2015 Spring Sports

2015 SPRING SPORTS Edwardsville enters year with high hopes

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com Two outs away from advancing to the state tournament for the first time since 2007, the Edwardsville baseball team had to watch Providence Catholic celebrate a state berth after a walk-off, three-run double sent the Celtics to a 6-5 win.

While Providence Catholic went on to win the state championship less than a week later, the Tigers were stuck replaying the what ifs from that seventh-inning letdown.

A 24-8 summer season and offseason removed from last year, the Tigers will enter the 2015 season with plenty of motivation.

“We have a lot of guys that are returning.

It gives us a good idea of what to expect,” Edwardville coach Tim Funkhouser said.

“Some of those guys have gotten stronger and enhanced their games. It will be fun to see this thing develop over the next several months.”

While the Tigers must replace seven seniors from last year’s 32-8 team, including ace Alex Meyers and run-producer Austin Werner, there is plenty of talent and depth remaining.

Leading the charge are a pair of SIUE recruits, catcher Brock Weimer and third baseman/pitcher Aaron Jackson.

Weimer, who was named a preseason AllAmerican by Collegiate Baseball News, hit .430 with five home runs and 33 RBIs last spring. During the summer, he hit .463 with seven homers and 38 RBIs in 40 games.

“Brock has done a good job of handling our pitchers, and he has established himself at the plate. He’s a good force to have in the middle of the lineup,” Funkhouser said of Weimer, who is the third Tiger to be named a preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball News.

Backing up Weimer will be junior Joe Wallace and sophomores Daniel Reed and Will Messer.

Jackson, meanwhile, was named a player to watch in Illinois by Collegiate Baseball News.

As a junior, Jackson hit .450 with four homers and 32 RBIs. He was also 5-2 with a 0.82 earned run average in 51.1 innings.

Jackson followed up the spring with a stellar summer. He hit .329 with 13 RBIs, while

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Senior members of the Edwardsville baseball team are pictured above. In the front row from left to right are: Fahd Shakeel, Anthony Kindle, Matt Zielonko, Aaron Jackson, Mitchell Krebs and Brock Weimer. In the back row from left to right are: Daniel Lloyd, Matt Owens, Maverick McSparin, Jordan Hovey, Bailey Zimmer, Ty Zeller and Chris Robinson. going 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.

Funkhouser said Jackson would be penciled in as a third baseman and pitcher once again this season.

“Aaron was really good for us last summer and during the spring as well,” Funkhouser said. “He was really outstanding at the plate and has the versatility to play multiple positions.

“We see him as a guy that is going to play a lot of third base, but he is also going to

pitch.”

For as good as Jackson’s numbers were on the mound last spring, he may enter this season as the No. 2 pitcher behind Daniel Lloyd.

A senior, Lloyd, who was also named as a player to watch by Collegiate Baseball News, transferred to EHS from Buffalo, Colo., during his sophomore year.

In his first year on the varsity team as a junior, Lloyd went 9-0 with a 0.71 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 49 innings. He was 5-0 during the summer.

“I remember Daniel facing live varsity hitters a couple of years ago, and then he continued his success in the summer. Every time out there he has been better,” Funkhouser said. “With Daniel and what’s Aaron has proven in the past, that’s a good start for the rotation.”

The two pitchers will try to offset the loss of Meyers, who went 9-0 with a 0.71 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 49.1 innings.

Senior Chris Robinson, who went 2-0 and had a 2.78 ERA in 22.2 innings, and senior

Jordan Hovey, who went 1-5 but had a 1.48 ERA, return with the most varsity experience behind Lloyd and Jackson.

After throwing eight innings as a junior, Zeller enjoyed a breakout summer with the Tigers. The tall left-hander went 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 32 innings. He will have a chance to continue that success in his senior season.

Seniors Anthony Kindle and Matt Owens and juniors Tyler Hosto and Jordan Yenne will provide depth on the staff.

Like Jackson, Hovey will also be asked to do double duty. He started at shortstop last season and hit .234 with 12 RBIs. “I thought he played an excellent shortstop for us last year, and I think he will be even more consistent this year,” Funkhouser said. “He really solidifies the infield.”

Senior Mitchell Krebs, who hit .352, will start at second base for a second straight season.

At first base, the Tigers have seniors Bailey Zimmer and Maverick McSparin.

Jake Garella, a .309 hitter as a sophomore, will provide versatility on the infield.

Funkhouser believes juniors Tyler Stamer and Cole Hansel will also push for playing time at the corner positions.

While the outfield must replace Werner, who hit .346 with five homers and 25 RBIs, the Tigers do return Collin Clayton, Fahd Shakeel and Matt Zielonko. The three players each had at least 66 plate appearances.

Shakeel hit .343 with 22 RBIs, while Clayton hit .283 with 11 RBIs. After hitting .176 last spring, Zielonko upped his average to .325. He also had two home runs and 19 RBIs. Funkhouser is excited about returning the three outfielders.

“From the communication standpoint and lineup standpoint, we have guys that know what to expect. I think that’s huge,” Funkhouser said.

Juniors Trey Riley, Cole Cimarolli, Dylan Burris and Max Kiefer, sophomore Dylan Burris and Kindle are also in the mix for playing time in the outfield.

Depth isn’t just a plus in the outfield.

“This is probably the deepest we’ve been,” Funkhouser said. “We have a lot of guys in practice that will continue to get better and look over their shoulder and know they don’t have a chance to linger and go through the motions.”

See "BASEBALL" on Page 2

E'ville aims to build on last season's success

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com The Edwardsville softball team was 60 feet away from clinching a spot in the state tournament and earning its first state trophy since 2009.

The Tigers, though, couldn’t push across the winning running in the seventh inning despite having runners at second and third with none out in a 2-2 game against Lincoln Way-East in the Class 4A Illinois State University Super-Sectional. The Griffins went on to win 4-3 in eight innings.

With all but two players returning from last year’s 36-4 team, expectations are high for the Tigers. They are ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll by the Illinois Coaches Association and are No. 11 in the country by MaxPreps.

Edwardsville coach Lori Blade warned, though, that there are no guarantees.

“They will continue to understand that and we will harp on it that the target has continued to get bigger. The expectations, you never know. We have to stay healthy and have things fall into place for us to have a great season,” Blade said. “The pieces are there for it.”

The Tigers must replace starting catcher Anna Walschleger, who hit .461 as a left-handed slapper at the top of the lineup, and second baseman Olivia Nicholls, a .440 hitter last season.

This season, Edwardsville has nine seniors on the roster, including six that are currently signed to play college softball. Kallen Loveless is heading to SLU, Ari Arnold is going to William Woods, Megan and Sara Radae will play at McKendree, McKenzie Marshall is signed with Hannibal-LaGrange and Paige Schmittling is committed to Wisconsin-Parkside.

There is also plenty of offense returning.

Last season, EHS outscored the opposition 413-79 and scored at least 10 runs in 22 of its 40 games. Eight players, including Walschleger and Nicholls, hit above .400. The starting lineup carried a .442 batting average.

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Senior members of the Edwardsville softball team are pictured above. In the front row from left to right are: Amayha Dycus, Ari Arnold, Katelyn Bobrowski and Paige Schmittling. In the back row from left to right are: Torrie Kruse, Kallen Loveless, McKenzie Marshall, Sara Radae and Megan Radae.

Leading the charge at the plate this season will be a pair of All-State returners in Loveless and junior Rachel Anderson.

“I think offensively it will be tough be for Kallen and Rachel to do what they did last year, but they will have solid years,” Blade said.

for Sign up eals’ eD ‘Send M hese to get t offers!

Loveless led the team with seven home runs and 59 RBIs while hitting .504. The 59 RBIs are a program record, as she topped Rachel Coonrod’s previous high mark of 54 RBIs in 2009.

When she isn’t pitching, Loveless, who went 29-3 last year with a sub-1.00 ERA, can

fill the role as designated player.

While Loveless will hit cleanup again, Anderson, a center fielder, could be the No. 3 hitter for Edwardsville.

As a sophomore, Anderson hit .444 with six homers and 42 RBIs. She tied junior Hayli Green for the team lead in doubles with 14

SUMMER HOURS

MON–FRI 7am–8pm SAT 8am–7pm SUN 8:30am–5:30pm

VALENTINE’S DAY Red Cars Washed Free

ST. PATRICK’S DAY Green Cars Washed Free

R VISIT OU IT S WEB E

and had 27 extra-base hits.

“I think Rachel will make another jump because she is physically stronger,” Blade said. “We saw that big jump last year with the upperclassmen because they were finally older and could hit the ball like they couldn’t do doing their younger years.”

Getting on base in front of Anderson and Loveless will be Arnold, an All-State shortstop. The senior hit .466 with a home run and 40 RBIs in the second spot of the batting order.

As for the leadoff spot, Blade hasn’t narrowed down who will take over Walschleger’s spot in the lineup.

“I haven’t looked at that closely yet,” Blade said. “As far as the lineup, that might be the toughest spot to fill.”

Senior Amayha Dycus, who transferred back into the district after living in Hawaii the last two years, may start behind the plate.

Freshman Taryn Brown is another candidate.

Filling out the batting order will be a handful of .400 hitters and a pair of .300 hitters.

Senior Megan Radae, who hit .413 with 24 RBIs last year, played right field last season.

Also back in the outfield is Green, who played left field last season. The junior hit .434 with two home runs and 30 RBIs. The other returning .400 hitter is junior Jordan Corby. In a part-time role last season, she hit a team-high .533 with a home run and 18 RBIs. “Jordan should get more at-bats. She’s vying for the second-base spot,” Blade said.

Seniors Katelyn Bobrowski and Torrie Kruse will be at the corner infield positions after each hitting over .300 last season.

Bobrowski, a third baseman, hit .394 with 22 RBIs, while the first baseman Kruse hit .366 with 18 RBIs. Also vying to take over the departed roles of Walschleger and Nicholls in the batting order will be: seniors Sara Radae, .412, 10 RBIs, Marshall, .391 and five RBIs, and Schmittling, junior Jennifer Werner, .375 and two RBIs, and sophomore Sarah Hangsleben, .304, five RBIs, and freshmen Emma Lewis and Anna Burke.

See "SOFTBALL" on Page 2

EARTH DAY

618-877-RAIN (7246)

Hybrid Cars Washed Free

FOURTH OF JULY Red, White & Blue Cars Free Upgrade

HALLOWEEN

PONTOON BEACH 618-931-RAIN (7246)

Black & Orange Cars Washed Free

VETERAN’S DAY Free Wash for All Military Personnel

GLEN CARBON

12 Junction Drive

ut Check O ra d ising Our Fun nities rt Oppo u

COMING SOON!

raintunnelexpress.com

Page 2

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Spring Sports

E'ville must replace key seniors

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com Considering that the Edwardsville boys’ volleyball team was 9-11 after its first 20 games of the 2015 season, a trip to the state tournament — not just as spectators — seemed improbable.

But, Edwardsville coach Andy Bersett knew his team was capable of playing better volleyball. He was right, as the Tigers won 12 of their next 13 matches to claim one of the eight state tournament berths.

Included in the victories were two at the Edwardsville Regional for their third straight title and two at the Bolingbrook Sectional.

“We got hot at the right time,” Bersett said. “We worked hard and the kids didn’t quit. We battled through a lot of things. I’m excited about the core group of guys that know what it takes to get to that spot.”

The Tigers were unable to make it through the state quarterfinals, losing to state champion Lincoln Way-East in two games. With a final record of 21-13, they reached the 20-win plateau for the second time in the program’s six-year history.

