Rangerettes compete at Gene Armer Indoor Meet at U of I

The Benton girl’s track team competed in the Gene Armer Indoor Meet at the University of Illinois on Saturday and finished 29th in the 47-team field with five points.

After the 2011 realignment by the IHSA Benton, with 563 students, was bumped up to Class 2A that includes schools from 546 to 1486.  The top five scoring teams in the meet were: Lincoln Way East 81.5, Danville 43, Edwardsville 41.5, Belleville West 40.5, Bloom Township 36.5

This is Coach Andy Sloan’s assessment of his team in the tough field at Champaign:

“I thought we had a pretty good day and improved in about half of the events we entered.  We have to continue to get better because right now we are a little behind where we need to be.  Kaitlyn Schutt led us with our only top 5 finish in the 800 as she continues to be one of the better half milers in the state in Class AA.  Her best indoor time has qualified her for the Class AA state meet this weekend.  Christy Hayden had another big personal record in the shot put and is right at the 35-feet mark.  We are happy with her progress from week to week.  Both of our relays ran pretty well as we continue to juggle about six girls in those four spots, just looking for the right combination.  Cassidy Neal moved to No. 2 all-time in the pole vault at 8’0” and has been consistent for us there.  She had a good attempt at 8-feet-6-inches and with some more work will be over that height before long.  Jenna Johnston doubled in the mile and two mile which is not an easy task.  Her times are a little higher than where we would like but Jenna works hard and I know she will put in the work to get better.  We will run at Illinois State Indoor this weekend.  Schutt will run at Illinois Wesleyan in the 800 run.”

Results from U of I Gene Armer Indoor

Individual Results
60 Dash
Erin McDaniel         28th     8.94        *PR
200 Dash
Kryslyn Fowler        27th     29.16
400 Dash
Valarie Repp        26th    67.53        *season best
800 Run
Kaitlyn Schutt        4th     2:28.49
1600 Run
Jenna Johnston        19th     5:54.34
3200 Run
Jenna Johnston        13th     12:43.55    *season best
60 Hurdles
Bayley Eubanks        22nd     10.86
4×200 Relay        27th    1:56.71    *BCHS #10 Indoor
SPLITS    Schutt 28.5, McDaniel 29.3, Hagerman 29.9, Fowler 28.6
4×400 Relay        17th     4:31.76
SPLITS    Schutt 64.3, Fowler 69.5, Neal 68.3, Repp 70.1
4×800 Relay        NO ENTRY
High Jump
Olivia Hagerman    –    NH
Pole Vault
Cassidy Neal        9th     8’0”    *PR,     #2 BCHS Indoor All-Time
Long Jump
Kryslyn Fowler        26th     13’4 ¼”
Triple Jump
Erin McDaniel        28th     25’7”
Shot Put
Christy Hayden        10th     34’11 ½”    *PR

State takes control of Zeigler’s Colonial Manor

By Bruce A. Fasol

Colonial Manor, a care center for developmentally disabled residents, across from the Zeigler City Hall, is trying to make arrangements for their patients as they prepare to close their doors. The state of Illinois says that they were forced to take action when the nursing home did not meet a required 90 day notice prior to their closing. The Illinois Department of Public health, which has regulatory power, has apparently stepped in and will act as an administrator by seeking a court ordered “receivership”

There appears to be a conflict of what current conditions are with the state saying that they were informed that there was limited foods and funding for payroll. The current owner/operator of Colonial Manor has questioned information provided by the state in their news release.

Efforts are being made to immediately place residents in care in nearby facilities, if possible. One of the reasons for the economic problems has been cited as the state funding being redirected into other facilities in a community setting for residents, instead of facilities like the one in Zeigler.

Below is the press release issued by the state:

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), working in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of the State Guardian, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and others, is relocating 32 residents from Colonial Manor, an intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled located in Franklin County. Colonial Manor informed IDPH on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 it could not afford to stay open, only had food for approximately three and a half days, and would not be able to pay staff past Monday, March 18, 2013. The failure of the facility to notify IDPH at least 90 days before closing, as well as the inability to pay for food and staff, prompted the Department to take emergency action to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all residents.

