THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008
Sports Shorts
All-Conference Softball Standouts
Named all-conference girls softball players for 2008 from area high schools were:
Cyndi Becker, Sheri Weidner, Amy Varner, and Mary Kate Ward, Prospect.
Jenna Depa, Emily Ott, Nicole Eisenberg, Jacki Janecek, Katie Lowe, Kaleigh McGing, and Caryn McGinley, Maine West.
Emily Epifanio, Bailey Patt, and Gina Jenero, Maine South.
Jenny Krawiec, Maine East.
Maine South Grad Makes Olympic Team
Tom Hoff, Maine South graduate and a standout on the U.S. Men's Volleyball Team for many years, was named to the men's indoor volleyball roster for the Beijing Olympics. This is his third Olympic team.
Tomoleoni Joins Red Sox
Mike Tomoleoni, former Niles West baseball and football player and a graduate of Barry Universty in Miami, Florida, has signed a contract to play professional baseball in the Boston Red Sox organization. He has been assigned to their Class A team in Lowell, Mass.
All-Stars Play Hard To The End
The 8-year-old Park Ridge Wildcat all stars played two games last weekend. The All Star Blue team won the first game 1-0 and got the tying run out at home plate. Here's who laced up for the all-star teams:
Park Ridge Blue: Jose Flores, Evan Hermes, Chase Metzger, Charlie Anderson, Declan Griffin, Jack Verheye, Brandon Ross, Alex O'Malley, Ryan Bull, Billy Samano, Matt Rachmiel. Park Ridge Red: Rabul Pithadia, Shane Cummins, John Auge, Nick Corlett, Declan Digan, Jackson Petree, Michael Pierson, Matt Spiewwak, Evan Friedman, Will Brendza, Kelan O'Flaherty, Anthony Ancona.
ND Hires Hockey Coach
The Notre Dame High School Hockey Program has reached into the collegiate NCAA ranks to fill its varsity coaching vacancy. The school has approved the hiring of nine-year coaching veteran Chris Gallagher from Lake Forest College. He will coach the varsity and oversee the development of the junior varsity at NDHS. A native of Canada, Gallagher played his Junior A hockey at St. Michael's College in Toronto in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. The OPJHL is part of the Ontario Hockey League and has produced some of the NHL's biggest stars such as Hall of Famer Frank Maholvlich (Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens), Hall of Famer Dicky Duff (Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens), and Eric Lindros (Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers).
Collectors Convention Invades Rosemont
More than 40,000 collectors from around the world are expected to attend next week's 29th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, July 30-August 3, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. "The National is the Super Bowl, World Series and Stanley Cup of sports memorabilia," said Mike Berkus, the co-director of The National. "If it has anything to do with sports, and people collect it, it's at The National." The National is the annual showcase event of the hobby, attracting collectors, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, licensors and more for an eye-popping array of the most amazing sports and entertainment souvenirs. It attracts about 700 dealers from across America, each toting a link to sports memories of the past and stars of the future.
Summer Sizzle Softball
Registration is being accepted for the Wheeling Park District Summer Sizzle Softball Tournament to be held Saturday, August 2, at Heritage Park. Both a men's 16-inch tournament and men's 12-inch tournament is planned for those 18 years of age and older. Both tournaments follow Amateur Softball Association (ASA) rules and a double-elimination format. Prize money will be awarded for first and second place. Registration is $50 per team until July 25. After July 25, the registration fee will be $200 per team. To register a team, contact Ryan McCalley at 847-465-2941, or at rmccalley@wheelingparkdistrict.com. The Softball Tournament is being held in conjunction with the Wheeling Park District Summer Sizzle at Heritage Park from 2-7 p.m. The free event features refreshments including hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwurst, and a beer garden and two live bands and many games and contests including a Home Run Derby.
Indians Travel Team Tryouts
The Illinois Indians Travel Baseball Team for the fall 2008 and summer 2009 travel baseball seasons will hold tryouts in Wheeling and Chicago. The Indians are a travel baseball organization comprised of 10 teams in the age groups of 9-18 years old. Each team will play between 40-60 games in a season and travel across the Midwest and possibly the United States to a variety of locations. Tryout dates & times: Ages 9-10; Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Thillens Stadium, 6404 N. Kedzie, Chicago; Ages 11-12, Aug. 24, 6 p.m., at Thillens; Ages 13-15, Aug. 9, 9 a.m., Wheeling High School, 900 S. Elmhurst Rd.; Ages 16-18, Aug. 10, 9 a.m. at Wheeling. For more information call David at 847-722-6850 or email at indians_baseball@live.com.