Passing camp opens; Pickler completes record-setting career

It's no big secret that the most complex position in football is quarterback.

The player in the center of the action requires skill, passion, intelligence and the ability to innovate on the move.

It takes a special athlete.

And the quarterback obviously likes to work with quality receivers, who also should be special athletes.

The Blue Chip Quarterback Farm Passing Camp offers the opportunity for both quarterbacks and receivers ages 10 to 18 to improve their skills heading into the 2008 football season.

Staged at Marmion Academy in Aurora, the camp dates are June 13-14 and July 25-26. Both camps run from 8-11:30 a.m. each day.

Quarterbacks will have passing and footwork drills, passing mechanics, arm strengthening drills, timing and read recognition drills and 7-on-7 passing.

Receivers will concentrate on stance and footwork drills, proper route running, catching and receiving drills and 7-on-7 training.

Steve Gregory, a nationally recognized quarterbacks coach who played at the University of Arkansas, is the founder and head coach of the Blue Chip Quarterback Farm. Each member of the staff has college or NFL experience.

For details and additional information, call (630) 862-8082 or go to quarterbackfarm.com.

Volleyball

Ian Peckler (Vernon Hills) finished his collegiate career at Ball State by setting several records. He became the all-time dig leader in school history (1,054) and holds the record for double-digit digs in a match (52). He topped the conference in digs and finished third in the nation in dig average at 3.01.

Peckler was first team all-conference, all-academic and MIVA all-tournament selection.

Swimming

Katie Rowland (Libertyville) of Augustana College was named the most valuable swimmer for the 2007-08 season. She earned top-10 finishes in seven events at the conference championships.

Track and field

Keli Coleman (Carmel) of Augustana won the 100-meter dash (12:16) and took third in the 200 (25.53) in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

• Shacuana Gaines (Warren) of Carthage won the triple jump (34-9¾) and took third in the 400-meter dash (62.82) at the Wisconsin Private College Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Golf

Tyler Wollberg (Mundelein) of Carthage College tied for first in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament, but lost a four-hole sudden-death playoff. He fired rounds of 74-69-76-76.

Softball

Natalie Chase (Libertyville) of Illinois Wesleyan made the second team in the outfield for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

• Claire Voris (Barrington) pitched Washington University St. Louis past No. 1 DePauw 1-0, allowing only 2 hits as she improved her record to 14-5. The victory snapped DePauw's 37-game winning streak.

• Samantha Bloomfield (Barrington) of North Central hit a walk-off home run to beat Carthage 2-1 and also a 2-run shot in a 9-8 victory over Augustana in the CCIW tournament. She had 2 more hits in another win over Augustana that settled the conference title.

Baseball

J.D. Rotzoll (Prospect) of Concordia University Chicago was named NCAA Division III National Hitter of the Week for April 21-27. He also was named athlete of the week at Concordia.

Rotzoll batted .565 (13-23) during the Cougars' 4-2 week. Nine of his 13 hits were for extra bases, with 3 doubles and 6 home runs. He homered in 5 of the games and also scored 10 runs, drove in 9 and drew 4 walks.

• Mark Kelly (Hoffman Estates) of Southern Illinois University had 4 hits against Murray State and went 5-for-9 in a doubleheader with Creighton. He has moved his average to a team-leading .361. After 46 games, he also was the leader in hits (65) and RBI (40).

• Vince Saisi (Prospect) of Oakton Community College pitched a 2-hitter with 8 strikeouts in a 6-0 win over Sandburg Community College. Oakton won the round-robin title. Saisi is 6-1 for the season with 1 save.

• Brandon Kvistad (Leyden) has an 8-0 pitching record for St. Francis of Joliet with a 2.25 ERA.

Basketball

Jonny Reibel (Hoffman Estates) of Rollins College was named Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the school's all-sports banquet. He was named All-America by four different organizations, including two first-team honors, earned invitations to two all-star games and was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award that honors the nation's top point guard.

Football

Mark Woodsum (Buffalo Grove) earned Northwestern University's Big Ten All-Academic award for the second straight year.

Wrestling

The 2008 Mustangs Last Chance meet will be held on Saturday, June 28 at Rolling Meadows High School.

The divisions start at ages 8 and under and go to 30 and over. Wrestlers may bump up one age group but not into the adult division.

Weigh-ins are scheduled for 6:30-8 a.m. Wrestling starts at 9 a.m.

There is no pre-registration. Pay at the door.

The wrestler fee is $15. AAU card is required and available at the door -- $12/student up to age 18 and $22/adult.

There will be awards in each division.

For more information, call tournament director Dave Froehlich at (847) 718-5600.

Lacrosse

Noah Baran (Fremd), a four-year starter at Mars Hill (N.C.) College, finished his career on the Deep South Conference championship team. The defender scored 3 goals and 2 assists and caused 24 turnovers, second highest in the league.

Cheerleading

Carrie Schultz (Vernon Hills) has been named to the co-ed cheerleading team at Northern Michigan University. The cheer squad performs at all home men's football, basketball and hockey games and some road and tournament games.

Dance

Kacey Valentine (Barrington) has been selected to join the competitive dance team at Illinois State University and will participate in the National Dance Alliance College Championships.

Fencing

Tim Glass of the Illinois Fencers Club was a winner in the Dominick Epee Challenge held in Mount Prospect. Glass, along with other members of the club, will compete in the Summer National Championships in California in July.