Bersett is hoping that Edwardsville can play like the team he was coaching at the end of last season.

“I think if we can get our energy and focus in the right direction, this team is very capable of a lot,” Bersett said. “We didn’t have that energy and focus for the first twothirds of last season. We found it at the right time last year. I hope that the last one-third of the season is more indicative of what we do this season.”

For EHS to make another run to the state tournament, it must replace three key seniors from last year’s

Baseball Continued from Page 1 Six Tigers have already signed to play college baseball, including Weimer and Jackson at SIUE. Hovey will continue his career at Wabash Valley College, while Shakeel, Lloyd and Zielonko are heading to Parkland Community College.

With college decisions out of the way, Funkhouser is hoping his team will be able to focus on finishing out their high school careers on a positive note.

“Sometimes it helps to continue to push guys, but I think for us it will be reassuring for the guys to know where they will be going in the future,” Funkhouser said. “That will allow them to have their eyes focused on the present, which is important.”

The schedule will look a little bit different this year, as EHS is heading to the Dinger Wood Bat Tournament in Kentucky on April 17-18. The Tigers will face Collierville, Tenn., Jonesboro, Ark., and Sikeston, Mo., in their three

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Senior members of the Edwardsville boys' volleyball team are pictured above. From left to right are: Joe Brammeier, Jake Vandever, Doug Jones, Will Frank and Ryan Bode. team.

Right-side hitter Brandon Davis, who is now playing volleyball at Quincy University, finished with 210 kills, 165 digs, 53 blocks and 44 aces is the key loss. Also gone are middle James Sauermann, who had 67 kills and 42 blocks, and the versatile Adam McLean.

“We lost three quality guys, two starters and another guy that contributed a lot at practice,” Bersett said. “We do have some holes to fill. A lot of people look at Davis’

offense, but he was one of our best defenders. That’s an area of concern for us. Then we will have to find other guys to fill the role McLean had coming in to serve and providing third outside or middle.”

As for Sauermann’s spot in the middle, Bersett is hoping to fill that with junior Trey Hagen. As a sophomore, Hagen didn’t appear in any varsity matches after suffering an injury during the basketball season.

He will be paired with returning senior Doug Jones, who had 61 kills

and 42 blocks last season.

“Trey Hagen is athletic but hasn’t played a lot of volleyball,” Bersett said.

Even with the losses of Davis, Sauermann and McLean, Bersett believes he has the pieces in place for a successful offense.

Senior Will Frank, a McKendree recruit, is the leading hitter from last season. As a junior, the outside hitter had a team-high 282 kills and 37 blocks.

See "VOLLEYBALL" on Page 3

Just like all of the spring sports at Edwardsville and Metro-East Lutheran, it takes a team effort to put together the Intelligencer's spring sports preview.

Outgoing sports editor Matthew Kamp produced stories and photos from both schools and also provided invaluable insight about the teams and about how to create this special section.

Sports reporter Evan Meyers worked on previews for MELHS and typed the schedules for both schools. The Intelligencer's Matt Winte also helped with photos.

As always, thanks to managing editor Bill Tucker for his support and words of advice.

Thanks to Jennifer Dyer for her help with layout and design of this section. I'd also like to thank the Intelligencer advertising sales for their great work in making the spring sports preview a success.

Finally, thank you to all the coaches and athletes at both schools for taking the time to work with us, and good luck during the 2015 spring season.

Scott Marion

Karen Wilson, Agent 225 Tolle Lane Godfrey, IL 62035 Bus: 618-466-5774 www.karenwilsoninsurance.com

1101204.1

Continued from Page 1 “We are going to go deep into positions, which is great. I am hoping that offensively that each spot in the batting order will be a tough out,” Blade said. “It’s not like there isn’t another kid waiting for an opportunity. The biggest challenge is going to be getting some of these younger kids at-bats at the varsity level when we have so many seniors. It’s a good problem to have.”

The pitching rotation will be led

by Loveless. After learning under Amber Toenyes her first two seasons on the team, the right-hander thrived in first season as the team’s ace with 29 wins.

Blade expects Loveless to be a workhorse again as a senior.

“Kallen should be ready to go for a good year,” she said.

Juniors Jennifer Kocevar and Allison Loehr and sophomore Jordan Garella will fill out the rotation likely. Garella and Kocevar each won four games last season.

The pitching staff didn’t have to pitch from behind too often.

Edwardsville trailed for less than

20 innings last season.

With all of the returning talent, EHS is a heavy favorite to win a third straight Southwestern Conference championship.

The Tigers are one of the few league teams to return a majority of their starters. Historicallystrong Belleville East and O’Fallon both graduated large classes, while Alton and Belleville West are turning to youth this season.

Blade, though, believes it won’t be easy to get through the SWC. “A lot of teams graduated a lot, but it’s a program around the conference,” she said. “We hope to compete and possibly pull (a championship) out. We will see how it goes.”

EHS starts the season on the road at Gillespie at 4:30 p.m. Monday, and will play at home against Herrin at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The league schedule starts with a travel date at East St. Louis on March 31, while Alton visits the District 7 Sports Complex on April 2.

The Tigers will also play a doubleheader at Normal Community on April 11, and they will participate in a round-robin tournament with host Alton Marquette and Quincy Notre Dame at Gordon Moore Park on May 2.

When “That will never happen to me” happens.

From the Sports Editor

Sport Injuries?

Softball

games.

“I think we’ve upgraded for the most part,” Funkhouser said.

The Tigers start the season at 11 a.m. today at Civic Memorial.

The first home game is against Greenville at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Southwestern Conference schedule begins March 31 against East St. Louis at Tom Pile Field, while an early showdown with Alton on the road will be April 2.

The conference will, again, be tough.

Alton returns Missouri recruit, left-handed pitcher Bryan Hudson, while O’Fallon brings back SIU Carbondale recruit, lefty Bradley Harrison.

With top-of-the-line pitchers anchoring Alton and O’Fallon, Funkhouser said Edwardsville can’t take anything for granted.

“We had an excellent season last year, and we have a lot of guys back,” Funkhouser said. “We have some guys that have signed with some schools and received postseason recognition, but the bottom line is that it comes down to a one-game scenario in the postseason.

“Our goal is to win the conference, then the regional and see where it takes us from there.”

I’m ready to help.

There’s never a good time for an accident to happen. But when it does, you can count on me to be there quickly so you can get your life back to normal.

GET TO A BETTER STATE™.

CALL ME TODAY.

Go Tigers!

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

Fitness Designs Physical Therapy



Baseball & Softball  Soccer

Tennis  Track & Field 

*Call 656-1122* FitnessDesigns.com

We emphasize active patient involvement to maximize function and return to your sport quickly.

STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES HOME OFFICES: BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS

STEVE R. ELLSWORTH 1403-A Troy Road Edwardsville, IL 62025

Agent

OFC: (618) 656-3141 RES: (618) 656-0282 FAX: (618) 656-0596

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Page 3

Spring Sports

New cast looks to take the lead for EHS

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com

The 2015 Edwardsville girls’ soccer team will have high expectations after last year’s team came a win away from claiming the program’s first state trophy.

The Tigers return six starters from a squad that went 23-2 last season and advanced to the Class 3A Normal Community SuperSectional. It was only the third time that EHS had made it to the final eight and the first since 2005.

Edwardsville set program records for wins with 23, shutouts with 20 and goals allowed with five. The Tigers also had a 19-game winning streak, won their third straight regional championship, finally beat Collinsville in the sectional semis and had a 778-minute shutout streak.

Now, the 2015 team will try to follow up that dominant season.

“This is a great group of girls,” Edwardsville coach Abby Comerford said.

“We lost six seniors from last year, but we have a lot of girls coming back. There are also a lot of girls that didn’t play a lot last year that are going to step up this year.”

The task won’t be easy, especially with the losses of last year’s senior class. Taylor Thompson, at Central Missouri, Lilly Cobb, at University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Kristen Francis, at Union University, recently completed their freshman seasons for their respective women’s soccer teams. The other three seniors were Tessa Wagner, who was injured during her freshman season at Lewis and Clark, Tori Harbison and Ashley Krekovich.

The six players helped turn the Tigers into a winning program over the last four seasons.

But, with their departures, a new cast must take the lead.

Seniors Lexi Norton and Riley Mushill are a good place to start for Edwardsville.

Norton, an All-Southwestern Conference second-team selection last year, scored eight goals and had five assists as a forward primarily. The Troy University recruit battled ankle injuries throughout her junior season, but after offseason surgery she is ready to go.

Mushill, who is heading to Union University, also battled through injuries. She had one goal and one assist in the midfielder.

Comerford expects the two seniors to pro-

Matt Winte/Intelligencer

Key members of the Edwardsville girls' soccer team are pictured above. In the front row from left to right are: Katelyn Schneider, Allysiah Belt, Abigail Crabtree and Hannah Chapman. In the back row from left to right are: Mareea Gaines, Jane Ann Crabtree, Allison Pritchard, Ashlin West and Mallory Mushill. Not pictured are Lexi Norton and Riley Mushill. duce in their final season together.

“This year is going to be really big for them,” Comerford said. “Lexi may play a couple of different positions this year, after playing almost every position last year. We may look at her at the forward spot and in the defensive area also.

“Riley will be all over the middle of the field.”

Though the two center backs aren’t seniors, sophomore Mallory Mushill and junior Jane Ann Crabtree are expected to be leaders.

Last season, the two players were key members of a defense that only allowed five goals all season.

“Jane Ann and Mallory were rocks back there,” Comerford said. “Jane Ann is that leader back there that does take charge.

Mallory, as a freshman last year, took charge.

Jane Ann has complete control of the left side of the field, while Mallory has control of the right side. It’s big having them back there.”

The Tigers must replace Krekovich and Harbison on defense.

Sophomore Allysiah Belt, one of the top scorers on the junior varsity team last year, could play significant minutes on the back line. Sophomore Tayler Hansen and junior Mareea Gaines are other candidates for playing time.

Lauren Serfas will have the job of taking over for Francis, an All-SWC selection. On the junior varsity team last year, Serfas went 17-1 and allowed only four goals.

“Lauren is going to be a big part of that defensive line,” Comerford said. “With

Kristen gone, Lauren has some big shoes to fill. She definitely can.

“We also have another senior out this year, Hannah Chapman. She’s been helping Lauren. Having her come out this year will be a big help also.”

The midfield will be dramatically different.

Cobb, who had 10 goals and 10 assists, was an All-State selection, while Thompson, with six goals and six assists, and Wagner, with five goals and six assists, gave the Tigers quite the combination in the middle of the field.

Riley Mushill and junior Katelyn Schneider, who had seven goals and three assists, saw the most time last year in the midfield.

The Tigers will also have sophomore Ashlin West and senior Allison Pritchard.

West scored two goals and had seven assists last year, while Pritchard had 10 goals as a sophomore before sitting out last year.

Freshman Jocelyn Wagner could also see time.

When Pritchard and Norton were both in the lineup in 2013, the team went 11-2.

Joining Norton at forward will be sophomore Abby Crabtree. She was an All-State and All-SWC selection after scoring 15 goals and adding three assists as a freshman.

Junior Allison Blume will provide versatility for Comerford.

Despite all of the success last year, a SWC championship eluded the Tigers.

Collinsville beat Edwardsville during the regular season to win the league title. While EHS avenged that loss with a 4-0 win over the Kahoks in the sectional semifinals, the team is still hungry for the program’s second conference title and first since 2005.

“The conference title is a big thing. For as good as the record was, we weren’t able to win that conference title,” Comerford said.

“The girls really want to win it this year.”

