Junior infielder Avah Oertel was named to the ICA first team. An unanimous Three Rivers East All-Conference selection, Oertel batted .607 average with 17 homers, 59 RBIs, 55 runs scored, 19 doubles and four triples.

Senior outfielder Keely Lawson, who was also unanimously selected Three Rivers East All-Conference, was named to the ICA second team. She belted 13 homers with 45 RBIs and 10 doubles with a .442 average and 48 runs.

Senior outfielder Caroline Keutzer was named to the ICA third team. She batted .402 with 40 runs scored and an area-best 34 stolen bases and was named first-team Three Rivers All-Conference.

Hits: Career - Abby Jaques 144, Dawn Nissen (2000-03) 141, Avah Oertel 132, Keutzer 129, Amber Briddick 115, Taylor Williams (2008-11) 114. Season - Avah Oertel (2026) 65, Brooke Kamphuis (2012) 60, Martell (2013) 48, Jaques (2015) 47, Nissen (2003) 42

Average: Career - Briddick .523 (115-218), Avah Oertel .491 (132-269), Tiah Romagnoli .455 (40-88), Isa Ibarra (2021-23) .445 (61-137), Jaques .438 (144-329). Season - Briddick (1990) .615 (40-65), Oertel (2026) .607, Jaques (2015) .540 (47-83), Bro. Kamphuis (2012) .525 (60-114), Briddick (1998) .493 (23-53)

Home runs: Career - Avah Oertel 35, Jaques 25, Lawson 23, Izzy Gibson (2022-26) 17, Nissen 17. Season - Oertel (2026) 17, Keely Lawson (2026) 13, Oertel (2025) 12, Jaques (2015) 12, Nissen (2000) 8

RBIs: Career - Oertel 137, Martell 110, Jaques 110, Oertel 108, Nissen 102, Lawson 99. Season - Oertel (2025) 59, Lawson (2024) 45, Oertel (2025) 43, Nissen (2000) 41, Briddick (2000) 37

Doubles: Career - Oertel 35, Martell 32, Lawson 27, Jaques 24, I. Gibson 23. Season - Oertel (2026) 19, Martell (2012) 13, Izzy Gibson (2026) 12, Lawson (2026) 10, Mary White (1998) 9, Jaques (2015) 9

Triples: Career - Nissen 12, White 12, Martell 11, Jaques 8. Season - Jaques (2015) 5, White 4 (3 times), Oertel (2026) 4

Runs scored: Career - Lawson 118, Keutzer 113, Jaques 111, Briddick 106, Oertel 96, Williams 96. Season - Oertel (2025) 54, Bro. Kamphuis (2012) 52, Lawson (2026) 48, Mary White (1990) 40, Nissen (2002) 39

Stolen bases: Career - Keutzer 71, Makayla Hecht 66, Briddick 58, Klingenberg 47, Nissen 41, Lawson 41. Season - Nissen (2004) 35, Keutzer (2026) 34, Bro. Kamphuis (2012) 31, Makayla Hecht (2024) 31, Briddick (1999) 25

Wins: Career - Bates 31-20, Taylor Williams (2008-11) 29-18, Reese Reviglio 28-28, H. James (2010-12) 25-13, Menzel (2013-14) 15-23. Season - H. James 14-7, Williams (2010) 12-5, Bates (2022) 12-5, Reviglio (2026) 11-5, Reviglio (2024) 9-2, Menzel (2013) 9-7, Bates (2019) 9-9

ERA: Career - Jessica Rising 1.33, Becca Rising (1998) 2.33, Bates 2.46, James 2.92, Williams 3.02. Season - J. Rising (1998) 1.33, Williams (2009) 2.11, Bates (2019) 2.14, B. Rising (1998) 2.33, James 2.37

Innings pitched: Career - Reviglio (2023-26) 346 1/3, Bates 332 1/3, Williams 301 2/3, Adrienne Snethen (2017-18) 296 1/3, H. James 228. Season - Menzel (2014) 133 1/3, Bates (2019) 119 1/3, James (2012) 118, Bates (2022) 108 1/3, Bates (2021) 105 2/3

Strikeouts: Career - Bates 396, Williams 293, Menzel 248, Reviglio 244, H. James 195. Season - Menzel (2014) 148, Bates (2021) 141, Bates (2019) 133, Bates (2022) 122, B. Rising (1998) 107

He started his day running the Steamboat Classic in Peoria running a 4-mile race starting at 8:05 a.m.

Then he made fast tracks to Princeton where he defended his Princeton Mile championship by the narrowest of margins, clocking a 4:08.2 to edge runner-up Dale Johnson of Sterling, who came in at 4:08.5. Gillum claimed the $1,000 top prize with Johnson collecting $750.

“That Steamboat race ended up being on the same day as this one last year. I had a fun day here last year. It just worked out ... ‘I think I can make it here.’ I really wanted to be a part of it again,” said Gillum, 27, who is the distance coach at Illinois State University. “I had my girlfriend drive me over here ... we were going a little quick, but she got me here about 10 minutes before the race.

“The Steamboat didn’t go super great today. It’s hard to get two solid races going. Last year, (Princeton’s) Colin Mickow was here. We kind of took it out and about half way it was kind of just us two. This year, I looked around half way and there’s six guys and I’m like, ‘Oh, boy, we’ve got a race going.’

“I love the direction this is heading. It was cool to be part of that. It’s fun being a college coach to get to talk to a lot of these guys who race in college and just hearing some of their stories and where they come from and getting to see what they’re up to training wise.”

Johnson, 20, who was leading the race as the pack ran by the Ace Hardware parking lot about the halfway mark, had a much longer distance to travel, returning from his college home in Brookings, S.D. to attend his brother’s graduation party in Sterling and run in the Princeton Mile.

“It happened to be my brother’s graduation party today. Happened to be a race .. ‘man let’s sign up,’” said Johnson, who runs for South Dakota State. “I made a move about 600 meters out. He kept with me and ended up beating me by two or three steps.”

Sheffield’s Elijah House, who placed third in the inaugural Princeton Mile, invited two of his teammates from St. Ambrose University, Dylan Grandon of Urbandale, Iowa and Chris Miserendino, 22, of Aurora. They formed a little bee hive with Grandon taking third at 4:11.3, good for a $500 prize, Miserendino fourth (4:15.6) and House fifth (4:16.3).

Grandon will be running in the FISU Games in Lima, Peru, which is open to any college athlete from North, Central and South America, and the timing was right to come to Princeton to run.

“I have the crazy opportunity to go represent the U.S.A. in Lima, Peru so I’m still training. (Elijah) brought it up and this will be a great race to check my fitness to see where I’m at,” Grandon said. “It’s once in a lifetime. It will be the only time I’ll be able to have U.S.A. on my chest and wanted to go for it.”

Miserendino said the Princeton race fits right in with his summer training with the upcoming Brady Street Sprints and BIX in Davenport, Iowa.

House said the hill on the home stretch hit him hard this year.

“I felt I was still in striking distance until we got to that hill. Everybody starting shifting up and I just didn’t make a move,” he said. “Still a head case. Just need to work on it a little bit more. Even though I would have liked to have the thousand bucks, it was nice to see more people out this year.”

Claire Fuhlhage, 26, of Normal defended her championship in the women’s elite division with a time of 4:59.8. She was happy to return and the $1,000 winning prize makes it a nice incentive.

“It’s just a fun race. It’s got great prize money. Definitely an incentive for people to come out,” she said. “Everyone here is just super fun and it’s a fun event overall.”

Ten year old Avery Edwards of Grundy center, Iowa, made an impressive debut, placing second in the women’s elite division with a time of 5:30.1, receiving a $750 prize.

