Local Sports News
Area Sports Roundup | State volleyball and lacrosse tournaments will have local flavor
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer When it comes to the postseason, there are rarely guarantees. There are, however, two guarantees this season when it comes to having teams in the IHSA state finals this weekend. Boys volleyball and girls lacrosse will each have an area representative at their respective state tournaments. In volleyball, Marist and…
Baseball and Softball Wrap | Brother Rice and Lyons win thrillers; Marist softball sets state HR record
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Exciting to the last pitch. Two area baseball regional championships were determined in nail biting fashion on May 27. At the Class 4A Whitney Young Regional, Brother Rice, which finished third the state in Class 4A in 2022, got a bases-loaded to squeak by Mount Carmel, 6-5, and continue its…
Pro Sports Report | Orlando outshoots Chicago 19-2, loses 1-0
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Orlando outshot the Chicago Red Stars 19-2, including a 6-2 disadvantage with shots on goal, during a May 27 visit to SeatGeek Stadium. That would normally be a recipe for disaster for the home team. But the Stars defense and goalie Alyssa Naeher withstood the barrage, and the team took…
Girls Soccer | McAuley starts playoffs with rout, but falls to LW East in regional title game
By Steve Millar Correspondent Hosting a playoff game on its new turf field for the first time, Mother McAuley made it a memorable occasion. Four players scored two goals each and the eighth-seeded Mighty Macs rolled to an 8-1 win over 10th-seeded T.F. United in a Class 4A Mother McAuley Regional semifinal on May 17.…
Baseball | Evergreen Park tops Shepard, clinches first conference crown since 1986
By Steve Millar Correspondent Evergreen Park’s players believed they had a special team this season. That was validated when they accomplished something the program had not done in 37 years. With their 4-2 win over Shepard on May 16, the Mustangs sealed the outright South Suburban Red championship for their first conference title since 1986.…
Baseball and Softball Wrap | Trinity softball finishes national runner-up
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Trinity Christian softball team finished second in the nation in the National Christian College Athletic Association World Series. The Trolls lost to Concordia (Michigan), 8-1, in the title game May 18 at the Urban Youth Academy in Kansas City. They finished 25-20 and won the second most games in…
Postseason Roundup | McAuley water polo takes second in state
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Mother McAuley water polo team won a squeaker and a blowout at the IHSA state tournament before falling in the championship game. It was McAuley’s (21-6-1) highest finish at state since a second-place showing in 2008. The Mighty Macs nipped Naperville North, 7-6, on May 18 in the quarterfinals…
Area Sports Roundup | Brother Rice and Lyons boys volleyball top Illinois’ top-ranked teams
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The boys volleyball postseason opened this week, but what happened during the last week of the regular season was perhaps as unexpected as any playoff upset. It started May 15, when host Brother Rice knocked off Marist, 27-25, 16-25, 25-20. The RedHawks entered the match ranked sixth in the nation…
Do It Stevie’s Way | Lyons falls to Providence in champ game; Troy Stukenberg earns tourney award
By Steve Millar Correspondent Lyons’ quest for a Do It Stevie’s Way Tournament championship came up just short, but it was still a memorable day for senior Troy Stukenberg. Stukenberg was chosen the Lions’ Do It Stevie’s Way Award winner at the tournament, which honors former Mount Carmel baseball player Steven Bajenski, who died at…
College Notebook | Augustana’s Ranieri named CCIW Pitcher of Year
By Mike Walsh Correspondent This has been quite the spring for Augustana College’s Nadia Ranieri. The Riverside-Brookfield graduate has been chosen Pitcher of the Year in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. The junior lefty finished 15-4 with a 1.53 ERA in 23 appearances (21 starts) while helping the Vikings to an overall record of…
Postseason Roundup | Lyons boys gymnasts add to state trophy collection
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer Another year, another trophy. The Lyons boys gymnastics team finished second at the IHSA state meet, held May 13 at Palatine High School. This is the Lions seventh state trophy in program history. They placed first in 2021, took second in 2017, and finished third in 2002, 2014, 2018 and…
Pro Sports Report | Another Klopas era begins in Bridgeview