Winning the conference won't be easy.

Comerford believes any of the seven teams could win the league championship.

“Our entire conference is brutal,” Comerford said.

Edwardsville started the season Wednesday in the Metro Cup. The season-opening tournament concludes Saturday.

EHS hosts Collinsville at 6:30 p.m. on March 26.

Tigers will be younger, but are still talented

easier for me and for the kids because we’re able to give them a little more attention,” Lipe said. “We’ve been a no-cut program for years, cultivating a ‘C’ team and so forth, but this year our numbers are extremely low. I’m OK with that.”

Unlike some seasons when the top spots in the lineup were fairly well set, this year may see more juggling in the order for both singles and doubles.

“The order is pretty uncertain at this point,” Lipe said. “Some of the kids are putting a little too much pressure on themselves, but overall, things have gone quite well so far.

“We don’t have a lot of older kids, but we have a lot of freshmen, including Alex Gray, who could also be in the top six. He’s very mature for his age. The rest of the freshmen will probably round out our JV

team.”

Sophomore Ben Bequette has a good chance of being in the top eight, as does junior Luke Motley.

“We don’t know who our doubles teams are going to be yet, so that’s a wait-and-see thing,” Lipe said. “I look for kids who are comfortable at the net and kids who like playing doubles and who serve well.”

The jockeying for positions won’t end

with the start of the season.

“Weiler will be near the top of the lineup and Gray will probably be there too,” Lipe said. “We have a bunch of guys in our top six that are pretty similar.

“I could see any one of five guys playing No. 1 at some point this season. It’s a unique year, but there’s a lot of parity and camaraderie among these guys.”

Other players on the EHS roster are seniors Mitch McGinnis, Blake Noud and Brian Tiahrt, sophomore Brook Thomas and freshmen Logan Kuhns, Jason Pan, Logan Pursell and Daniel Thomas.

Lipe was impressed by his players’ dedication to offseason training.

“About 90 percent of these guys did our winter training program through the high school,” Lipe said. “It was three days a week with strength training, conditioning, plyometrics and yoga. They also spent a lot of time on the court.”

EHS will open the season Saturday at Champaign against perennial power New Trier. The Tigers are in the DecoTurf Team Championships March 27-28 at Chattanooga, Tenn.

“When you talk about some of the best high school tennis players in the country, some of them are from New Trier,” Lipe said. “The DecoTurf tournament has moved from Louisville to Chattanooga, so it will be our first time going down there.

“Our tournament (the Tiger Invitational on April 3-4) has some very good teams like Hinsdale Central. It’s going to be an exciting season and we’ve good, experienced tennis players in spots where they can hopefully be successful.

“We feel like we’re prepared for the level of competition we’re going to be facing.”

Edwardsville’s schedule is basically the same as last season, except for the dual match against New Trier, which replaces the Metamora Tournament.

“In the conference, I’m looking for Belleville East, Belleville West and Alton to be good matches, and Alton should be stronger this year,” Lipe said. “I’m sure that our streaks for winning the conference and the sectional are something that have crossed the kids’ minds, but it’s not something we obsess over or talk about every day.”

“I think our offense will be balanced with Mike Horton. Bryce Wunderlich is out the first couple of months with an injury. Joe Brammeier is going to step up offensively.”

Senior Jake Vandever will run the offense.

He led the team with 666 assists last year.

“Jake did a good job of getting the ball to the right people at the right time,” Bersett said.

Horton also has setting experience, finishing with 85 assists for second most on the team.

As for Brammeier, as a junior he had 217 digs to lead the team. While his defense will again be needed, he will see an increase in chances at the net after getting two kills last season.

“Joey is an all-around volleyball player.

He is a huge asset to this team. Joe’s a guy that brings an incredible amount of skill to a lot of positions,” Bersett said.

Leading the defense will be senior Ryan Bode, who finished with 121 digs.

“Ryan is a defensive guy,” Bersett said.

“I really think we are going to need Joe and Bode defensively.”

Sophomore Nick Allen and junior Tommy Hartnagel will provide depth defensively.

After finishing in third place in the Southwestern Conference last season, the Tigers are hoping to contend for their first league title since 2011.

O’Fallon, which won the title with a 9-1 record last year, and second-place Belleville East will both be strong against this season.

Belleville West will also be a threat.

Last year, the Tigers went 3-1 against O’Fallon, including 1-1 in SWC action, 2-2 against Belleville West and 0-2 against Belleville East.

“If you look at our record against the conference teams last year, Belleville East had our number. We didn’t beat them. We had O’Fallon’s number, which is kind of weird.

We beat them three out of four times. We split with West,” Bersett said. “This conference is getting deeper and deeper.”

Since Bersett started the EHS program in 2009, the SWC has continued to become strong over the year.

One of the biggest reasons for the growth is players are competing year-round on club teams and with their respective high school teams.

The Tigers have seen it first-hand, as a number of their kids are playing at the club level.

The wins have followed, as EHS has been above .500 the last five seasons and been in the top four of the conference the last four seasons.

“From the first year when we were building the program, we were trying to build something that would last. I think we’ve able to sustain it,” Bersett said. “We have a freshman team this year for the first time.

We had 39 kids show up for the first day, which is the most we’ve ever had. We are involved with the middle school.

“It’s going in the right direction, but we need to keep it going. Hard work is what it comes down to.”

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net After another season as the top squad in southern Illinois, the Edwardsville boys’ tennis team has given itself a hard act to follow.

EHS placed eighth at the state tournament last year, its fifth top-10 finish since 2003. Along the way, the Tigers claimed their 14th consecutive sectional championship and also won their third straight outright Southwestern Conference title. It was the 14th year in a row that they claimed at least a share of the SWC crown.

Four of the six state qualifiers were seniors, and three of them, Brandon Harris (St. Louis University), Jack Desse (SIUE) and Logan Ware (McKendree) are now playing college tennis.

“Last year was one of our top finishes ever, so that will be hard to replicate,” coach Dave Lipe said. “We graduated five kids, but I’m not thinking at all about last year.

“This year, there is some youth and there is also some experience. Some guys will be getting their first time to shine as varsity regulars.”

The Tigers’ lineup will include three seniors, Joe Mezo, Kyle Carlson and Jared Smith, who will move up in the order after splitting time between varsity and JV last season. Junior Carson Ware, Logan’s brother, is also expected to play a bigger role.

“Those are all kids who have not played a ton of varsity matches,” Lipe said. “Erik Weiler, who is now a sophomore, played last year and qualified for state. He’s had some success and he wants to build on it.

“I think Joe and Kyle should get spots somewhere in the top six and Carson has a good chance to be there too. We have some kids that see themselves as some of the better players in the area.

“We’ve got some kids that are very enthusiastic and put some time in during the offseason. I really enjoy this group a lot and I think these kids are having a lot of fun with tennis.”

This year’s team is smaller than those of recent years.

“Honestly, that makes things a little

Volleyball Continued from Page 2

Juniors Mike Horton and Bryce Wunderlich, who will miss the first two months, are also expected to produce before the season is over, as well as senior Joe Brammeier, a defensive specialist last year.

Horton had the most success of the three last year offensively, finishing with 149 kills.

“Offense will probably be one of our strengths,” Bersett said. “We need to be smart and make sure that we aren’t giving away points offensively. We have to put pressure on other teams. We have to be able to play through the game and match.

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Varsity players for the Edwardsville boys' tennis team are, front row from left, Mitch McGinnis, Kyle Carson, Luke Motley and Carson Ware. Back row: Jared Smith, Ben Bequette, Joe Mezo, Alex Gray and Erik Weiler.

Page 4

Spring Sports

EHS will rely on newcomers

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Tigers in action

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net After a three-year span dominated by a relatively small group of elite athletes, the Edwardsville girls’ track team will have a new look this season.

Last year, EHS qualified only three athletes for the Class 3A state meet, but still managed to tie for fifth place.

Kristen Dowell scored 14 points in three events while fellow senior Aaliyah Covington earned 11 points in two events. Senior Allie Sweatt, competing in the 3,200-meter run, placed 12th overall and didn’t score any team points.

“You’re pretty much going to see a lot of different names this year because we’ve had a whole new wave of athletes come through,” said EHS coach MiKala Thompkins, whose teams placed first in the state in 2012 and second in 2013 in her first two years at the helm.

“It’s exciting because we get to revamp, reshape and grow from there.

We’re so proud of our past and what this team has accomplished, so now we get to see what the girls who have recently joined us can accomplish.”

Among last year’s senior class, Dowell is running track at the University of Nebraska while Covington is playing basketball at Saint Louis University. Sweatt, who competes in track and cross country, transferred to SIUE after one semester at SIU Carbondale. High jumper Deborrah Blackburn is also at SIUE. That’s a lot of talent and a lot of points to replace, but the Tigers have a core of returning athletes they can build around.

“The girls that have been here have kind of been hiding in the shadows and now they get to step up and show what they’re capable of doing,” Thompkins said. “They can lead the way for the new girls that have joined the team and give them the opportunity to figure out what our program is all about.”

The list of returning athletes includes junior sprinter Olivia Watson, who is finally healthy.

“She battled injuries last year, but she’s smarter about it now, so with age also comes wisdom,” Thompkins said. “We saw some excellent performances from her in her first indoor meet. At Carbondale, she broke the school record in the 60-meter race twice, in prelims and in finals.

“She’s also our strongest triple jumper and long jumper and she’s one of the captains of our team. She brings experience, knowledge and quite a bit

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Edwardsville girls' track team are, from left, Autumn Harris, Kasey Hohlt and Lizzy Lynn. of talent.”

Junior Tatiana Perry should be a key contributor.

“She’s battled some injuries this year and last year, but we’re looking at her in the 200 and the 400 and the high jump as well,” Thompkins said.

“She’s had some promising performances, so we’re anxious to see what she can do.”

Senior Lizzy Lynn is the top returning distance runner.

“She had an excellent performance in cross country, where she’s a twotime state qualifier,” Thompkins said.

“We’re pleased with what she’s done and excited about what’s she going to do this year.”

Junior Jessie Chappel returns in the shot put and discus. She’ll miss the first few weeks of the season after knee surgery.

Other varsity veterans include junior sprinter Jenna Krone and Rikkail Berry, sophomore sprinter Alexis Jacobs, junior middle-distance runner Danielle Bohannon and sophomore middle-distance runner Bailey McGuire.

“Rikkail has come out of the woodwork this year in practice and looks very promising in the short sprints,” Thompkins said. “We’re also working

with her in the long jump.

“We’ll probably use Danielle in the 800 and 400, plus the 4x800 and the 4x400. She’s battled injuries the last two years and this year she’s finally healthy.”

Junior Emma Daech, who recently finished the basketball season, returns in the throws.

Senior Autumn Harris is among the newcomers.

“I’ve been trying for four years to get her out for the team and she finally did it,” Thompkins said. “She had her first meet in Carbondale in the hurdles and got into the finals. She got the confidence to understand that this is where she belongs. We’re looking at her in the 400 as well.”

The only other senior on the team is thrower Kasey Hohlt.

Freshman Lorie Cashdollar has already made an impression on the EHS coaching staff.

“She’s a transfer and she ran the open 400 at Carbondale,” Thompkins said. “She ran the fastest indoor time in school history and she should also be a strong attribute in the 4x400.”

With so many new faces, it may take a while for Thompkins to settle on her relay teams.

“We have more depth this year than

Convenient hours, most insurance accepted.

Serving the community for 30 years.

