Free Press Advocate

Smaller ‘Cats will be tested from the start

Published by admin on Tue, 08/21/2018 - 5:29pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Size may be an issue for the Wildcat varsity football team. Wilmington will measure up shorter than most other I-8 teams, but coach Jeff Reents says his players have things to make up for it.
    The Wildcats lose 21 seniors from a year ago  but return a starting roster of 34, all but one is an upperclassman who have taken reps at the varsity leve.l Nonetheless, adjustments will need to be made and are revisited every year regardless of the situation.

All in Da Swing wins Brimetime tournament

Published by admin on Tue, 08/14/2018 - 4:28pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The North Island Park in Wilmington hosted a men’s softball tournament featuring eight teams from around the area.
    The tournament kicked off on Friday at 7 p.m. where three games were played, concluding at 11 p.m.
    The semi finals and championship games were played on Saturday as the Wilmington team, All in Da Swing, played Jason’t Electrical in the semi finals and finals, beating them both times to win the championship.

WHS Golf drops opener

Published by admin on Tue, 08/14/2018 - 4:13pm

    The Wilmington golf team needed to shave off five strokes if they wanted to beat Manteno Monday in the season opener.
    Manteno won the meet 207-211.
    The top golfers for Wilmington were senior leader Ryan Woodall and Nolan Smith who both shot a 48.
    Jake Rader proved his usefulness to begin the year, shooting a 56 and Ben Kreitz shot  59, respectively.
    The Wilmington Wildcats will host Streator and Plano Aug. 22,  as a part of the conference triangular at High Point Golf Course in Essex.

Lady Wildcats looking to fill gaps in their attack

Published by admin on Tue, 08/14/2018 - 4:11pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington girls volleyball team is ready for the 2018 season, hoping their experienced and youth players will mesh well with each other on their way to a winning season.
    Head coach Laura Wakefield is back for her fourth year running the show. She will be assisted by coach Alexis Zouganelis.
    The Wildcats are coming back after an 11-19 record last season.

Bobcats off to a solid start

Published by admin on Tue, 08/14/2018 - 4:10pm

The Bobcat youth football teams won three of four games played during their season opener on Sunday.
The Super Lightweight Bobcats got things started with a 26-0 victory over the visiting Coal City Miners.
The SL game featured a pair of touchdown runs by Colton Schultz and one each by Cole Cutter and Hunter Kaitschuck.
The Lightweight Bobcats scored on their first possession thanks to the quarterback handoff from Mick Smith to Billy Moore, who then raced up the  right side 40 yards for the score.

Youth football gets running during Jamboree

Published by admin on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 3:03pm

by shawn long
staff writer    
    Reed-Custer hosted the youth football program jamboree where all levels of the Comets, Wilmington, Coal City, Peotone and Manteno teams met at the Comet’s field on Saturday, depite the 90-degree heat.
    The Jamboree consisted of two teams on each end of the football field. Each mini scrimmage started by playing defense for 10 minutes, then switching to offense for 10 minutes.

Woodall, Wildcats ready to tee off 2018

Published by admin on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 3:00pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Wilmington...Woodall... Wilson...Wildcats...
    There’s plenty of W’s these days when it comes to the varsity WHS golf team. But the more important W’s will be followed by the letters “ins” as the Wildcats prepare to open their season Monday at Manteno.
    The Wildcats will get back into the swing of things with a handful experienced golfers.
    Coach Mike Wilson  returns for his 15th season, looking for senior Ryan Woodall to lead the charge.

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.