Rafiner in line to lead Libertyville girls gymnastics
Pending school board approval, Tiffany Rafiner will be named the girls gymnastics coach at Libertyville High School.
Rafiner is in her third year as a science teacher at Libertyville and has served as the assistant girls gymnastics coach.
She has been head gymnastics coach at Vernon Hills and Lakes.
Rafiner was a member of the Liberytyvlle girls gymnastics team from 1987 to 1991.
Swimming
Melanie Rowland (Vernon Hills class of 2010) has qualified for the United States Olympic team trials to be held in Omaha, Neb., from June 25 to July 2.
Rowland qualified in the 200-meter butterfly.
She has completed her sophomore year at Towson University in Maryland and will represent her school and CATS aquatics at the Olympic trials.
Youth basketball camp
A special three-day Breakthrough Basketball skills development camp comes to Chicago June 15-17 at the Libertyville Sports Complex.
The Breakthrough Basketball camp is taught by NBA development expert Don Kelbick. He shares key drills, skills, strategies and tactics in group sessions and individual development practice sessions.
Additional information can be found online at www.breakthroughbasketball.com/camps or contact Jeff Haefner at (319) 360-0314 or email jeff.haefner@gmail.com.
Awards winner
Augustana junior track & field standout Sarahbeth Jones (Warren) was selected as the female winner of the Jack Swartz Award from the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin for the spring sports season.
Jones finished off a “hat-trick” by winning the honor for the third time this academic year. The Jack Swartz Award is given to one male and one female athlete at the end of each athletic season.
Jones was the winner of the award in the fall and winter prior to being named in the spring as well.
During the outdoor season she won the 5000 at the CCIW meet and placed fourth in the 1500. She qualified for the NCAA Division III national meet in the 5000 and placed ninth, just missing all-American honors. She was named the Vikings’ MVP and twice set school records in the 5,000 (16:53.57) this spring.
Softball
Barrington junior Loren Krzysko has decided to take her powerful bat to the University of Arkansas.
The Razorbacks will be getting the all-time leading home run hitter in Fillies history.
Krzysko becomes the seventh Barrington softball player to commit during or prior to early signing period since it was applied in 1982.
She is the 20th Fillie to earn a Division I opportunity since coach Perry Peterson took over the program in 1993.
Krzysko belted 10 homers this season and has 24 for her career.
“Loren has the best work ethic in our program and will be a tremendous influence on the new Fillies who step on the varsity diamond next season,” Peterson said.
“From the moment she joined the varsity as a freshman, I always believed she had the skills to compete at the highest level.”
Krzysko will be the first Barrington softball player to compete in the Southeastern Conference.
“I know Loren is up to the challenge,” Peterson added.
Boys lacrosse
Palatine senior Austin Marrison is committed to the Augustana lacrosse program of coach Kyle Hart.
A 6-foot midfielder, Marrison was a three-year varsity performer for Palatine coach Heath McFaul. He was the Pirates’ leading goal scorer as a junior and earned first team All-Mid-Suburban Conference honors. He was a second team all-conference selection this season.
Basketball camp
The Elite Academic Athletes Showcase is being held at the Lake Barrington Field House on Wednesday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
It is for basketball players in high school who are sophomores, junior or seniors. Cost is $150 per player.
The Elite Academic Athletes Showcase provides athletes an extra opportunity to perform in front of highly-regarded academic universities.
For more information contact Elite Academic Athletes at info@eliteacademicathltes.info. You can also visit www.eliteacademicathletes, or call (847) 260-8119.
Men’s track and field
Augustana senior Mike Tisza (Hersey) was named to the Academic All-District first team by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Tisza was a two-time winner of the Jack Swartz Award in the CCIW for a combination of athletic prowess and academic excellence. He qualified for the NCAA Division III national meet in cross country in the fall of 2011 and was named the team’s MVP. He served as team captain in cross country in both 2010 and 2011 and was captain in track & field in 2012.
Triathlon
Illinois freshman Kendall Cox (Palatine) placed 59th out of 164 competitors in the Open Division of the 2012 National Collegiate Triathlon Championships in Tuscaloosa, AL. He completed the challenging Olympic distance course (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) in 2:32:38.
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