SENIORS’ TALENT ON DISPLAY AS SCOTS SWEEP AGAIN

The end of athletic seasons can be emotional times, and many of those feelings are brought to the surface during Senior Day celebrations.

Monmouth track coach Roger Haynes conducted his own private ceremony for his outstanding senior class a week ago, having all 23 graduating performers speak at the team’s banquet. The Fighting Scots’ unofficial Senior Day came last weekend at the Midwest Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, with seniors posting 12 of Monmouth’s 22 individual event victories as the men’s and women’s teams cruised to decisive victories.

The men reeled off their seventh straight outdoor title, scoring 307.5 points to leave Illinois College’s total of 133 points a distant second. The women have now won three consecutive crowns after outpointing Carroll 219.5 to 107.

"It’s going to be hard to see the seniors go," said Haynes, who has now coached Monmouth teams to 44 indoor and outdoor conference titles. "It’s a bittersweet thing.

He added, "Our men were pretty solid overall and set a number of conference records. Overall, it was a very good weekend."

Four Scots were double winners at the meet, and all four are senior men. The list was headed by Dante Daniels (Waukegan, Ill./Gurnee-Warren), who swept the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Already known as "Monmouth’s fastest man" for his school-record in the 100 last year, Daniels claimed the Scots’ mark in the 200, as well, with his time of 21.36. He moved up to fifth in the nation in that event and established a new MWC record, one of seven Monmouth set on the day. His 100 time of 10.63 was a season best, giving him the No. 14 spot nationally.

"More than anything, it was a matter of Dante being at his emotional and competitive peak," said Haynes. "He was challenged in both races by (IC’s) D.J. Jackson, and he came from behind to win them both. I think that shows how badly he wanted to win both races."

The Scots also doubled up in the jumps and throws, as well as the middle distance events. Alex Stuart (Kirkwood, Ill./Yorkwood) posted season bests in the long jump (22’5-3/4) and the triple jump (46’11), with the latter mark putting the All-America into the national rankings at the No. 23 spot. The versatile Stuart added a third-place throw in the javelin (173’0).

Jeff Rebholz (Henry, Ill./Henry) also had two firsts and a third. His winning marks came in the shot put (54’1-3/4) and the discus (153’10), and he threw the hammer 157’9. Rebholz is currently fourth in the nation in the shot.

Kel Bond (Dixon, Ill./Dixon) led a podium sweep for the Scots in both middle distance races, winning the 800-meter run in 1:54.26 and taking the 1500-meter run in 4:01.25.

"He was stronger through 600 meters than he has been so far," said Haynes of Bond’s 800-meter race. "But he was all alone at the end, which makes it difficult to push the pace. I’m confident he can get in the 1:52 range at our last two meets."

Bond was trailed by classmate Zach Barr (4:02.89) and Aaron Etienne (4:04.61) in the 1500 and by Etienne (1:58.02) and Damon Bautista (1:58.07) in the 800. Haynes reported that Bautista passed several competitors in the final 150 meters before coming up just short of Etienne.

Speaking of 1-2-3 finishes, Zach Wilson (Lacon, Ill./Midland) had one of each in the throwing events. His winning mark was a conference-record hammer throw of 176’10, and he placed second in the shot (51’2-1/4) and third in the discus (145’6).

Wilson joined all four of the men’s double winners in earning Most Outstanding Performer honors at the meet.

Four women also claimed MOP honors, and the biggest breakthrough came from Tanesha Hughes (Peoria, Ill./Woodruff), who had personal records in the discus (a first-place heave of 141’10) and the shot put (a runner-up effort of 42’6-3/4). Both marks moved her into the national top 20.

Sprinters Shannon Turczyn (Peru, Ill./LaSalle-Peru) and Brenda Herrera (Kewanee, Ill./Wethersfield) and pole vaulter Jessica White (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) claimed the other meet honors. Turczyn lowered her provisional time in the 100-meter hurdles to an MWC-record 14.68 in the preliminary round before winning the event in 14.77. She also placed sixth in the 200-meter dash.

Herrera became the first person to defeat Carroll’s Melissa Roesch at an MWC meet in two years, rallying to win the 100-meter dash in 12.36. She placed second to Roesch in the 200-meter dash (25.59).

