C-G alum Raebel looking forward to coming back

Last week was a very different animal for Cary-Grove graduate AJ Raebel.

Raebel, now a senior linebacker on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team, had to sit out the squad's first game against Lakeland while he recovered from a concussion he suffered several weeks ago.

"I got it about two-and-a-half, three weeks ago, but I didn't know I had it," said Raebel earlier this week from Whitewater. "I played through it and then I got hit a second time. It was a lingering thing. I had to take a seven to 10 day break and now I'm at 12 days. It's precautionary. There's nothing wrong with waiting a little longer."

But for Raebel, the waiting was the hard part.

"That was the first game I missed since I started playing in second grade," said the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Raebel. "That was the first game I missed in 16 seasons. And I had started 40 games in a row in college, so that streak got broken. Sitting out has been the hardest part. I wanted to be out there for these guys and help them get in the groove. But they did fine out there without me."

Whitewater, which reached the 2006 NCAA Division III championship game, defeated Lakeland, 41-7, in its season opener last week and was ranked second in the nation to start this week by D3football.com.

Raebel is one of 7 returning starters on defense for Whitewater and is coming off a 2006 season where he earned first team all-WIAC honors for a second straight year and was named to the D3football.com All-American second team. He was also a Football Gazette first team all-region pick last year. Raebel finished the 2006 season with 91 tackles (56 solo), 19.5 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback sacks and 2 interceptions.

But for Raebel, last year was not without its struggles.

"Last year I came into camp at 240 pounds, which was probably a little heavy for me," said Raebel. "This year I was able to come in at 240 but I feel fast again. I think I've grown and matured. I feel like I have more control over my body. In the past in high school I was always known for my speed. The first two years here I was fast and then I was big. I tried to put on weight to counter that, but I got too big. Now, I've put on the weight slower this year. It's been a little more gradual of a change."

That change is something Raebel said will help him get back on the field next week when Whitewater returns to action at Division II St. Cloud (Minn.) State.

"After 16 years, I should be able to get right back in the groove," said Raebel. "I feel bigger, faster and stronger now."

New Whitewater coach Lance Leipold is looking forward to Raebel's return.

"He's a rare bread at the division 3 level," said Leipold. "He's a big body that runs well and is physical. We're a different team when he is on the field. A lot of coaches have raved about him. He's a difference maker for this team on defense. For us to have a chance to win a conference championship and go far in the playoffs, a healthy AJ Raebel is a must for us. He's been a big part of the run this team has had the last 2 years."

Raebel feels his wrestling experience in high school has also come in handy.

"I've been told that I've been hard to block," said Raebel. "That comes from wrestling and hand-to-hand combat."

And just sheer experience at the college level doesn't hurt either.

"I'm learning things that can't be taught. I've grown into my own style," said Raebel. "A lot of that comes through confidence and knowing you can do things that needed to be done."

Experiencing success at the national level the last 2 years has been icing on the cake for Raebel.

"Two years ago was kind of a surprise," said Raebel. "Last year, we enjoyed it more. We knew last year that we could contend for a national championship. I'd be lying if I said those weren't the best 3 years of my life. It's been fun. This is my final year and I want us to put it together again."

Raebel said the overall success he's enjoyed at the college level has come as somewhat of a shock.

"I knew I wanted to play in college," said Raebel. "I had some division one looks, but those were so far away and there wasn't a ton of money. I expected to play division three, but I didn't expect to be where I am now as a player. I wrote letters to guys like Ron Turner (former Illinois coach) and Barry Alvarez (former Wisconsin coach) and I didn't get looked at at all. To come here and accomplish what I did feels good. Now I'd like to play after college."

Leipold said the idea of Raebel playing professionally isn't far fetched.

"He has the size and the natural ball instincts," said Leipold. "I wouldn't be surprised because of his size that he gets a few people to look at him. If he has a good season, he may be one of the few guys in division three that has a chance. It's very, very unheard of (Division III player making an NFL roster). Every year you can count on one hand th number of kids who get into camps. But AJ's special."

Raebel, a mathematics major at Whitewater, is up for the pro challenge.

"I'm going to give it the best shot I can," said Raebel. "If it means playing in Canada and working my way up, I'll do it. Playing professionally would be the ultimate dream. I don't want to give up football anytime soon. Now it's starting to look like I won't have to."

Sikora at Olivet Nazarene: Elgin graduate Erin Sikora, now a sophomore setter on the Olivet Nazarene women's volleyball team, was recently named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference setter of the week.

Sikora earned the honor after dishing out a total of 93 assists to go with 21 digs and 6 blocks in the Tigers' first 4 matches of the season. She had 23 assists, 3 digs and 2 blocks in the team's season-opening match against No. 11 Biola. She added 35 assists, 9 digs and 1 block against Westmont College and had 26 assists, 7 digs and 3 blocks against No. 14 Northwestern College. She added 9 assists and 2 digs in the team's match-up with No. 3 Cal Baptist.

Lamothe at North Central: Burlington Central alum Bobbie Lamothe, now a junior on the North Central women's golf team, tied for 16th place in a field of 58 women at the recent Robert Morris Fall Classic. Lamothe shot an 86. North Central finished in fourth place as a team.

Off at College wants your help: Send information and/or statistics on Fox Valley area athletes playing collegiately to Mike Miazga at difibulator@aol.com.