeseburgers Favorite sports memory: Beating rival PBL twice in 2019 to win conference and advance to the regional championship. Advice for incoming freshmen: Enjoy it while you can Plans after graduation: Undecided

Favorite Major league player: Mike Trout Favorite food: French fries or Bacon Favorite sports memory: breaking up the no hitter against Gardener South Wilmington my junior year Advice for incoming freshmen: whatever happens, keep your head on straight. Control what you can control and let everything else play itself out. Have a good attitude. Plans after graduation: Study finance at Franciscan University of Steubenville and go into the political field one day

Years playing spring sport: Years playing spring sport: 12 years 14 Other sports: Football and Basketball Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago Cubs Favorite major league player: Javy Baez Favorite food: Steak Favorite sports memory: Winning the regional last year

Other sports: Swim Favorite major league spring sports team: White Sox Favorite major league player: Tim Anderson Favorite food: Italian beef Favorite sports memory: Hitting a walk off grand slam to win the regional title last season

Advice for incoming fresh- Advice for incoming freshmen: Get in the weightroom men: Just do your part Plans after graduation: Play college baseball and major in accounting

Plans after graduation: Coast Guard

Page 2 April 2020

Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview

Name: Zane Pierce

Name: Grace Poskin

Name: Hanna Offerman

Name: Maci Romero

Name: Reagan Panozzo

Name: Madelyn Meyer

Age:17

Age: 17

Age: 18

Parents: Tom Pierce, Andrea Parents: Randy and Mona Johnson Poskin

Parents: Howard and Wendy Offerman

Parents: Cruz Romero and Kelly Snider

Parents: Deidre Coble

Parents: Rodney Meyer

Years playing spring sport: 4 high school

Years playing sport: 10 years

Years playing spring sport: 4

Other sports: Volleyball and horse-back riding

Other sports: Volleyball, basketball

Years playing spring sport: This would be the 4th year playing a spring sport. I ran track freshman year then played softball the rest of high school.

Years playing spring sport: 12 years

Other sports:1 year Archery, 2 years basketball, 1 year scholastic bowl, 4 years baseball

Years playing spring sport: 3 years in high school (4 counting 2020 season) but total years playing softball adds to be 13 years

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago Bandits

Favorite major league sports team: Cubs

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago White Sox Favorite major league player: Paul Konerko Favorite food: Sandwiches

Favorite major league player: Jennie Finch Favorite food: pizza Favorite sports memory: hitting two triples and a double in the regional semifinals against Seneca in my junior year.

Favorite sports memory: Last summer playing a 9 inning tournament game that went to midnight and throwing out the last runner for the Advice for incoming freshfinal out. men: Try your absolute hardest. Put every last bit of Advice for incoming fresh- effort out on the field. Never, men: Play hard but have fun ever give up, no matter how doing it. The game’s easier hard it gets. Most imporwhen you’re having fun. tantly, play each game like its your last game, you never Plans after graduation: know which one will be your Undecided last. Plans after graduation: Attend Northern Illinois University and major in physical therapy.

Other sports: None

Favorite major league player: Albert Almora

Favorite major league spring sports team: All around Chicago fan

Favorite food: Oberweis ice cream

Favorite major league player: N/A

Favorite sports memory: Our last game of regional last season

Favorite food: Tacos

Advice for incoming freshmen: Play every game like it’s your last even when you don’t think it will be it you never know when a seasons going to end. You have a lot to learn and amazing coaches so don’t take anything for granted. Plans after graduation: Attend KCC for my second year next year, then transfer to ISU to finish my bachelor’s degree in animal science.

We’re Proud of You!

