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| Sports October 2003, Volume 7, No. 1 |
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By Crystal K.
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| Cross Country team members compete at the Spring Wood meet, Thursday, September 18. Clockwise from bottom left, Carina M. (8), Bryan H. (8) Julia N. (8), Natalie W. (7), Samantha M. (8), Jessica D. (8), Steve L. (8), Jessica L. (8), Stephanie D. (6), Elizabeth R. (6), Megan S. (8). (Photos by Julia N. and Rena W.) | |
The sixth and seventh grade boys team finished third, and the eighth grade boys finished seventh.
At the Spring Wood meet on September 18, the girls finished first in a three school field.
After the race, Mrs. Engel commented, "There were three very intense races, but the first race was the most intense because the excitement level was high. The runners had to run up the big hill three times."
Peacock runners made up most of the top ten. Eighth grader Megan S. came in second, sixth grader Elizabeth R.came in third, eighth graders Julia N., Pam R. and Rebecca K. came in fifth, sixth and seventh respectively; and finally, sixth graders Kara F. and Collen B. finished in eighth and ninth.
 Pep rally photos, Oct. 7, 2003 |
Mrs. Engel enjoys coaching cross country. "It's one of my favorite sports and a lot of fun," she explained. She added, "Peacock has a lot of outstanding runners."
Some of the cross country girls had several comments to add as well. Eighth graders Megan S. and Jessica D. said "The race was really hard but also fun."
Megan S. added, "Elizabeth R. helped me in running because I knew we ran the same pace, so I just ran with her. There was a big hill that we had to run up three times, and it was hard."
Jessica D. said "One of my best friends Sammy M. helped me while I ran because she kept encouraging me by saying that my cramp would go away after I finished. That made me run faster."
Do you ever wonder what some of the runners think about while they run? Megan said, "I think about how good it feels to place well, so I push myself even more."
Jess smiled and replied, "I sing songs and think about happy thoughts."
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“It’s easier because I think about beating the people in front of me and I think I’ll be done faster.” |
Jess disagreed. "It's easier because I think about beating the people in front of me and I think I'll be done faster."
According to Megan, meets are the best part of cross country. As Jess explained, "You get to see your friends and I enjoy running."
They agreed that the hard part of cross country was all the practicing.
But Megan and Jess also added, "The coaches help us run harder and they keep us going."
Seventh grader Dana Y. came in 29th place. She thought that the other teams were very competitive.
Dana said, "The big hill that we had to run up three times made the course hard, but when I run, I tell myself that I can do it. It's easier to keep going at the end of the course because I get a boost of energy and I start sprinting."
This is Dana's second year in cross country. Dana ejoys running with her friends and noted that the coaches were very encouraging at the meet: "They say good job, even if you finish in last place."
After finishing, sixth grader Elizabeth R. commented, "It was hard to run, especially going up and down the hill."
She added, "The warm weather and the large hill hurt my running, but I think about pushing myself harder or I think about something else to take my mind off running.
"It's much harder to keep going at the end," said Elizabeth, "but knowing that I can finish makes it easier."
This is Elizabeth's first year on the cross country team and already she has shown outstanding running skills. Elizabeth loves the races but admits that she hates running in the heat. She looks forward to competing again next year.
As far as the coaches were concerned, Elizabeth said "they are lots of fun, very supportive, and they always have good tips on running better.
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Itasca Storm play hard and hang tough
By Callie S.
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| Eighth graders Kristen M. and Megan S. compete on the Itasca Storm soccer team. Alex E. (in white) plays for the Itasca Cheetahs. | |
Head Coach Mr. Shawn Feeney said, "I think we're doing great this year even though we put our team together on such short notice."
The soccer team is made up of some girls who have never played before and some who have been playing for years.
Midfielder Grace R. said, "This is my first year playing, and so far I'm having a great time and we're all working hard."
The Storm's last victory was against the Itasca Cheetahs. There are only two games left in the season.
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Lake Park girls swim team stays competitive
By Liz R.
The Lake Park girls swim team took fifth place with 156.50 points at the West Chicago Invitational on Saturday, September 20, 2003.
Last year, the Lake Park girls were third in the Upstate Eight Conference, first in the York Sectional, and twenty-sixth in the State.
Some of their best swimmers, including Megan F., Kim G., Olivia W., Shannon W., and Nicky M. graduated last year.
The returning state qualifiers are Danielle H., Jr. (IM, Back); Sam B., So. (Fly); Ashley C., Jr. (Free); Sarah R., Jr. (Free, Back).
Coach Dan Witteveen believes that placing third in the Upstate Eight is a realistic goal for this year.
At the first meet of the year, they lost, but at the Fremd Invitational Meet they took fourth.
Lake Park girls swim team schedule
Date Day Opponent Level Place Time
1-Nov-03 Sat. Upstate 8 Con. V Elgin 8/12pm
3-Nov-03 Mon. York Invite JV York 5:00pm
15-Nov-03 Sat. IHSA Sectional V UNKNOWN UNKNOWN
21-Nov-03 Fri. IHSA STATE V UNKNOWN UNKNOWN
22-Nov-03 Sat. IHSA STATE V UNKNOWN UNKNOWN
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Cubs fever sweeps Peacock
Could this be the year?
By Ben C. and Geo N.
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| Eighth grade Cubs fans, David B., Colin T. Alissa D. and David M. show their Cubs spirit. Dr. Nickisch has permitted students to wear Cubs hats in school during the playoffs. | |
On September 30, 2003, the Cubs met the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the playoffs. Cubs ace Kerry Wood was on the mound and the rest was history. Wood not only pitched really well, but sent a shot to deep left to score two runs in the sixth inning when the Cubs did most of their scoring.
Wood was pulled in the seventh after walking two, but reliever Kyle Farnsworth kept the damage to one run. Then Cubs surprising and spectacular closer Joe Borowski came in. The score was Cubs four, Atlanta two. For the Braves, a single, a ground out, two more singles, and a pop up to the catcher. With the bases loaded and two outs, a hit could tie the game but Borowski wouldn't let that happen. He struck out the final batter and slammed the door on the Braves.
In game two in Atlanta, the Cubs lost five to three. But when they returned to the friendly confines of a packed to capacity Wrigley Field, the Cubs other amazing starter, Mark Prior, pitched a masterful game, and Chicago won three to one.
The Cubs let the fourth game slip away, but when Wood returned to the mound on Sunday (Oct. 5) night, their victory never really seemed in doubt. Wood dominated the usually explosive Atlanta lineup and the Cubs won five to one. Playoff success at last for the Chicago Cubs! The Cubs meet the Florida Marlins for the National League Championship Series on beginning on Oct 7.
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