Free Press Advocate

Wildcat tracksters are up and running

Published by admin on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 3:57pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington track teams competed in the RC Invite on Saturday with the Lady ‘Cats placing ninth out of 10 teams.
    Wilmington gained some of its 15 team points with a third place finish by Alyssa Ohlund in the high jump (4-08.00). Her teammate, Claire Rink matched her output, taking fourth.
    Freshman Kate McCann  took fourth in the long jump (15-00.00) where Jaden Christian of Reed-Custer won it (17-04.25).

Landon Dooley crowned a state champion

Published by admin on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 3:55pm

by shawn long
staff writer    
    The Wilmington Middle School wrestling team marched two members up to state to compete in the IESA state wrestling finals in DeKalb, on Saturday and one came home a champion.
    Seventh grader Landon Dooley won the state championship at  90 pounds.
    In his opening match, he dominated with a 19-0 technical fall over Green Oaks Oak Grove’s Max Butler.
    Dooley then made it past Mason Mark from Tremont in a 6-1 decision.

I-8 names All-Conference wrestling team

Published by admin on Tue, 03/12/2019 - 3:52pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Sixteen area wrestlers have earned All Conference honors in the Interstate Eight Conference.
    Coal City leads the list with 12 wrestlers.
    Alex Friddle, 2A state champion at 132, completed his senior year with a perfect 53-0 record, an individual title and contributed in a second place finish during the state dual team finals.
    Joining him on the team is junior 2A champion at 182, Daniel Jezik, who finished the year 28-0.
    Jezik and Friddle were also named I-8 Wrestlers of The Year.

Wildcats anchored by starters on 14-man roster

Published by admin on Tue, 03/05/2019 - 5:40pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington baseball team is back after a year of unfinished business. This year they hope to use experience and power to rise from the middle of the conference.
    “Our main goal for this season is to compete,” coach Mike Bushnell said. “We want to compete for conference and not only that, go farther because we can do it. We have smarts, power and we have guys that can play multiple positions which will really help us out this year. I’m excited for the season to start and I can’t wait to see what our kids have in store.”

Last year was a snack, now they’re hungry for more

Published by admin on Tue, 03/05/2019 - 5:37pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington girls soccer team will take the field on Tuesday wanting more.
    They finished the 2018 campaign with six victories in 20 matches, enough to whet their appetite, yet inspire them to pushing for more wins during 2019.
    Coach David Blackburn is back at the helm for the fourth straight year. He will be assisted by Travis Ivanhoff.
    The Lady ‘Cats lost 6-0 to Herscher in the regional game. This was after beating Reed-Custer the game before.

I-8 names best in girls basketball

Published by admin on Tue, 02/26/2019 - 5:23pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The votes are in and eight area girls are looking at basketball All-Conference honors with one having an All-State honorable mention.
    Reed-Custer standouts Antoinette Hill, Kylie Balgemann and Jaden Christian were named to the 2019 Interstate Eight All Conference Team.

Narine brings home another state medal

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 4:33pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    For the second time in two years Wilmington wrestler Jack Narine returned from the individual state tournament with a medal.
    Narine (126) was the lone Wildcat to make it out of wrestlebacks, medaling sixth at 126 pounds.  A year ago the Wildcat sophomore finished fifth at 106.

‘Cats unable to stop early Comet scoring

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 4:31pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    
    It was one and done for the Wilmington boys basketball team as they fell to Reed-Custer 56-47 on Monday night during the first round of the Momence Regional.
    The Comets jumped in front early and didn’t really give the ‘Cats a chance to rally as Wilmington watched its season come to an end with a 1-23 record.
    Reed-Custer went on a 16-7 run to take a first quarter lead. The ‘Cats cut the deficit down to six, trailing 25-19 at the half after their own 12-9 run in the second quarter.

WHS matmen ready for state challenge

Published by admin on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 5:45pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Now that Wilmington wrestlers Julian Decker (106), Ryan Shields (120), Jack Narine (126), Landon Flynn (132) and Jake Rodawold have qualified for state, the path to winning a medal gets even harder.
    The five Wildcats will get their chance starting Thursday and it would be nice to see a couple in the Grand March at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
106

Reapers pour it on the Wildcats

Published by admin on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 5:38pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington boys basketball team was unable to  fend off the Plano offensive attack, losing 73-51 on Friday on the road.
    The ‘Cats lost control early when they surrendered a 23-14 lead in the first quarter. Plano outscored Wilmington in the second quarter, 16-12 to extend their lead to 39-26 at the half.
    The Wildcats tried to find a way back into this one but were unable to get an edge on the Reapers who added another 34 points.