“The health and safety of these residents is our first and foremost priority,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “The Department is working with several state agencies to find nearby facilities or community living arrangements where these residents can move, at least temporarily, to ensure they are receiving the quality care they need.”

At the same time, IDPH is requesting the Illinois Attorney General’s Office seek permission from the circuit court to allow the Department to place a receiver at Colonial Manor who can run the facility until permanent living arrangements are found for all residents. The Department will also pursue the voluntary surrender of the facility’s license or action to revoke Colonial Manor’s license.

Rangerettes defeat Shawnee for first win of young season

Bailey Wynn had two hits in the victory over Shawnee.

Bailey Wynn had two hits in the victory over Shawnee.

The Benton Rangerettes softball picked up its first win of the 2013 season on Wednesday with a 16-1, five-inning victory over Shawnee in action at Benton Community Park.

Taylor Mosely picked up the win for Benton going five innings in the game that was shortened by the 10-run rule.

Matt Wynn, who had a long career coaching basketball and track at Benton, is in his first year as head softball coach. Wynn gave high marks to Mosely who notched her first win of the season.

“Taylor did a great job pitching for us today,” said Wynn. “She threw strikes and did a great job of hitting her spots.”

Wynn said the lopsided victory gave him an opportunity to get every player some innings.

“That was nice to get everyone in the game and give them all a plate appearance,” said Wynn. “We are figuring out some things with each game.”

Katie Sandusky leads off from third base in action against Shawnee.

Katie Sandusky leads off from third base in action against Shawnee.

Benton was led offensively by Jordan Wills, Sara Dixon and Bailey Wynn who all had two hits in the victory that improved the Rangerettes to 1-1 overall.

Benton will be back in action on Friday against Tuscola in a 4 p.m. contest at Benton Community Park.

Redbirds drop season opener

By Bruce A. Fasol

Boston Red Sox fans can understand how Dustin Hopkins felt after the season opener Tuesday afternoon, at McKee Field. The Red Sox saw a mistake cost them a world championship when they needed just one out. The West Frankfort Redbirds needed just one out as well to wrap up a season opening victory over visiting Carbondale.

The Redbirds went into the seventh inning with a 4-1 lead. Carbondale manage to whittle that lead down to 4-3 but were down to their last out with a man on third base. A wild pitch plated the tying run sending the game into extra innings.

In the eighth inning, Redbird coach Dustin Hopkins said his team “fell apart.” Carbondale plated 6 runs in the extra frame to take a 10-4 lead to the bottom of the inning. The Redbirds could only mount one run in their own comeback effort to take the loss, and open at 0-1 for the 2013 season.

Hitters for West Frankfort included: Sailliez, Keller,Sisk and Drone with a hit apiece. Rich had 2 RBI’s for the ‘Birds. Koehl was 2-4.

Rich took the loss for the Redbirds. The Redbirds are back in action next week.

Benton girl’s track compete in SIU Invitational

The Benton girl’s track team recently competed in the SIU Girl’s Invitational.

Benton coach Andy Sloan said the annual trip to Carbondale always provides some of the toughest competiton that his team will see throughout the season.

“Teams from Arkansas, Illinois and Kentucky with enrollments from very small to over 2,000 were represented,” said Sloan. “We know we have a lot of work ot do but we will continue to keep plugging away.”

Sloan said his team competed hard throughout the event.

“I liked our effort but our resutls just weren’t where we wanted them to be,” said Sloan. “It’s early and there is plenty of time for improvement so as long as we keep a good attitude and continue to work good things will happen.”