The Princeton Mile brought out more runners than last year, including many family members like Princeton coach Michael Fredericks and his daughter, Eva, 11, (Eva beat dad). There was also the Waca party of 5 with 13 year-old Brecken leading the way with a time of 6:27.8, beating out sisters Alexandra (6:32.2) and Avery (6:40.5), and his dad, Eric (6:55.1), and mom, Rachel (7:08.9).

The Steffes family of Oglesby was eight strong, ranging from ages 2-41.

The Shofners, aka the “Mullet Brothers,” participated with Blake, 25, pushing his brother, Nolan, in his wheelchair. Nolan was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

“It’s been awesome,” Blake said. “He’s got his Tobii Dynavox Machine (voice box) and making people laugh on the run, (saying) ‘Keep it moving fat boy.’”

Nolan adds that he was ahead of his brother the whole time.

Lily Bosnich (St. Bede, senior, SS) - When she wasn’t chasing state medals for the St. Bede track team, Bosnich was creating havoc for the Bruins softball team. She hit .459 with 10 homers, 31 RBIs, 39 runs, 15 steals, six doubles and three triples. She was named first-team Tri-County All-Conference.

Hannah Heiberger (St. Bede, freshman, U) - The Bruins cub made a splash in her freshman season, leading the team with a .589 average to go with seven home runs, 43 RBIs and 11 steals. She played infield and outfield, also pitching with a 4-0 record and 4.63 ERA in the circle. She was named second-team Tri-County Conference.

Caroline Keutzer (Princeton, senior, OF) - The senior slap hitter got the Tigresses’ offense going at the top of the order, hitting .402 with 40 runs scored and an area-best 34 stolen bases. She was named first-team Three Rivers All-Conference.

Bernie Larsen (Hall, freshman, IF/C) - The Red Devil rookie claimed Hall’s Triple Crown by leading the team in batting average (.483), homers (4) and RBIs (26), as well as 26 runs. She also had seven doubles. The Hall co-MVP was named first-team Three Rivers East All-Conference.

Keely Lawson (Princeton, senior, OF) - Lawson made her last season of softball a memorable one, belting 14 homers, 45 RBIs and 10 doubles to go with a .442 average and 48 runs. She was unanimously named first-team Three Rivers East All-Conference.

Avah Oertel (Princeton, junior, SS/P) - The unanimous Three Rivers East All-Conference pick had another record-breaking season at the plate. She led the area in nearly every offensive statistic with a .607 average, 17 homers, 55 runs scored, 19 doubles and four triples. She was just one off the top spot with 59 RBIs. She is an early commit to University of Illinois-Springfield.

Emma Slingsby (St. Bede, senior, CF) - The senior slap hitter, who broke in with St. Bede’s 2023 state champions, has been a spark plug batting at the top of the Bruins’ lineup. She batted .453 with 49 runs, 28 steals and 27 RBIs. She was named second-team Tri-County All-Conference.

Macy Strauch (St. Bede, junior, P) - The Bruins ace led the area with a 16-2 record and 121 strikeouts as well as a 2.73 ERA among regular hurlers. She also batted .422 with 10 doubles, 24 RBIs and one home run. She was named second-team Tri-County All-Conference.

Emily Wright (Bureau Valley, senior, C) - A four-year starter behind the plate, Wright led the Storm with a .412 average, 21 RBIs, 12 doubles and a homer. She was named first-team Lincoln Trail East All-Conference. She’ll join her brother, Sam, on the Coe College campus and play for the Kohawks next year.

Izzy Gibson (Princeton, senior, 1B) - Gibson has been a four-year starter and consistent contributor for the Tigresses. She batted .383 with 28 RBIs, 26 runs, 12 doubles and three homers. She received Three Rivers East All-Conference honorable mention.

Kadyn Haage (Bureau Valley, senior, SS) - Haage batted .388 with a team-high 21 runs. She was named first-team Lincoln Trail East All-Conference.

Caroline Morris (Hall, junior, C) - The Hall junior catcher batted .417, recording her 100th career hit along the way. She had eight doubles and 10 steals. Morris was named second-team Three Rivers East All-Conference.

Charlie Pellegrini (Hall, senior, OF) - The senior shortstop batted .402 with a team-high 30 runs scored and 15 steals along with six doubles, including her 100th career hit. She was named second-team Three Rivers East All-Conference.

Reese Reviglio (Princeton, senior, P) - The senior hurler went 11-5 in the circle with a 3.53 ERA and 67 strikeouts. She earned first-team Three Rivers East All-Conference honors.

Leah Burkhart (Hall, senior, IF), Ella Burke (St. Bede, freshman, OF), Ali Carrington (BV, senior, IF), Ava Delphi (Hall, junior, OF), Leah Griggs (St. Bede, sophomore. OF), Piper Hansen (Princeton, so., U/P), Makayla Hecht (Princeton, senior, 3B), Abby Jamison (BV, senior, CF), Maddie Krewer (Hall, freshman, P), Lili McClain (St. Bede, senior, C), Morgan Mercer (St. Bede, senior, 2B), Kiyrra Morris (Princeton, junior, C), Jillian Pinter (St. Bede, senior, 1B), Sylvie Rutledge (Princeton, senior, OF)

Riverdale High School used first-place finishes in boys track and softball this spring to clinch its second BCR’s Three Rivers All-Sports Championship in three years.

Along with first-place finishes in girls basketball, boys golf and girls volleyball in the Three Rivers West, the Rams checked in with 85.5 points to unseat defending champion Sherrard (77).

Riverdale also won the crown in 2022-23 and is the only school other than Sherrard to claim the All-Sports championship since it was brought back after COVID in 2021-22.

Princeton, which did not win a conference championship this school year, but had four second-place finishes, finished third with 72 points.

Rounding out the top five schools are Erie-Prophetstown (65) and Newman (62.5).

Each school is awarded points for its sports finishes based on the number of teams in that sport. Most sports are split by divisions, rewarding a first-place finish with six points, a second-place finish with five points, etc.

There are 14 athletic sports recognized in the conference. Non-sports activities are not included.

This is the ninth year of the BCR Three Rivers All-Sports Race, recognizing the overall champions in athletics.

Rockridge won the first championship in 2015-16, followed by a two-year run by Newman (2016-17, 2017-18) and Orion in 2018-19.

Sherrard heads the honor roll with three titles in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2024-25.

There were no Three Rivers All-Sports titles awarded in 2019-20 and 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Final 2025-26 All-Sports Standings:

Three Rivers All-Sports Honor Roll

2025-26 - Riverdale

2024-25 - Sherrard

2023-24 - Riverdale

2022-23 - Sherrard

2021-22 - Sherrard

2020-21 - Not held because of COVID-19 pandemic

2019-20 - Not held because of COVID-19 pandemic

2018-19 - Orion

2017-18 - Newman

2016-17 - Newman

2015-16 - Rockridge

Runs: A. Oertel (P) 55, E. Slingsby (SB) 49, Lawson (P) 48, A. Balestri (SB) 45, C. Keutzer (P) 40, L. Bosnich (SB) 39, H. Heiberger (SB) 38, M. Hecht (P) 30, M. Mercer (P) 30, C. Pellegrini (H) 30, J. Pinter (SB) 28, I. Gibson (P) 26, B, Larsen (H) 26, L. Griggs (SB) 25, E. Burke (SB) 23, C. Morris (H) 23, S. Rutledge (P) 21, K. Haage (BV) 21, E. Wright (BV) 19, A. Carrington (BV) 18, A. Jamison (BV) 13

