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Sports
Former area standout Luke Smith named Centennial's next baseball coach
Oct. 9—CHAMPAIGN — Not too long along, Luke Smith excelled on the pitching mound for the Centennial baseball team. Used his expertise and fiery personality on the mound to eventually pitch at Parkland College and Louisville. Now, the former Centennial standout will have a new title at his alma mater: baseball coach. Centennial announced Smith as the program's next coach Wednesday morning, ...
Notebook: Cox makes seamless leap to Big Ten; Clarke impressing on special teams; fundamentals key for LBs
CHAMPAIGN — All things considered, Torrie Cox Jr.'s jump from the MAC to the Big Ten has been pretty seamless. Cox has started all five games for No. 23 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) and has a pair of interceptions to go along with nine tackles and three pass breakups. Yet, Cox said he hasn't done anything yet. His goal wasn't to come to Illinois to be a serviceable starter — music to his position coach, Corey Parker's ears — and that he has a ways to go.
Tuesday's prep highlights: Spartans, Rockets win IPC cross-country meet
Oct. 9—In volleyball Twelve kills from and 22 assists from helped the Knights (16-4) to a 25-15, 25-15 semifinal win over the Redskins, with adding six digs to help the winning cause. The Lions will face the Knights in Wednesday's championship match after beating the Purple Riders (11-8) 25-12, 25-13. Who should be this week's girls' Athlete of the Week? It's time to vote for The ...
Close-knit Illini tight end room translating into success
(WCIA) — Illinois is 4-1 heading into the rivalry game against Purdue, back in action after a bye week. The loss at Penn State was softened by a four-yard touchdown by transfer tight end Carson Goda, his first in orange and blue. Goda and sophomore Henry Boyer have stepped up following Cole Rusk’s season-ending injury. […]
The News-Gazette's volleyball Top 10: Area's best teams staying poised
Oct. 9—We're at the point in the volleyball season where the top-tier teams aren't blinking. The first one that does will certainly shake things up. Here's preps coordinator Zach Piatt's latest area Top 10 as the regular season starts to wind down: ➜ Record: 19-2 ➜ Previous ranking: No. 1 The Bulldogs have now won nine matches in a row. Ellie Barker, Lily Bosworth and Addi Eisenmann led them ...
Torrie Cox Jr. staying hungry after solid start with Illini
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Ohio transfer cornerback Torrie Cox Jr. has made the transition from MAC to Big Ten look fairly seamless, but he doesn’t think he’s reached his potential. “I really don’t feel like I’ve done anything yet,” Cox Jr. said. “I’ve just shown little flashes here and there, but I’ve got to be […]
Bob Asmussen | Bielema, Illini on upset alert
Oct. 8—CHAMPAIGN — The first of two open weeks for the Illinois football team is done. Time to get back to work. As he usually does on game week, Illinois coach Bret Bielema met with the media Monday afternoon in the Memorial Stadium press box. If he missed us (doubt it), he didn't let on. Before taking questions, Bielama brought up the rivalry part of the Illinois-Purdue series. The teams ...
Good Morning, Illini Nation: Recruiting internationally
Oct. 8—Illinois turned to a global approach on the recruiting trail when Brad Underwood took control of the program in 2017. International players — or at least players with international experience — helped populate those early Illini rosters. Underwood and Co. shifted away from that for a few years, but it's a clear priority again. This year's team has three international players in Kasparas ...
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