Hersey's Fendley nets IBCA recognition
For the second time in four years, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association has recognized Hersey's Mary Fendley.
The Huskies girls basketball coach has been voted an IBCA co-coach of the year.
Her team enjoyed a 25-5 season with all its losses coming to two teams - Class AA state-runnerup Rolling Meadows and Mid-Suburban League runner-up Prospect.
Fendley gave Meadows one of its biggest scares in the state tournament.
The Huskies led the Mustangs 36-20 with less than a minute left in the first half of their semifinal game of the Barrington sectional.
"It's really just a testament to the hard work my girls put into the season," said Fendley, who guided the Huskies to the championships of the Hoffman Estates Thanksgiving tournament and the Wheaton North Christmas tournament. "I don't think many people would have thought we would only lose to two teams all season, and we almost beat Rolling Meadows."
Hersey's only losses in the month of February over the last two seasons are to Rolling Meadows, which was also second in the Class 4A state final in 2013.
When she won the award in 2010, Fendley's Huskies went 27-9 and earned their first appearance in the IHSA state finals (fourth-place finish).
After serving as an assistant in the program to Linda Mass, Fendley has been Hersey's head coach for the past 16 seasons.
Women's tennis
Augustana freshman Dana Goggin (Buffalo Grove) was named the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin women's tennis "Player of the Week", becoming the first Viking to earn the honor this spring.
She went 2-2 with her two loses against nationally-ranked Washington University (Mo.).
Goggin topped Principia's Kelly Adams 6-3; 6-3 at No. 3 singles.
The combination of Dana and her sister Lauren Goggin (Buffalo Grove) was victorious at No. 1 doubles over Carlie Sanderude and Hanne Anderson of Principia (9-8 (7-2).
Dana Goggin currently is 12-8 with a 10-5 dual meet record after playing singles matches at No. 1, 2 and 3.
She also sports a 14-8 doubles record with all but one loss coming in tandem with her twin.
Dana Goggin was selected to the 2013 CCIW all-conference second team following her fall accomplishments on the court.
She was the runner-up at No. 3 singles at the conference tournament and took second at No. 1 doubles with her sister.
Men's track
Eastern Illinois redshirt senior Mick Viken (Rolling Meadows) became the first person in school history to pole vault 18 feet.
He produced an 18-0.5 jump at the Texas Relays, ranking him second on the NCAA outdoor list this season.
Women's track
Augustana senior Becca Sund (Palatine) was part of the 4x800 meter relay team that won at the Rhodes Invitational with a time of 9:40.01.
Softball
Maryville sophomore shortstop Alex Flasch (St. Viator) was named Saint of the Week as she helped the Saints sweep Quincy in a doubleheader and post three wins.
Flasch hit .471 over six games (8-of-17) while driving in 10 runs to go along with a .765 slugging percentage.
She started the week with a 3-for-4 effort in game one against Lindenwood and scored a run.
In the second game, she doubled in two runs as the Saints won 7-1. Against Quincy, Flasch went 2-for-3 and drove in 4 runs in both games of the doubleheader.
Game one saw her single twice with the bases loaded to score two runners on each occasion.
In the second game against Quincy, her 2-run homer tied the game after Quincy had taken the lead, and she doubled in two more runs in her next at-bat.
• Millikin's Becca Thompson (Schaumburg) was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI in the Big Blue's 10-2 win over Loras as part of a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin doubleheader.
Baseball
Knox College senior Erik Smoy (Hoffman Estates) was 5-for-8 with 9 RBI and 3 stolen bases in a doubleheader against Robert Morris-Springfield.
In a doubleheader against Beloit College, Smoy went 6-for-11 including a double and home run with 5 RBI and 3 stolen bases.
Women's basketball
Millikin sophomore Kelly Skorczewski was presented the junior varsity Synergy Award.
Men's tennis
Conant senior Connor Sacks plans to attend Millikin and play tennis for Big Blue coach Dustin Forman. Sacks plans to major in sports management.
"While recruiting Connor, a lot of things stood out to me," Forman said. "He has a supportive family, he is a great student academically, and on the court he is a tremendously-talented player.
"I am confident that Connor will have an immediate impact on our team both academically and athletically."
Sacks earned four varsity letters playing in the No. 1 singles and doubles position at Conant. He was a state qualifier as a sophomore and junior and his team's Most Valuable Player during his senior season.
Forman is looking to add a talented group of recruits with his 2014 recruiting class as he rebuilds the Millikin men's tennis program. The program returned to action in 2013-14 taking the court for the first time since 2001.
Official endorsement
The Illinois High School Association announced its 2013-14 Officials of the Year in 20 IHSA sports. To be considered for this honor, an official must first be nominated by an Officials Association recognized by the IHSA. IHSA staff members then vote on the winners based on factors such as character, skill as an official and levels worked in the IHSA State Series. This year's winners will be recognized at a banquet during the 2014 IHSA Officials Conference, which will be held on Saturday, July 19 at the Civic Center in Peoria.
"We are privileged to honor these individuals, along with all officials, for their dedication and commitment to young people," said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Craig Anderson. "Officiating is often underappreciated, but it is an incredibly important part of the educational experiences that high school athletics provide. It is important to continue to recognize those who go above and beyond to promote fair play."
Here is the list: Baseball: Bob Copas (Elmhurst); Boys basketball: Samuel K. Moran (Lewistown); Girls basketball: Thomas E. Daugherty (Bloomington); Cheerleading: Becky L. Weslow, (Orland Park); Cross country: David A. Mitchell, (Peoria); Dance: Candace M. Gadomski (Decatur); Football: Octavio Herrera, Jr. (Melrose Park); Boys gymnastics: Gregg B. Didech (Barrington); Girls gymnastics: Barbara Oczkowicz (Carol Stream); Boys soccer: Randy S. Brickman (Deerfield); Girls soccer: Gregory R. Shierling (Quincy); Softball: Christopher J. Schaefer (Chicago); Boys swimming & diving: Louis Estes Gantz (Northbrook); Girls swimming & diving Janice L. Plack, Des Plaines; Boys track & field: Jamero J. Rainey, (Edwards); Girls track & field: Robert A. Rice (Danville); Boys volleyball: Mark D. Trapp (Villa Park); Girls volleyball: David A. Sands (Salem); Water Polo (Michael A. Mitchell (Palatine); Wrestling: Jeff A. Sorensen (Bloomington)
Men's lacrosse
Jonathan Bryk (Fremd) had one score for Augustana while teammate Austin Marrison (Palatine) added 2 assists in a 23-1 victory over the Defiance Yellow Jackets. The Vikings' Jon Pape (Hoffman Estates) played all 30 second-half minutes and recorded 2 saves in the Midwest Lacrosse Conference contest.
Basketball
Former St. Viator softball and basketball player Erin Reschke, the head coach of the varsity girls basketball team at St. Joseph School in Wilmette. directed her team of seven girls to first place in Council II - 3A Division A. It is the first time the St. Joseph girls have brought home a first-place trophy. Reschke, a St. Joseph faculty member, has coached girls basketball for five years at the school, the last three for the varsity team.
Mini Soccer Academy
The Chicago Fire Juniors Mini Soccer Academy is for 4- to 9-year-old boys and girls and starts on Tuesday, April 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Mini Soccer is a professional program overseen by professional trainers.
Participants train twice a week for one hour and play small-sided soccer games on Saturdays.
Training and games will be held at 1101 Linneman Road in Mt. Prospect.
Player fees are $65 for training and games, which is less than $3 per hour of training.
Registration is easy and simple, visit www.allplayers.com/g/cfjng/ and click on the Mini Soccer Registration Link.
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