Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars will miss three big guns during World Cup qualifying
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Having world-class players on your team is a blessing. But during times like these, it can also be a curse. World-class players help NWSL teams win games. They also miss chunks of time during the season because of their commitments to playing in international competitions. For much of July, the……
Stagg grad Laila Barakat leaves her mark on program
By Randy Whalen Correspondent Laila Barakat entered her freshman year of high school basketball with a plan. She left as one of the most accomplished and successful players in Stagg girls basketball history. “Coming in my freshman year, I knew what goals I wanted to achieve,” said Barakat, who was a four-year varsity player for……
Area Sports Roundup: Lightning strikes at Shepard
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer There was a lot of rain and a little bit of thunder at the Illinois Lightning Track and Field Club’s open track meet, which was held at Shepard on June 25. The meet was open to everyone, from children as young as 4 (one 3-year-old also participated) to adults. More……
World Wiffle Ball Championship returning to south suburbs
The 43rd World Wiffle Ball Championship is returning to Memorial Park in south suburban Midlothian on July 16-17. “We’re excited to gear up for this year’s Championship at Memorial Park in Midlothian. We can’t wait to see old and new Wifflers alike this summer come together to beat some plastic,” said Mike Baniak, Commissioner of……
Pro Soccer Report: Kowalksi, Pugh score for Red Stars in draw at KC
Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars suffered a big blow on defense when defender Kayla Sharples was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Sharples’ replacement in the starting lineup on June 18 was Amanda Kowalski. The Arlington Heights native decided to add some offense to her game,……
Area Sports Roundup: Troy Grevengoed leaving Richards to coach volleyball at Chicago Christian
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer As the girls volleyball coach at Richards, Troy Grevengoed coached against Chicago Christian when two of his daughters played there. He has also watched his daughters from the stands as a fan. Now, he enters a third phase. Grevengoed is the new girls volleyball coach at the Palos Heights private……
Club America, Pumas match at SeatGeek officially sold out
PRIMETIME Sports announced Friday that the Pretemporada MX 2022 Clásico match between Club América and Pumas to be played on Sunday, June 19, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview is officially sold out and Saturday’s Clásico Tapatío match is working towards a sellout. The two-day event hosts Liga MX’s two biggest derbies at SeatGeek Stadium. The……
Baseball Class 4A State Finals: Brother Rice takes third with romp over McHenry
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Some view state third-place games as a waste of time. It’s usually the game nobody wants to be involved in after having their dreams of winning a state championship crushed by a loss in the semifinals. But the third-place game in the IIHSA Class 4A baseball state tournament produced a……
Area Sports Roundup: Notre Dame’s Dylan Jacobs wins national championship in 10,000 meters
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Add a national championship to Dylan Jacobs’ already impressive list of accomplishments in 2022. The Orland Park resident and Sandburg graduate broke a four-minute mile on Jan. 22 and set an American college indoor record in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 13:14.04 seconds on Feb. 12. On June……
Pro Soccer Report: Red Stars blank Orland to finish brutal stretch unscathed
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer The Chicago Red Stars finished the busiest stretch of their season unbeaten. The five-games-in-16-days logjam ended with a 1-0 victory over Orlando on June 11 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Mallory Pugh drilled her fifth goal of the season in the 10th minute for the Stars (4-1-3), who entered this……
Softball 4A State Championship: Marist falls short in bid for repeat
By Randy Whalen Correspondent If someone would have told Emily Bojan that she would come up in the bottom of the seventh with an opportunity to tie or win the state championship game in her final high school at-bat, she’d love to be in that situation every time. But unfortunately, the Marist senior catcher hit……
Young Roadrunners win first baseball title to cap a huge sports season at Naz
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer Nazareth’s athletic class of 2024 could go down as the best in school history. The Roadrunners’ girls volleyball team finished first in the state in the fall. Two sophomores were among the eight players who were on the court during the Class 3A state championship game. The girls basketball team……