Favorite sports memory: While I was catching I dove from my squat behind home plate and caught a foul tipped bunt down third base line in a travel state tournament. Advice for incoming freshmen: If you believe you can then you will Plans after graduation: Full ride to KCC to play softball and plan to transfer after to a university to study microbiology

Other sports: VolleyballFreshman & sophomore year Favorite major league spring sports team: St. Louis Cardinals

Other sports: Volleyball Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago Bandits Favorite major league player: Monica Abbott Favorite food: Chips and guac

Favorite major league player:Yadier Molina Favorite food: Chocolate chip cookies

Favorite sports memory: Playing softball in Colorado Advice for incoming freshmen: Get involved as much as you can no matter what it is and don’t be afraid to be yourself

Favorite sports memory: Sophomore year during volleyball practice Hanna Offerman went for a ball with her feet instead of her head Plans after graduation: and kicked it up trying to put U.S. Navy it back in play but instead hit her in the face. Advice for incoming freshmen: Do what makes you the happiest. Don’t be afraid to yourself and different. Plans after graduation: Attend the University of Dubuque and continue my academic and athletic career. I am plan to studying sports management.

Three Cheers

for Our Student Athletes

We’d like to take time out to recognize the young men and women who dedicate so much time and effort to the pursuit of their athletic and academic goals. We salute your hard work, and we hope this school year is filled with wins for each and every one of you.

Richard L. Smith, Broker/Owner www.rlsmithsells.com email: RLSmithsells@aol.com

815-432-2900 office www.iroqbank.com

We Support Our Student Athletes!

WEBELIE BELIEVE WE VE WE BELIEVE

INOUR OUR COMMUNITY. IN IN OUR COMMUNITY. COMMUNITY.

Rodney E. Yergler, D.D.S. P.C. DENTIST

307A Main Street, P.O. Box 89 Crescent City, Illinois 60928 815-683-2114 Hours by Appointment

Iroquois - Main office (815) 429-3337 Beaverville (815) 435-2036 Sheldon (815) 429-3331 Ashkum (815) 698-2346 Gilman (815) 265-4707 Watseka (815) 432-4198

IROQUOISFED.COM IROQUOISFED.COM MEMBER FDIC

MEMBER FDIC IROQUOISFED.COM

MEMBER FDIC

Donovan

Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview Any time I was out on the field, I felt one with the game so it is too hard to have a single favorite baseball memory. Advice for incoming freshmen: Set the bar as high as you can your first year because you will only go up from there. Plans after graduation: Going to EIU and getting a degree in secondary education/ History and a minor in social sciences

Name: Jackson Andrew Janssen Age: 18 Years playing spring sports: 4 (if counting this year)

Favorite major league player: Buster Posey, catcher, Giants Favorite food: Cheeseburger and fries Favorite sports memory:

Name: Faith Hann Age: 18

Favorite food: Pizza

Years playing sport: 4

Favorite sports memory: Hitting my first home run my sophomore year

Favorite Major League Spring Sport: Cubs Favorite Major League Player: Javier Báez Favorite Food: Mac & Cheese Favorite sports memory: Making the all conference team sophomore and junior years. Advice for incoming freshmen: Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, all work on and off the field benefits you, and never forget what got you started and how you’ve grown.

Favorite major league spring sports team: San Francisco Giants

April 2020 Page 3 (College Softball: Sis Bates)

Parents: Jeffery and Tracy Hann

Plans after graduation: Finishing cosmetology school at Kankakee Area Career Center, then attend KCC to major in Business Management in hopes of one day owning my own salon.

Name: Jerzie Waltz Age: 17 Parents: Paulette and Derek Waltz

Advice for incoming freshmen: To incoming freshmen never take the time you have on the field for granted, always work to get better, and remember to have fun Plans after graduation: I plan to attend KCC to get my associates in criminal justice then transfer to 4 year university.

Years playing spring sport: 4 years Other sports: Basketball Favorite major league spring sports team: Cubs (not major league but college sports: Oregon Ducks Softball) Favorite major league player: Kyle Schwarber

WE SUPPORT OUR STUDENT ATHLETES

GOOD LUCK TEAMS 300 E. Fredrick Milford, IL

815-889-4191

www.mowreyauction.com

Good luck to all of our local school athletic teams this year. We’re proud of you!

