Ready for some indoor softball? Local teams set
In a couple of months, it will be time for high school softball.
Of course, the start of every softball season always has the threat of inclement weather forcing postponement of games.
However, four Mid-Suburban League teams, two North Suburban Conference teams and Grayslake Central from the Fox Valley Conference will have no worries of their season openers being wiped out by Mother Nature.
For the first time, they will play indoors.
On March 25, 21 high school softball teams, including Elk Grove, Prospect, Barrington Schaumburg, Libertyville, Lake Zurich and Grayslake Central will participate in the Spring Jamboree at the McCook Max Sports Center in McCook.
Illinois Bash head coach Jim Goranson, whose daughter Dani is a standout pitcher for Elk Grove, is directing the event.
"After watching spring high school softball for many years standing with so many parents trying to stay warm, while snowflakes would fall all around us, I thought there must be a better way," Goranson said. "Instead of heading to safer and warmer climates, these 21 high schools from the northwest suburbs will be staying right in the Chicagoland area, playing softball indoors.
"I have read how many high school teams head to warmer weather locales in order to prepare their teams for the upcoming high school season. Prospect went to Florida, Sandburg went to California for example. We know how difficult it is playing games during March and early April in Chicago."
Goranson said he consulted with coaches Ken Grams of Elk Grove and Perry Peterson of Barrington to help put together the tournament.
"Through negotiations, we were offered the McCook Max Sports Center," Goranson said. "I spoke with the IHSA softball representative to make sure we are not violating any IHSA rules. These games will count against the IHSA game limit. We will host 21 high school teams in our first year and we hope to increase the amount of opportunities in the following years."
IHSA executive assistant director Matt Troha said the IHSA follows the National Federation of State High School Assocation rules, which allow indoor games.
He said IHSA schools have played indoor games in the past.
"It turned out to be quite a challenge in trying to get all of the teams scheduled without pairing conference teams, and with all the different spring breaks at schools around the area," Goranson added. "However, with patience and cooperation of the schools, we were able to get it done."
Games are scheduled for March 25, 26, 29, 30 and 31.
Wheeling Hall of Famebull; Wheeling High School has announced its Class of 2010 for the Wildcats Athletic Hall of Fame - Bill Daletski, Marilyn Kent, Sandy Rainey-Ernst and Jorge Torres.The ceremony honoring this class will be on Saturday, Jan. 23 at approximately 8 p.m., during halftime of the boys varsity basketball game against Hersey.bull; Daletski was a football coach and athletic director at Wheeling High School. In 1964, he became the first head football coach in the history of the school.Without any seniors, the Wildcats played a full Mid-Suburban League schedule starting in 1964. From 1965-1968, Daletski helped lay the foundation for the Wildcat football program by winning 14 games before moving on. Daletski went to Hersey High School to serve as an associate principal but returned to Wheeling in 1984 as the athletic director and served in that capacity through 1993. He also served as the chairman of the Mid-Suburban League in 1991 and 1992 and chairman of the Inter-Suburban Association of Athletic Directors that school year. In his time at Wheeling High School, he served as a mentor to many coaches and athletes. Daletski's leadership helped Wheeling become a valuable member of the Mid-Suburban League.bull; Marilyn Kent has been a fixture at Wheeling High School for 35 years. Kent can be seen keeping score at basketball games, welcoming fans, players, coaches, and officials to the Hardwood Classic Holiday Basketball Tournament and working security during the school day.She has spent countless hours in our gym and stadium supporting the students of Wheeling High School.Marilyn acted as the team mom to many of the sports programs. Thousands of student-athletes have benefitted from her kindness and support. It is difficult to think of Wheeling athletics without thinking of Marilyn Kent. bull; Sandra Rainey Ernst was one of the greatest female athletes to ever attend Wheeling High School. When you think of Wheeling girls athletics after the enactment of Title IX in 1972, you think of Sandra Rainey Ernst. From 1974-1978, Sandra played volleyball, basketball, tennis, and ran track and field at Wheeling High School.In volleyball, Sandra was voted to the all-MSL team three times. In basketball, she was named to the all-MSL team four years in a row. As a part of the track and field team, she was a four-year state qualifier in the high jump, and a two-time state qualifier in the mile relay and 4 x 100 relay. In 1978, Sandy finished third in the state in the high jump. In her career, Sandra was a member of many MSL Championship teams and regional champion teams. She also helped the Wheeling girls basketball team snap Fremd's 50-game winning streak. Before entering Wheeling, Sandy became the first female in the nation to try out for and make the boys basketball team at her junior high school. After graduating from Wheeling, Sandra attended Lewis University on a basketball scholarship. While at Lewis, her team was chosen to represent the United States on a goodwill basketball tour of New Zealand. After one year, Sandra left Lewis to play professional basketball for the Chicago Hustle in the WBL, the first women's professional basketball league. Sandra played for the Hustle for two years before injuries forced her retirement. bull; Jorge Torres was an outstanding cross country and track athlete at Wheeling High School. In cross country, Jorge finished second in the 1995 state cross country meet. From 1996-1998, Jorge won three consecutive state titles, becoming the first male in the history of Illinois to record that feat. His Wheeling team also won the 1998 Illinois State cross-country championship.At the national level, Jorge was a four-time qualifier at the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships.In 1998, Jorge won the Foot Locker National Championship while setting a course record. In track and field, Jorge was a four-time state medalist. After high school, Jorge was an NCAA cross country champion at Colorado University. After college he competed on the international level, and Jorge was a member of the United States Track and Field team that competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.Notre Dame Hall of FameNotre Dame College Prep in Niles announced the induction of four new members to its Wall of Fame - Michael Rosengrant (1994, wrestling and football); Robert Zielinski (1994, football); Ricky Piek (1997, baseball and basketball); Brian Brosnan (2001, football, wrestling and volleyball); and the 1969-70 varsity basketball team which had an overall record of 26-1.They will be honored in a ceremony at the school on Friday, January 29, 2010.Men's soccer/p>Illinois Wesleyan junior Frank Gorg (Hersey) has been named a 2010 co-captain along with Tom Marlow of Springfield, Mo.Men's basketballSenior John Ulrich (Palatine) was the second-leading scorer for Concordia University Wisconsin with 14 points when the Falcons scored an impressive road win over Marian 73-56.Soccer campsThe Northern Illinois women's soccer program will host four different girls soccer camps this summer at the NIU Soccer and Track Field Complex. For more information e-mail head women's soccer coach Carrie Barker at cbarker@niu.edu fFor information or to register online visit: http://www.niuhuskies.com/camp/index.html. bull; Please e-mail items to jleusch@dailyherald.com