Kym excels in net for Wesleyan
Former Libertyville goalkeeper Craig Kym was a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Player of the Week for Illinois Wesleyan after his stinginess in the net in a pair of recent games.
Kym did not allow a goal and stopped 7 shots while playing 110 minutes in relief of a 1-0 loss to Washington (Mo.).
He then made 5 saves in 45 minutes and added 2 saves and allowed no goals in 65 minutes of a 2-2 tie against Rose-Hulman.
Women's volleyball
Augustana junior Nicole Morrissey (Lake Zurich) is the second-leading attacker for the Vikings (8-7) with her 2.79 per-game-average. Morrissey has 106 kills in 38 games.
Morrissey led the Vikings with 12 kills in a four-set loss to North Central.
Women's cross country
Augustana freshman Laura McNair (Lake Zurich) placed 33rd (19:46.7) in the 21-team Illinois Intercollegiate Championships on Oct. 2 in Bourbonnais, Ill.
Women's soccer
Lawrence University junior midfielder Casey Merkle (Barrington) was named offensive player of the week in the Midwest Conference.
Merkle was chosen for the award after Lawrence won a pair of nonconference road games.
Merkle scored or assisted on all but one of Lawrence's goals.
Merkle picked up a pair of assists as Lawrence (5-3) won 3-1 at Wisconsin Lutheran College. She assisted on Ryan Berkley's goal in the fifth minute to put the Vikings up 1-0. Merkle got another assist when Berkley scored again in the 73rd minute to help seal the victory.
Merkle picked up her third goal of the season when she scored the game's first goal in a 2-0 victory at Finlandia University. Shethen assisted on Genna Matt's insurance goal in the second half.
Football
Augustana junior linebacker Jack Asquini (Buffalo Grove) is the Vikings' top tackler with 18 solo stops and 21 assists. His 4½ tackles for loss also lead the team and he's tied for the lead with 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery.
Augustana junior linebacker Erik Johnson (Warren) is second on the team with 33 total tackles.
Mundelein feeder
The Mundelein High School Mustang Feeder Basketball try outs for boys and girls residing within the high school District 120 boundaries will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 4 and Friday, Nov. 6 at Mundelein High School.
Grades fifth and sixth are from 6.p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and grades seventh and eighth are from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Attendance at both the Wednesday and Friday try outs is preferred.
The Kessel Heat program will be managing the Mundelein Feeder program this year. Registration and more information can be found by visiting the website www.kesselstraining.com and clicking on the Feeder Tab. Or email kkessel@hotmail.com.
Talbot commits
Senior Megan Talbot has been on the Barrington High School academic honor roll every year.
She has also schooled many of her opponents as a three-year starter on coach Babbi Barreiro's varsity basketball team each year.
Talbot will go into her final season after leading the Fillies in scoring and rebounding last season.
And she will enter the season as a future Division I player.
Talbot has made a verbal commitment to play at Illinois State, becoming one of three players from the Mid-Suburban League to play at the Normal college since the early 1990s.
Hersey scoring machine Corinne Vossel was a Redbird from 1994 to 1998 while Buffalo Grove standout guard Ashley Sanstead Graham played for ISU from 2002 to 2006.
Talbot liked Illinois State being close to home, making it easier for her family and friends to visit.
"I am thrilled for Megan," Barreiro said. "I think she has worked very hard the last several years in and out of season to pursue her dream of being a college basketball player. I am glad she was able to create some opportunities to choose from and settled in on a place where she feels very comfortable."
Comfort played a key role in Talbot's decision to compete for coach Barb Smith and her staff.
"The coaches were incredibly nice," she said. "They made me feel like family from the first time I met them."
Growing up, Talbot was always told she had talent for the game.
"But I never really thought of myself being that good," said Talbot, who is also a top attacker for the Fillies girls volleyball team. "But I loved the fact that I could continue playing the sport I love and share that feeling with my new teammates at Illinois State."
Talbot began playing basketball at a young age when she would go one on one against her brother in the driveway.
"I think that's where I got my competitive edge," Talbot said. " I would play one on one against my family members and they always pushed me to get better and stronger. I wouldn't be where I am without them."
Talbot's parents pushed Megan to be a better player.
" My dad played me in one-on-one and my mom pushed me to work out and work on my skills." Megan said. "And it's like an epic battle in the driveway of who can beat the other during our free time."
Talbot has often beaten her defender to the basket during her high school career.
An all-area forward, she was the Fillies' leading scorer and rebounder last season averaging 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. She shot 70 percent from the free throw line.
Tom Hohenadel, Talbot's head coach for her club team (Illinois Elite), was helpful throughout the whole recruitment process.
"He really introduced me to the possibility of playing at the next level of college basketball and he always pushed me to get better at the game," Talbot said. "I will always be thankful for his support."
Fremd girls basketball Dave Yates was a key part of Talbot's growth.
"My AAU coach for three years, he helped my growth from eighth grade through sophomore year," Talbot said. " He knew he could push me and that I could take it. He helped me want to be better and to achieve my goal to play college basketball. Even though he is the head coach at Fremd, our main rival, he always pushed me to get better.
"And I have to thank Babbi Barreiro (Barrington girls basketball coach), who has supported me through my basketball career and helped me grow as a leader."
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