Larkin grad Salem flourishing at Illinois State
Former Larkin football player Eyad Salem is making a name for himself at the national level.
Salem, a senior 6-foot-2 wide receiver for the Illinois State University football team, heads into the team's Halloween game against Missouri State second in the country in receptions per game (8.71). Salem is ranked first all-time in ISU history in receptions per game (5.34), third in total receptions (155), fourth in touchdown receptions (17) and fifth in receiving yards (1,961).
Salem heads into the game against Missouri State with 3-straight 100-plus yard receiving performances (37 catches during that span).
Salem has played in 7 games this season and has caught 61 passes for 658 yards (10.8 yards per catch). Salem has 5 touchdown catches. His long reception this year has been 34 yards. He also ranks second on the team in all-purpose yards per game (94.0).
Salem, who transferred to ISU from Minnesota State-Moorhead, caught 63 passes all of last year and ranked second in the Missouri Valley Conference in receptions per game and yards per game en route to being named to the all-MVC first team. Salem snagged 8 touchdowns in 2008.
Earlier this season, Salem tied a school record with 14 catches (3 on the team's final scoring drive) in a 27-24 MVC win over North Dakota State at the Fargodome. Salem's effort earned him the MVC's offensive player of the week honor. The 14 catches tied Salem with four other players for the third-best performance by a player in MVC football history. He led all receivers with 172 yards and a touchdown in the road victory.
Passaglia named player of the week: Cary-Grove alum Kelsey Passaglia was recently named the Mid-American Conference offensive soccer player of the week.
Passaglia earned the honor after helping her Northern Illinois University women's soccer team score a 2-1 conference victory over Ball State. Passaglia is in her sophomore season at the DeKalb school.
"Kelsey has been performing well," said NIU coach Carrie Barker. "She is a hard worker and it is great to see her get recognition by the MAC."
Passaglia recorded her third goal of the season when she scored NIU's second goal in the win. She also assisted senior Lisa Maier on another goal. After the Ball State contest, Passaglia was leading the Huskies with 7 points and 27 shot attempts this season. She earned 3 points in the win over Ball State.
Henry at Millikin: Dundee-Crown graduate Cory Henry (2007) is now a junior on the Millikin University men's golf team. Henry enjoyed a pair of recent strong showings in tournament play. At the Blackburn invitational at Timber Lakes Golf Club, Henry tied for first place (lost the playoff) by shooting rounds of 77 and 72. Henry's effort helped Millikin win the team title.
Henry also finished fifth at the Big Blue Fall Classic at Red Tail Run Golf Club. Henry enjoyed rounds of 77 and 72, which helped Millikin take second place in the tournament.
Ardiente at St. Ambrose: St. Edward alum Matt Ardiente is a sophomore running back for the St. Ambrose University football team. Thus far this season, Ardiente has rushed 81 times for 361 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and has scored 6 touchdowns. His long rush of the season has been for 31 yards. Ardiente is averaging 51.6 rushing yards per game. He has also caught 2 passes for 18 yards and returned one kickoff for 25 yards. In a recent 21-9 victory over Quincy, Ardiente ran 13 times for 53 yards. In a 26-21 loss to William Penn, Ardiente had 18 carries for 37 yards.
Winters at Valparaiso: Brad Winters, a St. Edward graduate, is now a member of the Valparaiso men's golf team. During the fall season, Winters played in 6 rounds and tallied a total of 492 strokes for a 82.0 average for 18 holes. Winters' low round for 18 holes was a 79, which came during a dual against Chicago State. Winters' overall low round was a 75, which came at the Butler Fall invitational during the third round of play. Winters' 79 against Chicago State was his first collegiate match.
Smith at Whitewater: Jacobs product Annie Smith is now a member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's tennis team. Earlier this month Smith was named the school's co-tennis player of the week after going 2-0 in doubles competition with partner Ingrid Stensvaag (who shared the award with Smith). The duo scored an 8-2 win over UW-Oshkosh and an 8-0 win over Wisconsin Lutheran.
Childers at St. Ambrose: Caiti Childers (St. Edward) is now a junior on the St. Ambrose University women's golf team. Childers is currently the team's leading scorer at 83.42 strokes per 18 holes.
Childers started the season with an 82 (second place) at the Augustana Triangular. She took second at the Augustana Fall Classic (80) and was third at the SAU Fighting Bee Classic (81-80-161) and took third at the MCC Invitational with an 84.
Lopienski at Goshen: South Elgin alum Kristina Lopienski is a freshman midfielder for the Goshen College women's soccer team. Lopienski had 1 goal and 2 assists through the team's first 9 contests (she started all 9 matches).
Johnson at College of Charleston: Former St. Edward girls volleyball stalwart Paige Johnson is now a junior libero for the College of Charleston. Johnson was ranked sixth in the Southern Conference in digs per set at 3.87. Through early this week, Johnson has played in 22 matches and has accumulated 329 digs. College of Charleston was 12-10 overall and 8-2 in conference play to start the week.
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.