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Saturday's prep highlights: Monticello boys edge STM in cross-country
In cross-country
At Chrisman. Monticello edged the state's top-rated boys' Class 1A cross-country team, St. Thomas More, 16-17 to win team honors in the annual Chrisman Cowchip Classic on Saturday.
Tyler McGill headed to London
OMAHA, Neb. — The conversation took place more than a decade ago, but Jeff McGill still remembers it almost word for word.
Will Barker was coaching 12-year-old Tyler McGill at the time when he pulled Jeff aside.
"He told me Tyler was one in a million," Jeff said late Sunday night in the lobby of CenturyLink Center, site of the U.S. Olympic trials. "I said, 'What do you mean?'
Central product McGill moves closer to Olympic dream
OMAHA, Neb. — In two races Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Tyler McGill posted times that were second only to swimming icon Michael Phelps.
If that pattern holds for one more race tonight, Champaign native McGill will be able to call himself an Olympian.
Preps Year In Review: Blaase, Schroeder show way
What a school year! State championship teams, state championship individuals, top-ranked teams. Underclassmen who have already committed to Division I universities. Athletes who are being wooed by Division I coaches. Some memories are still vivid in our minds. Some had almost been forgotten.
Danville, Monticello feel enrollment sting
Last year, schools such as Clinton, Danville, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, St. Thomas More and Tuscola were among the ones upset with the IHSA's postseason assignments, which are based on enrollments.
This year, Danville and Monticello are among the ones unhappy with how the enrollment breaks worked out.
Winds of change blowing through Okaw Valley Conference
MONTICELLO — The Okaw Valley Conference will start its 87th year of competition in August.
It won't be the last year for the venerable league, but it likely will be the next-to-last in its current 12-school setup.
Swimmer of Year: Lehmann quickly made an impact
CHAMPAIGN — After years of trying, Blake Lehmann had finally dunked a basketball on the hoop in his family's driveway.
Problem was, no one saw it.
So the then-high school sophomore fetched a neighbor — a highly skeptical neighbor, he says — and proceeded to throw one down again.
"So I've got a witness," he said.
Swimming Coach of Year: Central's Ben Trupin
Why: In first season as a high school head coach, the 2000 Central graduate joined with co-head coach Will Barker in guiding his alma mater to team titles in the Bloomington Invitational, Twin City Championships, Big 12 Conference meet and IHSA Centennial Sectional. Trupin, 30, is in his second year as a special education teacher at Champaign Central.
Record-tying Lehmann, Stewart earn thirds
EVANSTON — Blake Lehmann looked at the number every time he jumped in the Unit 4 Pool. The best 50 freestyle time in Champaign Central history belonged to Maroons legend Dan Trupin.
"Someday, I'm going to get that record," Lehmann told himself and his swimming buddies.
He was right. The moment came Saturday in the state meet.
Huth: Central's Lehmann leads state parade
CHAMPAIGN — Before their final season of high school swimming, two Champaign Central teammates set a mutual target.
On Saturday, during the Centennial Sectional at Unit 4 Pool, Blake Lehmann hit the bull's-eye.
In the process, the Maroon senior swam what is thought to be the fastest 50 yards in a relay event in school history.
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