Walsh, Reibel warming to the task at Eckerd

A couple of former Hawks are flying high in Florida while playing in the Sunshine State Conference.

Former Harper College basketball players Kevin Walsh (St. Viator) and Brad Reibel (Prospect) are members of the Eckerd College men's basketball program, which recently had a 16-game winning streak, the longest active win streak in NCAA Division II.

Walsh and Reibel are roommates at Eckerd in St. Petersburg, and key contributors for the Tritons.

They are featured on the Harper College website in a story by the sports communication assistant Bill Smith.

Walsh, who was a first team all-conference and all-region player for Harper during the 2013-14 season, has started all 19 games this season.

He is third on the team in scoring at 11.3 points per game.

He leads the team in free throw percentage (86.5) and is connecting on 45.5 percent (46-of-101) of his 3-pointers.

The junior guard/forward scored a season-high 20 points in the season opener against Delta State University on Nov. 13.

Walsh, majoring in management, also had a successful first year with the Tritons, starting 21 of the final 22 games. He scored 20 points for the first time during the final game of the year and was also awarded as a member of the 2015 Spring SSC Commissioners Honor Roll.

Reibel, who was Harper's second leading scorer during the 13-14 season, scored a season-high 15 points in the Tritons' recent win over Palm Beach Atlantic.

The junior guard has seen action in 18 of Eckerd's 19 games and is shooting an impressive 60.5 percent (26-of-43) from the field.

He is majoring in business administration and is also member of the 2015 Spring SSC Commissioners Honor Roll.

"The best part of the Eckerd experience is getting to go to a good school and play basketball in the best Division 2 conference in the nation while also getting to experience something different from home," Reibel said on the Harper website. "What's different about this year's team is the closeness and the maturity. Everyone understands the importance of playing unselfishly and for one another."

Reibel also credited the support he received from Harper, which gave him the ability to make a smooth transfer.

"I had my associates (degree) and was able to step right into Eckerd and begin my major courses for which I was prepared because of Harper."

Women's basketball

Sophomore Morgan Harris (Hersey) played the full 40 minutes and led Carthage with 17 points in a 59-57 win over North Park.

Carthage freshmen Monica Masini (Palatine) added 10 points. Her 3-point plays with 4:22 and 2:14 left in the game helped the Lady Reds get to within 55-53 late in the game.

"Monica keeps getting better every time she plays," said Carthage coach Tim Bernero on the school's website. "When she did have some trouble she was indecisive; and I think all of our post players have been guilty of that throughout the year.

"But she was ready to receive the ball. One was a great pass by (Morgan) Harris that she caught and finished. So we are expecting Monica to keep doing that and to keep getting better. She made some huge plays and made her free throws to get us back in the game."

• Returning to action from a broken finger, Oakton College freshman guard Mallory Gonzalez (Prospect) scored 16 points in a 63-57 loss to McHerny Community College.

Women's cross country

University of Minnesota redshirt sophomore Tess Wasowicz (Palatine) was named the most improved runner for the fall cross country season. Minnesota finished 18th in the nation.

Wasowicz was also selected to the Academic All Big Ten team and named co-captain for the 2016 cross country season.

Women's swimming

North Central senior Natalie Przybylski (Elk Grove) was named diver of the week in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. She finished with scores of 201.90 in the one-meter and 181.25 in the 3-meter event during a triangular meet with Millikin and Illinois Wesleyan. In the three-meter dive, Przybylski attempted for the first time and completed a reverse somersault.

Women's hockey

Johnson and Wales University freshman goaltender Kami Weiner (Elk Grove) was named goaltender of the week by the Colonial Hockey Conference.

Weiner combined for 32 saves in two victories over Daniel Webster. She recorded the first shutout in school history as she turned aside all 16 Eagles' shots (including seven in the third period). She followed that with another 16-save performance while surrendering only 1 goal to secure the sweep.

Men's track

Illinois freshman Konrad Eiring (Barrington) earned 'Rookie Athlete of the Week' honors after winning the 600-meter with a time of 1:21.79 as the Fighting Illini won the Illini Classic with 185 team points.

At the Rod McCravy Memorial meet in Lexington, Kent., Eiring led the Illini in the 800-meter run, placing 13th with a time of 1:52.39.

• Augustana junior Ethan Koch (Prospect) won the 3,000-meter run in 8:32.24 at the Leonard "Squig" Converse Invitational in Whitewater, Wis.

Vikings sophomore Josh Yamamoto (Fremd) was a member of the 4x400 relay team that placed third in 3:20.50.

Women's track

Augustana freshman Ashley Talken (Wheeling) finished seventh with a vault of 10 feet, 8 inches at Wisconsin-Whitewater's Warhawk Classic.

• Please email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com