RESULTS FROM SIU GIRLS INVITATIONAL

POLE VAULT

CASSIDY NEAL NH

HIGH JUMP

SHAY VICK NH

SHOT PUT

CHRISTY HAYDEN 32’1’1/2” 16TH

ADRIENNE LENARD 17’7” 49TH

60 METER DASH

KRYSLYN FOWLER 8.74 37TH

OLIVIA HAGERMAN 8.95 46TH

VALARIE REPP 9.02 51ST

60 METER HURDLES

BAYLEY EUBANKS 10.92 18TH

4X800 RELAY 12:03.53 16TH

JENNA JOHNSTON 2:35.6

CHELSEA TABOR 2:57.8

SAMMI FRANKLIN 3:16

VALARIE REPP 3:13.8

4X200 RELAY 1:57.67 14TH

VALARIE REPP 28.8

KRYSLYN FOWLER 29.2

OLIVIA HAGERMAN 29.5

ERIN MCDANIEL 29.9

800 METER RUN

KAITLYN SCHUTT 2:33.03 5TH

400 DASH

BAYLEY EUBANKS 70.13 21ST

ERIN MCDANIEL 72.48 32ND

KAITLYN BIDDLE 74.88 43RD

200 DASH

KAITLYN SCHUTT 28.76 18TH

OLIVIA HAGERMAN 29.87 30TH

1600 RUN

JENNA JOHNSTON 5:50.46 8TH

CHELSEA TABOR 6:41.58 36TH

SAMMI FRANKLIN 7:45.96 61ST

4X400 RELAY 4:37.39 11TH

VALARIE REPP 69.0

KRYSLYN FOWLER 69.2

BAYLEY EUBANKS 71.2

KAITLYN SCHUTT 68.0

 

Benton boy’s track opens season with win at Du Quoin Triangular

By Jim Muir

The Benton Rangers boy’s track team started the 2013 season on a good note Tuesday winning the Du Quoin Triangular. The Runnin’ Rangers talled 58 points to edge Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton (53) and Du Quoin (51).

rangers logo 2

Benton coach Rod Shurtz said he was pleased with the first outing of the new season, particularly with a host of new and inexperienced runners.

“This was our first outdoor meet of the season and the kids responded really well,” Shurtz said. “Our roster includes 11 freshmen, 4 sophomores, 6 juniors, and 2 seniors. It was nice to have some decent weather and our guys did a pretty good job of competing. We have a young squad with lots to learn, but the enthusiasm and energy is something we can build on with the upcoming meets.”

Tyler Price was a triple winner for the Rangers winning the 3200 and 1600 relays while also claiming a victory in the Open 800. Benton’s Jesse VanHoorebeke won the 400 and was also a member of the winning 1600 Relay. Shurtz said another high point was the effort by Nate Clements in the 3200 as he garnered his first individual victory of his high school career. Matt Williams ran strong and had a good afternoon as he was a member of the winning 3200 and 1600 Relays.

Shurtz said he believes the mix of veterans and the large group of newcomers will blend together for an enjoyable spring.

“We were excited by how all of our young guys ran today,” Shurtz said. “The 800 relay team of Andrew Gates, George Styles, Kurtis Sanders, and Tylor Marler had some good hand-offs and ran a decent time. These same kids also had great efforts in their respective individual events. Clayce Fletcher, Jarrod Johns, Scott Rose, Aaron Jackson and Dailus Richardson had good performances as well. When we mix in some of our veterans like Spike Buntin, Alex Jerrells, and Gavin Suver, we believe our crew will be fun to watch.”

The Rangers will run next week (March 21) at West Frankfort.

 

Rangers baseball drops season opener to Du Quoin

The Benton Rangers opened the 2013 season Monday on the road battling cold temperatures and a hot-hitting Du Quoin Indians team.  The Rangers lost 11-0 in five innings, featuring a virtually entire new starting lineup after graduation took a heavy toll from last year’s team that advanced to sectional play.

The season opener for both teams remained relatively close in the early going with Du Quoin holding a 2-0 lead after after two innings.  The Indians tacked on two more in the third and then blew the game open in the fourth inning with a 7-run outburst.  The Rangers were held to only one hit, a single by Caleb Kearney.