White’s winning pole vault was a conference-record 11’11-3/4, and she remains in the national top five in that event.

Other women’s winners were Megan Clennon (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora), who set a PR of 5’4-1/2 in the high jump, and Katey Vaccarello (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West), who ran the 400-meter hurdles in 1:07.50 to win her first MWC event. Clennon added a runner-up finish in the javelin (113’1).

Seniors Tim Frank (Farmington, Ill./Farmington) and Brandon Hurckes (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) won the high jump (6’4-3/4) and 100-meter hurdles (15.52), respectively. Monmouth’s other first-place efforts came from Luke Reschke (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) in the 400-meter dash (a PR (provisional-qualifying time of 48.41); Peter Sprecher (Canton, Ill./Canton) in the pole vault (an MWC-record 16’5-1/4); Barr in the steeplechase (9:29.63); Clay Staley (Hanna City, Ill./Illini Bluffs) in the 10,000-meter run (an impressive 32:21.28 in his first race at that distance); and Brad Gross (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) in the 400-meter hurdles (56.34). It was Gross’ first individual victory at an MWC meet after 10 relay firsts.

Staley added a second-place finish in the steeplechase (9:35.50), Reschke was fourth in the 200-meter dash and Gross took seventh in long jump.

Not surprisingly, when Monmouth’s talented sprinters combined their efforts, the result was even more victories. The men won the 4x100 and 4x400 in MWC-record times of 41.77 and 3:15.47. Daniels, Reschke and senior Tyler Rundle (Monmouth, Ill./Warren) were on both teams, with Gross joining the 4x100 group and senior Josh Reschke (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo) running on the 4x400 squad. The women’s 4x100 team of Turczyn, senior Kila Cox (Granger, Ind./Hononegah), Lauren Firchau (Elburn, Ill./Kaneland) and Herrera won in 49.68, while Turczyn, Vaccarello, Cox and Herrera ran on the second-place 4x400 team (4:03.72).

Also placing second for the Scots was the very busy Megan McKenna (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection). Her runner-up marks were 11’5-3/4 in the pole vault and 18’1 in the long jump. McKenna added a fourth-place finish in the triple jump and was eighth in the 100-meter dash. Jenny Babos (Leland, Ill./Somonauk) also racked up the points, placing second in the discus (140’9), third in the hammer (136’1) and fourth in the shot.

Cox placed second in the 400-meter dash (58.93) and fourth in the 200-meter dash, while Ashley Widdop (Reynolds, Ill./Rockridge) was second in the 100-meter hurdles (16.02) and fifth in the long jump.

Josh Reschke’s PR of 48.81 was good for second in the 400-meter dash, and Jonny Henkins (Kewanee, Ill./Kewanee) was runner-up in the pole vault (15’11-1/4).

Thirds came from Rundle in the 100- and 200-meter dashes (10.97 and 21.77); senior Darin VanNattan (Green Valley, Ill./Midwest Central) in the 10,000-meter run (33:40.47); and senior Sara Ingersoll (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth) in the 800-meter run (2:23.05). Ingersoll was also fourth in the 1500-meter run.

Distance runner Katie Staab (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) scored in three events and Gloria Lehr (Knoxville, Ill./Knoxville) earned points in two. Also scoring individually for the women were seniors Jacquie Ouart (Kewanee, Ill./Kewanee), Joni Nelson (Little York, Ill./Yorkwood) and Andrea Emery (Knoxville, Ill./Knoxville), as well as Valerie Daves (Sherrard, Ill./Sherrard), April Campen (Hanna City, Ill./Farmington) and Cassie Jensen (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth). Men’s scorers included senior Dane Justice (Marseilles, Ill./Seneca), Jacob Stott (Morris, Ill./Coal City), Matt Peharda (Peoria, Ill./Central), Brad Begyn (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island), DeMarkco Butler (Rantoul, Ill./Rantoul), Seth Leitner (Edelstein, Ill./Dunlap), Ryan Hardman (Broadview, Ill./St. Joseph’s) and Dan Higgins (Oak Lawn, Ill./Oak Lawn).

