One of Editor & Publisher’s ‘10 That Do It Right 2021’
Sunshine and some clouds. High 82F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..
A few clouds from time to time. Low 58F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: May 12, 2024 @ 12:03 am
Monticello junior Ike Young connects on a hit during the Sages’ baseball practice in late April in Monticello. Young, along with Urbana girls’ soccer player Chloe Sikora, are the latest recipients of The News-Gazette’s High School Athletes of the Week, powered by Copper Creek Contractors.
Tuscola sophomore Lia Patterson, center, races to a state title in the 300-meter hurdles during the 2023 IHSA girls’ track and field state meet. She’ll be back in Charleston next week to defend her state title in the event.
Jackson Buchanan and the Illinois men’s golf team begins NCAA regional play on Monday in Stanford, Calif.
From left, Heath Wilson and his family: sons Max and Aim, daughter Addisyn and wife Hollie.
Sports Editor
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Sports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area:
Monticello junior Ike Young connects on a hit during the Sages’ baseball practice in late April in Monticello. Young, along with Urbana girls’ soccer player Chloe Sikora, are the latest recipients of The News-Gazette’s High School Athletes of the Week, powered by Copper Creek Contractors.
➜ 1. Congrats to Ike Young from the Monticello baseball team and Chloe Sikora from the Urbana girls’ soccer team. Young and Sikora are the latest News-Gazette High School Athletes of the Week, powered by Copper Creek Contractors. Read more about the duo in Monday’s paper.
➜ 2. Two weeks after the Arizona Cardinals took Tip Reiman and Isaiah Adams in the third round of the NFL draft, the former Illini teammates both went through minicamp workouts with their new team on Friday in Tempe, Ariz.
➜ 3. Uni High senior Andrea Li is hoping Saturday produces a memorable end to a standout high school badminton career. Li will try to win her third straight IHSA state title on Saturday after cruising through Friday’s first two rounds in DeKalb.
Tuscola sophomore Lia Patterson, center, races to a state title in the 300-meter hurdles during the 2023 IHSA girls’ track and field state meet. She’ll be back in Charleston next week to defend her state title in the event.
Event wins by Tuscola girls’ track and field standout Lia Patterson on Thursday night at the Class 1A Central A&M Sectional in Moweaqua. Patterson, The News-Gazette’s 2023 girls’ track and field Athlete of the Year, won the 100-meter dash in 12.42 seconds, the 200 in 26.61, the 100 hurdles in 14.41 and the 300 hurdles in 44.30 to qualify for next week’s IHSA state meet that begins on Thursday at O’Brien Stadium on the Eastern Illinois University campus in Charleston.
Jackson Buchanan and the Illinois men’s golf team begins NCAA regional play on Monday in Stanford, Calif.
Three events I’m paying attention to
➜ 1. Iowa at Illinois baseball. The final home series of the season for the Illini is set to unfold starting at 3 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday from Illinois Field in Champaign. Important games for Dan Hartleb‘s team as it continues its pursuit of a potential Big Ten title.
➜ 2. Illinois men’s golf. The Illini tee off Monday in Stanford, Calif., as part of a 14-team NCAA Regional. Finish in the top five by Wednesday, and Illinois is off to another NCAA Championship appearance.
➜ 3. Regions Tradition golf. Former Illini Steve Stricker is in contention — surprise, surprise — and will vie for his third straight win at the Champions Tour’s first major when play resumes Saturday in Birmingham, Ala.
From left, Heath Wilson and his family: sons Max and Aim, daughter Addisyn and wife Hollie.
Three questions with Heath Wilson, the Villa Grove football and baseball coach. Wilson and his Blue Devils’ baseball team opens the Class 1A postseason at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday in Arcola against either Heritage or Salt Fork. In six seasons as the Blue Devils’ football coach, Wilson has guided Villa Grove to a 30-26 record and five Class 1A playoff appearances:
➜ 1. My favorite sports teams are … the Villa Grove Blue Devils and the Dallas Cowboys.
➜ 2. Three coaches I’d like to have dinner with are … Nick Saban, Tony La Russa and Dan Hennessey.
➜ 3. My biggest pet peeve is … when my son Max says, ‘In a second.’
Sports Editor
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