Free Press Advocate

Wildcats snap on their chin straps, itching to defend their state title

Published by admin on Tue, 07/12/2022 - 1:57pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
With six weeks until the season begins, the Wilmington boys got the chance to take the field wearing helmets and shoulder pads to get a feel for football.
The high school camp ran from 8:45-11 a.m. on the practice field. Coach Jeff Reents has been impressed with the way the players have been taking advantage of their time in camp as they are listening and learning fast.

Bejlovec honored in Country Financial Teacher Spotlight for month of June

Published by admin on Tue, 07/12/2022 - 1:56pm

Wilmington Middle School social studies teacher and WHS cheerleading coach Jeannine Bejlovec was recently honored by Country Financial in the June Teacher Spotlight posted on the Illinois High School Association’s website.
Here are comments she provided:
Current high school & roles: I am a sixth grade social studies teacher at Wilmington Middle School and have been teaching in the district since 1998. I am currently the head cheerleading coach for Wilmington High School. This is my 18th season. Overall, I have coached 26 seasons.

Adult, Youth Cup -in-Hand Kickball looking for teams

Published by admin on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 2:03pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
Cup-in-hand kickball was a hit during its debut to Catfish Days in 2019 and again in 2021 so organizers are bringing it back for 2022.
The tournament will begin Friday, July 21 at 4 p.m. and run through Saturday at 9 p.m. when the champions will be determined. It will be played on the South Island ball field with proceeds to benefit the grassroots Community Foundation for Wilmington Parks, Recreation and Improvement.

Rickmon plans to make a good first impression at Calumet College

Published by admin on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 2:02pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
Wilmington standout catcher Nolan Rickmon will be taking his home run hitting skills to Indiana as he signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Calumet College of St. Joseph.
Rickmon was happy with the way Calumet College was treating him. They were really treating him like he was already one of their own during his first visit.
“It was really the first school that opened up to me,” said Rickmon. “It was one of the first options I had where everything was falling into place perfectly for me.”

Six tagged fish caught so far in river derby

Published by admin on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 2:01pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
“A Shady Deal” provided a Momence man some shade during the first day of the Kankakee River Fishing Derby.
“A Shady Deal”, a fish sponsored by Tholen’s Garden Center was landed Friday by Todd Lebeau of Momence who will have two brand new Sunset Maple trees delivered to his house.
The second tagged fish caught, a Tri Pod sponsored by Colonial Studios, was claimed by Eric Drabeck of Oak Forest, who will have $500 to spend in photography services and portraits.

Time to register a team for CFD mud volleyball

Published by admin on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 2:01pm

Mud volleyball is returning for Catfish Days!
The 20th annual mud volleyball tournament will be held at Route 66 Barr and Grill, 113 E. Baltimore St., Wilmington. The entry fee is $50. Sign up at Route 66 Bar and Grill.
“Yes, we’re still on,” said Chuck Hairald, tournament director. “We’re are definitely 100% in search of teams.”
Hairald is expecting six to eight teams. In that case, he’d run a round robin tournament Friday and Saturday night. After that, they will rank the teams and do a double elimination tournament afterwards to determine a winner.

Wildcats live Cooperstown Dreams Park experience

Published by admin on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 2:00pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
They say there’s nothing better in life than baseball and apple pie. Well, add fireworks and trading pins to that list and you’d be spot on.
The Wilmington 12-U travel baseball team would agree with that statement after their trip to the historic Cooperstown Dreams Park from Saturday, June 10 to Thursday, June 16.
The ‘Cats traveled to Cooperstown, New York on June 10 to compete in a once in a lifetime baseball tournament that only a number of ballplayers from the Wilmington area get to attend.

WHS resurfacing track for first time in 13 years

Published by admin on Tue, 07/05/2022 - 1:59pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
Wilmington High School is resurfacing its track for the first time in 13 years since this reporter was a sophomore in the old high school which is now the middle school.
Contractor MC Sports Inc. put in Wilmington’s new all-weather, 400 meter competition grade track over the summer of 2009 and on August 31 it was open for business.

Wildcat baseball program on the rise with rising numbers and talent at youth camp

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 1:53pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
Wilmington loves it’s football but baseball is a close second as the youth baseball camp drew over 50 campers this past week.
The turnout for baseball has been up and down the last few years, especially during the COVID peak when there was no camp. But parents are getting their kids involved again, and the baseball program is seeing good numbers and skilled players showing up. Wilmington baseball coach Mike Bushnell was happy with the numbers.

Pitts, Hansen, Henline selected to All-State team

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 1:52pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
Three local softball athletes were selected to the 2022 Illinois Coaches Association All-State softball team.
The Wildcats (10-10, 8-6) who finished third in the ICE, had Abby Pitts named to the second team while Olivia Hansen got the third team All-State nod.
Pitts led the ICE in batting with a .600 average, re-writing her school record books while Hansen did the same with a .509 average and eight home runs, good for second in Wildcat softball history.