1164 E. Walnut St., Watseka, IL 60970

815.432.5155

Page 4 April 2020

Iroquois West

Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview

Name: Alexis Fred

Name: Nolan Frank

Name: Dane Thorne

Name: Zachary Gerling

Name: Monica Krisit Mischke

Age:19

Age:18

Age: 18 yrs old

Age: 18

Age:17

Parents: Michael and Karlena Fred

Parents: Greg and Heather Frank

Parents: Tim and Cathy Thorne

Parents: Jeff and Dawn Gerling

Parents: Clifford and Rose Mischke

Years playing spring sport: Softball, 4 Volleyball, 4

Years playing spring sport: 4

Years playing spring sport: Track, 4 years

Years playing spring sport: this will be my 3rd year

Other sports: Basketball 2 years

Other sports: Football, Wrestling

Favorite major league spring sports team: Cubs

Other sports: Cheerleading (senior year)

Favorite major league spring sports team: St. Louis Cardinals

Favorite major league spring sports team: Cubs

Favorite major league player: Willson Contreras

Favorite major league spring sports team: White Sox

Favorite major league player: Derrek Lee

Favorite food: Burgers

Other sports: None Favorite major league spring sports team: Cubs Favorite major league player: Kris Bryant Favorite food:Chicken Alfredo Favorite sports memory: Just riding home with the team after games Advice for incoming freshmen: Don’t think, just do it Plans after graduation: To attend Southern Illinois University and major is Japanese Language and Culture

Favorite major league player: Jose Altuve Favorite food: Fettuccine Alfredo Favorite sports memory: Beating Cissna Park to get to Regional Championship in 2018

Favorite food: Crawdads Favorite sports memory: Going 40-8 my senior year in wrestling and winning regionals. Advice for incoming freshmen: Enjoy your time in each sport you are involved in, it will go by fast.

Advice for incoming freshmen: Enjoy each game with your teammates because it’s the last time you will all play Plans after graduation: on the same field together. Attend college majoring in Criminal Justice and join the Plans after graduation: wrestling team. Join The Workforce.

Proud to Support our Student Athletes!

Favorite sports memory: Winning sectionals in triple jump Advice for incoming freshmen: Work hard and never give up

Favorite major league player: None Favorite food: Mashed potatoes Favorite sports memory: Being able to meet new people and create lifelong friendships

Plans after graduation: Attend Illinois College, Advice for incoming freshstudy agricultural business and continue my track career men: Just try your best and don’t be intimated by everyone around you. Just be yourself Plans after graduation: I plan on attending Evangel University in Springfield, MO and majoring in Social Science Education

WE’RE PROUD OF YOU!

www.pekininsurance.com

Jeff McMillan, LUTCF 815-265-4037

Gilman • Piper City Chatsworth • Cullom Bourbonnais www.mcmillanins.com Auto Home Business Life Health

GILMAN AUTO PARTS KRAFT, INC. 512 South Crescent Gilman, Illinois 60938 PHONE: 815-265-7737

“We Service & Repair All Makes And Models”

Milford

April 2020 Page 5

Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview

Name: Jakki Mowrey

Name: Kaylee Warren

Name: Maya McEwen

Name: Sam Conley

Name: Reagan Hanson

Age: 18

Age: 17

Age: 18

Parents: Jon and Tracy Mowrey

Parents: Darrin and Robin Warren

Parents: Tim and Melissa McEwen

Parents: Joel and Sherry Conley

Parents: Cherie Hanson and Colin Flaherty

Years playing spring sport: 4 years

Years playing spring sport: 4

Years playing spring sport: 10

Years playing spring sport: 4

Years playing spring sport: 1 year

Other sports: Volleyball and Basketball

Other Sports: Volleyball

Other sports: None

Favorite major league spring sports team: White Sox

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago Cubs

Favorite major league team: don’t have one

Favorite major league spring sports team: Cubs

Favorite major league player: None

Favorite major league player: Kris Bryant/Javier Baez

Favorite major league player: Kris Bryant

Favorite player: also don’t have one

Favorite major league player: David Bote

Favorite food: Lasagna

Favorite food: Pasta

Favorite sports memory: we had a rescheduled game on my birthday and I had 9 outs of the game on defense

Favorite sports memory: Doing anaerobic runs in the hallway with the girls.

