Free Press Advocate

Tanner Roark makes it three straight

Published by admin on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 2:57pm

Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark made it three straight wins on Sunday when he pitched another gem, outlasting the Reds in a 2-1 thriller.
    Roark sent the Reds down in order in the first. In the second, the Reds got Williams on via the bunt single but could not move him as Roark stranded him on first, keeping it scoreless.
    The Nationals gave Roark run support in the bottom half of the second with a solo home run off the bat of Matt Wieters.
    Roark followed that with a 1-2-3 third.

Newcomers win mud volleyball title

Published by admin on Tue, 07/31/2018 - 4:57pm

By Shawn long
staff writer
Practice Safe Sets win their
first-ever title
    The team “Practice Safe Sets” sloshed their way to victory during the 17th annual Catfish Day’s mud volleyball tournament held over the weekend at Tuffy’s Lounge and Patio.
    Practice Safe Sets, newcomers to the tournament, upended Ludtke’s 1 in the championship game on Sunday to claim the title. Three-time defending champions, Kinky Sets, defeated the Brown Floaters to finish third.

Bobcats, Miners and Comets suit up for the season

Published by admin on Tue, 07/31/2018 - 4:54pm

by Shawn long
staff writer
Cheerleaders and players on the Coal City Miners, Braidwood Junior Comets and Wilmington Bobcats youth football teams are suiting up.
Coal City and Braidwood held their first practices on Monday, while Wilmington started putting on the pads Tuesday.
Coaches were eager to get started this week. Bobcat vice president Joey Rivera said he loves the feeling of getting to teach someone from the ground level up.

Youth cheer camp continues drawing in steady number

Published by admin on Tue, 07/31/2018 - 4:51pm

by shawn long
staff writer    
    Wilmington High School hosted it annual youth cheer camp, giving youngsters a chance to learn new dance moves along with some turns and twists.
    Most of the instruction was being done by high school cheerleaders whave the experience and know-how to work with young girls. Remember, years earlier they too attended the same camp.

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.