Services we offer:

• Wellness and nutritional counseling • Weight loss and lifestyle coaching • Full service outpatient physical therapy • Treatment for herniated discs • Frequency specific microcurrent • On site emergency x-ray • Massage therapy • Chiropractic care • Acupuncture

Conditions we treat: • Injury rehab • Post surgical rehab • Headaches • Sciatica/radiculopathy • Neuropathy • Back pain • Toxicity • and much more

Optimum Wellness and Rehabilitation P. C. 3407 S. State Route 157 Glen Carbon, IL 62034

Jill Oertle , DPT

618-288-3610 myoptimumwellness.com

Richard Coy, DC

we’ve had in the past and that’s both exciting and challenging,” Thompkins said. “The girls are fighting for spots and that competition will make the team stronger.”

The final indoor meet for Edwardsville is the Urbana Invitational Saturday at the University of Illinois. EHS opens the outdoor season on March 28 by hosting the Southwestern Illinois Relays.

Upcoming meets include the Belleville West Invitational on April 3 and the Springfield Southeast Invitational on April 11. The Tiger Relays are April 15 at Winston Brown Track.

“We’re looking to be healthy this year,” Thompkins said. “We’re a young team, so the girls are still growing, learning their bodies and still trying to figure out their way. The older girls are coming out of the shadows and they’re finally maturing and understanding their bodies more.

“We want to put up numbers that we can continuously grow from as a team. Some teams are either stronger in sprints, distance or field events, and we’ve been that way in the past.

This year we want to have that depth across the board.”

Matthew Kamp and Bill Roseberry/Intelligencer

Above, Edwardsville's Kallen Loveless pitches during a softball game last season. Below, Daniel Lloyd delivers a pitch during an EHS baseball game.

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Page 5

Spring Sports

Edwardsville counting on big senior class

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net The Edwardsville boys' track team had a great season in 2014, but coach Chad Lakatos hopes that 2015 can be even better.

Last year, EHS had 36 points to tie threetime defending champion Roselle Lake Park for second place at the Class 3A state meet in Charleston. Elmhurst York took first place with 40 points.

Highlights included a first-place finish in the 400-meter relay. Craig James, Isaiah Michl, Fontez Davis and Rene' Perry. The same quartet won the 800 relay in 2013.

James, one of three seniors among the nine state qualifiers for EHS, placed third in the 110-meter high hurdles and fourth in the 300 intermediate hurdles.

"I don't think that's out of reach," Lakatos said of winning a state championship. "We have enough pieces that as long as we put the puzzle together correctly, good things can happen.

"But it's a long season and there's a lot of strong teams in the state. We have to continue to work hard and stay healthy and hopefully we can have some fun while we're doing it."

The Tigers hope to take advantage of a large group of seniors.

"Every year you're looking to have a good strong senior class because you want that leadership from them," Lakatos said. "This is one of the largest senior classes we've had since I've been here and it's nice to have those guys around.

"A lot of them are multi-sports guys, which is another good thing. They can carry what they learned from those sports over to ours."

Davis, Perry and Michl all return as seniors.

"Fontez is going to be helping in the long jump for us, and he'll play a major role in our sprint relays," Lakatos said. "Rene is going to be a big relay guy for us, and we're going to see if he can run some individual stuff.

"We had Isaiah in some of the sprints last year, but he's shown that the 100 and 300 hurdles are going to be his races. We'll probably also use him in the 4x100 and the 4x400."

In the distance events, Edwardsville relies on the one-two punch of seniors Brydon

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Edwardsville boys' track team are, front row from left, Brydon Groves-Scott, Wes Schoenthal, Zach Gabel, Fontez Davis, Hunter Hessler, Joe Shannon and Zain Pyarali. Middle row: Jack VanPatten, Austin Pizzini, Jack Lever, Lucas Babinski, Suleman Bazai and John Bradenberg. Back row: Sam Wynn, Neil Guetterman, Rene' Perry, Nick Kaltmayer, Kris Moore, Isaiah Michl and Sam Griffin.

Groves-Scott and Wes Schoenthal.

"With Wes, we have to decide whether the 1,600 or the 800 is going to be best for him," Lakatos said. "We're trying to increase his foot speed in the 800. If he gets his time down from last year, good things can happen.

"Brydon has already gone 9:40 this year in the two-mile, which is an impressive time indoors. If he can get in the 9:20s, he can possibly do something for us (at state)."

Newcomers include sophomore Travis

Anderson, a transfer from Hawaii.

"He used to be an Edwardsville kid and he's put up some good numbers in the high jump and the hurdles," Lakatos said. "We're looking for him to do some special things for us. We think he can fit in not only in the (Southwestern) conference, but at the state level as well.

"We also have a senior that's come out in Suleman Bazai, who is a soccer player.

He was on the state championship team a couple years ago and he's had some good

;Ernst Heating & Cooling;E36720;3.25x5 (15Sp-An)

Life may not be perfect,Life may not be perfect, butbeyour comfort can be.

Life maybe. not perfect, but your comfort can but your comfort can be.

St. Louis;Ernst Heating & Cooling;E36720;3.25x5 (15Sp-An)

BUY & SELL

St. Louis;Ernst Heating & Cooling;E36720;3.25x5 (15Sp-An)

s;Ernst Heating & Cooling;E36720;3.25x5 (15Sp-An)

The Ultimate Comfort System™ is a groundbreaking home heating ™ The Ultimate Comfortand System coolingissystem that makes a groundbreaking home heating perfection possible. and cooling system that makes perfection possible.

Life notComfort be perfect, The may Ultimate System is may not be perfect, a groundbreaking home heating but your comfort can be. Life but your comfort can be.

St. Louis;Ernst Heating & Cooling;E36720;3.25x5 (15Sp-An)

™

and cooling The Ultimate Comfortsystem System™ isthat a groundbreaking heating perfection home possible. and cooling system that makes perfection possible.

makes

The Ultimate Comfort System™ is a groundbreaking home heating and cooling system that makes perfection possible.

RECEIVE UP TO

1,700 in rEBATEs 1,700

$

RECEIVE UP TO

$

Wishing All Athletes A Terrific Spring Season!

$$ FOR ALL $$ (618) 931-2644

*

Parts, Cars, Light & Heavy OPEN Trucks 7 DAYS A WEEK!!

Equipment & More...

with the purchase of a qualifying Lennox® home comfort system.

SAVE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $700 ON AMERICAN ENERGY INCENTIVES!**

RECEIVE UP TO

1,700 in rEBATEs

$

www.Metroeastrebates.com www.Metroeastrebates.com

*

1,700 in rEBATEs

$

RECEIVE TO SAVEUP UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $700 ON

618-887-6522 618-887-6522Hamel, IL

with the purchase of a qualifying Lennox® home comfort system.

AMERICAN ENERGY INCENTIVES!**

Mon-Fri 8-5 and Sat 9-2

Top Prices Paid

in rEBATEs

SAVE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $700 ON AMERICAN ENERGY INCENTIVES!** SAVE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $700 ON AMERICAN ENERGY INCENTIVES!**

1,700 in rEBATEs

$

HUGE INVENTORY!

*

* ® home comfort system. with the purchase of a qualifying Lennox

with the purchase of a qualifying Lennox® home comfort system.

RECEIVE UP TO

workouts and some good times.

"I think he's going to be a relay guy that might fit in the 4x200. Brandon Ryan didn't come out this year due to some personal issues and we're hoping that Suleman can fill that spot. We're looking at him in the 4x400 as well."

Sophomore Devonte' Tincher returns after going 45-1 to win the triple jump at the SWC meet.

"Devonte' might fit into some relays," Lakatos said. "We also have A.J. Epenesa,

Hamel, IL & Comfort Consultants Energy Energy & Comfort * Consultants

8am-5pm

(618) 931-2644

2188 2188 Highway 111Hwy 111 • Granite City, Granite City, IL 62040 www.111salvage.com www.111salvage.com

Offer expires 6/12/2015. *System rebate offers range from $300 to $1,700. Some restrictions apply. See your local Lennox dealer for details. **See dealer for details.

Offer expires 6/12/2015.

Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox independently and operated businesses.

One offer available per qualifying *System rebate offers range from $300© to 2015 $1,700.

Some restrictions apply. Dealers See yourinclude local Lennox dealer owned for details. **See dealer for details. purchase. © 2015 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers include independently owned and operated businesses. One offer available per qualifying purchase.

www.Metroeastrebates.com

with the purchase of a qualifying Lennox® home comfort system.

618-887-6522

Hamel, IL Energy & Comfort Consultants

Offer expires 6/12/2015. *System rebate offers range from $300 to $1,700. E36720-15Sp-3.25x5.indd Some restrictions apply. See your local Lennox dealer 1 for details. **See dealer for details. © 2015 Lennox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers include independently owned and operated businesses. One offer available per qualifying E36720-15Sp-3.25x5.indd 1 purchase.

COLLEGE OF COSMETOLOGY E36720-15Sp-3.25x5.indd 1

3/16/15 5:14 PM 3/16/15 5:14 PM

3/16/15 5:14 PM

www.Metroeastrebates.com

CALL NOW TO 618-887-6522

Hamel, ILFOR CLASSES REGISTER Energy & Comfort Consultants

Edwardsville • 333 S. Kansas • 656-2593

Godfrey • 3048 Godfrey Rd • 466-8952

s 6/12/2015. ate offers range from $300 to $1,700. Some restrictions apply. See your local Lennox dealer for details. **See dealer for details. nox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers include independently owned and operated businesses. One offer available per qualifying

5.indd 1

Day & Evening Classes Available

MASSAGE & COSMETOLOGY CLASSES OFFERED

www.Metroeastrebates.com Belleville • 5400 W. Main St. • 257-9193

618-887-6522 12 MONTH TRAINING

5:14 Accredited PM • ContinuingHamel, Education Credit NACCAS IL • 3/16/15 • Grants & Loans for those who qualify • Liccensed by the State Energy & Comfort Consultants • Certificate Upon Completion in Cosmetology

6/12/2015. www.alvareita.com ate offers range from $300 to $1,700. Some restrictions apply. See your local Lennox dealer for details. **See dealer for details. ox Industries Inc. Lennox Dealers include independently and operatedWELCOME. businesses. One offer available per qualifying SALONowned PATRONS Work done exclusively by supervised students. No Appointment Necessary.

.indd 1

IL

Read our E Edition “on the go”

SAVE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $700 ON AMERICAN ENERGY INCENTIVES!**

Alvareita’s

who is another sophomore. Last year was the first time he picked up the implements in the shot put and discus and he was very impressive. I know coach (Matt) Martin is high on him and we're excited to see what he can do after he gets some rest from the basketball season.

"We also have Neil Guetterman returning in the discus and he threw well last year. We have a lot of different kids that can do a lot of different things."

Other seniors on the team are Connor Dunaway, Zach Gabel, Hunter Hessler, Jack Lever, Zain Pyarali, Joe Shannon, Lucas Babinski, John Brandenberg, Sam Griffin, Kris Moore, Austin Pizzini, Monty Sharpe, Nick Kaltmayer, Joel McGee, Jack VanPatten and Sam Wynn.

As deep as the Tigers are, there are still some question marks entering the season.

"The 4x200 is an event that we're trying to find two pieces," Lakatos said. "Rene Perry and Fontez Davis are back from the all-state team last year, but we lost the other two legs.

"In the 4x400, we're trying to find some guys that can run that. Obviously we've got a little bit of depth, but we don't want to overload kids that are in multiple events."

After finishing the indoor season Saturday at Eastern Illinois University, Edwardsville opens the outdoor season by hosting the Southwestern Illinois Relays on March 28.