Dakota Head, a sophomore and the only Benton pitcher with varsity experience, took the loss giving up nine runs on 10 hits. Head lasted 3-2/3 inning giving way to Kearney who got the final out in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Head took the loss while Du Quoin’s A.J Smith got the win.

The Rangers 0-1 are back in action this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Benton Community Park against Carterville.

 

BENTON (0) AT DUQUOIN (11)

BENTON         AB R H BI                         DUQUOIN         AB R H BI

Cameron Rock 2 0 0 0                            Austin Mansker    4 1 2 2

Tyler Owens 3 0 0 0                                Brenden Fred        4 2 3 2

Ethan Hughes 2 0 0 0                             Nate Boss               4 0 0 0

Nathaniel Higgins 1 0 0 0                      Camden Youngman 3 1 2 2

Dakota Head 2 0 0 0                               Travis Chapman     3 0 1 0

Gus Gibbs 0 0 0 0                                    Camdon Mercier    2 2 1 0

Martin Ward 2 0 0 0                               Garrett Dorsey        3 2 2 2

Zack Mocaby 2 0 0 0                               Jonah Spencer        2 2 1 2

Caleb Kearney 2 0 1 0                             Jacob O’Rourke        1 1 0 1

TOTALS 16 0 1 0 TOTALS 26 11 12 11 BENTON 000 00 — 0 DUQUOIN 112 7x — 11 LOB– BENTON 5, DUQUOIN 7. ERR–Gus Gibbs, Martin Ward. 2B–Camdon Mercier, Brenden Fred, Austin Mansker, Jonah Spencer. 3B–Camden Youngman. SB–Cameron Rock, Gus Gibbs. BENTON IP H R ER BB SO HR Dakota Head (L) 3.67 10 9 7 3 4 0 Caleb Kearney 0.33 2 2 2 1 0 0 DUQUOIN A.J. Smith (W) 5.00 1 0 0 4 7 0 PB–Ethan Hughes. WP–A.J. Smith. SO–Zack Mocaby, Tyler Owens (3), Martin Ward, Dakota Head (2), Camdon Mercier, Travis Chapman, Nate Boss, Austin Mansker. BB–Cameron Rock, Gus Gibbs (2), Nathaniel Higgins, Camdon Mercier, Jacob O’Rourke (2), Jonah Spencer. LOCATION: DuQuoin High School WEATHER: Over Cast

Redbird softball and baseball season opens today

By Bruce A. Fasol
The 2013 spring baseball and softbal seasons open today. The Redbird varsity and junior varsity baseball teams play Carbondale today, in west Frankfort. Game time “On the Hill” at McKee Field is slated for 4:30 p.m.
And, the Redbird softball team also opens at home today. They also play Carbondale in a 4:30 p.m. game at Lazzeri Field, in West Frankfort park.

SIRR Ohio Division announces All Conference team

The Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference announced its All-Conference Girl’s Basketball Team Ohio Division.

Members of the 2012-13 All Conference team include:

Kiarha Wilce (Sophomore)  West Frankfort

Abby Horn (Senior)  Herrin

Whitney Woodis (Junior)  Herrin

Lauren Bunting (Senior)  Massac County

Emily Hoard (Sophomore)  Massac County

Taylor Klankey (Senior)  Massac County

Morgan Corn (Senior)  Benton

Cali Carney (Sophomore)  Benton

Ashley Ferrell (Junior)  Harrisburg

Lindsey Murray (Junior)  Harrisburg

Clodfelder, Mings to speak at Saluki Football Spring Clinic

Benton Rangers head football coach Jeremy Clodfelder and Johnston City Indians head football coach Dan Mings will be featured speakers at the annual Saluki Football Spring Clinic that will be held on April 13.

Below is the link for the information for the daylong event:

Coaches Clinic – 2013 Flyer

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News