Meyer takes the lead at Dayton

In the final three of her four varsity seasons for Elk Grove High School softball coach Ken Grams, Molly Meyer batted leadoff.

Now, in her final three years of playing softball for the Dayton Flyers, Meyer has also batted in the No. 1 spot.

"I love it (leading off), I've done it for so long," said Meyer, a center fielder who led the Flyers in batting average for the third straight year as a junior (.364) and was the team MVP.

"My main goal is to see a bunch of pitches and get on bases anyway I can."

Meyer has obviously done that quite well over the years but she has also done things well off the diamond.

That is why she has been nominated for a national Division 1 award sponsored by Lowes.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - classroom, character, community and competition.

Meyer, who is majoring in marketing with a minor in Spanish, owns a 3.5 GPA.

On the field last spring, Meyer also led the Flyers in hits (56), runs scored (46), doubles (13), triples (3), total bases (81) and stolen bases (11). She started all 47 games in center field and posted three straight 3-for-4 performances at the plate - against Morehead State once, and twice against Cleveland State.

Meyer also put together a 12-game hitting streak in the midst of conference play and hit safely in 17 of the Flyers' last 20 games.

"It's nice that the award highlights not only what you do on the softball field but everything else that makes you a well-rounded person," Meyer said.

The former Elk Grove three-sport athlete (volleyball and basketball the others) is the only Atlantic 10 player nominated this year and one of 30 across the nation.

One other is former Palatine standout Nicole Pauly, now playing for Northwestern.

Meyer also played soccer before high school so she had to decide which sport she would play in the spring high school season.

"When I tried out for the Elk Grove Heat and played for Mr. (Bill) Weber, that pretty much made up my mind I wanted to play softball in high school," Meyer said. "He was an incredible coach."

Now Meyer is hoping for a successful final spring of her collegiate career.

She says it is very rewarding being nominated for the Lowe's award.

"Especially being my senior year," Meyer said. "It's incredible.

"We haven't made it to the conference tourney and we feel this is our best shot. We have an incredible group and more depth than ever. Our freshman class has improved greatly."

Women's swimming

Augustana College sophomore Tanya Walter (Prospect) won the 1and 3-meter diving events at the 2010 CCIW swimming and diving championships in Bloomington. She won the 1-meter board with 309.05 points and the 3-meter board with a score of 315.70.

Augustana is currently in first place in the women's division of the CCIW meet with 40 points.

Hall of Fame

John Josten (football) and Scott Zetek (football, wrestling) are among 11 former athletes who will be inducted into the fifth class of the East Suburban Catholic Conference Hall of Fame on Thursday, March 11 at the Crystal Sky Banquet Hall in McCook.

For more information, check the ESCC website at wwww.eastsuburbancc.com.

Men's Track and field

Aurora University's Adrian Kibiersza (Maine West) won the shot put with a throw of 15.58 meters at the Chicagoland Indoor Championships hosted by the University of Chicago.

Aurora finished 8th in the 17-team meet with 22 points.

High school baseball

The Chicago Bulls/Chicago White Sox Training Academy announced its "Gloves for the Future!" initiative to support its ongoing effort to promote baseball throughout the state of Illinois.

The "Gloves for the Future!" initiative is a program that will donate free gloves to Illinois high school baseball players in need.

It is open to Illinois high school baseball coaches.

Coaches must recommend student-athletes within their programs that have a basic need for a quality glove.

A committee will determine who receives the free gloves based on the information returned to the White Sox Academy by the high school baseball coach or athletic department via the donation request form available by downloading at www.BullsSoxAcademy.com.

A limited number of gloves are available for donation. Schools and coaches will be notified as soon as the player is approved.

"During my 32 years of coaching high school baseball, I have seen ballplayers from schools around the area sharing gloves or using worn out gloves. I've always dreamed of helping these players out with better gloves and equipment," said Phil Fox, Senior Athletic Advisor at the White Sox Training Academy and member of the Illinois High School Hall of Fame.

"With the help of the Chicago White Sox Academy and donors, my dream is finally becoming a reality."

To learn more about the "Gloves for the Future!" initiative contact Phil Fox at pfox@bullssoxacademy.com or download the registration form at www.BullsSoxAcademy.com.

The Chicago Bulls/Sox Training Academy opened in 2001 in Lisle, Illinois and runs extensive training programs for boys and girls from beginner to professional.

There are additional satellite White Sox Academies in Glen Ellyn, LaGrange, Tinley Park and Schererville, In. For more information go to www.BullsSoxAcademy.com or call 630-324-8221.

Track and field

Oakton Community College freshman Martin Chavez (Maine West) qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Track and Field National Championship by virtue of his fifth-place finish (1:59.00) in the 800 meter at the Margaret Bradley Invitational hosted by the University of Chicago.

Nationals are scheduled March 5-6, at Eastern Illinois University.