Barrington's Sulkar opts for golf future at Illinois

One of the top players in Barrington girls golf history is staying in state to play the sport she began at the age of 7.

Reena Sulkar, a two-time Mid-Suburban League individual champion as a sophomore and junior, will continue her career at the University of Illinois.

The Illini will be getting one of only six Fillies who advanced to the state finals for four years.

Sulkar is looking forward to her next four years in Champaign.

"After visiting many colleges, I chose Illinois because I was impressed with the coaching style of coach (Renee) Slone and coach (Jenny) Coluccio," Sulkar said. "I feel they have a dynamic and organized plan for the team. I was also very impressed by their golf facilities and the amenities available to athletes."

Sulkar, who led the Fillies to their best finish (second place) in the IHSA state finals last month in Decatur, also was drawn to Illinois' academics.

"It has one of the best engineering programs," she said. "I am planning on studying bioengineering and eventually going into medicine."

Sulkar has been involved in golf for most of her life. It began when her parents used to take her to the driving range just for a fun activity.

When she was nine years old, Sulkar's parents entered their daughter in a local 'Drive, Chip, and Putt' event at their golf club.

She ended up winning the event.

"That really solidified my interest in the game," Sulkar said. "It motivated me to work harder to get better and enjoy the competitive nature of the game."

Sulkar always enjoyed playing in tournaments.

"I always knew that I wanted to play golf at a high level in college due to the heightened competition," she said. " My game is where it is today thanks to the help of my parents, high school coach, and swing coach.

"I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to Illinois' excellent golf program next year."

Men's basketball

The Oakton Community College men's basketball team's roster includes nine players over 6 feet tall. One such newcomer is Marion Johnson (Maine West), a 6-3 freshman forward expected to make immediate contributions.

"Marion is one of our most flexible defenders," said eighth-year coach Mick Reuter. "He can defend all positions on the floor, which is extremely rare. He only wants to improve his skills and will do whatever is needed for our team to be successful."

Reuter is confident that with his nucleus of players, the Owls can win a lot of games this season.

"We definitely have the talent and character to be contenders in the region and in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference," he said. "The team is coming together as a group, and the players are accountable for themselves and want to be successful."

The Owls tip off the season on Tuesday, Nov. 1 in a home contest against Truman at 7 p.m.

Football

Carthage backup quarterback Nick Anzelmo (Schaumburg) finished as the leading rusher for the Reds in a 50-28 win over Millikin.

Anzelmo rushed 12 times for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin contest.

Women's golf

Illinois State junior Kiley Walsh (Prospect) paced the Redbirds in the final round of 5-over-par 77 at Seton Hall's Pirate Invitational at the par-72, 5,902-yard Trump National Golf Club.

The 77 gave Walsh a two-round total of 166 (89-77), which placed her in a tie for 15th place on the individual leader board.

ISU carded a 323 and finished in seventh place in the 14-team field with a score of 686 (363-323). South Dakota State won the tournament with a 632 (326-306).

Women's volleyball

Cornell senior Diamond Boyd (Elk Grove) put down a match-high 17 kills in the Rams' 25-21, 25-15, 25-23 sweep of Lawrence during Parents' Day in the Small Multi-Sport Center.

Cornell capped an impressive 9-0 run through the Midwest Conference to mark the fourth time in the last five years the Rams (17-6, 9-0) finished an undefeated regular season against league foes.

Men's swimming

Augustana freshman Adam Smith (Palatine) won the 1,000 freestyle in 10:35.06 as the Vikings rolled to easy victories over Loras (161-56) and Knox (183-18) in the opening meet of their season.

Rugby

• Hersey graduate Spencer Krueger has started each week as a flanker on the Ohio State University varsity rugby squad. On Saturday, the Buckeyes defeated Michigan 65-11 to qualify for the Big Ten Championship match on Nov. 12 against current Big Ten champion Indiana.

• The final meeting for the Stallions Leadership Academy will feature Scott Lawrence, the current head coach of national collegiate champion Life University.

The topic of the evening's presentation will be "The Common Traits of Uncommon Performers".

Lawrence is a former National Director at the Oracle corporation, a USA Rugby national team player and coach of the USA U20 team that won the Junior World Title in 2012.

Attendance is free but RSVP is necessary. Contact Stallions Head Coach Paul Bergman at (847) 845-4982 to reserve a seat.

Hersey girls feeder

The Hersey Girls Feeder Basketball tryouts will be held Sunday, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 at Hersey High School. All girls in grades fifth through eighth living in the Hersey attendance area are invited to try out.

Times are as follows on both dates: eighth grade (4 p.m.), seventh grade (5 p.m.), sixth grade (6 p.m.) and fifth grade (7 p.m.). Arrive 15 minutes early to register and bring your own basketball. Questions: contact sjs@4scp.com.

Hersey boys feeder

The Hersey Junior Huskies boy's basketball program try outs will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Hersey High School field house. Enter in door No. 32 in the back of the school across from the tennis courts.

On Nov. 12: sixth grade: noon to 1:45 p.m.; seventh grade: 2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.; eight grade: 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

On Nov. 13: sixth grade: noon to 1:30 p.m.; seventh grade: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; eighth grade: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Teams will be chosen upon completion of the Sunday tryouts. Immediately following the tryouts, there will be a mandatory meeting in the Hersey Titre Room for the players and parents selected.

• Please email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com.