Softball: Marist returns to state to defend 2021 title
By Randy Whalen Correspondent The night before their biggest game of the season, Marist’s players absorbed some superpowers. From their bats. “We slept with our bats [the night before],” said junior left fielder Isabel Cunnea. “It was uncomfortable but it got us ready.” The RedHawks scored all their runs via the longball — five home……
Baseball: Nazareth tops St. Ignatius, punches ticket to state
By Steve Millar Correspondent Some observers may had thought Nazareth was a year or two away from being a state tournament-caliber team. After all, the Roadrunners started four sophomores and a freshman with a trip to state on the line June 6. Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Nick Drtina, though, knew all along what his team was capable……
Postseason Softball: St. Ignatius one-ups St. Laurence in supersectional heartbreaker
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer It took a near perfect game — and a close play at the plate — to eliminate St. Laurence from its historic season. St. Laurence pitcher Sarah Klonowski and St. Ignatius hurler Ellie Giles were throwing zeroes through five innings in the Class 3A Rosemont Supersectional at the Parkway Bank……
Postseason Roundup: Lincoln-Way East tops Marist in battle of volleyball powers
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer For the first time since 2014, no area boys volleyball advanced to the Elite Eight. In the past seven postseasons, either Marist, Sandburg, Brother Rice or St. Rita made it to the quarterfinals. This year, Marist was the last team standing, but dropped a wild 23-25, 25-22, 25-21 decision to……
Pro Soccer Report: Pugh continues hot run, helps Red Stars top OL Reign
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Despite missing the first two games of the season, Chicago Red Stars standout Mallory Pugh entered this week’s action in a three-way tie for second in goals scored in the NWSL. Pugh scored her fourth goal of the season to help the Red Stars (3-1-2) beat OL Reign, 1-0, in……
Baseball: Nazareth conquers Vikings for sectional crown
By Steve Millar Correspondent With many players back from a team that finished third in the state in Class 3A last season, senior outfielder Angelo Luna knew the Vikings were ready to win many games this year. The recipe for success, according to Luna, was simple. “We just practice a lot, trust in that and……
Baseball: Marist rolls to regional title, will face St. Laurence in sectional semifinals
By Steve Millar Correspondent Marist’s players are not happy with how the regular season went, but the playoffs present an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to make it a special year. “We know we’re good enough to make a run,” junior shortstop/pitcher Cal Sefcik said. “We definitely had our ups and downs……
‘The right gig’: Marist alum Renee Chimino to succeed Mary Pat Connolly
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Renee Chimino was like many people who thought Mary Pat Connolly was going to coach at Marist forever. But Connolly recently announced her retirement, and Chimino was hired to take her place last week. Chimino is a Marist graduate who played on Connolly’s best squad, the 2007-08 team that finished……
Postseason Roundup: Chicago Christian’s Jelderks is state high jump champ; Sandburg 3200 relay takes title
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer It was as easy as 1-2-3. Actually, it was more like it was easy as 1A-2A-3A. Two area individuals and a relay team emerged from the IHSA state boys track meet over the weekend as champions — one in each classification. Luke Jelderks of Chicago Christian won the Class 1A……
Pro Soccer Report: Pugh scores again in Red Stars draw; Fire II offense gets hot
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Chicago Red Stars coach Chris Petrucelli doesn’t mince words when it comes to describing star player Mallory Pugh. “Quite frankly, I think she’s the best player in the league,” the first-year coach said. “There’s nobody I would rather have, honestly. I’m lucky I get a chance to work with her……
Boys Volleyball Sectionals: Marist tops Br. Rice, will face LW East in sectional finals
By Randy Whalen Correspondent Michael Bos had just put down what was probably the biggest block of his high school career. It sent Brother Rice team into a frenzied celebration. The Crusaders hadn’t won the match, but they had moved to a third set against the top-ranked team in the state. Rice eventually fell short,……
Girls Soccer: De La Salle tops Bremen for program’s first regional title
By Steve Millar Correspondent De La Salle coach Carlos Nunez has seen his teams come up a bit short in the postseason repeatedly over the years. The Meteors had never won a regional championship in girls soccer. Until this year, that is. “I’ve been in every single one that we’ve lost in,” Nunez said. “We’ve……
Pro soccer report: Pugh tallies twice return in Red Stars’ win over Orlando