RBIs: A. Balestri (SB) 60, A. Oertel (P) 59, K. Lawson (P) 45, H. Heiberger (SB) 43, L. Bosnich (SB) 31, I. Gibson (P) 28, E. Slingsby (SB) 27, B. Larsen (H) 26, M. Strauch (SB) 24, A. Delphi (H) 24, E. Burke (SB) 23, J. Pinter (SB) 23, E. Wright (BV) 21, M. Mercer (P) 21, P. Hansen (P) 20, M. Hecht (P) 19, S. Rutledge (P) 19, L. Griggs (SB) 19, C. Morris (H) 19, L. McClain (SB) 17, K. Trujillo (BV) 16, A. Jamison (BV) 14, L. Burkhart (H) 14, K. Haage (BV) 12

Doubles: A. Oertel (P) 19, A. Balestri (SB) 14, E. Wright (BV) 12, I. Gibson (P) 12, K. Lawson (P) 10, M. Strauch (SB) 10, J. Pinter (SB) 10, A. Delphi (H) 9, A. Jamison (BV) 9, M. Hecht (P) 9, C. Morris (H) 8, B. Larsen (H) 7, H. Heiberger (SB) 6, L. Bosnich (SB) 6, E. Burke (SB) 6, L. McClain (SB) 6, C. Pellegrini (H) 6, A. Carrington (BV) 5

Triples: A. Oertel (P) 4, L. Bosnich (SB) 3, A. Carrington (BV) 3, B. Larsen (H) 3, E. Wright (BV) 2, H. Heiberger (SB) 2, L. Griggs (SB) 2, A. Balestri (SB) 2, E. Slingsby (SB) 2, A. Delphi (H) 2, A. Delphi (H) 2, C. Etheridge (P) 1, K. Haage (BV) 1, K. Wahl (BV) 1, C. Keutzer (P) 1, I. Gibson (P) 1, L. Burkhart (H) 1, E. Burke (SB) 1, L.McClain (SB) 1, A. Carrington (BV) 1, Trujillo (BV) 1, A. Bopes (BV) 1

Home runs: A. Oertel (P) 17, K. Lawson (P) 14, A. Balestri (SB) 10, L. Bosnich (SB) 8, H. Heiberger (SB) 7, B. Larson (H) 4, I. Gibson (P) 3, E. Burke (SB) 3, A. Delphi (H) 2, P. Hansen (P) 1, A. Parry (P) 1, H. Rossi (H) 1, L. Griggs (SB) 1, J. Pinter (SB) 1, E. Wright (BV) 1, M. Strauch (SB) 1

Stolen bases: C. Keutzer (P) 34, E. Slingsby (SB) 28, A. Oertel (P) 16, L. Bosnich (SB) 15, C. Pellegrini (H) 15, E. Burke (SB) 14, A. Pellegrini (H) 12, H. Heiberger (SB) 11, K. Haage (BV) 11, A. Carrington (BV) 11, C. Morris (H) 10, E. Wright (BV) 9, B. Larsen (H) 9, K. Lawson (P) 8, I. Gibson (P) 8, S. Rutledge (P) 8, M. Hecht (P) 7, R. Marshall (BV) 7

Wins: M. Strauch (SB) 16, R. Reviglio (P) 11, M. Krewer (H) 8, M. Maubauch-Williams (BV) 6, P. Hansen (P) 6

Strikeouts: Krewer (H) 151, M. Strauch (SB) 121, M. Maubach-Williams (BV) 114, R. Reviglio (P) 67, A. Oertel (P) 28, D. Benavidez (BV) 26, P. Hansen (P) 23

The screen shot read:

Danny Cihocki

Princeton, Ill.

The former Princeton Tiger standout got the call out of the bullpen for Northern Illinois in its last two games in their NCAA Tournament run in Tallahassee, Fla. on national TV, facing Coastal Carolina and host and No. 10 Florida State.

It was the Huskies’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1972.

How cool is that?

“It was a blast playing in that environment,” Cihocki said. “That’s why I play college baseball to experience moments like that. To play in the big games and see the atmosphere of FSU. It was really cool, a really fun experience.”

“I knew we were going to be on national TV. It didn’t really change anything what we do as a team. But it was definitely cool being on national TV against the No. 10-ranked team in the country.

“We were fortunate to play good baseball at the right time, win the MAC and go to a regional and try to compete to go to a World Series.”

Cihocki, a 2023 Princeton grad, said what stood out the most was FSU’s home crowd.

“The atmosphere that FSU has ... their war chants, their clapping every pitch trying to make it hard on the opposing team. It was really cool to see,” he said.

Cihocki entered the Coastal Carolina game in the bottom of the third inning with the Huskies down 4-2. NIU erupted for eight runs in the fourth to go up 10-2, leaving Cihocki, who allowed three runs with two strikeouts over 2⅓ innings, the winning pitcher in the 12-10 final.

Two nights later, Cihocki was tagged for the loss in a season-ending defeat to Florida State, again coming in relief for only the second time this season.

He made 123 pitches in two days and left it all on the mound.

“They called my name in the bullpen. I wanted the ball and I was ready to go,” Cihocki said. “I threw a lot of pitches. (I) do what I could to help my team win those. I was able to do that and happy to do that for us.”

Retired Princeton coach Wick Warren was tickled to see his former Tiger pitch on the big stage.

“It was awesome. A PHS player on ESPN. Big time environment. Danny did well,” Warren said.

With his history-making season complete for NIU, Cihocki has set his sights on new adventures. On Wednesday, he announced on social media he would be entering the transfer portal as a senior with one year of eligibility remaining.

He said the timing is right to make the move with NIU leaving the MAC in favor of the Horizon League.

“NIU is moving conferences next year. I wanted to either stay in the (MAC) or go bigger like the Big Ten or something to go play and compete vs. those guys,” Cihocki said.

In his post, Cihocki states he brings 134-plus DI innings with 16 starts, including four pitches - fastball (89-92 mph), curveball (78-81), slider (80-83) and changeup (82-84).

In his second season for NIU coming out of Lakeland College, Cihocki went 7-3 this year with a 5.34 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 92.2 innings with 15 starts.

He earned his first career win for NIU on Feb. 28, 2025 at SIUE, striking out five Cougars while allowing one earned run in 2⅔ innings in a 5-4 win. He finished the 2025 season with a 2-2 record and 5.71 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 40 innings over 22 appearances.

Cihocki pitched his freshman season at Lakeland, leading the Lakers in wins with a 7-4 record, striking out 80 batters in 60⅔ innings.

As a senior at Princeton, Cihocki went 5-3 with a 1.63 ERA and 89 strikeouts, ranked in the top 20 in the state.

Kevin Hieronymus has been the BCR Sports Editor since 1986. Contact him at khieronymus@bcrnews.com

Former BV coach Brad Bickett, who led the Storm basketball team to three state basketball third-place finishes from 2000-02 and won nine regionals and three sectionals, heads the list with 287 wins over 15 seasons.

Vicki Litherland, who coached Storm volleyball for eight seasons, is next in line with 193 victories and four regionals in eight seasons with a state tournament berth in 2005.

Rounding out the top 5 are current boys basketball coach Jason Marquis, who has compiled 177 wins since 2012, Jeff Ohlson, who recorded 156 wins in girls basketball and football from 2000-14, and Chris Olds, an original Storm coach, with 155 wins between volleyball and softball.

Here’s a rundown of Bureau Valley’s top 15 winningest varsity sports coaches. There are no records available for track, golf and cross country seasons/coaches.

AT PUTNAM COUNTY (1A)

Wednesday: (3) Fulton 12, (1) Parkview Christian 1 (5 inn.)

(1) Putnam County 11, (5) Newark 1 (5 inn.)

Saturday: Championship - (3) Fulton (17-8) vs. (1) Putnam County (23-11), 11 a.m.

