High School Sports Spotlight
February 3, 2013 5:26PM
Ryan Kojder, of Lincoln-Way Central
Article Extras
Updated: March 5, 2013 6:23AM
Ryan Kojder
Sr., Diving, L-W Central
Kojder qualified for the 2012 state meet and will aim for another state berth Feb. 16 at the Lincoln-Way North Sectional.
“It was a pretty scary thing going to state for the first time, but that bettered me for this year,’’ he said.
Although he’s a diver, Kojder said “I give the swimmers a lot of credit. It is not an easy thing to accomplish. I give them major props for coming out every day for practice for 21/2 hours, swimming their tails off.’’
Tim Tierney
Kacie Kenney
So., Gymnastics, Lockport
Kenney won the SouthWest Suburban Conference balance beam title and was fourth all-around. Tuesday, she took ninth in the all-around at regionals.
She started gymnastics at age 7, when current teammates Kaitlyn Lee and Athanasia Pappas convinced her to try the sport.
“I like this sport because it’s demanding,” Kenney said. “And I like the fact there is never a limit in what you can do.”
Jeff Vorva
Kristine Countryman
Jr., Bowling, Plainfield C.
Countryman enjoys the area’s tough competition.
“It’s definitely a motivator,” she said. “You see all the great bowlers around here and you want to try to be as good as they are. It makes you want to keep practicing.”
Countryman likes to practice with Wii Bowling, and says real bowling “is definitely easier.”
Despite her name, she isn’t really into country.
“I like a little bit of everything, but mostly rock,” she said. “My favorite band is A Day to Remember.”
Steve Millar
Sharod Wilson
Sr., Wrestling, Joliet Cent.
After notching his second consecutive SouthWest Suburban Conference title at 182 pounds, Wilson didn’t hesitate to point to the future. “I’m 34-2, so I’m looking forward to making it downstate,” Wilson said. “I think I’m progressing really well. By the time sectionals come, I should be peaking.”
Wilson also notched bragging rights at the 16-team Pontiac Invitational and 22-team Lincoln Tournament, helping Joliet Central top the field in both.
Logan Malloy
