High School Sports Spotlight
September 30, 2012 6:10PM
Erin Bendle, Lemont swimming. Supplied photo
Article Extras
Updated: November 2, 2012 6:11AM
Erin Bendle
Jr., Swimming, Lemont
After missing last season’s conference meet with a shoulder injury, Bendle had all the motivation she needed for the offseason.
“It killed her not to swim at the meet,” coach Erin Boyd said. “She is still struggling with it a bit, but she pushed so far in the offseason at club, and she swam all summer to be ready.”
Bendle has been the ultimate team player through the first half of the season.
“We can put her in any event and she doesn’t complain,” Boyd said.
Tim O’Brien
Joe Koenig
Sr., Soccer, Minooka
Koenig, an all-conference pick in 2011, has been playing soccer since he was 6.
“I like the pace of the sport,” he said. “You have to think a lot. There’s not just one thing you have to do.”
The Indians (9-7-1, 3-2) are in the thick of a crowded Southwest Prairie race.
“We have good chemistry,” Koenig said. “We’d really like a conference championship this year. Then we want to win our first playoff game and go from there.”
Steve Millar
Nneka Onyejaka
Sr., Tennis, Bolingbrook
Onyejaka is 19-2 and trying to become a two-time state qualifier.
“She is being more aggressive with her winning shots,” coach Chris Mallon said. “She doesn’t wait for her competition to make mistakes. She’s looking for the winning shot earlier in the rally.
“She is also keeping the ball (deep), which is preventing her opponents from approaching the net.”
She gained a shot of confidence, Mallon said, by winning the Lemont Tournament last month.
Dennis Nelson
Mickey Brick
Soph., Golf, Providence
Brick, an all-league selection as a freshman, placed third with a 2-over 74 at
Cog Hills’ No. 3 Course in the Catholic League Tournament on Wednesday.
“I started playing golf with my dad when I was 7,” Brick said. “I was 12 the first time I beat him. Now when we play, I have to give him strokes.”
Brick will try to help Providence improve on last year’s ninth-place state finish in Class 3A starting with Tuesday’s regionals.
Logan Malloy
