Top of the Morning, Oct. 4, 2022
Jim Rossow
Vice President of News
Jim Rossow is vice president of news at The News-Gazette. His email is jrossow@news-gazette.com.
A sign welcoming back Gifford’s state champs was part of a festive Saturday night scene.
Gifford Grade School’s baseball team received raucous applause from students and others in attendance in the school gym on Monday for winning the Class 1A IESA state championship in East Peoria over the weekend. The Eagles topped Peru Catholic 8-6 in the title game to cap a memorable 3-0 run. The afternoon assembly was part of a festive day in the Champaign County village, the school celebrating over morning announcements and hosting a meet-and-greet in the evening. The happy details — Top of the Morning, A-2.
Gifford Grade School's baseball team received raucous applause from students and others in attendance in the school gym on Monday after returning from winning the Class 1A IESA State Championship in East Peoria over the weekend. The Eagles topped Peru Catholic, 8-6, in the championship game after after topping Colchester West Prairie, 18-3, in the semifinals and Springfield Christ the King, 4-3, in the quarterfinals. Anthony Zilis/The News-Gazette
The giant state championship trophy wasn’t the only treat awaiting the 163 kids of Gifford Grade School on Monday.
Everyone was treated to ice cream bars as well.
“It’s been crazy — but good crazy,” Principal Maggie Woodham said.
The final out of Saturday’s IESA Class 1A title game in East Peoria set off a celebratory chain of events that continued Monday night as the school hosted a community meet-and-greet in the new gym. Earlier in the day, the players and coaches were introduced at an all-school pep rally.
“A lot of people are pretty hyped,” said 13-year-old Traxton Roberts, who had three hits in the title game. “A lot of congratulations.”
There was a lot of noise Saturday night when the team bus — and the caravan of vehicles following it — received a firetruck escort into town.
“Unbelievable,” said AD — and Traxton’s mom — Jami Roberts, who was in the procession. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
Woodham wasn’t surprised one bit.
“The thing about Gifford is, yes we’re small, but we have a lot of spirit,” she said. ”Sometimes people underestimate us because we’re so little, but we come out for the big things.”
