York boys track and field coach Stan Reddel expects distance runner Sean McNamara to make his season debut Friday at the DuPage County meet.
McNamara, last fall’s Class AA cross-country state champion, has battled a shin injury since the end of his impressive indoor season. He underwent an MRI earlier this month to check for a stress fracture, but none was found.
“It could have been serious had he not taken time off,” Reddel said. “For these kids, if they want to be good, they have to train pretty hard. At the same time, it puts you at risk.”
McNamara signed a letter of intent last month with Michigan.
Right on track
Evanston junior Shalina Clarke broke meet records in the 100-meter high hurdles (12.15 seconds) and the 300 low hurdles (41.79) at the Bulldog Classic last weekend in Louisville.
Her 300 hurdles time was just short of the 41.41 she ran a week earlier at the Midwest Prep Invitational in Indianapolis. DyeState.com recognizes her 41.41 as the top time in the nation this year.
Nathan Baird.
Let’s work
St. Ignatius girls soccer coach Aaron Carpenter is busy these days–too busy, he says.
First, he’s trying to get the Wolfpack (11-2) prepared for the Class A playoffs, which begin in two weeks. He’ll have to do it without Kelsey Lynch, who does not have a torn ACL as thought but may miss the rest of the season with a leg injury. He still has Cynthia Morote and outstanding goalkeeper Molly Williams.
Second, Carpenter is the director of coaching for the Chicago Lakefront Soccer Club and is hoping to encourage more of the top boys and girls players in Chicago to train in the city rather than, as he puts it, “make an hour-and-a-half drive to practice” in the suburbs. He’s working with DePaul, UIC and Loyola to obtain use of their facilities.
Reaching out in Evanston
Despite temperatures in the 30s and howling wind, the second annual Soccer Fest at Evanston drew 75 girls last weekend. Elliott Hurtig, an assistant coach at Deerfield and on the board of Evanston AYSO, said the goal is to introduce the game to girls who have never played it. He also has noticed a lack of diversity in Evanston’s AYSO program. “Now comes the real work,” said Hurtig, who was grateful that Evanston coach Marx Succes brought 50 players to help the participants, who ranged in age from 5 to 12 years old.
Alan Sutton.
Are you ready for some football?
Monday marks the opening of the May evaluation period in which college football coaches are allowed to visit high schools, watch film with high school coaches and begin analyzing potential scholarship athletes from the junior class.
According to Joliet recruiting analyst Tim O’Halloran of rivals.com, Morgan Park quarterback Demetrius Jones is the No. 1 recruit in the state. His size (6 feet 3 inches, 192 pounds), speed and athleticism could attract offers from 20 schools by the end of May. Illinois is high on Jones’ list.
The No. 2 prospect is Morris’ 6-7, 255-pound defensive end/tight end Jamie Cumbie who has drawn interest from South Carolina, Clemson and Auburn. Chicago Vocational QB Isiah Williams is rated third, followed by two more Morgan Park standouts, receiver Chris Jones at No. 4 and offensive lineman Ramone Johnson (6-5, 307).
Bob Sakamoto.
Hitting the links
Seventy-two of the area’s top male and female junior golfers are set to compete this weekend in the inaugural GreenToTee Junior Invitational Tournament at the Glencoe Golf Club.
Fifty-six boys and 16 girls–a who’s who of Chicago-area high school golfers–will compete.
Among the top males are New Trier seniors Peter Haller and Michael Slovitt. Top girls include Beth Weinstein from Highland Park, Libertyville’s Nicole Schachner and Kate White of Waukegan. For more information, contact the GreenToTee Golf Academy at 847-405-9800 or go to greentotee.com.