Next: Winner advances to DeKalb Supersectional vs. Forreston Sectional winner at 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 8

AT FORRESTON (1A)

Wednesday: (2) Dakota 7, (1) Lena-Winslow 4

(2) Galena 10, (1) Forreston 7

Saturday: Championship - (2) Dakota (16-11) vs. (2) Galena, 1 p.m.

Next: Winner advances to DeKalb Supersectional vs. Putnam County Sectional winner at 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 8

AT CHILLICOTHE IVC (2A)

Wednesday: (2) Brimfield 7, (1) Rockridge 6

(1) Illini West 5, (6) Monmouth-Roseville 1

Saturday: Championship - (2) Brimfield (31-5) vs. (1) Illini West (28-7), 1 p.m.

Next: Winner advances to St. Bede Supersectional vs. Herscher Sectional winner at 5 p.m., Monday, June 8

At HERSCHER (2A)

Wednesday: (1) Marquette 15, (6) Elmhurst IC Catholic 3

(3) Wilmington 6, (1) Manteno 2

Saturday: Championship - (1) Marquette (35-3) vs. (3) Wilmington (25-6-1), 10 a.m.

Next: Winner advances to St. Bede Supersectional vs. IVC Sectional winner at 5 p.m., Monday, June 8

AT BYRON (2A)

Wednesday: (2) Winnebago 16, (1) Aurora Christian 12

(2) Elgin Harvest Westminster 2, (3) Riverdale 1

Saturday: Championship - Winnebago (22-11) vs. (2) Elgin Harvest Westminster (24-7), 11 a.m.

Next: Winner advances to Kane County Cougars Supersectional vs. Chicago Hope Academy Sectional winner at 4 p.m., Monday, June 8

Gary Vicini, most notably remembered for football with two state championships and a runner-up finish among 20 playoff appearances, heads the list with 474 wins. He won 195 games in football, but also recorded 183 wins in baseball and 96 in softball. He also coached girls track, which is not available.

Tom Keegan, who led Hall baseball to the 2018 2A state championship and also coaches cross country, continues to rise on the ball diamond. He now has 444 wins, including six regionals and two sectionals.

Hall alum Mike Filippini is ranked third all-time with 390 wins between girls basketball, boys basketball and softball.

Rounding out the the top 5 are Richard Nesti (309 wins), a Hall legend with his name adorning the Hall football field, and Eric Bryant (277), who left his mark by taking to of his Hustlin’ Hall Red Devils to back-to-back state runner-up finishes in basketball.

Here’s a rundown of the Hall roll call of the top 15 winningest varsity sports coaches. There are limited records available for track, golf and cross country.

She waited 30 years to have a player accomplish what senior Jackson Mason did this season.

The PHS senior became the first Tiger in Lind’s 30 years as coach to win two matches at state. Then he added icing on his coach’s retirement cake by winning a third match in the state meet.

Mason placed third at sectional to reach state for the second straight season having reached last year in doubles. He finished with an 18-5 record.

For all of his accomplishments, Mason is the 2026 BCR Tennis Player of the Year.

“I didn’t plan it this way, but it sure is a good way to go out,” Lind said.

Mason may have even surprised himself by his accomplishment at state.

“The goal at the beginning of the season was to get to state in singles,” he said. “My goal at state was to compete with the kids. I didn’t think I’d win three matches there because I don’t think anyone else has done that at PHS in 30 years. That was really cool.”

Mason had some extra motivation at state, playing for his dad, Patrick, who passed away suddenly during his junior season of basketball.

“I know my dad was watching me on Thursday and Friday and I know he would be extremely proud of me,” he said.

The Tiger senior had to be at the top of his game both physically and mentally at state, he said.

“It took a lot of mental focus because we were playing at a site (Arlington Heights) with airplanes flying every five minutes,” he said. “It was pretty hot. And I played a kid (Newman’s Joel Rhodes) for my third match that I lost to at the very beginning of the season 5-7, 5-7 and I ended up beating him in the tiebreaker 10-8.”

He lost his first state match 6-0, 6-0 to Wheaton St. Francis senior Umar Bajwa, a No. 5-8 seed, who finished fourth.

“He was very consistent. Couldn’t beat him,” Mason said.

Mason got on a roll in the consolation round, defeating St. Ignatius College Prep’s Shiven Devnani 6-2, 6-4, Rhodes 6-2, 4-6, 10-8 and Mt. Zion’s Ryne Reatherford 6-0, 6-1.

He met his match in his final round, falling to No. 3 seed Roman Stukov, a senior from Vernon Hills, 6-0, 6-0.

Serving aside, Mason thought he played his best tennis at state.

“My serves were real good at sectionals, but they lost steam at state. (But) it was good enough to win three matches,” he said.

Lind said Mason had a lot of natural ability but worked hard on his game

“He was never satisfied. He always wanted to do better,” Lind said. “Him and Landon Davis hit around every day at practice. They would work on certain aspects of the game.”

Mason had an usual path to state, not being able to play a single match at home this season due to the deteriorating PHS courts.

“It was very weird considering we only had four away meets last year and 14 home ones,” he said. “We only played 14 meets this year, none of them at home. It was just a weird season.”

Mason teamed up for a 25-5 record and state berth in doubles a year ago with 2025 senior Asa Gartin. He said he struggled initially adjusting to playing solo.

“I was like smart because I knew what shots I had to hit. At the beginning of the season, some of them weren’t dropping. But over time, I got better at it,” Mason said.

Mason said his height (6-foot-3) and wing span help him on the court, but more so in doubles play than singles.

“When I did go up to the net I was more of a threat to the other guy,” he said.

The best part of playing tennis for Mason has done nothing to do what happens on the court, but rather on the way home after the meet.

“The best part for me is on the bus, riding home with the guys. It’s always fun. We bring a speaker and just have a good time,” he said.

A year-around athlete playing basketball and golf for the Tigers, Mason will retire from sports and study meteorology at IVCC before going on to a four-year school.

When asked if we might see him on TV one day doing the weather, he said. “You might. I just like weather. I find it very fascinating.”

Princeton senior Keely Lawson (OF) and junior Avah Oertel (IF) were two of seven players chosen unanimously. They were joined on the first team by senior teammates Reese Reviglio (P) and Caroline Keutzer (OF) and Hall freshman Bernie Larsen (IF).

The Hall trio of senior Charlie Pellegrini (OF), junior Caroline Morris (C) and freshman Maddie Krewer (P) and Princeton senior Sylvie Rutledge (OF) and junior Kiyrra Morris (C) were all named second-team all-conference.

Honorable Mention honors went to Princeton seniors Makayla Hecht (IF) and Izzy Gibson (IF) and Hall juniors Ava Delphi (OF) and Leah Burkhart (IF).

Registration remains open for the second annual Princeton Mile which will be held Saturday starting with the elite division at 10 a.m. from the Apollo Theater running to Rotary Park on historic Main St. in Princeton.

Runners may sign up online at runsignup.com/tpm or from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the starting line.

As of Monday, there were seven elite runners and 70 overall runners signed up, including 2025 women’s champ Claire Fuhlage of Normal and men’s third-place finisher Elijah House of Sheffield, an incoming senior member of the St. Ambrose University track team and former Bureau Valley High School standout.

Last year’s male winner, Jake Gillum, distance coach at ISU, is going to try to make it to run at Princeton on time after running an early morning 4-mile run in Peoria, race director Michael Stutzke said.

In a collective response, the Titans yelled, “A regional championship.”

The Titans got their mission accomplished, knocking off favorite Rock Island Alleman 4-2 for the 2A regional title, riding the complete-game effort of Clay Casteel, who allowed six hits with five strikeouts.

