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Most Recent Sports Coverage

  • Boys cross country: Illineks head to state finals for second straight year

    Nov 2 – 10:08 pm

    [Updated with photos and audio] Competing in what might have been the toughest sectional in Class 1A, the Illineks on Saturday qualified for the IHSA state finals for the second consecutive year. With 121 points, Uni finished third out of 20 teams at the Decatur St. Teresa sectional meet.

  • Girls cross country: Team improves over last year's sectional but falls short of state

    Nov 2 – 9:01 pm

    [Updated with photos] The Uni girls cross country season ended on Saturday with an 11th-place finish at the Class 1A Decatur St. Teresa sectional meet. The top Illinek finisher was senior Elizabeth Russell, who placed 45th. Overall, the team improved by 28 points and two places over last year's sectional.

  • Photo essay: A run in the park with girls cross country

    Oct 30 – 7:20 pm

    The Illineks will be among 20 teams competing in the Class 1A girls sectional meet Saturday in Decatur. At stake is a trip to the Nov. 7 state finals in Peoria. But to qualify for sectionals, the Uni girls had to place in the top five of last weekend's regional meet at Kickapoo State Park. As this photo essay by Will Fernandez shows, the weather wasn't ideal, but the Illineks pushed forward and grabbed fourth place, good enough to advance to the penultimate stage of the postseason.

  • Girls cross country: The veteran and three newcomers lead Illineks to success

    Oct 29 – 10:14 pm

    When the Uni girls cross country team qualified for sectionals last weekend, four Illineks placed in the top 25. Consisting of Elizabeth Russell, Sarah Vaughen, Emma Coverdill, and Christina Harden, this foursome has come on strong for the resurgent Illineks.

  • Photo essay: Scenes from another boys cross country regional title

    Oct 28 – 10:32 pm

    The 2009 Illineks are a step closer to returning to the IHSA Class 1A state finals thanks to their weekend victory at the St. Joseph regional meet. The boys' next challenge will come Saturday, when they take on 19 other teams at the Decatur St. Teresa sectional. The meet will be held at the Hickory Point Golf Course.

Track & Field

Spring

Boys track: Taylor places 3rd in 400 dash at state finals, Anastasio 23rd in 3,200

By Gargoyle Staff
Published: Saturday, May 30, 2009 - 4:09pm
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Senior Malcolm Taylor ended his stellar Uni sports career today by placing third in the 1A 400-meter state finals. Taylor, the defending state runner-up, sprinted more than half a second faster than he did last year. First-time track finalist Albert Anastasio finished 23rd in the 3,200 run.

Boys track: Taylor makes it past prelims, will go for state title Saturday

By Gargoyle Staff
Published: Friday, May 29, 2009 - 10:10am
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Senior Malcolm Taylor was one of nine sprinters who made the cut in Thursday's 400-meter semifinals in Charleston. Taylor ran the third-fastest time out of 38 competitors. He and sophomore Albert Anastasio (3,200 run) will compete Saturday for state honors.

Boys track: Taylor repeats as sectional champ; Anastasio, Chambers also qualify for state

By Gargoyle Staff
Published: Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 9:54am
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After missing the final two meets of the regular season due to a hamstring injury, Malcolm Taylor returned to action Friday night and won the 400-meter dash at the Class 1A Monticello sectional. Two other Illineks also qualified for next week's state meet in Charleston: Isaac Chambers (400) and Albert Anastasio (3,200).
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Boys Basketball

Winter

Boys basketball: Lilly named to News-Gazette's all-area second team

By Chris Yoder
Published: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 1:19pm
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Dan Lilly capped his record-breaking junior year by being named to the News-Gazette's all-area second team on Thursday. Lilly was fifth in the area in scoring, at 20.1 points per game, and broke Uni single-season records for scoring and three -pointers made. The 16-8 Illineks shared a conference title, their fourth in five years.

Basketball awards: Rachel Skoza, Dan Lilly take home varsity MVP honors

By Erika Belmont & Will Fernandez
Published: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - 6:38pm
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A season's worth of dedication and hard work by Uni basketball players received its due Monday night as players, coaches, and parents gathered at Uni Gym for the annual winter athletic awards ceremony. Senior Rachel Skoza won the most valuable player award for the girls varsity, while junior Dan Lilly won varsity MVP honors for the boys.

Boys basketball: Uni falls to St. Thomas More in playoffs, Lilly sets season record for points

By Chris Yoder
Published: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 11:45pm
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The Illineks' season ended Tuesday night with a 63-37 loss to rival St. Thomas More in the Class 2A playoffs. Uni finished with a 16-8 record and a share of the East Central Illinois Conference title. Junior Dan Lilly went out on a high note, setting Uni's single-season points record for boys (483), breaking Tim Monahan's 14-year-old mark by a single point.
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Girls Swimming

Fall

The week in Uni sports: A roundup of varsity action, Oct. 5-10

By Chris Yoder
Published: Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 11:50pm
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In another successful week for Uni varsity athletics, both cross country teams finished fourth at the Cumberland Invitational, while the boys soccer team won both of its games, including a 3-1 Senior Night victory over St. Thomas More. Check inside for more about last week in Uni sports.