Other upcoming meets include the Belleville West Invitational on April 11, the Granite City Invitational on April 17 and the Effingham Invitational on April 18.

"The Southwestern Relays are a big coed meet for us and it's always fun to finally get outside and run," Lakatos said. "We do have some teams that pull out because of the indoor state meet, but some teams from Missouri come over and we get to see them."

Lakatos is anxious to see what the Tigers can do.

"Our conference and our area is pretty solid, so every week we're going to get challenged by teams like Cahokia, Belleville West and O'Fallon," Lakatos said. "Going into the year, we set goals to break some school records and try win conference and the sectional again.

"More importantly, at the sectional, we want to qualify as many guys (for state) as possible. If we can catch lightning in a bottle, we have a shot at bringing home a trophy."

4

$

99

a month To Get Signed Up Call 618-656-4700 ext 20 theintelligencer.com

RECYCLE THIS PAPER 3/16/15 5:14 PM

Page 6

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Spring Sports

EHS Spring Sports Schedules

EHS Baseball March 21 at Civic Memorial, 11 a.m.

March 24 vs. Greenville, 4:30 p.m.

March 26 at Kirkwood, 4:30 p.m.

March 30 vs. Moline, 4:30 p.m.

March 31 vs. Glenbrook South, 1:45 p.m.

March 31 vs. East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

April 2 at Alton, 4:30 p.m.

April 4 at Parkway South (DH), 12 p.m.

April 7 vs. Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

April 9 at Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

April 10 at Sacred Heart-Griffin, 6:00 p.m.

April 14 vs. O’Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 vs. Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 at Collinsville, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 vs. Centralia, 4:30 p.m.

April 24 vs. Jersey Community, 4:30 p.m.

April 24 vs. DeSmet Jesuit, 6:45 p.m.

April 27 at Wesclin, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 vs. Alton, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 at East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

May 2 at Lutheran South (DH), 12:30 p.m.

May 5 vs. Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

May 7 at Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

May 8 vs. Lockport in Tiger Classic, 7 p.m.

May 9 vs. Highland in Tiger Classic, 11 a.m.

May 9 vs. Glenwood in Tiger Classic, 1:30 p.m.

May 12 at Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

May 14 at O’Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

May 16 at South Central, 4:30 p.m.

May 19 vs. Collinsville, 4:30 p.m.

May 20 at Waterloo, 4:30 p.m.

May 22 vs. Triad, 7 p.m.

EHS Softball March March March March

23 at Gillespie, 4:30 p.m.

25 vs. Herrin, 4:30 p.m.

28 vs. Mater Dei, 11 a.m.

31 at East St. Louis, 4:30

p.m.

April 2 vs. Alton, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 at. Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

April 8 at Freeburg, 4:30 p.m.

April 9 vs. Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

April 11 at Normal Community (DH), 11 a.m.

April 13 vs. Columbia, 4:30 p.m.

April 14 at O’Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

April 16 at Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

April 17 vs. Triad, 4:15 p.m.

April 21 vs. Collinsville, 4:30 p.m.

April 24 vs. Chatham Glenwood (DH), 4:30 p.m.

April 28 at Alton, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 vs. East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

May 1 vs. Civic Memorial, 4:15 p.m.

May 2 at Marquette, 12 p.m.

May 4 at Columbia, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 at Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

May 7 vs. Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

April 25 at Downer’s Grove South, 8 a.m.

April 25 at Belleville East Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

April 29 vs. Belleville East, 4 p.m.

May 1 host Tiger Duals, 1 p.m.

May 1-2 at Pitchford Invitational May 2 host Tiger Duals, 8:30 a.m.

May 8 at Neuqua Valley Invitational, 3 p.m.

May 9 at Neuqua Valley Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

May 12 at Belleville West, 3:30 p.m.

EHS Girls’ Soccer

EHS Boys’ Tennis March 21 at Triad Knights Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

March 21 at New Trier, 12 p.m.

March 27 at DecoTurf Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn., TBA March 28 at DecoTurf Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn., TBA April 1 at MICDS, 4 p.m.

April 3-4 host Tiger Invitational, 2 p.m.

April 8 at O’Fallon, 3:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. Alton, 4 p.m.

April 16 vs. Granite City, 4 p.m.

April 17 at Rock Bridge Quad, 10 a.m.

April 22 at Collinsville, 3:30 p.m.

April 22 vs. Civic Memorial, 4 p.m.

April 24 at Belleville East Invitational, 2 p.m.

April 24 at Lyons Township, 4:30 p.m.

March 18-21 in Metro Cup March 24 vs. Columbia, 6:30 p.m.

March 26 vs. Collinsville, 6:30 p.m.

March 30 vs. Cor Jesu Academy, 6 p.m.

March 31 at Belleville West, 6:30 p.m.

April 2 at Gibault, 6:30 p.m.

April 7 vs. Belleville East, 6:30 p.m.

April 8 at Marquette, 6 p.m.

April 11 at Normal Community, 2:30 p.m.

April 14 vs. Althoff, 6:30 p.m.

April 17 at Triad, 5:45 p.m.

April 23 vs. Chatham Glenwood, TBD April 28 at Granite City, 6:30 p.m.

May 1-2 at Quincy Tournament May 5 vs. Alton, 6:30 p.m.

May 6 at Rochester, 6:30 p.m.

EHS Boys’ Track and Field March 24 at Belleville West Dual, 4 p.m.

March 28 host SWIL Relays, 9 a.m. .April 7 at O’Fallon Dual, 4 p.m.

April 11 at Norm Armstrong Invitational at Belleville West, 11 a.m.

April 17 at Granite City Invitational, 4 p.m.

MELHS Schedules MELHS Baseball

April 17 at Effingham Invitational, TBA April 25 host Winston Brown Invitational, 10 a.m.

April 28 at Madison County Meet at Alton, 4 p.m.

May 2 at Jim Arnold Invitational, Glenbard West, 9 a.m.

May 9 at Collinsville Invitational, 10 a.m.

May 13 at SWC Meet at O’Fallon, 4 p.m.

March 21 at Calhoun, 11 a.m.

March 23 vs. Marquette Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

March 24 vs. East Alton-Wood River, 4 p.m.

March 26 at Belleville West, 4:15 p.m.

March 27 vs. Althoff, 4 p.m.

March 28 at Nashville (DH), 12 p.m.

March 30 vs. Marissa, 4 p.m.

March 31 vs. Red Bud, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 vs. Roxana, 4:30 p.m.

April 9 at Staunton, 4:30 p.m.

April 13 at Marissa, 4 p.m.

April 14 at Litchfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 15 vs. East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

April 16-18 at Lutheran North Baseball Tournament, 4 p.m.

April 20 at Southwestern, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 at Civic Memorial, 4:15 p.m.

April 22 at Gillespie, 4:15 p.m.

April 23 vs. Christ Our Rock Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.

April 24 vs. Lutheran North, 4:30 p.m.

April 27 at Bunker Hill, 4 p.m.

April 28 vs. Mulberry Grove, 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Nokomis, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 vs. Marquette Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

May 4 at Breese Central, 4:30 p.m.

May 7 vs. Breese Mater Dei, 4:30 p.m.

May 11 vs. Gibault Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 vs. Mount Olive, 4:30 p.m.

May 15 at Roxana, 4:30 p.m.

May 16 vs. Dupo, 10 a.m

EHS Girls' Track and Field March 25 vs. Alton, Granite City, O'Fallon, 4 p.m.

March 28 host Southwestern Relays, 10 a.m.

March 30 at Collinsville, 4 p.m.

April 3 at Lady Maroon Invitational, 4 p.m.

April 11 at Spartan Invitational (South East), 10 a.m.

April 15 host Tiger Relays, 4 p.m.

April 17 at O'Fallon Invitational, 4 p.m.

April 23 at Alton Invitational, 4 p.m.

April 28 at Madison County Chamionship (Alton), 4 p.m.

May 1 at Collinsville Invitational, 4 p.m.

May 4 at Belleville East, 4 p.m.

May 6 at Southwestern Conference (O'Fallon), 4 p.m.

EHS Boys’ Volleyball March 26 vs. Althoff, 5 p.m.

March 27-28 at Joliet West Tournament March 31 vs. Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

April 2 at O’Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

April 7 at Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

April 9 at CBC, 4:30 p.m.

April 11 at Vianney Invite, 9 a.m.

April 14 at East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

April 21 at Belleville West, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 vs. St. Dominic, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 vs. O’Fallon, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 at Belleville East, 4:30 p.m.

May 7 vs. Granite City, 4:30 p.m.

May 8-9 at O’Fallon Tournament, 6 p.m.

May 9 at O’Fallon Tournament, TBA May 11 vs. Vianney, 5 p.m.

May 14 vs. East St. Louis, 4:30 p.m.

May 19 vs. Belleville West, 5 p.m.

MELHS Softball March 19 vs. Marquette Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

March 23 at Dupo, 4:30 p.m.

March 28 at Southwestern, 11 a.m.

April 7 at Christ Our Rock Lutheran, 4:15 p.m.

April 9 at Staunton, 4:30 p.m.

April 10 vs. Nokomis, 4:30 p.m.

April 11 at Jerseyville, 2 p.m.

April 13 at Marissa, 4 p.m.

April 14 at Litchfield, 4:30 p.m.

April 20 vs. Cahokia, 4 p.m.

April 21 at Carlinville, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 at Gillespie, 4:15 p.m.

April 28 vs. Breese Mater Dei, 4:15 p.m.

April 29 vs. Alton, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 vs. Roxana, 4:30 p.m.

May 5 at Bunker Hill, 4 p.m.

May 6 at Lebanon, 4:30 p.m.

May 7 at Land, 4 p.m.

May 11 vs. Gibault Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

May 12 vs. Mount. Olive, 4:15 p.m.

May 13 at Mulberry Grove, 4 p.m.

May 14 at East Alton-Wood River, 4 p.m.

May 16 at Calhoun, 11 a.m.

May 18 at Alton, 4 p.m.

MELHS Track March 26 at Mt. Olive, 4 p.m.

March 31 at Litchfield, 4 p.m.

April 7 at Staunton, 4 p.m.

April 11 at Carlinville, 12 p.m. (girls) April 13 at Breese Central, 4 p.m.

April 14 at Southwestern, 4 p.m.

April 24 vs. Walther Lutheran, 3 p.m.

April 25 at Walther Lutheran, 9 a.m.

April 27 at Roxana, 4p.m.

May 4 at Mt. Olive, 4 p.m.

May 7 at Greenville, 4 p.m. (boys) May 18 at Nashville, 4 p.m. (boys)

MELHS Girls' Soccer March 23 vs. Hillsboro, 4:30 p.m.

March 24 vs. Jerseyville, 4:30 p.m.

March 27 at Civic Memorial, 4:15 p.m.

March 28 at Breese Central, 11 a.m.

April 6 vs. Staunton, 5:30 p.m.

April 9 at Freeburg, 4:30 p.m.

April 10 at Gillespie, 5:30 p.m.

April 13 vs. Litchfield, 6:15 p.m.

April 14 vs. Wesclin, 4:30 p.m.

April 22 at East Alton-Wood River, 4:30 p.m.

April 23 at Tower Grove Christian School, 4:30 p.m.

April 27 at Southwestern, 4 p.m.

April 28 at Greenville, 4:30 p.m.

April 30 at Marquette Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

May 7 vs. Carlinville, 5 p.m.

MELHS Boys' Volleyball March 23 vs. Granite City, 5:30 p.m.

March 24 vs. Alton, 5:30 p.m.

April 13 at Althoff, 7 p.m.

April 16 at North County Technical School, 4:30 p.m.