It is Mon-Rose’s first regional title since 2007 and just the second in school history.

“I told the kids first day of practice, all I want to do, I don’t care what our record is, all I want to do is win a regional championship. And guess what, they did it for us. They did it. Special day. Special for us,” Huston said.

“This group of seniors have had some special times going back to that playoff football game at Bloomington Central Catholic. I’m guessing this has to rank up there pretty darn high.”

Huston said he considered taking Castel, who pitched his fourth complete game of the season, out in the fourth inning, and he said, “Nope, let me roll, let me roll” and he pitched a heckuva game."

Andrew Way, Nick Huston, Landyn Angelo and Tyler Carlson (two RBIs) each had three hits for Mon-Rose.

The Titans (16-15) will face Eureka Regional winner at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the second semifinal of the day at the IVC Sectional. Rockridge (29-7) and Brimfield meet at 4 p.m.

“Someone told me we were 3-11 awhile back and here we are 16-15 and we just believed in one another and found our spots. To beat a program like Spring Valley Hall and Alleman back to back, I’m speechless, I guess,” Mike Huston said. “It’s just an awesome year for these Monmouth-Roseville Titans.”

AT ANNAWAN (1A)

Putnam County 8, Annawan-Wethersfield 2: The Panthers broke the game open with six runs in the third inning to go up 8-2 and punched their ticket to their own sectional by defeating the host Titans in Annawan for a 1A regional title.

Wyatt Zellars was 3 for 3 with three RBIs while Leadoff man Traxton Mattingly went 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs.

Starting pitcher Johnathon Stunkel went five innings for the win, striking out seven, with Kade Zimmerlein finishing out with two scoreless innings in relief.

PC (22-11) will face the Newark (12-14) on 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the second semifinal of the day in the Putnam County Sectional. The Norsemen beat Yorkville Christian Academy 4-0 at Somonauk.

AT KANKAKEE (2A)

Marquette 4, Bishop McNamara 3: Anthony Couch hit a two-out, two-run walk-off homer to lift the Crusaders to the 2 regional championship in Kankakee.

Alec Novotney pitched six-hitter for a complete-game victory.

The Crusaders (34-3) advance to the Herscher Sectional to face IC Catholic at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

AT BELVIDERE NORTH (3A)

Rockford Boylan 9, Newman 7: The Comets fell in the championship in their first appearance in Class 3A after five straight sectional championships in 2A (two) and 1A (three).

Just who are these namesakes on the wall? This is the second in a two-part series telling the story and history behind the namesakes of area gymnasiums, tracks and track meets.

Prouty Gymnasium (Princeton) - Opened in 1959-60, Prouty Gym at Princeton High School was named for the Charles Prouty Trust that also built the Prouty Building. The first basketball game played at Prouty Gym was Nov. 24, 1959 vs. St. Bede.

Pannebaker Gymnasium (Princeton) - The gym at Logan Junior High was built in 1970 and named after Max Pannebaker, a teacher and principal from 1941-42 and 1946-74 with a five-year stint in the U.S. Army in between. He was described as a “true friend of youth, a servant of the community and a dedicated educator who instilled in everyone the desire to succeed.”

Howard Hoffman Memorial Gymnasium (Princeton) - The gymnasium at Princeton Christian Academy is named after Howard Hoffman, who was principal at PCA and pastor at Princeton Bible Church.

Bollman Fieldhouse (New Bedford) - The former rustic fieldhouse on the edge of tiny New Bedford was named after Vivian Bollman, who died at the age of 19 during the 1918 Flu Pandemic. It was utilized by Manlius High School and was the stage for Indian Valley Conference tournament games, and later by Bureau Valley High School until its school opened in 1998-99. The Storm closed out the “Barn” with a 79-60 win over Aledo on Feb. 21, 1998. The adjacent Bollman Memorial Field, which hosted the national fastpitch softball tournament in the mid-50s, was also named in Bollman’s honor.

R.M. Germano Gymnasium (Putnam County) - The Putnam County gym built in 1976 was dedicated to Dr. R.M. Germano on Jan. 7, 1977, the first school board president of the consolidated district that formed in 1966.

Cooper Gymnasium (Mendota) - The gymnasium of the former Mendota High School was named after the well-respected, longtime principal Bob Cooper upon his retirement in 1994. The last game there was played in December of 2002. Cooper passed away in 2019.

Abbot Vincent Gymnasium (St. Bede) - In April of 1925, construction of a large gymnasium was begun at St. Bede Academy. The building, which was blessed on Thanksgiving Day of that same year, contained four bowling alleys, eight pool tables, several club rooms and a swimming pool in the basement. The upper floor was devoted to basketball and drama. The cost of the building was about $200,000. The gym was named after Abbot Vincent, the first abbot of St. Bede Abbey. St. Bede historian Fr. Ron said more than likely the gym was dedicated in his name as its construction was completed the year Abbot Vincent had to resign from the office of abbot due to a stroke. He suffered a second stroke on his 86th birthday on May 10, 1941, from which he never recovered, and died on May 30, 1941.

Kingman Gymnasium (Ottawa) - Charles Kingman served as principal of Ottawa Township High School from 1913 until his death in 1932. Memorials at the time of his death noted no other individual since the time of its founder, Mr. Boltwood, had done so much for the school as Kingman. Under his leadership, the school’s enrollment doubled in size, and due largely to his efforts the present main building and later the Manual Arts Building were planned and erected. The Pirates christened Kingman Gym with a 36-27 win over Paxton in the first game held there on Dec. 2, 1932.

Love Gymnasium (Ottawa) - Gil Love was basketball coach at Ottawa High School from 1944-61, winning 10 regionals and eight sectionals with three Elite Eight appearances, including a third-place finish in 1957. He also coached summer baseball and served as athletic director. The auxiliary gym adjacent to Kingman Gym built in 1980 was renamed after Love in 1991.

Lowell “Pops” Dale Gymnasium (Streator) - The legendary Streator coach coached Bulldogs basketball from 1918-46, compiling a record of 500-247 over 28 years. He led nine different Streator teams to the state finals in a one-class system, won 13 district titles from 1920-35, and five Big 12 Conference titles. He served as president of Illinois Valley and Big 12 Coaches Associations and was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in 1974. The gym dedication was on Dec. 10, 2004.

A.J. Sellett Gymnasium (L-P) - The gymnasium at La Salle-Peru was named as the Dr. AJ. Sellett Memorial Gymnasium on Jan. 28, 2014 after Dr. A.J. Sellett, who served on the L-P Board of Education for more than 20 years, including three terms as board president. He also volunteered as a team doctor for football, basketball, baseball and track for nearly four decades, providing free sports physicals, as well as medical check-ups for students in financial need.

Sellett started his medical practice in La Salle in 1947 and continued his work as a pediatrician, obstetrician and surgeon in the Illinois Valley for 55 years. It is estimated he delivered more than 10,000 babies in the Illinois Valley during his years of practice.

J.A. Happ Gymnasium (Peru) - The J.A. Happ Gymnasium is located at the former Peru Catholic School building, named in December 2016 to honor the former MLB pitcher, who is a 1997 graduate of the school. Peru Catholic merged to form the Academy of Carlo Acutis in February, 2025.

Dean Madsen Gymnasium (LaMoille) - The gym at LaMoille High School was named in honor of its former principal and superintendent on Dec. 6, 2019. Madsen was very active in the LaMoille community, serving as a LaMoille fireman and fire district trustee for many years. He was a longtime active LaMoille Lions Club member, receiving its distinguished Melvin Jones Award.