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The third Frank Klopas era opened with a bang in Bridgeview. Klopas was promoted May 8 after the Chicago Fire axed Ezra Hendrickson and the next night the team beat St. Louis, 2-1, in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in front of an announced…
Baseball and Softball Wrap | Saint Xavier baseball and softball headed to national tourneys
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer The Saint Xavier baseball team began the season in early February by losing its first five games. The Cougars, however, finished the regular season 5-0 and are heading to the national tournament. Saint Xavier roller-coastered through the regular season and dug themselves a hole in the double-elimination Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic…
College Notebook | Benedictine infielder Doubek earns Player of Week
By Mike Walsh Correspondent Ryan Doubek of Benedictine University has been named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference’s Baseball Position Player of the Week for the week ending April 30. Doubek, a senior infielder, hit .522 (12-of-23) while batting leadoff as Benedictine went 4-1 during the timeframe. The Marist graduate scored six runs, doubled twice, stole…
Baseball | Evergreen Park runs through Red foes, eyes conference crown
By Steve Millar Correspondent While he’s put up huge numbers throughout this time at Evergreen Park, senior shortstop Alejandro Munoz thinks he’s still a bit underrated and off the radar. Munoz is hoping to change that with a big end to the regular season and an even greater postseason. “I’m just trying to prove myself,…
Girls Soccer | Oak Lawn building toward success with marked improvement in 2023
By Steve Millar Correspondent After helping Oak Lawn improve from three regular-season wins in 2022 to 10 wins this year, Sinead Conroy is excited to see where things go from here. “I think our team chemistry and our team building really helps,” said Conroy, a sophomore midfielder. “We’re still a young team. We’ve got good…
Baseball | Nick Bestrick fires one-hitter as Sandburg tops Mount Carmel
By Steve Millar Correspondent Some extra sleep did Nick Bestrick quite well. With Sandburg’s game against Mount Carmel postponed on May 12 because of rain, the Eagles had an unconventional two-site, two-opponent doubleheader — going to Plainfield East for a regularly scheduled game the morning of May 13 before coming home to host the Caravan…
Boys Volleyball | Reavis on cusp of 1st conference crown since 2018
By Randy Whalen Correspondent Reavis is having such a good season it’s scary. “It’s terrifying trying to win the conference,” Reavis sophomore outside hitter Joey Walus said. “Every team wants to beat us but we’re not going to allow it.” Walus walloped the match-winning kill as Reavis held off visiting Richards 25-19, 25-23 to move…
Pro Sports Report | Red Stars finish rough week with Gotham loss
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The first week of May was a bad week for the Chicago Red Stars, on and off the field. It started May 3 with a 3-0 loss at Houston in the first round of the Challenge Cup. The next day, the team fired general manager Michelle Lomnicki for a “lapse…
College Notebook | Concordia Chicago goalie McGee named to lacrosse all-conference team
By Mike Walsh Correspondent Ryan McGee is one of four Concordia University Chicago women’s lacrosse athletes to be chosen to the 2023 All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Team. McGee, a goalie who prepped at Nazareth, was one of two Cougars named to the All-NACC First Team. For McGee, this marks her third consecutive All-NACC First Team…
Baseball and Softball Wrap | St. Rita coach Nee honored with HOF nod
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer John Nee looks back with fondness at his early baseball days, when he was a big-time slugger playing with his friends for West Lawn’s baseball team. “Neighborhood baseball was all it could be,” Nee said. “Everybody played for their neighborhood team, and we have some really good teams at West…
Area Sports Roundup | St. Rita hoops coach resigns for job at St. Laurence
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The spinning carousal continues for the St. Rita basketball program. By the time the 2023-24 campaign rolls around, the talented team that picked up national attention last season will look a whole lot different — and it’s not just about players transferring. Roshawn Russell, who coached the Mustangs the past…
Baseball | St. Laurence senior Luke Geary embraces role in ‘pen
By Steve Millar Correspondent Many pitchers would prefer the certainty and routine of knowing when they were going to take the mound. St. Laurence’s Luke Geary, though, enjoys always being on-call. The senior is thriving in a bullpen role. “I really like it,” Geary said. “The starters have one day a week where they have…
