Free Press Advocate

Wilmington 10U rules Summerfest tourney

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 3:38pm

by Shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington All Star 10U team dominated the Braidwood Summerfest tournament, winning their division by going undefeated.
    In the 10U division for the boys, the Wilmington All Stars went 4-0 on their way to the championship game mercy ruling Minooka 17-4, Limestone 18-3, Troy and took it to the boys from Limestone again as they started it by having a big first inning.

Wildcat girls set records in first-ever coed powerlifting meet

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 3:36pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Wilmington hosted the annual I-8 Powerlifting meet Friday, but the only team to attend were the Wildcats as other I-8 teams said they had scheduling conflicts.
    So that opened the door for female athletes to complete and for the first time ever, four Lady Cats were part of the annual competition.

Anglers net $5,500 in prize money during river derby

Published by admin on Tue, 07/17/2018 - 4:25pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The weather cooperated this past week, despite the heat, for the Kankakee River Fishing Derby which came to a close Sunday.
    Fishing results were improved over last year with  nine tagged fish getting caught (six in 2017), and it was over par compared to the long term average (eight per year). That encouraged the registered anglers to keep going and get inspired for the next year of the competition.

Wildcat 7v7 battle with JCA an eye opener

Published by admin on Tue, 07/17/2018 - 4:19pm

by Shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington Wildcats football team held its second 7-on-7 competition in a week, seeing some success but also some areas they needed to focus on, in preparation for the upcoming season.

BBSA gets ready to host Summerfest Tournament

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 3:52pm

By Shawn long
staff writer    
    Starting Monday youth baseball and softball teams from all around the area square off in the fifth annual Braidwood Summerfest Tournament.
    The tournament is hosted by the Braidwood Baseball and Softball Association, proving to be one of the best events  to showcase local talent.
    “The home run derby will be under the lights on Monday night, starting at 5 p.m. and last year we went until like nine o’clock so that will probably be the case this year as well,”said Jerry Curl, BBSA president.

She’s always Sunny, and a darn good volleyball player

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 3:47pm

by Shawn long
staff writer
      Former four-year volleyball Lady Wildcat Sunny Winker continues to make strides at her new home.
    Winker has been at Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville for three years and the 2015 WHS graduate is continuing to impress her coaches.
    “As a true freshman, she started on the outside and only played three rotations, but started to play all the way around towards the end of the season,” said Veronica Cribbs, SIUE club volleyball coach.

Local stock car racer prepares for NHRA showdown

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 3:43pm

by Shawn long
staff writer
    He’ll have less than 9 seconds to prove himself.
    That’s how short a time Dan Condon will get Saturday when he hopes to do everything right to win as a drag race driver.
    Condon, from Wilmington, will be competing in the Burndown at Sundown at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet. He’ll be inside one of 500 race cars competing in one of the most explosive events of the year.
    Condon, 29, is a factory stock eliminator driver who is presently ranked 42nd overall.

Five fish caught so far in river fishing derby

Published by admin on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 3:51pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    A Momence man will be shopping in Wilmington after catching a tagged fish in the 35th annual Kankakee River Valley Fishing Derby.
    Joseph Catona of Momence caught “R&D The Mar”, a tagged fish sponsored by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce worth $500 in gift certificates. It’s name is to honor Rick Smith and Denise Issert of the Mar Theatre who are the 2017 Business persons of the year.
    It is one of five tagged fish caught so far, adding up to $3,500 in prizes as of Monday.

Come from behind win for D'Orazio

Published by admin on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 3:47pm

by Shawn long
staff writer    
    The Wilmington Bronco boys baseball team sponsored by D’Orazio Ford came from behind to win the Galaxy Championship on Thurday in a Wilmington  tournament that started June 11.
    “Giving all the kids an opportunity to learn each position gave us the experience needed to make a come-from-behind win,” said coach Loren Burkey.

The life lessons taught on a trip to Cooperstown

Published by admin on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 3:44pm

by shawn long
staff writer    
    I walked out on the mound with runners on base and our team trailing. I kicked the dirt, dug into the rubber and looked at catcher Tyler Anderson.
    He gave me the number one, signaling a fastball. I fired one as hard as I possibly could, getting a “strike” call from the umprire.
    I got the ball back, ahead in the count with some confidence from that last heave, ready to do it all over again.