Brockman Gymnasium (Kewanee) - Kewanee High School’s main gym was named after legendary Coach H.F. Brockman on June 1, 1973. Brockman had his hands on many things at KHS from 1940-73, serving as athletic director for the duration of his tenure. He was head basketball coach for 14 seasons and his 245 wins still stand as the most by a Boilermakers coach. He also stands as the winningest football coach with a 71-7-11 record over 17 seasons. He was track coach for 28 years and Kewanee will be observing the 80th Year for the Brockman Relays.

Lancaster Gymnasium (Dixon) - Lancaster Gymnasium at Dixon High School was completed in 1959 and named in honor of Allen Lancaster, a former math teacher, principal and superintendent. It was built as part of a larger expansion of Dixon High School to accommodate its growing student population after World War II.

Forrest L. Tabor Gymnasium (Rock Falls) - Built in 1954, the Rock Falls gymnasium is named after its former school administrator of 23 years. Forrest Tabor, who served for the Navy in World War II, passed away in 2012 at the age of 99.

Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse (Sterling) - Homer B. Musgrove joined Sterling Township High School’s staff in 1942. He started up the Golden Warriors’ wrestling program in 1946 and was credited as the founder of its baseball team, for which he was head coach for 20 years. He also was the head football and basketball coach and an assistant track coach and served as athletic director for 14 years until his retirement in 1970. The Fieldhouse was named in January of 1979 following his death in 1978.

Rathje Track (Princeton) - The all-weather track installed in 1997 at Princeton High School was named after benefactors Frank and Marion Rathje. The Tigers ran on a cinders track at Bryant Field dating back to the early 1930s.

The Princeton Invitational was renamed as the Ferris Family Invitational after another beneficiary to the track project.

Princeton’s Howard-Monier boys and girls invitationals are named after organizers and boosters of the all-weather track, Jim Howard and Dave Monier.

Rollie Morris Track (Hall) - The all-weather track at Hall High School was installed in 1998 and dedicated to the Red Devils’ late track coach. Rollie Morris was at Hall from 1962-93, coaching football, cross country, basketball and track for 32 years. Hall’s annual Red Devils Relays were also renamed in his honor as the Rollie Morris Invitational.

Hall’s former Red Devil Relays was also renamed as the Rollie Morris Invite after the legendary coach.

Capt. Thomas J. Heitmann Memorial Track (St. Bede) - The St. Bede track was dedicated and named after 2001 alum Thomas Heitmann, who gave the ultimate sacrifice and died doing what he loved most while flying a AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter with the U.S. Marines on Sept. 19, 2011. He was a track standout for the Bruins.

Saturday: Championship - (1) Putnam County 8, (4) Annawan-Wethersfield 2

AT FULTON (1A)

Saturday: Championship - (3) Fulton (16-8) 5, (2) Orion 2

AT AMBOY (1A)

Saturday: Championship - (1) Parkview Christian 11, (4) Serena 1

AT PRINCETON (2A)

Saturday: Championship - (6) Monmouth-Roseville 4, (2) Alleman 2

AT MERCER COUNTY (2A)

Saturday: Championship - (1) Rockridge 13, (5) IVC 3

AT ROCK FALLS (2A)

Saturday: Championship - (2) Winnebago 9, (4) Rock Falls 3

AT BYRON (2A)

Saturday: Championship - (3) Riverdale (17-10) 11, (1) Byron 8

AT KANKAKEE (2A)

Saturday: Championship - (1) Marquette 4, (4) McNamara 3

AT METAMORA (3A)

Saturday: Championship - (1) Metamora 9, (4) Ottawa 1

AT STERLING (3A)

Saturday: Championship - (3) Belvidere North 3, (7) Sterling 2

AT BELVIDERE NORTH (3A)

Saturday: Championship - (4) Rockford Boylan 9, (1) Newman 7

AT PUTNAM COUNTY (1A)

Wednesday: Game 1 - (1) Parkview Christian (16-12) vs. (3) Fulton (17-8), 2 p.m. Game 2 - (1) Putnam County (22-11) vs. (5) Newark (12-14), 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: Championship - winners 1-2, 11 a.m.

AT CHILLICOTHE IVC (2A)

Wednesday: (1) Rockridge (29-7) vs. (2) Brimfield (30-5), 4 p.m. Game 2 - (6) Monmouth-Roseville (16-15) vs. (1) Illini West (27-7), 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: Championship - winners 1-2, 1 p.m.

At HERSCHER (2A)

Wednesday: Game 1 - (1) Marquette (34-3) vs. (6) Elmhurst IC Catholic (10-18), 2 p.m. Game 2 - (1) Manteno (24-9) vs. (3) Wilmington (24-6-1), 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: Championship - winners 1-2, 10 a.m.

And come back they did, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh, including a two-run triple by Hunter Edgcomb to come back within one run in Thursday’s regional semifinal against Monmouth-Roseville at Prather Field in Princeton.

The comeback kids just ran out of outs, falling 5-4 to the Titans, ending their season at 24-11-1.

“Shows who we are, fighting all the way to the end,” Edgcomb said.

“That last inning kind of shows who we are and who we’ve been all year. Just sucks we couldn’t put the pieces together early on to make it convincing. But we went down with a fight,” Hall senior Braden Curran said.

Geno Ferrari led off the Hall seventh with a single to left, and Noah Plym walked. Jack Curran grounded into a fielder’s choice, but Ferrari avoided the tag by Mon-Rose third baseman Liam Parker to load the bases.

With one out, Braden Curran also grounded into a fielder’s choice at third with Plym retired at the bag, but Ferrari scored to make it 5-2.

Edgcomb found some of that Red Devil magic with a bloop down the first-base line, which skipped past Carlson in right field for a triple, sending the Curran twins running a relay home to pull Hall within 5-4.

“That’s where I wanted to be. That’s where we all wanted to be in the last inning. Not making that last out and keep it going,” Edgcomb said.

“He’s the kid we want up there. Everybody trusts him to do something, and he came through,” Braden Curran said.

Mon-Rose sophomore starter Keegan Smith retired Greyson Bickett on a groundout to third, sending the Titans (15-15) to Saturday’s regional finals at 11 a.m. against Rock Island Alleman (21-11-1).

The Pioneers (21-15) beat Kewanee 7-3 on Wednesday.

“Whatever mistake we made, they capitalized on it. A walk, a booted ball, can’t finish the back end of a double play. All that stuff mounted up and hurt,” Hall coach Tom Keegan said. “We did mount a little rally. That loomed large for us without a doubt. But a bad day to have a bad day.”

Mon-Rose coach Mike Huston said to beat a team like Hall in the postseason means a lot.

“They are the standard of baseball in this area and this conference, and they’re well-coached,” he said. “We didn’t have a real good showing in conference (13-3 loss), but they also didn’t see our No. 1 (Smith). I thought Keegan came out and pitched really well tonight. We got some timely hits, and the boys have been playing good baseball.

“We needed a win like this.”

Smith, who pitched a complete game, allowing four hits with four earned runs while fanning eight, said it all went according to plan for the Titans.

“Big thing we focused on this week was limiting walks. We played them three weeks ago, we walked quite a few and hit quite a few,” Smith said. “We came in ... (saying), ‘We can play with these guys. We can play with anybody in the state. We’ve just got to limit walks, put guys on, move them over. Got to score runs.’

“First inning we put two on the board, and I was like, ‘Here we go. We’re rolling. We’re right on plan,’ and we just kept going. It was exactly how we drew it up.”

All five of the Titans’ runs on the day were unearned, with Hall making four errors. They scored two runs after two outs in the first with the help of a Hall error. Tyler Carlson singled in the first run with Nick Huston reaching home on a RBI hit by Parker a hair before Carlson was tagged out at second to end the inning.