First person: Swimming for charity

By Maritza Mestre
Published: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 9:49pm
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On Wednesday the Uni and Urbana girls swim teams will hold their annual Make a Difference Meet. You can come out and cheer on Uni's dynamic swimmers at the Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center while also helping out a good cause, the Center for Women in Transition. Read on for details.

The week in Uni sports: A roundup of varsity action, Sept. 28-Oct. 3

By Chris Yoder
Published: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - 1:42pm
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Last week was a busy stretch for boys soccer, girls swimming, and girls volleyball. On the soccer field, the Illineks proved their recent tie with Champaign Central was no fluke, turning in three strong performances. The swim team kept progressing against top competition, while the volleyball team had a very successful week, ending with a repeat victory as Crusader Invitational champs.
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Cross Country

Fall

Boys cross country: Illineks head to state finals for second straight year

By Gargoyle Staff
Published: Monday, November 2, 2009 - 10:08pm
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[Updated with photos and audio] Competing in what might have been the toughest sectional in Class 1A, the Illineks on Saturday qualified for the IHSA state finals for the second consecutive year. With 121 points, Uni finished third out of 20 teams at the Decatur St. Teresa sectional meet.

Girls cross country: Team improves over last year's sectional but falls short of state

By Gargoyle Staff
Published: Monday, November 2, 2009 - 9:01pm
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[Updated with photos] The Uni girls cross country season ended on Saturday with an 11th-place finish at the Class 1A Decatur St. Teresa sectional meet. The top Illinek finisher was senior Elizabeth Russell, who placed 45th. Overall, the team improved by 28 points and two places over last year's sectional.

Photo essay: A run in the park with girls cross country

By Will Fernandez & Mohammad Jaber
Published: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 7:20pm
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The Illineks will be among 20 teams competing in the Class 1A girls sectional meet Saturday in Decatur. At stake is a trip to the Nov. 7 state finals in Peoria. But to qualify for sectionals, the Uni girls had to place in the top five of last weekend's regional meet at Kickapoo State Park. As this photo essay by Will Fernandez shows, the weather wasn't ideal, but the Illineks pushed forward and grabbed fourth place, good enough to advance to the penultimate stage of the postseason.
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Subfreshmen Sports

Subfreshman cross country: All four Illineks place top 50 at finals, Dolan makes all-state

By Eunjung Kim
Published: Monday, October 19, 2009 - 10:33pm
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The subbies reached the end of their phenomenal cross country season Saturday morning at the IESA Class A state meet in Normal. Uni was represented by four runners who all finished in the top 50, led by Mara Dolan's 11th-place performance.

Subfreshman cross country: Dolan wins sectionals, three other Illineks also advance

By Eunjung Kim
Published: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 9:56pm
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The subbie cross country team has been having a great season, and the success continued Saturday at the IESA sectional meet at Kickapoo State Park. Four Illineks advanced to state, including girls champion Mara Dolan. Look inside for more about how the subfreshmen did.

Subfreshman track & field: Illineks come up big at state

By Gargoyle Staff
Published: Monday, May 18, 2009 - 8:35am
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Uni athletes made the top 10 in five events at the Illinois Elementary School Association's Class 8A state track and field meet this weekend. Sarah Vaughen led the Illineks with a sixth-place finish in the girls 1,600-meter run. Nealay Kalita finished seventh in the boys 200 dash. Check inside for more results from the two-day meet in East Peoria.
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Girls Soccer

Spring

Skoza, Taylor named Athletes of the Year

By Deborah Ladd & Chris Yoder
Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 10:04pm
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Seniors Rachel Skoza and Malcolm Taylor were named Female and Male Athletes of the Year Tuesday night at the spring athletic awards ceremony in Uni Gym. Also honored were seniors Daniel Borup and Adam Tiouririne, and many IHSA and East Central Illinois Conference scholar athletes. Check inside for details.

Girls soccer: Illineks down St. Teresa, take on Monticello today for regional title

By Gargoyle Staff
Published: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 - 12:37am
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Uni is one game away from winning its first-ever IHSA regional championship in girls soccer. The No. 1 seed Illineks defeated Decatur St. Teresa 3-1 Monday and will face host Monticello 4 p.m. today. Uni beat St. Teresa with goals by Michelle Wong, Emma Coverdill, and Liz Allen.

Girls soccer: Bring on the playoffs!

By Chris Yoder & Gargoyle Staff
Published: Monday, May 18, 2009 - 12:05pm
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After a delay on Saturday due to poor field conditions, the 10-4-3 Illineks will finally begin the Class 1A playoffs with a regional semifinal game this afternoon against Decatur St. Teresa. The contest begins 3 p.m. at Monticello High School. If the No. 1-seeded Illineks win today, they will play for the regional title 4 p.m. Tuesday, also at Monticello.
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Girls Basketball

Winter

Girls basketball: Blue, Skoza add to numerous accolades

By Chris Yoder
Published: Monday, March 16, 2009 - 1:07pm
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When The News-Gazette announced its all-area honors for girls basketball last week, a few familiar Uni faces were in the mix. Freshman sensation Jamie Blue earned a place on the all-area second team, while senior Rachel Skoza capped her Uni career with a News-Gazette special mention. Read on for more.

