June 25, 2025
Local News

Barbs, Spartans gearing up for First National Challenge

By KATIE SMITH
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DeKalb's Michael Pollack jumps to dunk the ball after a pass from teammate Joey Sauser during the First National Bank Challenge pep rally Tuesday at Clinton Rosette Middle School. Players and cheerleaders toured half of the DeKalb School District 428 schools Tuesday and will hold pep rallies at the remaining schools today. (Danielle Guerra)

DeKALB – The Sycamore Spartans’ and the DeKalb Barbs’ varsity basketball teams are gearing up play their biggest games of the year Friday at the First National Challenge, with a few guest appearances from former DeKalb County athletes.

Doors to the Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center will open at 5 p.m. with activities for fans including a bounce house, parade of athletes, cheer challenge and “selfie station.”

The First National Challenge, formerly known as the Castle Challenge, is expected to draw between 4,500 and 5,000 people and will include appearances by athletes who started their careers in DeKalb County, some of whom have even participated in the Castle Challenge, the event’s co-chairman, Gary Evans said.

“We’re calling them our honorary captains, and we have five individuals who are coming back to be part of the celebration,” Evans said.

Expected to make appearances Friday are: Sycamore High School and Indiana University volleyball player Samantha Thrower, former DeKalb High School and University of Wisconsin volleyball player Courtney Thomas, NIU women’s basketball coach Lisa Carlsen, former DeKalb High School and NIU basketball player Jordan Threloff and former NIU football player and member of the Edmonton Eskimos Jordan Lynch.

Clinton Rosette Middle School students got their energy up for the game with a pep rally Tuesday, where they cheered with the high school’s cheerleaders and played knockout with members of the basketball team.

“It’s intense. It’s great to see a healthy rivalry, I mean with healthy being the most important part of that because I think there’s banter back and forth, but I think for the most part it’s playful banter,” Clinton Rosette Principal Tim Vincent said.

Tickets are $6 and are available at the high schools’ and the middle schools’ athletic offices, the Kishwaukee YMCA, and all First National Bank locations. Parking will cost $5.

The varsity girls game will start at 6 p.m., with the varsity boys game afterward at 8 p.m.

If you go
WHAT: First National Challenge
WHEN: Doors open at 5 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
CONTACT: First National Challenge Co-Chairman Gary Evans 815-754-5131
WEBSITE: FNBIL.com./challenge

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