Ferrari, who went 1 for 2, got one run back with a RBI hit to left to score Bickett in the home half of the first.

Mon-Rose opened up a 5-1 lead in the third, scoring three runs on just one hit with the help of three Hall errors.

Hall starter Luke Bryant was tagged for all five runs, all unearned, allowing three hits and three walks with three strikeouts over three innings.

“Got a good group of seniors moving on. Now we hand it over to everybody else and see if we can get something going next season,” Keegan said.

Mon-Rose will face an Alleman team it lost 18-3 to on April 14. Coach Huston said it was the Titans’ worst showing by far.

“We struggled. Made a lot of mistakes. We were still figuring out a lot of things,” he said. “I think we match up well with them. We’ve got the people in the right positions now. It will be exciting.”

The Putnam County baseball team broke out its Player of the Game Chains for the first time this season for Wednesday’s semifinal of the Class 1A Annawan-Wethersfield Regional in Annawan.

By a unanimous choice, PC pitcher Rudy Villagomez received the honors, with four solid innings in relief to hold the ship and send the Panthers to Saturday’s regional final with a 5-1 win over Bureau Valley.

“This is the first time we actually brought this out for a game trying to get something going, I guess,” Villagomez said. “I’ve seen St. Bede had chains like this and always thought it was cool. But I never thought we’d do something like this.”

PC coach Chris Newsome was all in favor of breaking out the chains.

“It’s postseason. Everybody’s 0-0. You get an opportunity to win that chain if you perform well. I think it’s a great idea to get that incentive if there isn’t one already,” he said.

“Coach (Jared) Sale held it up and everybody’s like, ‘Rudy.’ He wore it. He earned it by coming in and throwing strikes. He’s done that for us all year long. He’s a high strike rate pitcher. Not going to blow it by you, but he gets the job done. Creates some contact. As long as we play clean behind him we’re in good shape.”

Newsome made the move to Villagomez when PC starter Kade Zimmerlein started BV’s Aiden Litherland off on a 1-1 count to start the fourth inning. The Storm loaded the bases with one out on hits by Dakari Martin and Tyce Barkman and a walk to pinch hitter Wyatt Smith, but Villagomez fanned Brandon Carrington and then retired Logan Philhower on a deep fly to center.

While BV coach Ryan Schisler thought it was just a long, lazy fly ball, it kept carrying, pushing PC center fielder Carter Hochstatter to about 5 to 10 feet from the fence.

“It kept carrying. I saw their guy get turned around thought maybe we had a shot,” Schisler said.

Philhower thought he hit it out.

“Felt really good off the bat. I was hoping it would go over for us,” Philhower said. “It would have been awesome. Would have tied the game and gave us a big boost in morale.”

PC struck first with an RBI single by Wyatt Zellers, scoring Hochstatter, who singled.

The Panthers stretched their lead to 4-0 with three runs in the third, including a sacrifice fly by Zimmerlein, an RBI double by Maddox Poole and an RBI single by Payton Barto.

They made it 5-0 in the fifth when Johnathon Stunkel followed a single by Traxton Mattingly, who was 3 for 3, with an RBI double.

BV pitcher Blake Foster got the Storm on the board with an RBI double in the seventh, scoring Carrington, who led off with a single.

“We had a couple different opportunities - A to jump out to a lead and B to close the gap. Unfortunately, the big hits didn’t fall when we had guys in scoring position,” Schisler said. “To (PC’s) credit, they paved their way through it and earned everything they got. It’s probably why they’re the 1 seed in the sectional.”

Schisler ends the season desiring more.

“I think my bar is higher than 15-15 and a (regional) semifinal truthfully. I think my guys should set the bar higher and I think we left some things on the table for the team this year. I’ll go back and reset and figure out how we can keep pushing. I don’t think 15-15 is going to satisfy me and it shouldn’t satisfy our guys.”

The Panthers (21-11) await the winner of Thursday’s semifinal between No. 4 Annawan-Wethersfield (17-12) and No. 5 Midland (12-14) in Saturday’s regional final at 11 a.m. in Annawan. PC will send Stunkel, its ace, to the mound.

“This is what everybody remembers, the postseason,” Newsome said. “You can be 0-fer and take home some hardware, people remember that. If you win 25 games in the postseason and don’t win anything, you’re forgotten. That’s just how it goes.”

PC beat A-W 10-7 in eight innings and split a Tri-County Conference series with Midland, losing 7-3 and winning 13-1.

Wednesday: (2) Ridgewood 8, (1) Stark County 3

Friday: Championship - (1) Biggsville West Central (30-2-1) vs. (2) Ridgewood (23-8), 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: (4) Serena 10, (3) Newark 8

(3) Gardner-South Wilmington 3, Elgin St. Edward 2

Friday: Championship - (4) Serena (14-11) vs. (3) Gardner-South Wilmington (25-11), 7 p.m.

Tuesday: (1) Riverdale 10, (2) Eureka 5

Wednesday: (2) Brimfield 6, (4) Peoria Notre Dame 1

Friday: Championship - (1) Riverdale (26-5-1) vs. (2) Brimfield (27-5), 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: (2) Seneca 10, (1) St. Bede 0

Wednesday: (1) Beecher 4, (3) Pontiac 1

Friday: Championship - (2) Seneca (36-2) vs. (1) Beecher (33-0), 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: (1) Dunlap 2, (2) Ottawa 1

(4) LaSalle-Peru 2, (2) East Peoria 0

Friday: Championship - (1) Dunlap (27-8) vs. (4) LaSalle-Peru (23-14), 4 p.m.

When: Class 1A Thursday preliminaries - Field events start at 10 a.m., running events at noon at O’Brien Stadium, EIU. Class 2A Friday preliminaries - Field events start at 8 a.m., running events at 10 a.m. Saturday’s finals start at 10 a.m. for all three classes.

Note worthy: There will be 12 Bureau County athletes competing in the 1A state track & field prelims on Thursday with four to follow on Friday in 2A. Bureau Valley senior Andrew Roth will run in both 1A hurdles, ranked No. 21 in the 100s with a time of 15.79 seconds and No. 22 in the 300s (41.63). He’ll also be running on the Storm’s 4x100 relay with Keenyn Richter, Tucker Shane and Morgan Mahnesmith, which is ranked No. 21 with a time of 44.01. Bureau Valley also sends its 4x200 relay of Shane, Mahnesmith, Keenyn Richter and Kyle Velasquez, which is ranked No. 26 (1:32.83), and its 4x800 relay of Alex Gallardo, Adrian Gallardo, Maddox Moore and Kayne Richter, ranked 20th (8:30.48). St. Bede freshman James Arkins checks in No. 24th in the pole vault at 3.28 meters. A pair of athletes from the Amboy co-op will be competing in two events. Freshman Ian Nichols will compete in both throws, ranked 11th in the discus (47.44m) and 21st in the shot (14.92m). Sophomore Damien Bender is seeded to medal in the 300 hurdles, ranked eighth with a time of 40.92. He is also ranked 14th in long jump (6.2m). ... Senior Casey Etheridge heads the Princeton contingent in 2A. He’ll be in the medal hunt in the 300 hurdles, seeded 8th with a time of 39.76. He is ranked 22nd in the 100 hurdles (15.4). Etheridge will also run on the Tigers’ 4x400 relay with Ayden Agushi, Tyler VandeVenter and Gavin Lanham, which is ranked 37th (3:30.01).

Note: All times in 10ths are manual times. All times in 100ths are Fully Automatic Times [FAT]. Years winning state championships are marked with an *

Note: All times in 10ths are manual times. All times in 100ths are Fully Automatic Times [FAT]. Years winning state championships are marked with an *

Anna Flaig was second with numerous ladies tying for third.

