Briefs: Regan Smith, who has ties to the Illinois Valley, wins Olympic bronze

Regan Smith, who has family in the Illinois Valley, earned the bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday night (Tuesday morning in Japan).

Smith swam a 58.05 to finish behind gold medalist and world record holder Kaylee McKeown, of Australia, and Canada’s Kylie Masse.

McKeown swam a 57.57 seconds to break Smith’s Olympic record of 57.86 that Smith set in the semifinals. The 57.57 was the second fastest time in history behind only McKeown’s world record of 57.45 seconds.

Masse finished in 57.72 seconds.

Pistol Shrimp Little League Day

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp are holding Little League Day on Sunday, Aug. 1 at Veterans Park in Peru as the Shrimp take on the Wabash Valley REX at 1:05 p.m.

There will be a pre-game parade of Little League teams and one team will be chosen to run onto the field with the players during the introductions and serve as bat kids.

To register a team, email noah@pistolshrimpbaseball.com.

Bi-County eliminated at state

The Bi-County Minor League softball team was eliminated from the state tournament in Beardstown over the weekend.

The District 20 champions lost 14-3 to Melrose Park and 8-4 to Clear Ridge.