April 20 vs. East St. Louis, 5:30 p.m.

April 23 at Alton, 5:30 p.m.

April 24 at Joliet West, 7 p.m.

April 29 at Christian-O'Fallon, 5 p.m.

April 30 vs. North County Technical School, 5:30 p.m.

May 8 at O'Fallon Invitational, 9 a.m.

May 9 at O'Fallon Invitational, 9 a.m.

May 19 at East St. Louis, 5:30 p.m.

May 21 vs. Althoff, 7 p.m.

HUGE $AVING$! ★ We Rely on our Reputation. ★ ON ALL CARPET ORDERS

Cummings 5 for4 FREE

VALLOW FLOOR COVERINGS SEMI-ANNUAL

★

Hurry In Sale Ends March 31st!

PURCHASE 4 SQ FT AND GET THE 5TH SQ FT

Heating & Cooling

“I am the grandpa, Call me today for the best deal!”

SALE

Free Premium Pad with All Carpet Orders Free Estimates

Veteran Owned & Operated

PLUS

100 OFF

$

Any Carpet Purchase of $1000 or more

618-656-8953

3885 Schipkowski Rd., Edwardsville, IL www.cummingsruudreliable.net

(Can be used with the 5 for 4 Sale) Must present coupon at time of order for discount.

Good for new purchase contracts only. Can’t combine with other discounts. Must purchase before 4-5-15. EI

Ceramic Tile • Hardwood • Laminate • Vinyl

Rely on Ruud

®

E. Missouri & S. Illinois

Commercial & Residental

All makes & models E.P.A. Certified Fully Insured Bonded

Ruud Factory Authorized Dealer.

1009 Plummer Dr., Edwardsville

Floor Coverings, Inc. Mark Vallow

656-7788 www.VallowFloor.com

Seth Renken HOURS: Mon-Wed-Fri 9am-7:30pm Tue & Thurs 9am-5:30pm • Sat 9am-4pm

®

FINANCING AVAILABLE SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Page 7

Spring Sports

Experience should be a plus for MELHS

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net Victories were hard to come by for the Metro-East Lutheran baseball team in 2014, but with the entire roster returning, coach Joel Rempfer expects major improvement in 2015.

Metro was 7-22 last year, losing 3-0 to top-seeded Southwestern in the semifinals of the Class 2A MELHS Regional. The Knights had beaten the Piasa Birds 8-2 during the regular season.

“We had zero seniors and I told the kids it was kind a two-year season for them,” Rempfer said.

“The whole goal was to progress and get better last year, pick up where we left off and get even better next year.

“It’s a unique opportunity that most schools won’t have and I’m excited about this year.”

MELHS now has eight seniors on its roster, plus several other players who saw plenty of varsity action in 2014.

“We have guys who have been around the program for four years now,” said Rempfer, in his fourth season as head coach.

“We have a lot of talent and a lot of leadership and I want to see what we can do.”

Kory Loew is a four-year starter while fellow seniors Sam Whitmore and Jake Scheibal have started since they were sophomores.

Senior Alex Peck played for the Knights last season after transferring from Edwardsville.

“Nick Manker is another senior who started for us last year and he’ll be back,” Rempfer said.

“Kory will work some at catcher and some on the infield. All of those except for Scheibal are pitchers too, so we move them around depending on who’s pitching.

“Peck and Scheibal are infielders and Manker will be starting in left field or in center. We can put a solid defense out there no matter who is on the mound.”

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Metro-East Lutheran baseball team are, front row from left, Jake Scheibal, Michael Fritzche, Sam Whitmore and Alex Peck. Back row: Brad Boivin, Evan Fuhrhmann, Kory Loew and Nick Manker.

Junior Jordan Brown will do much of the catching, with junior Paul Kubicek on the infield.

“We have some sophomores who will help us out on the mound,” Rempfer said. “I’m excited to give Jake Jump some innings this year and see what he can do with a varsity defense behind him.

“This is the most depth we’ve had in pitching since I’ve been here. We have a lot of options and you can never have too many pitchers.”

Sophomore Andrew Jones was primarily a designated hitter last season.

“We didn’t really have a position for him, but he’s been working some in right

field,” Rempfer said.

“Evan Fuhrmann is a senior and he’s been working some in right field too along with Michael Fritzche, who is also a senior. I see all three of them contributing throughout the year.”

Junior Corby Johannpeter and senior Brad Boivin are also in the mix.

“Corby is a lefty and he’ll get some innings for us,” Rempfer said.

“His arm is bothering him a little right now, so you won’t see him for a couple weeks.

“Brad will be playing a lot at first base for us. He can pitch, but he’s our solo left-handed bat in the lineup. He’s got a good swing and sometimes he gets a little overanxious, but he’s working on that.”

Rounding out the roster are juniors Reed Harmon and Chase Langendorf.

“Almost every guy has played some quality varsity time, at least last year and maybe two or three years,” Rempfer said.

“We’re not lacking for experience, so we have no excuse in that area. It’s just a matter of going out there and executing and doing what we need to do to win games.”

Rempfer expects Metro to be stronger offensively this season.

“Last year it took us a little while get the bats going,” Rempfer said. “I don’t know if it was the colder weather or shaking off the cobwebs, but now that we’re outdoor and can do a little more live hitting, I’m excited to see what we can do.”

The area that needs the most improvement, though, is defense.

“It was no secret that defense was our Achilles heel last season,” Rempfer said.

“In our first seven games, we averaged five errors a game.

“Coming into this season, we did all kinds of defensive drills before we even picked up bats. I’m not worried about our pitching or our hitting, but we can’t continue to give outs to the other team.”

MELHS opens the season at 11 a.m.

Saturday with a doubleheader at Calhoun.

“We have a busy first week with Alton Marquette, Belleville West, Althoff, Freeburg and Nashville,” Rempfer said.

“That’s going to show us what we’re made of.

“With our experience, I expect to win and that’s the main goal, but if we come out and we’re competitive, that will be a good sign for we can potentially do this season.”

Knights feature new faces after graduation losses

By MATTHEW KAMP mkamp.edwi@gmail.com The Metro-East Lutheran softball team will rely heavily on the returning experience of seniors Abby McMahon and Morgan Schneider this season. Not only are they the only two seniors on the team, they are also two of five players returning with at least 25 plate appearances last season.

The Knights must replace several starters, including ace and slugger Rachel Goff, infielder Anna Kellar and utility player Shelby Steinmeyer, from last season’s team that finished 7-20.

Metro-East coach Rob Stock believes McMahon and Schneider will be fundamental in this year’s rebuild.

“They have played a lot of games the last three years, and they know what it takes to be successful,” he said.

“We have a lot of young people on the team that they are going to help teach and bring along. It will probably take some time, but we are looking forward to a good year.”

McMahon, who hit .433 with 14 RBIs in 67 at-bats, and Schneider, a .203 hitter with 12 RBIs last year, will be in the middle of Metro’s lineup once again.

The two will try to help offset the losses of Goff, Steinmeyer and Kellar. Last season, Goff hit .531 with three homers and 15 RBIs, while Kellar hit .333 with 13 RBIs and Steinmeyer carried a .263 batting average.

McMahon, at shortstop, and Schneider, at first base, will lead the infield defensively.

“When you lose three-fourth of your infield from last year, it’s going to be tough to replace that,” Stock said. “I think we have a number of girls that are going to step up and do a good job for us.

“Having Abby and Morgan at the most important positions will be key.”

At third base, Claire Cunningham will likely be the

starter. She hit .128 with three RBIs last year.

As for second base and catcher, those two positions are still being battled for.

In the outfield, Ashlee Robinson, who had two hits in 21 at-bats last year, returns with the most experience.

While Cierra Frields played in the outfield last season, she will move into the circle this year with the graduation of Goff.

The other two positions, like catcher and second base, are still up for grabs.

“We are seeing through practice who we are going to plug into those two other positions,” Stock said.

Frields, meanwhile, went 1-2 with an 8.11 ERA in 19 innings last season. She allowed 37 runs, including 22 earned runs.

With Goff, who went 6-17 with a 3.02 ERA as a senior, playing college softball at the University of IllinoisSpringfield, Frields will be the workhorse this season for the Knights.

“Cierra has come a long way and has really worked on her game,” Stock said. “She is definitely confident coming into the year, which is always a good thing for a pitcher.

We think she’ll do some really good things for us.”

With so many new faces, Metro will ease into the 2015 schedule.

Metro-East opened the season at home against Marquette on Thursday.

The Knights are on the road at Dupo on Monday and then do not play again until a road game at Southwestern on March 28.

Stock believes the light schedule early will help his team develop for the long term.

“Our schedule this year will help with the learning that we have in front of us. We don’t have as many games scheduled in March as we usually have,” Stock said. “That will help us to have a few games and see what we need to work on in practice.”

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Senior members of the Metro-East Lutheran softball team are Abby McMahon, left, and Morgan Schneider.

Enke expects steady progress from Metro girls' soccer

By EVAN MEYERS emeyers@edwpub.net

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Seniors on the Metro-East Lutheran girls' soccer team are, from left, Amanda Schack, Cheyenne Countryman, Taylor Snyder, Amy Ginter, Emilee Marcuzzo and Annie Redden.

Last year was a growing year for the Metro-East girls' Lutheran soccer team, and head coach Noah Enke was happy to see the team progress.

With a new season about to begin, Enke believes this year's team is ready to move the program forward.

“It was a building year for us last year. It was a good year for the girls to work through some issues we were having internally, and just work to improve. They did decent last year and you can tell they learned from it because they are ready to go this year,” Enke said.

The team finished last season with a record of 5-10 and was defeated

by Olney in the regional semifinal game. Even though the team had a losing record, Enke said you could see the team playing more competitively as the season progressed.

Now having only graduated two seniors from last year's team, he expects that progression to continue.

“This is basically the same core, I still have my core of juniors coming back,” Enke said “What’s really surprising is when I crunched the numbers we have something like six seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and two freshman. So we are starting to look like we finally have a

team that is growing and that's pretty nice to have.”

Returning to the team as senior captains this season are Emilee Marcuzzo and Amy Ginter. Ginter will be the goalkeeper once again for the Knights. She was in the net every game for the Knights last season. Marcuzzo was the third leading scorer from last year's team as she was able to score twice on 10 shot attempts.

Also returning as seniors are Annie Redden, Amanda Schack, Cheyenne Countryman and Taylor Snyder. With the ability to play six seniors, the Knights will look to try some more advanced strategies this season.

“Every single day in practice I have been nothing but impressed with what the girls have retained over the past few years. They have been able to grow together and as they grow our capabilities as a team grow,” Enke said.

The team will also benefit from having its leading goal scorer, junior Abby Yurchuk, return. Yurchuk had six goals for the Knights last season and led the team in shots on goal with 25. Also returning in the junior class is Hannah Landers, Ashley Sola, Sarah Banning and Tori Harrison.

Having a high number of upperclassmen is just part of the reason

Enke thinks his team can have some success, but it is not limited to that.

He said it's his girls' ability to listen, learn and work hard that has helped them develop in their preseason practices.

“This is a really goal-oriented team, they are very determined, they are willing to listen and when it is time to do work they do it,” Enke said. “When it's time for them to play soccer they know that's what they are here to do.”

Staying focused is an important step one for the team as Enke said it has helped them in their drills and helped them gain confidence.

“One thing I keep telling them is we aren't getting stuck on the same drills over and over,” Enke said. “Each day we are progressing through exactly what I want to do in practice. I'm not having to go back and go we really failed at this we need to go back and hit it again. It's just been continuous progress and we are doing nothing but going up.”