Favorite food: Chips and queso (tacos) Favorite sports memory: Making school history by winning sections in volleyball Advice for incoming freshmen: High school will fly by, enjoy the time you have in high school. Make memories and have fun!

Favorite food: Pizza Favorite sports memory: Finding dead fish on our softball field after the flood. Advice for incoming freshmen: Don’t take any second for granted because it’s gone before you know it.

Favorite food: Grilled Cheese Favorite sports memory: Winning regionals and sectionals for volleyball this year! Advice for incoming freshmen: Work hard and enjoy it Plans after Graduation: Attending Knox College to study Mathematics and play volleyball and softball.

Plans after graduation: Attend KCC and play softball

Plans after graduation: I am going to play softball at Parkland College and I plan to get a degree in Business or Accounting.

Name: Isabelle Cohn

player: Javier Baez

Age: 18

Favorite Food: Tacos and Plans after graduation: I strawberries, but not together am going to attend KCC for 2 years to complete a radiolFavorite sports memory: ogy degree. Then I am going State Junior year to go somewhere else to finish with an MRI certificate. I Advice for incoming fresh- want to be an MRI technoloman: gist. Give everything 110% and live the next 4 years to the fullest because they go by

Parents: Steve and Angie Cohn Years in Track: 4 years Favorite major league sprintg sports team: Cubs Favorite major league

fast.

Advice for incoming freshmen: try to enjoy all of it, the good and the bad because it goes by so quick. Plans after graduation: I plan to major in biology to become a surgeon or anesthesiologist. I also plan to play volleyball in college

Advice for incoming freshmen: If you’re hesitant about playing a sport, just go for it! You’ll regret not involving yourself come senior year. Plans after graduation: Continue academic career at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a major in Recreation, Sport, Tourism Management.

Page 6 April 2020

Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview

Name: Alex Barney

Name: Caleb Atwood

Name: Kaleb Harris

Name: Klaytin Hunsinger

Name: Nick Allen

Name: Tanner Sobkoviak

Age: 17

Age: 18

Age: 17

Age: 18

Age: 17

Parents: Dave and Tina Barney

Parents: Tyler and Michelle Atwood

Parents: Mark and Nicole Harris

Parents: Quentin and Audra Schaumburg

Parents: Sid and Deb Allen

Parents: Jeff and Michelle

Years playing spring sport: 4 years

Years playing spring sport: 13

Years playing spring sport: Since I was old enough.

Years playing spring sport: 4 years

Other sports: Football

Other sports: Ping pong

Other sports: Basketball

Other sports: Football, basketball, Legion baseball.

Other sports: Basketball and golf

Favorite major league spring sports team: Cubs

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago Cubs

Other sports: Golf and Basketball

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago Cubs

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago White Sox

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago White Socks

Favorite major league player: Willson Contreras

Favorite major league player: Luis Robert

Favorite major league player: Juan Soto

Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo

Favorite food: Cheeseburger

Favorite food: Bacon Cheese Burger

Favorite sports memory: My first homerun

Favorite sports memory: Too many

Advice for incoming freshman: Don’t take it for granted. Play every game like it’s your last. And bust your ass 24/7 to be the best version of yourself you can. You never know when your last game will be

Advice for incoming freshman: Enjoy every moment and always work hard.

Favorite sports memory: Senior night for basketball. I dropped a career high and we won

Favorite major league player: Javier Baez Favorite food: Double Cheeseburgers Favorite sports memory: Winning the state championship my junior year of football. Advice for incoming freshman: Don’t take anything for granted, it can be taken away any second. Plans after graduation: I am going to Eureka College for Criminal Justice and I am going to play baseball and football.

