Proviso West sprinter-long jumper Johnny Nolan captured two firsts at the Oak Park Indoor Invitational on Saturday, and as the final runner on the 1,600-meter relay, came within a second of catching Proviso East for another. If he hadn`t been boxed in by a competitor on the final curve, an accident in which Nolan was kicked in the calves and had several cuts as evidence, he might have helped West win that race as well. Nolan won the long jump at 22 feet 7 1/4 inches and the 400 in 50.91 seconds. Proviso West placed fourth with 50 points, and Nolan said his team deserved some recognition. ”We`re going to win it this year, and then people will know that we really are the best,” he said.
– Bloom coach Lonnell Poole was satisfied with the Trojans` second Oak Park title in three years, but he said the invitational, however prestigious it is in the indoor season, isn`t a must win. ”We talk to our kids about the triple crown,” said Poole. ”That`s the conference, sectionals and state. This is nice, but we`re much better once we get outdoors, and this is kind of like icing on the cake.”
– After finishing second by three points in the state meet to Oak Park last year, East St. Louis Senior coach John Davis was disappointed with the Flyers` ninth-place finish at Oak Park. East St. Louis was third at Oak Park in 1987. Senior Kenny Robinson, who won the state 100-meter dash title in 10.88 after running a 10.69 in the semifinals, failed to score in Saturday`s 55 meters. The Flyers` poor showing at Oak Park follows two indoor outings in which East St. Louis Lincoln ”gave us some lumps,” according to Davis. But now that the outdoor season is finally here, Davis said his team will start coming around. ”By the time we come back up here for the Bloom Invitational in April, you`ll be able to tell where we`re really at,” he said.
– Mike Bunning of Glenbard South won the pole vault at Oak Park at 13-9. He said he is still loosening up his body from the wrestling season. He`s also a running back and safety on South`s football team but said the pole vault is the perfect event for him. ”I just love flying through the air, the feeling that it gives while you`re up there,” he said. ”Of all the sports I play, that`s the one thrill that the others can`t match.”
BASKETBALL
He won`t be able to sign a letter of intent until November, but Bloomington South junior center Chris Lawson said Saturday he plans to attend Indiana University in his hometown. The 6-10, 220-pounder averaged 22.7 points and 10.2 rebounds a game this season. ”This is the only place I wanted to go,” Lawson said. ”Recruiters know I`m going there, but they still call to make sure.” Lawson is considered one of the top junior center prospects in the country. Hoosier coach Bob Knight watched him play at midseason and came away impressed. ”I would be hard pressed to remember any of our kids who had the combination of toughness and enthusiasm that Chris Lawson has,” Knight said then.
– Ray Thompson, the 6-5 guard from Argo, will compete for the U.S. All-Stars in the McDonald`s Capital Classic at 12:30 p.m. April 9 in the Capital Centre in Landover, Md. His teammates will include 6-7 forward Matt Steigenga of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 6-7 forward Malik Sealy of Bronx, N.Y.; 6-9 forward Ken Williams of Elizabeth City, N.C.; 6-2 guard Lee Mayberry of Tulsa, 6-7 guard-forward Todd Day of Memphis, 6-5 guard Anthony Peeler of Kansas City, 6-10 center Christian Laettner of Buffalo, 6-5 forward Bryant Stith of Lawrenceville, Va.; 6-10 center Rob Werdann of Jamaica, N.Y.; and 6-1 guard Litterial Green of Moss Point, Miss. They will play the Capital All-Stars, which will be led by 6-6 forward Milton Bell of Richmond, 6-10 center Donald Hodge of Washington, D.C.; 6-10 center Jerrod Mustaf of Hyattsville, Md.; and 6-8 center Crawford Palmer of Arlington, Va. The game will be telecast live on ESPN.
– The Centurion Classic basketball tournament will take place April 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 at Marquette Manor Baptist Church in Downers Grove. Teams from King, St. Joseph, Proviso West, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Hinsdale South, Bolingbrook, Naperville Central, East Aurora, Westinghouse, South Shore, Oak Park, Elgin, Leyden and Benet Academy will participate. The championship game of the double-elimination tournament is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 9. The tournament will include a celebrity speaker each night, including the Bears` Jimbo Covert, former Bear Leslie Frazier and De Paul assistant coach Jim Molinari. For more information, call 964-5363.
– Holy Cross is looking for a new head coach after not renewing Dan Vashinko`s contract. Applicants should contact athletic director Robert Koleno at 456-5110 by April 15.
– The Doug Collins Basketball Camp will have three sessions at Concordia College in River Forest. Session 1 is July 10-15, Session 2 is July 17-22 and Session 3 is July 24-29. Guest speakers will include the Bulls` Michael Jordan and John Paxson. Any boy who will be entering grades 6 through 12 in September can enroll. Cost per session, including room and board, is $250 or $275. Applications will be accepted in the order they are received. For information or an application, write to Doug Collins Basketball Camp, P.O. Box 240, Dolton, Ill., 60419.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors approved several changes in state tournament formats at its March 19 meeting. The girls` cross country meet will be split into two classes. Last season, 317 schools entered the single-class series, which began in the 1979-80 school year. Among the 317, 94 were Class A. . . . The state volleyball finals will be conducted over two days instead of three days. IHSA Executive Secretary Lavere L. Astroth cited a reduction in missed class time for athletes and reduced expenses for spectators as reasons for the switch. . . . The state boys` golf tournaments will move from the Peoria area to Danville. The Class A final will be at the Danville Elks Club Course; the Class AA final will be at Danville Country Club. Both will take place Oct. 14-15 this year. Last season, the Class A meet was at Arrowhead Golf Course in Chillicothe, and the Class AA competition was at Lick Creek Golf Course in Pekin.
– The Institute for Athletics and Education will conduct its annual College Day on April 16 in conjunction with the University of Chicago`s Office of Special Programs. It will take place 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St. College representatives will meet with Chicago high school athletes to discuss entrance requirements and programs. Students, parents and coaches are invited to attend. Contact Carol Troutman at 702-8288 for information and reservations.
