High School Sports Notes
December 9, 2012 5:32PM
Updated: January 11, 2013 6:12AM
Boys Bowling
Minooka fell just 19 pins shy of qualifying for the state meet last season. The Indians finished third in the sectional they hosted with the top two teams – Plainfield Central and Romeoville — advancing to state.
Zach Segatto qualified individually for Minooka and finished 30th in the state as a sophomore.
This year, he has his sights set on team success.
“As long as we’re making spares and bowling the way we should be, we should do pretty good this year,” he said.
Minooka coach Derrick Rapsky expects all five of his starters, Nick Beeler, Justin Shepard, John Kauffman, Ryan Duggins and Segatto, to average over 200.
“We have five strong returning varsity bowlers,” Rapsky said. “These guys have the talent and experience. They just need to prove it on the lanes.”
The Indians took the title in the Dec. 1 Oswego East Invitational behind individual champion Segatto.
They also have some big dual wins, most notably a 3,250-3,113 victory over defending Southwest Prairie champion Oswego.
“We feel we have a chance to compete for a conference championship and a chance to go downstate as a team this season,” Rapsky said.
Steve Millar
Boys Swimming
With sprinter Jacob Beaudin among the team leaders, Morris co-op coach Andrew Porth expects a successful season.
“We also have a good sprinter in Jordan Ramirez, and Jimmy Meredith of Minooka will be a big producer for us in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke,’’ Porth said. “Anthony Ascolani is going to do well in the 100 butterfly and the 200 free, and Jacob MacLean will be our distance swimmer. Our medley relay and our 200 free will do well.’’
Beaudin, a Minooka student, doesn’t mind a 20-minute bus commute to get to practice at Morris.
“Everyone has started when I get there,’’ Beaudin said. “I get to be part of a team that if I didn’t travel, I wouldn’t be able to do it. I’m privileged to swim with the Morris team.’’
Beaudin said he started swimming as a youngster with the Joliet Jets swim club because he “just wanted something to do.’’
Morris hosts Fenton on Tuesday and West Aurora on Thursday.
Two of the best swimming programs in the area will go head-to-head Thursday when Sandburg hosts Lockport in a SouthWest Suburban Blue dual.
Tim Tierney
Wrestling
Kyle Langenderfer, Lincoln-Way East’s reigning state champion at 138 pounds, discussed his decision to commit to Illinois.
“I grew up wrestling in kids clubs all around the state. I’m a hometown kid and wanted to represent my state,” Langenderfer said. “That was a big pull for me, and one of my goals was to wrestle in the Big Ten. They’re one of the top programs there, so I couldn’t really argue with any other school. I love the coaching staff and it helps that (Lincoln-Way East) coach (Tyrone) Byrd wrestled there.”
Langenderfer missed the first month of the season because he was a starting linebacker on an East team that reached the Class 8A state finals, but he’s shown no rust coming back to the mat. Langenderfer won the title at the 12-team Stagg Invitational and went 3-0 with three pins at the Minooka Duals on Saturday.
“Football flew by and now I’m more than halfway through my wrestling season,” he said. “Everything’s flying by. I’m really excited to get down (to Illinois) and go to some summer wrestling camps, but I’m trying stay focused on senior year.
Logan Malloy
Girls Gymnastics
Lincoln-Way co-op is hoping for some revenge when it hosts Sandburg-Stagg at 6 p.m. Wednesday in a SouthWest Suburban Conference battle.
Sandburg-Stagg won last year’s meeting 133-132.85, led by Sarah Mussallem, who scored a 35.35 in the all-around. Lincoln-Way co-op was led in that meet by Kaitlyn Neiheisel, who scored a 35.65 in the all-around. Those two talented graduates accounted for four of the six scores of 9.0 or higher that night.
Lincoln-Way co-op has seen promise from Kaila Pohrte (34.95 Wednesday vs. Andrew), Sam Duggan (31.7) and Shelby Witkor (31.5).
“Obviously, like anyone else I want to be a team leader,” said Pohrte, a sophomore. “But there is an impact from a lot of the other athletes on this team as well.”
The IHSA announced sectional assignments. Lincoln-Way co-op will compete Feb. 6 at the Hinsdale Central Sectional. Also, individuals from Lockport, Mount Assisi, Plainfield Central, Plainfield North, Plainfield South, Providence and Romeoville plan to enter.
Regional assignments will be announced in January.
Jeff Vorva