It was not a Thriller by any means for the Tigers in a game of what could go wrong did.

The Boilermakers got three extra outs with the help of two Tiger errors and a dropped third strike in the second inning, hitting the ball out of the infield just once and scoring four runs to take a 6-1 lead.

Kewanee (4-27) tacked on four more runs in the sixth, helped by a wild pitch and a passed ball, on the way to a 10-5 win to advance to Wednesday’s semifinals against top-seed Alleman (20-15).

“We didn’t seem to get any good bounces go our way. Good teams got to overcome that and we just didn’t today,” Princeton coach Patrick Smith said. “We didn’t make plays when we needed. They made more plays than we did.”

Princeton had 31 stolen bases in a 11-1, 14-5 sweep over Kewanee in back-to-back nights this season, but managed just one steal in two attempts Monday.

Kewanee had an ace up its sleeve this time in pitcher Logan Peed, who has been sidelined on the mound of most of the season. While he did allow nine hits and five runs (only one earned), fanning seven, he kept the early lead his teammates gave him.

“It’s really nice to have Logan Peed back on the bump. Just filling up the zone with a couple pitches being able to mix speeds and locate,” Kewanee coach John Moraski said. “Couple times we played them earlier in the season we struggled to throw strikes. Lot of walks, free bases, and they’ll kill ya.

“Logan gave us six really quality innings and then Reid Nichols had a nice little coming out party in the seventh inning and did a nice job in a high-pressure situation as a sophomore and handled it really well.”

Smith said Peed made a big difference.

“He’s a good pitcher and I saw he was throwing a little bit, so I fully expected he’d be pitching,” he said. “He just pounds the zone. We tell our guys all the time, you don’t give away free bases. You throw strikes and we play defense behind him, you’ve got a great chance to win and that’s exactly what he did.

“I thought we hit the ball well. We just didn’t string enough together.”

The Tigers (8-21) got two runs back in the bottom of the third after Kewanee scored four in the second. Braden Shaw, who led off the first inning with a triple and scored, hit a leadoff double to left. Stihl Brokaw blooped a single in front of center fielder Ace LaFollette with Shaw holding at second.

Noah Morton advanced both runners with a sacrifice, called out for running outside the base line. Shaw came in when Cayden Benavidez’s fly was dropped in center and Ryan Jagers singled home Brokaw to make it 6-3.

Tiger starter Jagers pitched three scoreless innings before the Boilers struck again, scoring four runs on four hits, including an RBI single by Isaiah Ince and RBI double by Peed, in the sixth.

The Tigers used a two-run error by Kewanee in the sixth to close within 10-5.

Princeton loaded the bases after two hits in the seventh when Abe Longeville reached on an error and Hayden Sayler singled following a leadoff hit by Benavidez. Shaw, who had hits in his first three at-bats, hit into a fielder’s choice on a 3-0 count, forcing Benavidez at third to end the game.

Smith enjoyed his first year at the helm having served as assistant under former head coach Wick Warren.

“I appreciate all the kids we had. It’s a great group. And they competed,” he said. “You saw it today. We were down five runs. They easily could have rolled over and gave away at-bats. They didn’t give away anything. They competed to the very last out and that’s really all we can ask of them. Just compete and do what we can and the scoreboard’s going to take care of itself.”

Shaw finished 3 for 5 out of the leadoff slot for the Tigers (8-21), with Brokaw and Benavidez each going 2 for 4.

Ince, Peed, LaFollette and Dane Vandevelde each had two hits for the Boilermakers.

The Boilermakers turn their attention to the highly favored Pioneers in Wednesday’s semifinals. Alleman beat Kewanee 17-13 in a high-scoring affair last week.

“We’re playing our best ball at the right time, which is always the goal. Looking forward to Wednesday against a good team,” Kewanee coach John Moraski said.

The winner of their game will draw Thursday’s semifinal winner between Hall and Monmouth-Roseville in Saturday’s regional final at 11 a.m.

The Princeton Tigresses softball team saw its season end over nine intense innings Friday, falling to Pontiac 5-3 in the Class 2A Lexington Regional championship game.

Pontiac catcher Faith Campbell stroked a two-run single in the top of the ninth inning, which proved to be the game-winning hit and sent the Indians (18-12) on to Wednesday’s sectional championship against defending state champion and No. 2-ranked Beecher (32-0).

“Our fight was there. We woke up ready to fight today. Sometimes you get the short end of the stick, and that’s life,” Princeton senior Keely Lawson said. “I’m proud of how we went out today. People stepped up in big-time situations that don’t normally do so.

“I’m proud of our fight today.”

For Lawson, it was an especially memorable season regardless of Friday’s outcome.

“Before I started the season, it’s my last one, I decided to step away from softball. I told myself just go out there and just have fun,” she said.

Princeton coach Jessica Strauch praised her team for fighting to the end.

“I won’t say I love losses very often, but this was a good loss,” she said. “From when they got off the bus to that very last out, they definitely fought.

“It was a great effort all the way through. Our bench was very strong. They were motivated. They were great energizers for everyone on the field and gave a drive for our defense to keep going. I’m very proud of them.”

The season nearly came to an end for Princeton in the seventh inning. With two out and Sylvie Rutledge on third, Caroline Keutzer bounced back to pitcher Courtney Krause, who rushed her throw over the head of first baseman Izzy Hinz. Rutledge waltzed home to tie the game, and Keutzer raced to third, sliding headfirst, where she was stranded.

Princeton pitcher Reese Reviglio was a pitch away from escaping the ninth inning after two Pontiac hitters reached on errors. Pontiac kept its faith in Campbell, the most unlikely of hitting heroes batting No. 9 in the Indians lineup, who delivered in the clutch with her two-run single on a 2-2 count to put the Indians up 5-3.

“I’ve been in a slump for a very long time, and I finally got that hit,” Campbell said. “I thought, ‘I’m just going to go hit the ball for my team and myself.’ ”

Pontiac struck first on Krause’s RBI hit in the first inning.

Kyrra Morris started a Tigresses rally in the third with a hit off the outstretched glove of second baseman Payton Rogers. Keutzer slapped a hit just over the second base bag with courtesy runner Taylor Compton, in for Morris, beating the throw home to even the score.

It continued to play out back and forth.

India Mattingly ripped a double over Keutzer in left field, scoring Krause to put the Indians up 2-1 in the top of the fourth.

Avah Oertel stole the run back for Princeton in the home half. She singled and came around to score from second when a wild pitch skipped off the short backstop down the first-base line to tie it back at 2-2.

Krause put the Indians up 3-2 with an RBI double to center. Keutzer made her second defensive gem of the game when she gunned out Krause at the plate on a fly out to left for an inning-ending double play.

“If I could give anyone player of the game, it would be Caroline and Reese,” Strauch said. “I mean, Reese pitching and hitting all of her spots and Caroline making amazing plays.”

Strauch, who came to Princeton from L-P as an assistant coach, said she couldn’t have asked for a better first year as a high school head coach.

“It was definitely an honor to be their coach my first year. I got blessed with a great group of girls and a great group of parents,” she said. “They really took me in. They taught me a lot about Princeton. And they were so open to everything I was bringing to the table to them.”

Addi Perry, who doubled, and Oertel each went 2 for 4, with Keutzer going 2 for 5.

Reviglio scattered 10 hits. Three of the five runs she surrendered were earned. She had no strikeouts.

Krause, Mattingly and Bevin Brummell each had two hits for the Indians.

Pontiac, which won its fifth straight regional title, will face Beecher at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the sectional semifinals at Pontiac. Beecher beat host Manteno 14-6 on Friday to claim the Manteno Regional.