Distance runner Dylan Jacobs has set records at every level, and he has his eyes on the Olympics
By Mike Walsh Correspondent If there is anything that Dylan Jacobs has learned over the years, it’s that Mom is always right. As youth growing up in Orland Park, Jacobs — now a standout runner at the University of Tennessee — played soccer, baseball and basketball. One day, he decided he was done with soccer.…
Baseball and Softball Wrap | Lizzie Sedakis is a hitting machine for Chicago Christian
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer When Lizzie Sedakis was playing t-ball at age 5, her father gave her some advice. Dave Sedakis was not a baseball player in his high school days, but his hitting suggestions resonate with her today. “My dad taught me how to hit,” Lizzie said. “He taught me three points of…
Local News
North Palos asks Worth for help enforcing fire regulations on businesses
By Joe Boyle The North Palos Fire Protection District would like to see businesses that have numerous violations in Worth suffer the consequences. The fire department does not give out the citations specifically. They require an official from the village to give the offending businesses the citations. “North Palos Fire Protection District has been serving…
Chicago Hounds will host Dawg Town Block Party in Bridgeview
Shaquille O’Neal will perform at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview this summer. DJ Diesel, who is also known as former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, and American Celtic band Dropkick Murphys are set to perform at the 2023 MLR Championship Final at SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave., on Saturday, July 8. The Chicago Hounds rugby team…
Slice Factory makes a big debut in Lyons
By Steve Metsch Norberto Cisneros Jr., smiled after tasting the pepperoni pizza at the new Slice Factory in Lyons. “I like it,” he said. “It’s a big bang for your buck.” Cisneros, an administrative aide in the Lyons Village Hall, wasn’t kidding. “Each slice,” restaurant owner Domenico DiDiana said, “is about the length of a grown man’s forearm.”…
New Summit trustees take their seats
By Carol McGowan Three new trustees were sworn-in at last week’s Village of Summit board meeting. Lorena Manriquez, Sonia Ponce, and Aurora Rodriguez took the oath of office at the beginning of the meeting, then took their seats in the board room with other village officials. Judge Iris Chavira did the honor of swearing them…
Overnight closures for Roberts Road, 87th Street underway
Overnight road closures, including full intersection closures with detours, will be scheduled on Roberts Road and 87th Street over the next two weeks as the Illinois Tollway continues work on local roadway reconstruction and improvements as part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. Beginning Wednesday, May 10, overnight full closures of both 87th Street and Roberts Road are scheduled to…
Oak Lawn author blends fantasy and romance
By Kelly White Renowned author, Emily Hornburg, has South Side roots. Growing up in Evergreen Park and currently living in Oak Lawn, Hornburg, better known by her readers as EE Hornburg, has three books published in her Cursed Queens series: “The Night’s Chosen,” “The Shadow’s Heir,” and “The Forest’s Keeper.” All of the novels balance…
Genetti Bistro opens in Palos Heights
By Kelly White Genetti Bistro, 12240 S. Harlem Ave., Palos Heights, opened to the public on Friday, May 5. The charming and tranquil cafe features breakfast and lunch served from an organic menu. Some of the highlighted items include: organic coffee, herbal tea, cold brew, refreshers, delicious snacks and desserts and open-faced egg sandwiches. All food…
Pop culture celebrated at Oak Lawn Library Fan Fest
By Kelly White Comic book enthusiasts united last weekend at the Oak Lawn Public Library. The library, 9427 Raymond Ave., Oak Lawn, held its seventh annual Fan Fest, a pop culture celebration on May 6. The day provided an opportunity for the community to come to a local event without having to drive far or…
Stickney mulls creating TIF district
By Carol McGowan The Village of Stickney is contemplating creating what it is calling the Pershing and Harlem TIF District. Because of a larger than usual meeting crowd expected, the hearing and subsequent village board meeting were moved to the basement of St. Pius Church. Officials explained that a TIF district is a flexible financing…
Fired by Countryside for refusing vaccine, woman wants her job back
By Steve Metsch A woman who lost her job with the Countryside Police Department in November 2021 – because she refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine – now wants it back. After the Countryside City Council meeting of April 26, Julia Torres said she should be rehired because of a recent ruling which has Chicago…