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago Cubs

Favorite major league player: Mike Trout

Favorite major league player: Ken Griffey Jr, Or Javier Baez.

Favorite food: BBQ ribs Favorite sports memory: Going 5-7 with 4 doubles opening day last year

Favorite food: Steak

Advice for incoming freshman: Soak up every moment. You never know when it’s going to be over. Plans after graduation: I am attending Bryant & Stratton College to play baseball while studying business

Favorite sports memory: Winning the little league championship or winning regionals. Advice for incoming freshman: Don’t take it for granted and it only happens once so enjoy it. Plans after graduation: To work and go to college.

Plans after graduation: Attend KCC, studying Criminal Justice.

Plans after graduation: Attend Danville Area Community College and study Ag Business

Advice for incoming freshman: Do the extra stuff, it pays off. Plans after graduation: I plan on playing college baseball

WE’RE PROUD OF YOU!

You can always bank on our support

1043 Gilm

815At First Trust & Savings Bank, we don’t just support the athletic teams in our community. We’ve been providing Iroquois County residents with our award-winning service for over 100 years. Hardwork & Teamwork – That’s a winning combination.

Fami oper 1043 S. Crescent St. Gilman, IL 60938

815-265-7310 815-265-7310 H OMEMADE Family owned & operated since 1967 H PIES, BREAD CO HOMEMADE HOME AND PIES , BREADCOOKIES COOKING 1043 S. Crescent St. Gilman, IL 60938

Family owned & operated since 1967

AND

120 E. Walnut St. Watseka, IL 60970 815-432-2494

www.ftsbank.com

145 E Fifth Ave. Clifton, IL 60927 815-694-2329

Daily Specials!

April 2020 Page 7

Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview

Watseka

Name: Almir Ademi Age: 17

Name: Megan Martell

Name: Hudson Arseneau

Name: Kadyn Stevens

Name: Caden Giroux

Parents: Jill and Sami Ademi

Age: 18

Parents: Abby Laird and Dave Martell

Parents: Brandon and Heather Arseneau

Parents: Niel and Alissa Stevens

Parents: Gary and Tracy

Years playing spring sport: 4 years

Other sports: Marching Band

Other sports: Soccer

Other sports: Basketball & Show Choir

Years playing spring sport: 3 years Other sports: Basketball Manager Favorite major league spring sports team: Bulls or Bucks? if that counts as a spring sport Favorite major league player: Giannis Favorite food: My mom’s homemade peta Favorite sports memory: Winning the bracket challenge this year in the 10m flys with a time of 1.06 Advice for incoming freshmen: Work hard and never stop grinding because one day it will pay off.

Favorite major league spring sports team: White Sox Favorite major league player: Tim Anderson Favorite food: Chicken Favorite sports memory: My first girls only meet my freshman year Advice for incoming freshmen: Value every moment like it’s your last. Plans after graduation: Attend ISU

Plans after graduation: Continue my education somewhere I can enjoy campus life, like in Chicago. Maybe obtain a degree in computer science or some type of engineering.

They Work Hard. They Play Hard.

Let’s Hear It for Our Student Athletes!

As we kick off a new school year, we’d like to take time out to salute the dedicated students who go the extra mile in the classroom, on the court and in the field to reach their goals. Their determination and hard work set a great example, and we wish all of our student athletes much success in the new school year and beyond. Keep up the great work!

Bob Burd bob.burd@countryfinancial.com

100 N. 10th St., Watseka, IL 60970 tel (815) 432-5240 fax (815) 432-5278 residence (815) 432-4502 cell (815) 471-5240 Retirement Planning College Funding Life Long Term Care Auto Home

Favorite major league spring sports team: White Sox Favorite major league player: Paul Konerko Favorite food: Salmon Favorite sports memory: Winning the Iroquois West Soccer Tournament my Sophomore year. Advice for incoming freshmen: It’s easy to work harder than those around you, it’s working harder than those who aren’t around you that really counts. Plans after graduation: Going to NIU for Software Engineering

