Talbot taking career achievements to Illinois State

Senior Megan Talbot has been on the Barrington High School academic honor roll every year.

She has also schooled many of her opponents as a three-year starter on coach Babbi Barreiro's varsity basketball team.

Talbot will go into her final season after leading the Fillies in scoring and rebounding last season.

And she will enter the season as a future Division I player.

Talbot has made a verbal commitment to play at Illinois State, becoming one of three players from the Mid-Suburban League to play at the Normal college since the early 1990s.

Hersey scoring machine Corinne Vossel was a Redbird from 1994 to 1998 while Buffalo Grove standout guard Ashley Sandstead Graham played for ISU from 2002 to 2006.

Talbot liked Illinois State being close to home, making it easier for her family and friends to visit.

"I am thrilled for Megan," Barreiro said. "I think she has worked very hard the last several years in and out of season to pursue her dream of being a college basketball player. I am glad she was able to create some opportunities to choose from and settled in on a place where she feels very comfortable."

Comfort played a key role in Talbot's decision to compete for coach Barb Smith and her staff.

"The coaches were incredibly nice," she said. "They made me feel like family from the first time I met them."

Growing up, Talbot was always told she had talent for the game.

"But I never really thought of myself being that good," said Talbot, who is also a top attacker for the Fillies girls volleyball team. "But I loved the fact that I could continue playing the sport I love and share that feeling with my new teammates at Illinois State."

Talbot began playing basketball at a young age when she would go one on one against her brother in the driveway.

"I think that's where I got my competitive edge," Talbot said. "I would play one on one against my family members and they always pushed me to get better and stronger. I wouldn't be where I am without them."

Talbot's parents pushed Megan to be a better player.

" My dad played me in one-on-one and my mom pushed me to work out and work on my skills," Megan said. "And it's like an epic battle in the driveway of who can beat the other during our free time."

Talbot has often beaten her defender to the basket during her high school career.

An all-area forward, she was the Fillies' leading scorer and rebounder last season averaging 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. She shot 70 percent from the free throw line.

Tom Hohenadel, Talbot's head coach for her club team (Illinois Elite), was helpful throughout the whole recruitment process.

"He really introduced me to the possibility of playing at the next level of college basketball and he always pushed me to get better at the game," Talbot said. "I will always be thankful for his support."

Fremd girls basketball Dave Yates was a key part of Talbot's growth.

"My AAU coach for three years, he helped my growth from eighth grade through sophomore year," Talbot said. "He knew he could push me and that I could take it. He helped me want to be better and to achieve my goal to play college basketball. Even though he is the head coach at Fremd, our main rival, he always pushed me to get better.

"And I have to thank Babbi Barreiro (Barrington girls basketball coach), who has supported me through my basketball career and helped me grow as a leader."

Talbot grew up playing basketball, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

"I decided to focus on basketball and try my hardest to play volleyball during the fall months at the high school," she said." I love playing volleyball; it is quick and filled with energy.

"But I've always had an immense passion for basketball. That passion drives me every day to get better at everything I do to help my future."

Her future at Illinois State is undecided in terms of what she will study. She enjoys the sciences because they are more "hands on."

"But I like all subjects," she said.

She certainly figures to be the subject of many opposing defenses this winter.

"For my final year of high school, I'm looking forward to having a blast and having winning sports seasons," she said. "It's the last year with all my friends all together so I'm excited to take part in Filly Football and all the senior nights of my sports.

"For college I am ready to take my basketball skills to the next level and see a faster game. My future teammates are all super nice, so I'm excited to spend tons of time with them. I'm ready to travel to different states to play great competition. Most importantly, I'm excited to finish my academic career at such a great university.

"I think Megan has a ton of potential ahead," Barreiro said. "Hopefully it will make a very pressure-free senior year on the basketball court."

And Talbot can't wait.

"I have to thank all my friends and their families who have supported me in basketball throughout the years. I have been lucky enough to play two varsity sports during my high school career and I am thankful to all my great teammates who have supported me."

Men's soccer

Millikin senior Zach Solorio (Elk Grove) was named men's soccer player of the week in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

The Big Blue midfielder helped lead Millikin to a pair of wins with a goal and an assist. He finished with a goal in the 78th minute that broke a 1-1 tie during a 3-2 win over Webster. He also assisted John Fauser's goal in the fifth minute that put the Big Blue up 1-0 against the Gorloks.

• Heartland Community College freshman Tyler Curylo (Palatine) is the team's leading scorer with 6 goals and 4 assists.

Football

Illinois Wesleyan quarterback Jack Warner (Hersey) was 21-of-36 for 294 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Titans' 21-17 victory over host Carthage.

Warner's longest completion was a 37-yard pass to Artie Checchin (Rolling Meadows), who had 10 receptions for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Carthage quarterback Bobby Suchecki (Rolling Meadows) completed 12 of 17 passes, totaling 162 yards while Red Men running back Nick Anzelmo (Schaumburg) rushed for 40 yards and 1 touchdown.

"(Anzelmo) does a nice job running our little package that we have there with him and running the ball, throwing the ball," said Titans coach Mike Yeager on the school's website. "He's a physical kid, he's a great leader, a great kid and had some key plays for us today."

• North Central sophomore Richard Zirngibl (Buffalo Grove) finished with a career-high 11 tackles in a 50-49 loss to No. 5-ranked Wesley College (Delaware).

• North Central senior defensive back Brandon Kibby (Schaumburg) recorded 3 tackles (2 solo and 1 assisted) and had one interception.

Women's soccer

Lawrence University junior midfielder Casey Merkle (Barrington) was named offensive player of the week in the Midwest Conference.

Merkle was chosen after Lawrence (5-3-0) won a pair of nonconference road games. She scored or assisted on all but one of Lawrence's goals.

Merkle picked up a pair of assists as Lawrence won 3-1 at Wisconsin Lutheran College. She assisted on Ryan Berkley's goal in the fifth minute to put the Vikings up 1-0.

Merkle got another assist when Berkley scored again in the 73rd minute to help seal the victory.

Merkle picked up her third goal of the season when she scored the game's first goal in a 2-0 victory at Finlandia University. She then assisted on Genna Matt's insurance goal in the second half.

• North Park junior Kelci Deal (Palatine) was named player of the week in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Deal totaled 3 goals in helping lead the Vikings to a pair of wins.

She scored her team's final 2 goals in a 6-0 shutout of Rockford and then scored the game-winning goal with just one second left in a 2-1 win over UW-Stevens Point.

Women's volleyball

North Central senior Laura Kluk (Palatine) recorded a game-high 50 assists with 9 digs and 2 kills in a 3-1 CCIW triumph over visiting Augustana.

Men's cross country

Augustana senior Ethan Koch (Prospect) was third with a time of 25:29.2 as the Vikings won the 19-team Illinois Intercollegiate Championships hosted by Olivet Nazarene University.

Elk Grove feeder

Tryouts for Elk Grove Lady Grens girls feeder basketball will be Sunday, Oct 11 at the Elk Grove High School gymnasium from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Eligible players include girls grades fifth through eighth who will attend Elk Grove High School.

You must bring a completed registration form & liability waiver form, which is available online at https://sites.google.com/a/d214.org/eghs-girls-basketball/

Fremd feeder

Try outs for Fremd boys feeder basketball will be at the Fremd High School main gym on Oct. 9 and Oct 16 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please go to Fremdfeeder.com for details.

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