The team will get to see how well it can put its preseason drills and practices to work when it opens the season with three straight home games. While every team would like to get off to a fast start, Enke said he thinks his team is mature enough to not panic if something doesn't go its way to start the season.

See "SOCCER" on Page 8

Page 8

Spring Sports

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Scott Marion/Intelligencer

Left, key athletes for the Metro-East Lutheran boys' track and field team are front row from left, Garrett Fulkerson, Andrew Hull, Eli Harding, Darion Brooks and Elijah Culbert. Back row: Christan Downs, Christian Engelbrecht, Luke Sengele, Jarrod Hopper and Kai Luckert. Right, the top performers for the MELHS girls' team are front row, from left, Katlyn Bowers, Kylie Bowers, Annie Redden and Amanda Schack. Back row: Brooke Webb, Emily Schulte, Megan Jacobson and Aurora Herbert.

MELHS must overcome its lack of depth

By SCOTT MARION smarion@edwpub.net The numbers are still a little lower than he would like, but coach Dave Redden is counting on continued improvement from the Metro-East Lutheran boys' and girls' track teams.

"The boys were hit pretty hard by graduation, but the cupboard is still not bare," Redden said.

"We have a good throwing unit coached

by Matt Tschudy that includes a senior, Jared Hopper, who was near the top for us last year in the discus.

"We also a have a junior thrower, Jacob Durham, and a sophomore, Luke Sengele.

They should continue to get better as the season goes on."

In the hurdles, senior Nolan Johnson is joined by freshman Eli Harding.

Senior Sean Micnheimer is a middle-distance runner, along with junior Andrew Hull and freshman Darion Brooks in the distance events.

"We should get some substantial points in those events as well," Redden said.

"Christian Engelbrecht, who is a sophomore, is coming out for track for the first time and he will also be one our middle-distance runners."

The top returning sprinter is junior Elijah Culbert.

"We look for some strong leadership from him, along with Steve Korte, who is a sophomore," Redden said.

Compared to the girls, the Metro boys had less depth last season, and that should be the case again this year.

The low numbers, among other things, mean that Redden won't have as many options for relays.

"We've got a couple good freshmen, and with a small freshman class in general, it's nice to have that," Redden said.

"We've got a pretty good cross country contingent coming back, so we should be OK." ON THE GIRLS' SIDE ­— Metro also lost some key athletes to graduation or transfer, but a solid nucleus returns.

"We also picked up a couple freshmen in Katlyn and Kylie Bowers," Redden said.

"Katlyn is a thrower and Kylie is a sprinter, and they will immediately help us out."

Among the varsity veterans, sophomore Lydia Flaherty is the defending Prairie State Conference champion in the high jump. Sophomore Danielle Timmermann is a hurdler and both girls will compete in the sprints as well.

"We have another returning conference champion in Aurora Herbert, who is a junior thrower," Redden said.

"She has visions for a state berth this year, and with some hard work, I think she can do it. Along with Megan Jacobson, who is a sophomore, they make a pretty good tandem."

Junior Jaria Hardaway is the top sprinter. That group includes senior Amanda Schack, who may run middle distance as well.

"Emily Schulte is a sophomore who has surprised me as a very good sprinter," Redden said.

"She has a long way to go as far as starts,

but she'll get there eventually."

The other seniors are distance runner Gretchen Engelbrecht, jumper/middle-distance runner Annie Redden and hurdlers Brooke Webb and Kasey Harvey.

"The girls have won the conference two years in a row, and we hope to contend for the title again this year," Redden said.

"We also hope to make some noise in the (Madison) county meet and hopefully send a few kids to state."

MELHS competed in one indoor meet, on March 14 at Principia College.

"We did pretty well, but we have a huge inconvenience here not having a track," Redden said.

"It puts us so far behind everyone else, but we do the best we can."

The Knights open the outdoor season Thursday at Mount Olive.

"We go to Chicago the last weekend of April for the Concordia Lutheran meet and the kids look forward to that," Redden said.

"But our main focus, for boys and girls, is the county meet and the conference meet."

At last year's conference meet at Wood River, the Knights won nine events and had 167 points to finish ahead of second-place Mount Olive, which had 151.

Shalyn Edwards, who has since transferred, won the 3,200-meter run and the 1,600-meter run. Herbert was a double winner in the shot put and discus.

Other individual winners for Metro were Timmermann in the 100 hurdles and Flaherty in the high jump.

The Knights also won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 relays.

At the Class 1A Chester Sectional, the Metro girls finished 11th in a 15-team field with 13 points and didn't have any state qualifiers.

Other coed meets this year for MELHS are March 31 at Litchfield, April 7 at Staunton, April 13 at Breese Central, April 14 at Southwestern, April 27 at Roxana and May 4 at Mount Olive.

Boys-only meets are May 7 at Greenville, May 18 at Nashville and May 21 at Staunton.

The girls have meets April 11 at Carlinville and May 18 at Nashville.

Metro boys set higher goals for their second year

By EVAN MEYERS emeyers@edwpub.net The bar was certainly set high for the Metro-East Lutheran boys' volleyball team last year. In its first season of play, the Knights were able to put up a record of 13-6 and made it to the regional championship game before falling to EHS. This year, head coach Jason Batty will be returning all but one player from last year's squad and will try to build on the success of the young program.

“We are definitely thinking about raising the bar. I know basically the whole school year the kids have been talking about this upcoming season, and they are looking to exceed the expectations from last year,” Batty said.

Last year's team was comprised of only three sophomores and eight freshman. Two of those sophomores, Joseph Babcock and Nathaniel Partelow, will be returning to the team this season. Babcock was a defensive specialist for the team last year, while Partelow was an outside hitter for the team.

Of the eight freshmen, all will be back on the team for their sophomore season and the team will also be adding sophomore Ian Key. “Coming back with the same group is great, because we are able to work on more advanced plays. I can rely and trust that we can work on these more advanced systems and that they should be able to pick it up,” Batty said. “We've already had our first practice and it feels like we hadn't even skipped a beat.”

Batty said a big help coming into this season is the work his team put in during the off-season to improve as individual players. He said this is a team that has shown they are willing to work hard and that work ethic will pay off during the season.

“They want to get further and they want to push themselves. I don't even have to try to ask them to volunteer for workouts,”

Matthew Kamp/Intelligencer

Pictured above is the MELHS boys' volleyball team. In the front row from left to right are: assistant coaches Paige Bold and Beka Mitchell, Ian Key, Joseph Babcock, Owen Gusewelle, Stephen Korte and Elijah Culbert. In the back row from left to right are: assistant Danielle Timmermann, Josh Gass, Braden Woolsey, A.J. Risavy, Nathan Partelow, Thomas Schroader, Alan Kusmierczak and head coach Jason Batty.

Batty said. “I tell them we are going to have an open gym and I don't even have to ask who's going to come. They kept asking me for open gyms and other things like that.

It makes my job a lot easier when they are wanting to work this hard.”

While the excitement doesn't surprise Batty, on a team with no seniors he is happy to see a young team take the initiative.

“They have been all around Illinois for

Soccer

Continued from Page 7

“With their confidence levels right now, I don't think that even with the past couple years of losing seasons that they are going to react poorly if things start to go bad early on,” Enke said.

“If something goes bad we know we have the time to fix it.”

Metro will need to take advantage of its home games this season as it won't be seeing many toward the end of the year. After playing Wesclin on April 14, the team

camps and just practicing and getting ready for this season,” Batty said. “I know A.J. Risavy, he played well as one of setters last year, and he has worked extremely hard this off-season.”

Risavy was a big contributor to the team in the middle last season. His play, along with the play of Stephen Korte at libero, were instrumental in the team's postseason success. Coming into year two, the players

won't be back at home until its senior day on May 7.

Work on the soccer field will keep it from home and force it to play five consecutive road games.

“That's one big thing the girls are disappointed about, that almost all of our home games are going to be at the beginning of the year, but it is what is,” Enke said.

Despite that hurdle, Enke believes his girls will be able to grow together as a team and reach their full potential as the season progresses.

“We are growing and we are retaining so much quicker this year than in the past two that it is just going to be, in my opinion, a completely different year of Metro soccer for us,” he said.

would like to see themselves have more post-season success, but Batty wants to make sure his guys stay humble and realize they will have to go out there and earn it again.

“Right now, we don't have a big head or anything, but it is important that we keep ourselves grounded. To me that is going to be very important for us this season. I have been doing a lot of devotions about keep-

ing us grounded, keeping in the fundamentals, and keeping us humble,” Batty said.

He believes his team has done a good job of following the message and said this is a group of guys who are ready to put the team first and stay on track to make sure they accomplish their goals.

“This is a good group of kids, and to me they are the epitome of team work,” Batty said of his team's ability to come together and stay focused.

Maintaining his team's focus on this season and moving on from last season will be important for the young team, especially early in the season.

“I try to remind them we are doing this for the Lord and that we have to keep everything in perspective. The last thing we want is to get a big head and start assuming we are going to have the same success.”

The Knights will open the season with Granite City, the same team they played in the regional semifinal, and will play much of the same schedule that they played last year. There will be a big addition in the trip up north to take on the Tigers of Joliet West.

“It is a suburb of Chicago and we are going up there on April 24. I want to try to get up there and play a few more Chicago teams because I know there is a lot of really good competition there,” Batty said.

“Not saying there isn't competition down here with the Edwardsvilles and O'Fallons and the Bellevilles, but I want to see where we stand as far the Chicago area as well.”

With some added competition on the schedule and a hard-working team that has shown they are ready for the season, Metro-East is ready to continue raising the bar for its boys' volleyball program.

“This is a group that is looking to exceed expectations. We went beyond what we imagined we could do last season,” Batty said. “A JV team playing into a regional and then playing in a regional championship was a good taste, but I know they are hungry for some more.”

Please recycle this paper

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Page 9

Spring Sports

Good Luck

Edwardsville Tigers Girls Softball Team!

Holiday Cleaners 112 Hillsboro Edwardsville, IL 62025 (618) 656-0202

Custom Creations for any Occasion!

The Tiger Special Buy 3 Cupcakes or Cookies

Since 1963 “Dry Cleaning and Laundry for those who care”

• Estate & Moving Sales • Appraisals • “Always Buying”

Get 1 FREE Offer expires 4/30/15

978-2594 • 830-3127 cew244antiques@aol.com

229 N. Main St., Edwardsville, IL 618.656.4800

Great Job, Girls!

Good Luck this Year!

FUNERAL HOME & MONUMENT SALES

Here are some ideas to plan a personalized funeral when commemorating the life of a loved one.

104 First Avenue - Edwardsville (618) 656-7256 eberhartsigns.net

• Personalization of Caskets & Urns • Celebration of Life Videos • Veteran’s Merchandise • Floral Arrangements

• Special Music Arrangements • On-line Obituaries • Picture Boards • Memorial Folders

304 N. Main St., Edwardsville 656-4655 • www.weberfuneralhome.com

459 E. Vandalia Edwardsville • 656-0155 MON-FRI • 8 AM - 5 PM OWNER, KEVIN PROTT

Shakes • Malts • Floats • Ice Cream Sodas • Concretes • Banana Split • Sundaes • Mushrooms • Okra

NOW N E P O he 1902 N. Main

656-9233

t For eason!

S

Call Ahead For Carryouts

Chicken Strips w/ Fries • Cauliflower • Fish

Weber & Rodney

Chicken Strips w/ Fries • Cauliflower • Fish

Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am to 6:00pm Sat 8:00am to 3:00pm

• Heating & A/C • Brakes & Exhaust • Diagnostics • Much More!