Monmouth’s other seniors are Kyle Schierer (Metamora, Ill./Metamora), Ken Stachorek (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South), Lindsay Ditzler (Freeport, Ill./Freeport), Ashley Gaul (Swansea, Ill./Belleville East) and Carissa Young (Smithshire, Ill./Roseville).

Monmouth will try to establish or improve provisional marks at two "last chance" meets this week. The Scots will compete at Central College on Wednesday and at Augustana on Friday.

SCOTS SETTLE FOR THIRD AT PLAYOFFS

The Fighting Scots made it to the second day of the Midwest Conference Baseball Championship on Saturday, but a 4-3 loss to tournament host St. Norbert ended Monmouth’s season at 18-17.

Monmouth nearly got itself into the championship game, but a late rally fell one run short against the Green Knights. The Scots struck first on junior Nate Palkovic’s RBI groundout, but the Knights tied the game in the third off sophomore Drew Johnson (North Henderson, Ill./United) and pushed across three more in the fourth. Johnson was solid from there, allowing just two singles and two walks as he went the distance.

"I thought Drew got victimized," said Sander. "There was a very questionable interference call, and if that doesn’t get made, he doesn’t give up two of the three runs that scored that inning."

The Scots edged closer on junior Jake Bice’s RBI single in the sixth and a run-scoring groundout by sophomore Beesan Hryckiewicz (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Willy Mason (Lansing, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) and senior Jeremy Kafka (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) then singled in the bottom of the ninth to put runners at first and third with one out.

"(St. Norbert) did what I would have done," said Sander of what happened next. "They had their corners in and their middle infielders at double play depth. It was a hard hit ball, and that was the problem. Their shortstop made a nice play on it, and it was kind of a close play at first, but he was out."

Had the play gone the other way at first, the tying run would have scored. Instead, the 6-4-3 twin killing ended the Scots’ season.

Kafka added two doubles and finished his brilliant senior season with a .439 average. Sophomore Kevin Sashko (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) added a single and will take a 22-game hitting streak into next year.

"I can’t remember a streak like that," said Sander. "He didn’t make the all-conference team (see story below), but I told him I wouldn’t trade him for any of the players who did. He was 7-for-13 over the weekend, and he hit lasers."

In Monmouth’s opener, both teams had 16 hits, including four for Sashko, but the Scots were just 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position. One of those hits was a three-run homer by junior Ryan Priola (St. Charles, Ill./East).

"We had six errors and we didn’t get any clutch hits," said Sander. "When they needed a hit, they got it. When we needed a hit, we didn’t."

Kafka stroked three hits and sophomore Brian Wilhelm (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) had two doubles, but the offense wasn't enough to prevent sophomore Brian Chandler (Petersburg, Ill./Athens) from suffering his first collegiate defeat.

A three-run rally in their second game Friday allowed the Scots to extend their season. Bice’s two-run, fifth-inning double got Monmouth on the board, and junior Ryan Stubler (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) followed with a single to tie the score.

In the next frame, Palkovic’s RBI single pushed the Scots ahead, and Matt Tye (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) made the lead stand up. The sophomore starter got all but the final out, which senior Scott Coles (Lake Villa, Ill./Antioch) recorded on a bases-loaded fly ball in the top of the ninth. It was Tye’s third win of the season and Coles’ second save.

"My kids don’t quit," said Sander. "After losing the first game, they could’ve laid down. We got behind in both of the other games, but we came back and won one and had the tying run at third with our No. 3 hitter up in the other."

He added, "The kids have told me they want to come back with a vengeance. We lose our leading hitter (Kafka), and I don’t want to minimize that, because that will hurt us. But we should have at least four senior starters next season. We’ll be fine … I like this team. It’s a great bunch of kids. They do what I ask. They don’t always get the job done, but it’s not for a lack of hard work. They’re not afraid to get after it."

Besides Kafka and Coles, the team will also say goodbye to seniors Kyle Eick (Westchester, Ill./St. Joseph) and Ross Reedy (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth).

SEVEN SCOTS NAMED TO ALL-MWC TEAM

Monmouth’s seventh straight South Division baseball title caught the eye of the league’s coaches as seven Fighting Scots were named to the all-conference team. Roger Sander was honored as the South Division Coach of the Year for the sixth time and senior outfielder Jeremy Kafka was named the Player of the Year.

