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Wildcats step onto the catwalk

In these cash-strapped times booster clubs are always looking for a way to make more money.

Neuqua Valley Athletic Boosters fundraising chairperson Cathy Ferrel hit on a novel idea of a fashion show featuring Wildcats athletes and coaches strutting their chic stuff.

"Wildcats on the Catwalk," to be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the school gym, will offer Neuqua Nation the opportunity to see girls volleyball star Paige Stevens, boys basketball player Danny Pawelski, boys soccer player Bret Hruby and coaches Spike Grosshuesch, Michelle Schmidt and Robin Renner, among many others, wearing contemporary fashions or their school sports uniforms.

"We are also having coaches' kids model," Ferrel wrote in an e-mail. "Very cute."

In all, 56 Neuqua athletes covering all walks of sporting life -- even color guard member Amanda Marshalak is mentioned -- were listed in the roster Ferrel sent.

"I think it's really exciting," said Stevens, who will be modeling both by herself and in a pairing with boys volleyball player Jake Blackman.

"It's different, it's never been done before and I think it's a good way to have parents see what varsity athletes are all about, see that there's another side to them rather than sports and sweating," said Stevens, soon bound for Iowa on a full athletic scholarship.

Ferrel's own daughter, Kelly, will be modeling her volleyball uniform, while the brother-sister act of swimmer Atlantis and football player Anton Wilkins will walk the runway in their uniforms.

Here's the chance to glimpse 6-foot-7, 280-pound Northwestern-bound football player Jeff Radek in something a little more comfortable than shoulder pads and dirt- and blood-stained lycra.

"When I went for my fitting I saw one of my friends, and he's a big, buff football player," Stevens said. "I wouldn't expect that at all.

"It's just really neat to see people in a different personality, a different perspective."

Stevens revealed her fashion selection: peach dress, black leggings, beret.

"It's out of the box for all of us," she said.

Within sniffing distance

In York's 35-7 win last week over Willowbrook, the Dukes scored three times using the same play. They sent 5-foot-8, 180-pound Spencer Ingle running the football behind pulling tackle Neal Deiters, who goes 6-8, 320.

"We've got our littlest guy behind our biggest guy," commented York coach Bill Lech. "It's kind of like that big dog-little dog commercial for Kibbles and Bits."

Back-to-back Bock

Duplicating her output from the previous week with 4 goals and 1 assist in Notre Dame wins over Georgetown and Villanova, former Neuqua Valley soccer star Brittany Bock earned national and Big East player of the week honors a second straight week.

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Top Drawer Soccer each named Bock as their national player of the week for Oct. 1-7. Soccer America gave her the honor for her efforts from Oct. 8-14.

Bock joins only two other players in Notre Dame's 13 years in the Big East to be named the conference's player of the week in successive weeks.

As of Wednesday her total of 10 goals ranked 15th in the country.

Like a perch on steroids

At the Illinois High School Association Board meeting on Oct. 9, discussions were held regarding the implementation of an interscholastic bass fishing tournament.

Also, the board heard a presentation regarding the IHSA's Drug Testing Initiative.

No word on whether participants in the bass fishing tournament would be randomly tested for elevated levels of Omega-3.

It's a small, oval-shaped world

Kevin Doherty is in his first year as head football coach at Lakeland College (Wis.).

He's led the Muskies to a perfect 4-0 Illinois-Badger Football Conference record entering this week's game against Concordia -- a Wisconsin rivalry known, naturally, as the Cheese Bowl.

Doherty is a 1991 graduate of the old St. Charles High School, before the split.

Doherty's quarterback at Lakeland is two-year starter Brad Wilk.

In 2003 Wilk quarterbacked the Lake Park team that reached the state semifinals.

Lake Park quarterbacks coach, then and now, is Chris Roll.

Out of the Class of '91, Roll played quarterback for the Lancers.

His main rival? Kevin Doherty.

Old news is good news

Glenbard West graduate Ryan Anetsberger, a 2007 draft pick of the Florida Marlins, finished with a .266 average, 11 doubles, 7 home runs and 29 RBI for the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers in Class A ball. He played in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game.

Anetsberger's Illinois State teammate, Dan Frega (Willowbrook) played with a Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. He went 6-2 in 10 starts with 43 strikeouts and a 3.49 ERA. One week he was named NYPL pitcher of the week.

Former Hinsdale Central football player Brian Slackert ended his career and studies at Elmhurst College by winning its Senior of the Year award for the Class of 2007.

Slackert, a double-major in finance and economics who started every Elmhurst game for four years at left tackle, graduated magna cum laude. After the 2006 football season he was given the team's Langhorst Award for leadership, grades and attitude.

What's up…

(Picture here)

Annette Eichenberger

Sophomore, West Chicago cross country. Two days after improving her time at the Kaneland invitational (pictured above) by 45 seconds, she tore an ankle ligament in practice. She recovered to place 25th at the DuPage Valley Conference championships.

Best thing about crutches: "You get to take the elevator."

Frustration with her injury: "It was probably the most frustrating thing of my life, because I did my summer running and got to my goal of 300 miles."

Bigger Chicago Cubs choke job, 2003 or 2007: "Probably this year, because we were out so early."

Favorite movie concessions: "I usually get Reese's Pieces, and I get those 'Icees.' "

Running shoe: Asics.

Most enjoyable school subject: "Probably biology, because I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up."

Favorite breakfast cereal: "Cinnamon Toast Crunch."

Cross country or track: "I'd have to say track because it's more diverse and, personally, I think I'm better at track. And I think it's more fun, too. In cross country you can't do any cross training. You just run."

Looking forward to graduation, or apprehensive? "I kind of look forward to it because I want to move on. I want to have the experience of, hopefully, college sports."

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