Onion Rings • Corn Dogs • Hot Dogs • Pork Tenderloin • Charco Burger • Okie Burger • Pizzaburger

Let Us Beat Your Best Deal!

C 656-6070

Chrysler 300

Edwardsville/Glen Carbon

www.cassenssons.com

Family Owned & Operated Since 1962

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE

Top Prices Paid for Junk Cars & Trucks!

(618) 656-1180 jerrystiresales.com 104 W. Vandalia, Edwardsville, IL

Good Luck This Season!

BUY & SELL

MON-FRI 8 AM - 5:30 PM SAT 8 AM - 2 PM

Specializing in: Brakes • Alignments Batteries • Belts Shocks & Struts • Hoses Oil Changes • Wheel Balance • A/C Recharge • Tire Rotation CV & Drive Axel

2 Miles North of I-270

USED AUTO & TRUCK PARTS

SELF SERVICE YARD • HUGE INVENTORY

YOU PULL IT! FREE ADMISSION (618) 931-2644 618-931-2644 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 2188 HWY 111 • GRANITE CITY, IL 62040 8 am - 5 pmOPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!! www.111SALVAGE.COM

8am-5pm

2188 Highway 111

656-7788 HOURS: Mon-Wed-Fri 9am-7:30pm; Tue & Thurs 9am-5:30pm; Sat 9am-4pm

Mark Vallow Seth Renken 1009 Plummer Drive • Edwardsville www.vallowfloor.com

JUST ANNOUNCED! Mini Van Owners

Page 10

March 20, 2015 — www.theintelligencer.com

Spring Sports

update YOur Mini Van nOw!

0

% *

apR FoR

2000 + 60 moNths boNus Cash!

Cassens

1$

Cassens Cassens

1 1

2015 ChRyslER $ Cash BuYers – BuY with 0 dOwn toWN & CouNtRy touRiNg NEW

J & J UST ANNOUNCED! UST ANNOUNCED! JUST ANNOUNCED! 2015 DoDgE Mini Van Owners

Mini Van Owners Mini Van Owners update YOur Mini Van nOw! update YOur Mini Van nOw! 26

NEW

UP TO

$ $ gRaND YOur CaRavaN % update Mini Van nOw! 2000 % 2000 + + 11 00 60 Cash!

60moNths moNths boNus boNus Cash!

MPG HWY

Cassens Cassens

0 60 JUST JUST ANNOUNCED! ANNOUNCED! %

*

*

+ 2000

apR FoR apR FoR

$ 2015 ChRyslER 2015 ChRyslER toWN & CouNtRy touRiNg toWN & CouNtRy touRiNg moNths boNus Cash! apR FoR & & W W EW N NE 2015 W E 201526 26 E N N 2015 DoDgE 2015 DoDgE Ram 1500 ExpREss ChRyslER 200 limitED NEW gRaND CaRavaN gRaND CaRavaN Mini Van Owners MiniquaD VanCab Owners update MiniVan VannOw! nOw! update YOur YOur Mini $ *

NEWNEW

UP TO

UP TO

MPG HWY

MPG HWY

2015 ChRyslER toWN & CouNtRy touRiNg $ BuY with 0 dOwn Cash BuYers $– % 2000 % 2000 + & + 2015 2015 2015 2015 0 60 moNths boNus boNus Cash!

0N2015 moNths Cash!

W 2015 DoDgE E2015 ChRyslER ChRyslER 26 toWN touRiNg toWN&gRaND &CouNtRy CouNtRy touRiNg CaRavaN stop by29WE aRE DEaliN’ & & * **

apR apRFoR FoR

Ram 1500 quaDquaD Cab ExpREss Cab ExpREss UPRam TO 1500

NENWEW

UP TO

379

$

199

* $ * *$ $379 $379 * * $199 $199 Cash BuYers – BuY with0 DoWN! dOwn 00 DoWN! UP TO UP TO

MPG HWY

UP TO

HWY

$

24 moNth lEasElEasE 24 moNth

379 379 00 DoWN! 199 199 DoWN! 29 ** $$

29 29 MPG MPG

$$

HWY HWY

* * UP TO

HWY

$

36 moNth lEasE 36 moNth lEasElEasE 36 moNth

NEW201520152015 W W 20152015 NE JEEp EWgDo NE JEEp patRiot latituDE NEWNDo patRiot latituDE 2015 DoDgE DaRt sxt sx DoDgE g DaRt sxt sx 200 limitED ChRyslER W E N JEEp patRiot latituDE

DoDgE Do g DaRt sx sxt UPTO TO UP

UP TO

29 29 MPG MPG

MPG MPG HWY HWY

EW 2015 N WEW E N NENWEW2015 N 2015 2015 quaD Cab ExpREss 2015 Ram 1500 2015 ChRyslER Ram 1500 quaD Cab ChRyslER limitED Ram 1500E quaD Cab ExpREss ExpREss 200200 limitED W N

199 199

148 148

* *

$$

$$

36 moNth lEasElEasE 36 moNth

* *

379 199 199 148 CassENs givEs you moRE FoR youR tRaDE!

$ $

36 moNth 36 moNth lEasElEasE

* * $ 2015 2015 2015 2015 stop by WE aRE DEaliN’ * *$0 DoWN! $

24 moNth lEasE 24 moNth lEasE

MPG HWY

24 moNth lEasE

*2015 Ram lease for 24 months withforpayment of $379.46, with $0ofdown, 10Kwith per year, must10K finance through well qualified title andbuyers, licensetax,extra, paymentextra, waived, $37,380.

2002015 leaseChrysler for 36 months withfor$2300 down, with 10K miles, *2015 Ram lease 24 months with payment $379.46, $0 down, per year, mustChrysler financeCapital throughforChrysler Capitalbuyers, for welltax, qualified title first and license firstMSRP payment waived,2015 MSRPChrysler $37,380.

200 lease 36 months $2300must down, 10K miles, must finance through Chrysler well qualified title andbuyers, licensetax,extra, $24,580.

Dodge Dart lease 36 months withfor$2150 down, 10K through well qualified title andbuyers, licensetax,extra, $21,140.

Jeep$21,140.

Patriot 2015 Jeep Patriot financeCapital throughforChrysler Capitalbuyers, for welltax, qualified title MSRP and license extra,2015 MSRP $24,580.

2015for Dodge Dart lease 36 months withmiles, $2150must down,finance 10K miles, mustChrysler financeCapital throughforChrysler Capitalbuyers, for welltax, qualified title MSRP and license extra,2015 MSRP Latitude lease for 36 monthslease with$2800 down, 10K miles, must through well qualified title andbuyers, licensetax,extra, $24,070. contribution Not all customers not all will buyers will qualify.

Residency restrictions apply. Art for illustration Latitude for 36 months with$2800 down,finance 10K miles, mustChrysler financeforthrough Chryslerbuyers, for welltax, qualified title MSRP and license extra,Deal MSRP $24,070. required.

Deal contribution required. will Not qualify, all customers qualify, not all buyers will qualify.

Residency restrictions apply. only.

Art for illustration only.

Must take deliveryMust by 3/31/15.

See dealer for details. incentives subject incentives to change without & may affectnotice dealer’s selling price. take delivery by 3/31/15.

See Manufacturer dealer for details.

Manufacturer subject tonotice change without & may affect dealer’s selling price.

36 moNth lEasE See UsUs ForFor AllAll Your Automotive Needs See Your Needs 36 Automotive moNth lEasE

36 moNth lEasE

W E N

148 148

36 moNth lEasElEasE 36 moNth

W NENWEJEEp JEEp patRiot latituDE patRiot latituDE

NENWEW DoDgE Do g g DaRt sxt DoDgE Do DaRtsx sxt sx

2015 by stop

WE **

199 199

**Do DoDgE g DaRt $sx sxt $

$$

ChRyslER 200 limitED ChRyslER 200 limitED

MPG HWY

2015 2015 DoDgE DoDgE$ 2626 gRaND gRaND CaRavaN 24 moNthCaRavaN lEasE 0 DoWN!

NENWEW

$$

NEWNEW

NEWNEW

2015 W E aRE N DEaliN’ JEEp patRiot latituDE

2 Miles North of North of 2 Miles I-270 on Hwy. 159on Hwy. 159 I-270

*2015 Ram lease for 24 months with payment of $379.46, with $0 down, 10K per year, must finance through Chrysler Capital for well qualified buyers, tax, title and license extra, first payment waived, MSRP $37,380. 2015 Chrysler 200 lease for 36 months with $2300 down, 10K miles, must finance through Chrysler Capital for well qualified buyers, tax, title and license extra, MSRP $24,580. 2015 Dodge Dart lease for 36 months with $2150 down, 10K miles, must finance through Chrysler Capital for well qualified buyers, tax, title and license extra, MSRP $21,140. 2015 Jeep Patriot Latitude lease for 36 months with$2800 down, 10K miles, must finance through Chrysler for well qualified buyers, tax, title and license extra, MSRP $24,070. Deal contribution required. Not all customers will qualify, not all buyers will qualify. Residency restrictions apply. Art for illustration only.

36 lEasE 36 moNth Must take delivery by 3/31/15. See dealer details. Manufacturer dealer’s selling price.

36formoNth moNth lEasEincentives subject to change without notice & may affect36 moNth lEasElEasE

See Us For All Your Automotive Needs

*2015 Ram lease months payment of $379.46, with $0 10K10K per per year, must ChryslerCapital Capitalforforwellwell qualified buyers, tax,and titlelicense and license extra, first payment waived, MSRP2015 $37,380.

Chrysler leasewith for $2300 36 months $2300must down, 10K miles, must *2015 for Ram24lease for 24with months with payment of $379.46, withdown, $0 down, year, mustfinance financethrough through Chrysler qualified buyers, tax, title extra, first payment waived, MSRP $37,380.

Chrysler2015 200 lease for 36200 months down, with 10K miles, finance through Chrysler well qualified buyers,buyers, tax, title extra, MSRP Dartlease leaseforfor3636 months $2150 10K miles, must finance throughCapital Chrysler Capital for well qualified tax, title license extra,2015 MSRP finance throughCapital ChryslerforCapital for well qualified tax,and title license and license extra, MSRP$24,580. $24,580. 2015 2015 Dodge Dodge Dart months withwith $2150 down,down, 10K miles, must finance through Chrysler for well qualified buyers, tax, titlebuyers, and license extra,and MSRP $21,140.

Jeep$21,140.

Patriot 2015 Jeep Patriot Latitude lease for 36 months with$2800 down, 10K miles, must finance through Chrysler for well qualified buyers, tax, title and license extra, MSRP $24,070.

Deal contribution required.

Not all customers will qualify, not all buyers will qualify.

Residency restrictions apply.

Art for illustration only.

Latitude lease for 36 months with$2800 down, 10K miles, must finance through Chrysler for well qualified buyers, tax, title and license extra, MSRP $24,070. Deal contribution required. Not all customers will qualify, not all buyers will qualify. Residency restrictions apply. Art for illustration only.

Must take delivery bydelivery 3/31/15.bySee dealer details.

Manufacturer incentives subject to tochange mayaffect affectdealer’s dealer’s selling Must take 3/31/15.

Seefordealer for details.

Manufacturer incentives subject changewithout withoutnotice notice && may selling price.price.

See YourAutomotive Automotive Needs SeeUs UsFor For All All Your Needs

148

$

*

36 moNth lEasE

2 Miles 2 Miles North of North of I-270 I-270 on Hwy. 159on Hwy. 159

199

$

*

2 Miles North of I-270 on Hwy. 159

36 moNth lEasE