Favorite major league spring sports team: White Sox Favorite major league player: Tim Anderson Favorite food: Chili Favorite sports memory: Making it to the Sweet 16 in basketball my junior year Advice for incoming freshmen: Don’t take any time for granted, cherish it. Plans after graduation: attend Illinois State University to study Special Education with a focus in Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Years playing spring sport: 4 years Other sports: Basketball, Football, and golf Favorite major league spring sports team: Cardinals Favorite major league player: Yadier Molina Favorite food: Pizza Favorite sports memory: Getting my first no hitter in Pony League Advice for incoming freshmen: If you like the sport or not give it your best, no matter what. Plans after graduation: Attend KCC for welding or military

PROUD OF OUR CENTRAL COMETS

You’re #1 With Us!!

SPORTING OUR

SCHOOL SPIRIT Good luck to all of our student athletic teams in the new school year! We salute our local players’ dedication to success both on the court and in the classroom.

D&D CARPETS 102 S. Front • Ashkum, IL

108 E. Oak St. Watseka

815-432-4208

815-698-2154

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-12, Evenings by appointment only

Owners: Don & Judy Brinkman

Page 8 April 2020

Iroquois County Spring Sports Senior Preview

Name: Shane Rocket McDivitt

Name: Erik Raymer

Name: Mason Gibson

Name: Bretten Walwer

Age: 18

Parents: Dañelle Laird and Ben Laird

Parents: Brian Gibson, Jessie Carley

Parents: Brian Walwer

Years playing spring sport: My whole life

Years playing spring sport: 4 years

Other sports: None

Other sports: Football and Basketball

Other sports: None

Other sports: Football and Baseball

Favorite major league spring sports team: Chicago Cubs

Favorite major league spring sports team: Yankees

Favorite major league spring sports team: St. Louis Cardinals

Favorite major league player: Anthony Rizzo

Favorite major league player: Javier Baéz

Favorite major league player: In the league Aaron Judge/ Retired Derek Jeter

Favorite major league player: Yadier Molina

Favorite food: Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite food: Steak fajitas

Favorite food: Tacos

Favorite sports memory: Throwing a no hitter in pony league

Favorite sports memory: Freshman year playing against Rich South and came in to close the game and threw two curve balls to strike out 2 out of the last 3 batters and there team was going crazy and making fun of there own teammates.

Age: 17 Parents: Shane and Sandra McDivitt Years playing spring sports: 13 years

Favorite sports memory: During hitting practice, in pony league, a teammate hit the ball straight up into the air and we were looking for it for like 10 seconds, then it hit him right in the head, of course he was fine so then we could laugh. Advice for incoming freshmen: Practice how you play in a game

Advice for incoming freshmen: Take advantage of all your practice time and play time it might not always be there. Things happen. Plans after graduation: Play at KCC

Plans after graduation: Go to a four year college and earn a degree in computer science

Years playing spring sport: 4

Favorite food: Steak Favorite sports memory: When we drove all the way to Gardner South Wilmington for a baseball game that was canceled but no one told us and we had to scrimmage them instead of playing a game. Advice for incoming freshmen: Always push for what you want and your time will come.

Advice for incoming freshmen: Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back from being the best you can be. Plans after graduation: To attend Lincoln Tech for their Plans after graduation: Go Collision Repair Program to KCC and do two trades HVAC and Electrician.

We Salute Our School Athletes

Wishing all of our school teams a safe and successful season. We hope you’ll experience the thrill of victory, but more importantly, that you’ll enjoy every minute of the fame. We salute your hard work, school spirit and commitment to the team. Good luck!

Iroquois Cafe

Iroquois, IL • 815-429-9098

Milford Building & Loan Assn. SB 131 E. Jones Milford, IL 60953

815-889-4140

Get Out & Play! Good Luck To All Area Athletes 234 N. Jefferson Watseka, IL 815-432-5448 M-F 8:30am-6pm; Sat. 8:30am-4pm

Your Local home for appliances, floorings, furniture, Sealy mattresses, and Schrock cabinets.