Barbian finishes on top in home finale at Augustana
Kevin Barbian's final regular-season meet of his four-year career for Augustana's men's track team was a memorable one.
The Libertyville graduate and Vikings senior won the shot put (53-7½) at the Augustana Twilight Qualifier at Paul V. Olsen Track.
Barbian, who was also fifth in the discus (162-7), will compete in nationals on Thursday and Friday in the shot and discus in Lacrosse, Wis.
It will be his last collegiate meet, as he graduated last weekend and will begin working full time in IT at John Deere.
The Twilight qualifier was also the last home meet for Olsen, who is retiring at the end of the season after a 52-year career at Augustana.
Other winning efforts for Olsen's squad included senior Kyle Hucker (Wauconda), who won the 400-meter run (48.61) and senior Josh Yamamoto (Fremd) who was first in the 400-meter hurdles (52.57).
Yamamoto was also part of the Vikings' 4x100 relay team that took fourth (41.71).
Senior Nathan Magiera was fifth in the javelin with a throw of 139-6.
Men's tennis
Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Mich.) senior David Brown (Lake Zurich) recently wrapped up his career at Calvin.
During the season, he picked up Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association's athlete of the week honors for the second time of his career.
"I am very happy for David," said Calvin coach John Ross on the school's website. "He is very deserving of this honor. I thought that he played really well last. He has worked really hard this year and it is great to see his hard work get rewarded."
Brown posted a 2-0 record in singles play at No. 4 singles. He opened the week with a 7-6, 6-4 victory over Spring Arbor's Jonah Engle. He then opened MIAA play with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Tristin Fox of Alma.
In doubles competition, Brown and Rodrigo Castellanos Vaco Guzman went 2-0 at No. 2 doubles.
Men's basketball
Warren all-area senior Branden Ellis announced that he has committed to play basketball at Lynn University in Florida.
"Thank you to everyone that has helped me during this process and the other schools that took the time to recruit me," he tweeted. "With that being said, I am extremely excited to attend Lynn University on a full scholarship to further my academic and athletic career."
Ellis led Warren in scoring with 18 points per game. He also averaged 3.5 rebounds and 2 assists per game. He hit 52 percent of his field goals, including 36 percent of his 3-pointers.
"Branden is a great leader for our team because he is so even tempered," said Warren coach Jon Jasnoch after the season. "Whether we are playing well or struggling, Branden's effort and focus are a constant."
Ellis was a three-year varsity player.
"His sophomore year, he showed great potential," Jasnoch said. "His junior year, he was a very important part of our team and this year, he has really come into his own as he has been surrounded by a close-knit group of senior teammates. Branden is a great teammate. His number one goal is the success of the team."
Cheerleading
Barrington senior Braden Detelich was selected as a member of the Belmont University (Division 1) coed cheerleading squad following tryouts in Nashville, Tenn.
Braden's brother Cole is a sophomore on the Barrington baseball team.
Belmont cheerleaders are widely recognized as one of the premier squads in the conference placing fourth at the 2015 UCA Cheer Division I National Championships and awarded Top Spirit Program in 2016.
The squad is led by former Alabama Crimson Tide cheerleading standout Lindsey Wheeley, who is in her 15th year as head coach of the nationally recognized team.
Braden will receive a financial scholarship from Belmont University as a squad member.
He plans to study audio engineering and entertainment business within the Mike Curb School of Music.
Only 25 students from across the country are selected to participate in the program each year.
Barrington's varsity coed program is coached by former Illinois State University cheerleader Laura Meehan.
Barrington qualified for the IHSA state competition for the 12th straight year, a Barrington High School record for consecutive state qualifying appearances.
"We are so fortunate to have moved from Ohio to such a progressive school system in terms of outstanding academics and a wide variety of athletics," said Braden's dad, Mark Detelich.
Braden is also a four year letterman for Barrington's boys gymnastics and a state qualifier on vault and floor. He was inducted into the Barrington Hall of Fame in 2017 for his gymnastic athletic achievements.
Softball
Wisconsin-Whitewater freshman outfielder/designated player Vera Pflugradt (Lake Zurich) was named to the second team of the NCAA Division III All-Great Lakes Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Pflugradt led the team with a .386 batting average and owns 5 doubles, 2 home runs, 20 runs and 17 RBI. She earned WIAC Position 'Player of the Year' and first team all-league accolades.
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