Basketball awards: Rachel Skoza, Dan Lilly take home varsity MVP honors

By Erika Belmont & Will Fernandez
Published: Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - 6:38pm
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A season's worth of dedication and hard work by Uni basketball players received its due Monday night as players, coaches, and parents gathered at Uni Gym for the annual winter athletic awards ceremony. Senior Rachel Skoza won the most valuable player award for the girls varsity, while junior Dan Lilly won varsity MVP honors for the boys.

Girls basketball: Jamie Blue named Illinois Small School Newcomer of the Year

By Will Fernandez & Gargoyle Staff
Published: Friday, February 27, 2009 - 2:09pm
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First-year sensation Jamie Blue has been named the state's top newcomer of the year among small schools by Illinois Basketball Services, a national scouting and recruiting agency. During the 2008-09 season, the 5-9 Blue demonstrated an ability to do just about anything on the basketball court and do it well.
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Boys Soccer

Fall

The week in Uni sports: A roundup of varsity action, Oct. 5-10

By Chris Yoder
Published: Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 11:50pm
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In another successful week for Uni varsity athletics, both cross country teams finished fourth at the Cumberland Invitational, while the boys soccer team won both of its games, including a 3-1 Senior Night victory over St. Thomas More. Check inside for more about last week in Uni sports.

Boys soccer: Meet the Fresh Five

By Nancy Tang
Published: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 2:23pm
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Freshman Patrick Wong and four of his classmates have provided a spark to Uni soccer this fall. Whether it's Wong's goal-scoring, Tarik Koric's playmaking, Freddie Stavins' defense, or Paul Seeley and Alex Mestre's energy off the bench, these fabulous frosh have meshed well with veterans like Dan Lilly to make the Illineks a serious threat in the Class 1A postseason.

The week in Uni sports: A roundup of varsity action, Sept. 28-Oct. 3

By Chris Yoder
Published: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - 1:42pm
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Last week was a busy stretch for boys soccer, girls swimming, and girls volleyball. On the soccer field, the Illineks proved their recent tie with Champaign Central was no fluke, turning in three strong performances. The swim team kept progressing against top competition, while the volleyball team had a very successful week, ending with a repeat victory as Crusader Invitational champs.
more

Girls Volleyball

Fall

The week in Uni sports: A roundup of varsity action, Oct. 5-10

By Chris Yoder
Published: Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 11:50pm
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In another successful week for Uni varsity athletics, both cross country teams finished fourth at the Cumberland Invitational, while the boys soccer team won both of its games, including a 3-1 Senior Night victory over St. Thomas More. Check inside for more about last week in Uni sports.

The week in Uni sports: A roundup of varsity action, Sept. 28-Oct. 3

By Chris Yoder
Published: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - 1:42pm
Tags:
Last week was a busy stretch for boys soccer, girls swimming, and girls volleyball. On the soccer field, the Illineks proved their recent tie with Champaign Central was no fluke, turning in three strong performances. The swim team kept progressing against top competition, while the volleyball team had a very successful week, ending with a repeat victory as Crusader Invitational champs.

Girls volleyball: Uni repeats as Crusader Invitational champ, Wong earns MVP again

By Eunjung Kim
Published: Monday, October 5, 2009 - 11:35pm
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After winning the Crusader Invitational in 2007 and 2008, the Uni volleyball team had no intention of giving up the title this year. It certainly didn't hurt that the Illineks had last year's tournament MVP, Michelle Wong, leading the way as they entered Saturday's action at Buckley Christ Lutheran.
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General Sports

Tennis: Uni beats Urbana! … kind of

By Chris Yoder
Published: Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 4:08am
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Fine, says Chris Yoder: It was our varsity against their JV. It was more of a scrimmage than a real match. Their players were picked by their coach so we would play competitive tennis. But we won. Uni tennis beat the Urbana JV. It wasn't really anything to gloat about. Its significance comes in that it was Uni’s first team tennis match ever.

Photo essay: Uni students take to the streets, conquer challenge of Twin Cities Twosome

By Gargoyle Staff
Published: Sunday, May 10, 2009 - 11:27pm
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The annual rite of passage known as the Twin Cities Twosome was a great success Saturday morning, as hundreds of Uni students met the challenge of completing the 5K course at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana. Check inside for a photo recap.

A race through the streets of C-U: Students, faculty share in Marathon success

By Elaine Gu
Published: Monday, April 27, 2009 - 10:28pm
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More than 9,600 people participated in C-U's recent Illinois Marathon. Although no one at Uni braved all 26.2 miles of the full run, several upperclassmen did make it through the half marathon, which totaled a hefty 13.1 miles (that's more than four 5Ks!). Elaine Gu was one of them, and she looks back at that tiring but exhilarating day
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