JALC sports teams surpass 3.0 GPA

January 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

By JOHN D. HOMAN, LOGAN MEDIA SERVICES

CARTERVILLE – The fall semester proved to be a good one for John A. Logan College student-athletes. All seven teams surpassed a “B” average with a 3.0 grade-point-average or better on a 4.0 scale.

Two-thirds or 62 of 94 total student-athletes scored 3.0 or better. Twenty-four of the 94 posted a GPA of 3.5 or greater and were named to the Vice President’s List. Eight of the 94 earned a perfect 4.0 GPA to make the President’s List.

Breaking it down by teams, the seven-member women’s golf team had the highest GPA at 3.54 collectively. Volleyball was second at 3.395 followed by men’s golf (3.186); women’s basketball (3.103); softball (3.073); baseball (3.044); and men’s basketball (3.000).

The baseball team had the most 4.0 GPAs with three, including sophomores Chris Hunt and Derek Repking and freshman Tyler McGowan. Volleyball had two student-athletes with an “A” average in sophomore Kelsey Bailey and freshman Morgan Mueller.

Other 4.0 GPAs were awarded to Sydney Skeel (softball); Dana Kaufmann (women’s golf); and Marissa Nix (women’s basketball).

JALC Athletic Director Jerry Halstead was impressed with the numbers.

“This isn’t the norm to have all seven sports score 3.0 or better,” he said. “This was a very strong semester for us academically. I’m extremely happy with the effort put forth by our student-athletes and hope that it will carry over into the spring semester.”

Halstead said athletes met with coaches and administrators at the start of the semester.

“We told the kids that our goal was for each team to reach 3.0 and we accomplished that goal. There is always room for improvement, however.”

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John A. Logan College holds first lifeguard competition

December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By DEANA SMITH, Logan Media Services

CARTERVILLE – The John A. Logan College aquatic center lifeguard team participated in the first Logan Lifeguard competition Saturday, Dec. 1. The five-event competition was designed to refine lifeguard skills throughout the fall semester, foster teamwork, and provide a fun outlet for the guards.

The first half of the fall semester was devoted to skills practice through formal in-service training provided by Aquatics Coordinator Chris Georgantas. During the second half of the semester, teams were randomly drawn by three team captains and lifeguard competition criteria was announced and posted.

One month was provided to allow all guard teams to prepare for battle. Several guard-directed practice sessions took place with as many as four guards at a time getting together to ready themselves for competition day. A high level of cross-team cooperation was notable during this preparation period.

Aquatic Center faculty Curt Caldwell and Tricia Ely assisted with judging and result tabulation. The Chlorine Machine, a team consisting of Chris Georgantas, Josh Lannom, Miki Ness, and Derrick Snider, came out on top with 19 points. The Lochness Monsters with Mike Giovanni, Kinsley Rausch, Bailey Cook, and Alex Taylor were the runners up with 16 points. The PiranhaCondas with Sophie Hooker, Zack Essex, Collin Murrie, and Tomi Hamlin placed third with 13 points.

The first Logan Lifeguard competition was a great success, providing the groundwork for even better Logan competitions in coming semesters.

“The training and competition plan really encouraged lifeguard training, and brought the team together in new ways.” Georgantas said.

Georgantas plans to use the competition format every fall and spring and hopes for a Southern Illinois regional competition in the near future.

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John A. Logan College presents “The Holiday Hop”

December 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By TERI CAMPBELL, Logan Media Services

The John A. Logan College Choral and Chamber Ensembles will bring to life the chart-topping hits of the 1950s and 1960s with a musical production of “The Holiday Hop.” Two evening performances are set for Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. in Logan’s O’Neil Auditorium.

Nathan Arnett, a music instructor at JALC, wrote the script and is directing the show.

“We’ve done these tributes to rock ‘n’ roll before and this year we will be doing much more holiday-themed music, as well popular hits from the 1950s and ‘60s,” Arnett said. “We have a new set design, and there will be lots of singing and dancing. We also have a live rock band made up of Logan students and faculty, and they are doing a super job. It’s going to be a fun show.”

Arnett said he enjoys reprising the holiday shows.

“Over the last few years, I’ve started a rotation of popular themes during the holidays,” he said. “We generally rotate among a rock ‘n’ roll show, ‘A Dickens Dinner,’ and a 1940s radio show, and this is the year for the rock ‘n’ roll show. Our audiences seem to appreciate the recurring themes.”

Arnett said the shows are also wonderful learning opportunities for his students.

“The students are taught these popular styles of music and we prepare for this show during the semester,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for the audience to see what we do in class.”
In addition to the evening performances of “The Holiday Hop,” a matinee, also in O’Neil Auditorium, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6, and will begin at 10 a.m. Tickets for the evening shows are $12 for general admission and $7 for JALC students and children 12 and under. Tickets for the matinee are $2 for the general public and free to Logan students and staff.

Adrienne Barkley-Giffin, director of student activities and cultural events at JALC, said tickets are going fast.

“We are almost sold out of tickets for both evening performances,” Giffin said. “Anyone wanting to see the show should contact my office as soon as possible.”

For more information on “The Holiday Hop” or to get advance tickets, contact the Office of Student Activities and Cultural Events at Logan, at 618-985-2828 or 618-457-7676, Ext. 8287.

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