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Mallory Pugh gave a sample of what could be a big 2022 season when she scored four goals in the exhibition Challenge Cup series. But the Red Stars scoring threat missed the first two games of the NWSL season with an injury, and the team split decisions against Louisville and……
They have her back
Two days before Christmas 2021, Chicago Police Officer Jose “Joey” Huerta, a Garfield Ridge resident, died of COVID-19 complications. Months later, his daughter, Ariel, graduated from Kinzie School. In a show of solidarity, 23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares (left), herself a Garfield Ridge resident, and several dozen police officers showed up at the school to……
Niego Real Estate salutes America again
Popular flag program underway By Tim Hadac Clearing and Garfield Ridge residents who want to decorate their blocks in red, white and blue this Independence Day are encouraged to contact Niego Real Estate and reserve a supply of U.S. flags at no charge. The popular program to promote patriotism and community pride is now in……
Villanueva hails new ‘mental health days’ law
From staff reports State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-11th) recently declared victory as Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a bill that allows teachers to take mental health days. “Our teachers’ service to our students is ongoing, both inside and outside the classroom,” Villanueva said. “Now that our society has recognized the importance of mental health……
Kennedy students win big scholarship
Kennedy High School graduating seniors John Strus (left) and Douglas DaSilva have won the Wentcher Scholarship this spring. The scholarship is worth $40,000 (spread out over four years). The Wentcher Foundation identifies students nearing graduation from Chicago Public Schools who exemplify academic excellence, high character and demonstrate financial need. This fall, Strus will be attending……
No ammo for revoked cardholders, Dart says
Wants legal loophole closed From staff reports Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart recently urged lawmakers to close a loophole he said allows thousands of individuals with revoked gun permits to still buy ammunition. “A gun is only dangerous if it is loaded,” Dart said. “Right now, there are thousands of individuals in Cook County……
Offer rebates on new security devices
From staff reports City officials and others this week launched the Home and Business Protection Program, designed to protect people and property from crime. Through the program, anyone who lives in the city of Chicago, operates a business in the city, or owns or leases a vehicle registered to a primary address within the city……
World Wiffle Ball Championship returning to south suburbs
The 43rd World Wiffle Ball Championship is returning to Memorial Park in south suburban Midlothian on July 16-17. “We’re excited to gear up for this year’s Championship at Memorial Park in Midlothian. We can’t wait to see old and new Wifflers alike this summer come together to beat some plastic,” said Mike Baniak, Commissioner of……
Morrison, Gorman duking it out for GOP county commissioner nod
By Jeff Vorva In what is one of the nastiest races around, Sean Morrison and Liz Gorman are duking it out for a commissioners’ spot on the Cook County Board. Gorman had the job in the 17th District from 2002-2015 but gave it up to work in the private sector. Morrison took over and had……
Justice police arrest teen in Suri Davis murder
By Bob Bong A 14-year-old boy was arrested last week in the murder in November of Argo High School sophomore Suri Davis. Justice police said the teen was arrested June 13 and charged with one felony count of first-degree murder in the November 22 shooting death of Suri Davis, 15. Police said the teen lived……
2 incumbents seek Dem nomination in newly drawn 6th District
By Steve Metsch It doesn’t happen often, but voters in the newly drawn 6th Congressional District have an unusual choice in the Democratic primary. Because of redistricting, two sitting members of Congress are going toe-to-toe for the nomination in the June 28 primary. The district covers the Midway Airport area, Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood and the……
Justice welcomes Commissioners Park revamp
By Carol McGowan Justice residents and officials welcomed a break from the hot weather last Saturday to officially open the revamped Commissioners Park. Justice Park District Executive Director Jennifer Bonbrake, Park Board President Carrie Bernardoni, and Commissioner Tabatha Sutera all took to the podium to address the crowd that gathered for the 10 a.m. ribbon……
Walder promoted, Pollack named new Shepard High principal
From staff reports The District 218 Board of Education has unanimously approved Dr. Jennifer Pollack as the new principal of Shepard High School in Palos Heights. Pollack is no stranger to the Shepard family having served as associate principal for the past six years. She will succeed Dr. Greg Walder who was promoted. The school……
