Palatine grad Emerich earns scholarship

Palatine High School graduate Joe Emerich has received the Illinois State University men's golf L. Durwood Boone endowed scholarship.

The award traditionally goes to the most improved player from the past season.

"It's definitely an honor," Emerich said in a release. "I know how tough it is to earn a college scholarship, so to be able to receive something like this really makes me feel like I have earned my way into the program."

Emerich will be a redshirt sophomore and one of the most experienced players for the Redbirds this year.

"Joe is very passionate about Redbird golf, and he is committed to being a difference-maker in our program," said ISU head coach Ray Kralis. "I value players who take ownership in the program and look to improve it and themselves.

"Joe brings those qualities to our team, making him a fitting recipient for this award."

Wieda an all-star: Hersey graduate Mike Wieda, who pitched briefly this summer with the Schaumburg Flyers, will compete in Sunday's Midwest Suburban Semipro Baseball League All-Star Game at 7 p.m. at Alexian Field.

Wieda has been pitching for a team called the Northsiders. There will be a home run derby and other festivities starting at 4 p.m. A donation toward St. Jude's medical studies is the admission fee.

Tracking the Mustangs: Mick Viken and Ty Kirk of Rolling Meadows were medalists in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Nationals in Walnut, Calif.

Viken took third in the young men's pole vault (16-feet, 2‰ inches) and Kirk was seventh in the young men's triple jump (48-6Ëœ). Bolingbrook product Troy Doris won the triple jump at 52-5ˆ¨, which is the best in the United States.

Lankford moving up: Prospect graduate and Oakton College right-handed pitcher Mike Lankford has accepted a Division I baseball scholarship with Texas-Pan American University.