Selected to the first team, Kafka led the team with a .439 average, a .640 slugging percentage, a .484 on-base percentage, 61 hits and 89 total bases. His three home runs in the season’s final conference doubleheader moved him into a tie for the team lead. Kafka’s average was the 10th-highest single season mark by a Monmouth player.

Joining Kafka on the first team was a trio of juniors. Designated hitter Jake Bice picked up his first All-MWC selection while hitting a robust .375. He tied for the team lead in home runs (4) and was second in walks. Third baseman Ryan Priola and utility player Ryan Stubler picked up their second and third all-league honors, respectively. Priola led the team in RBIs (39) and doubles (17), tied for the team lead in roundtrippers and batted .359. Stubler, who split time between third base, first base, designated hitter and pitching, was second on the team in RBIs (35) and hit .345. As a pitcher, he posted a 2-0 record with a 2.63 ERA.

Sophomore pitcher Brian Chandler rounded out the first team selections. Chandler led the team in wins (5), innings pitched (53.1) and strikeouts (30). He posted a 6.08 ERA.

Junior outfielder Nate Palkovic and sophomore pitcher Matt Tye were named to the second team. Palkovic led the team in walks (16) and hit .328. Tye posted a 3-2 record with a 4.31 ERA.

NO STOPPING ’EM NOW: MEN WIN THIRD STRAIGHT

For the third year in a row, Monmouth’s men’s teams have finished first in the Midwest Conference’s All-Sports standings and earned the Ralph Shively Trophy, which is named after the former commissioner of the MWC.

Not coincidentally, this is also the third year that Monmouth has fielded men’s teams in all 10 varsity sports recognized by the league.

"Winning the All-Sports trophy is a reflection of a lot of hard work by our coaches and also reflects the competitive balance throughout our entire athletic program," said Monmouth athletic director Terry Glasgow.

Monmouth scored 79 points to finish five points ahead of runner-up Grinnell. Rounding out the 10 conference schools were St. Norbert, 71; Ripon, 61.5; Carroll, 52; Lawrence, 47.5; Illinois College, 45.5; Beloit, 43.5; Lake Forest, 35; and Knox, 33.

Ten points are awarded to each sport’s conference champ, and Monmouth attained that score three times with titles in indoor and outdoor track and men’s golf. Monmouth also earned 9.5 points in cross country thanks to a first-place tie with Grinnell. Points descend from there, and the men got nine points from swimming, 8.5 from football, eight from baseball and seven from tennis.

Monmouth’s women placed fourth, just one point shy of second place behind champion St. Norbert (72). To their victories in indoor and outdoor track, Monmouth added fourth-place finishes in golf and swimming and had no weak spots, scoring at least four points in very sport.

"I’m equally as pleased by the strong showing by our women," said Glasgow. "They were also very competitive, and I think the athletes on both sides feel good about what we’re doing here."

Grinnell claimed second place with 66.5 points, just ahead of Carroll (66) and Monmouth (65.5). The rest of the list included Beloit, 59.5; Lake Forest, 54.5; Ripon, 50; Lawrence, 43; Illinois College, 42.5; and Knox, 20.5.

The MWC has been awarding the All-Sports title on the men’s side since 1969. On the women’s side, the first champion was crowned in 1979.

GOLFERS MISS CUT AT NATIONALS

For at least the first year, the Fighting Scots golf team is going to have settle for "a happy to be here" approach to the national tournament.

SCOTS IN THE PROS

About the only thing wrong with Mitch Tanney’s performance Saturday was that it didn’t happen in a road game.

Local fans would have loved to see the former Fighting Scots star in action just up the road against the Quad City franchise. However, the game was played in Birmingham, where Tanney’s Alabama Steeldogs posted a 53-51 victory over the Steamwheelers.

The af2 rookie continued his fine season, completing 25-of-40 passes for 270 yards and five TDs while once again avoiding an interception. His TD-to-interception ratio now stands at 24-to-1 and his quarterback rating is 122.51.

Meanwhile, Josh Ragar had his first hit as a professional baseball player Monday, stroking an RBI single for the Pensacola Pelicans in their fifth game.