Spring Sports Preview

The last third of the year is coming, and you know what that means…spring! Along with spring comes new sports, like boys tennis, girls soccer, boys baseball, girls softball, and boys and girls track. Here is a preview of every sport and what to look forward to this spring in Urbana sports.

Boys’ Tennis

Coach Nathaniel Chattic and the Urbana boys’ tennis team are coming off a year where they had talent, but couldn’t turn it into consistency.

“I felt we had the talent, but bringing that talent out on the courts on a consistent basis to our meets was a different thing altogether,” Chattic said. “As a result of our inconsistency, we fell short in several matches that I think we should have had greater successes in.”

He also talked about how the team can contend for a Big Twelve title this year, and what he expects overall of his team this year.

“We need to maintain a solid work ethic throughout our practices with the expectation that what we are capable of doing in practice we will produce in our match play,” said Chattic. “I am looking for those that have been through our practices and know the rigors of practice and match play to set an example of leadership for those that are ‘newer’ to the team. I expect these young men to blossom with their talents and their attitudes on the court, and also excel as ambassadors for their homes and their school off the court.”
The team’s biggest competition will come from the Danville, Normal, and the Champaign schools.

Girl’s Soccer

The girls’ soccer team has had a lot of success in the last decade or so, and after coming off a regional title from last year it is looking to add some more titles this year under head Coach Huff.

“We had a good team last year and we’re looking forward to this year,” Huff said. “We like the enthusiasm, and we are looking to build team spirit and fundamentals too.”

Coach Huff also talked about threats to compete this year and how to win the Big 12.

“I’m not really sure how the other teams line up, but under the right circumstances, we should line up well against them. I know the Champaign schools are good this year.”

So what’s the key to win the Big Twelve this year?

“Practice the fundamentals, play injury free, and winning the Big Twelve is never easy, but we like to set our sights on the future,” Huff said. “We’re just gonna have to be consistent and approach every game with enthusiasm and heart, and do all the little things right.” The Tiger’s biggest competition this year will be the Bloomington-Normal and Champaign schools.

Boys’ Track

Coach Beyers is the new Boy’s Track coach this season, as he tries to keep the track team competitive.

Before we talk though, let’s see how you compete in track, and what has happened in the past with the program.

“There are no playoffs in track and field and their really isn’t a team record in the sport,’ said Beyers. “However, the team sent one state qualifier to participate in the State Track Meet as Coach Jones (former UHS coach) has done for a number of consecutive years.”

There are still expectations this year, Beyers says.

“The team has a great deal of high hopes and expectations for the 2010 season. Right now we lack the depth to win a Big Twelve title, but we remain focused on ‘bigger’ things in individual successes at the state level of competition. We are beginning a new era and change can be difficult, though the guys are adapting as well as can be expected.”

Girls’ Track

Coach Boscolo has also had some success with her girls’ track team last season.

“We had a lot of success last year both as a team and individually. We finished fifth out of ten at outdoor Big Twelve and fourth out of thirteen at Sectionals,” Boscolo said. “When we went to state, our 4X2 team (Camille Parsons, Hannah Morris, Alyssa Wood, Lateshia Dove) finished ninth. Shelby Stevenson finished ninth in the Poll Vault and McKenzie White ninth in the 300 M Hurdles and twelfth in the 100 M Hurdles. Finally Alyssa Wood finished eighteenth in the 100 M Dash. McKenzie White broke the school record in the 100 and 300 M Hurdles, Shelby Stevenson in the Pole Vault, and in the 4 X 2 relay team.” (listed above).

There is some improvement to be made of course.

“We had very few distance runners last season and that part of our team has grown this season,” Boscolo said. “We are looking forward to having some depth and strength in the distance crew this year. We need to stay healthy and run, jump, and throw the best we can. It comes down to who runs faster, who jumps longer or higher, and throws farther. I expect to be in the top four in the conference this season.”

The Tiger’s biggest meet will be on March 20th at the U of I Armory. “This is a 64 team invite that is Co-Ed (both boys and girls). It is a wonderful competition with only one athlete per event per school per gender.” She said.

Boys Baseball

Coach Steve Waller’s baseball team underachieved last year, but are coming this year with a strong cast of Seniors four of which lettered (an honor given to an outstanding player) since their Sophomore year, and 1 lettering since his Freshman year.
“The rest of the team will provide a steady base of support throughout our tough schedule.’ Waller said.

Waller also explained what they needed to do to have success this season.

“In order to reach our goals, we will need to develop a strong bond of team chemistry. In addition, strong pitching efforts, coupled by a solid defense and timely hitting will prove beneficial for our success this season.” Waller said.

He also said they will be traveling to a lot of interesting places, among them were competing in an 8-team tournament at O’ Fallon High School where they will face teams from Illinois and Missouri (they will face Normal West to start off the tournament). They will also play Bloomington High School at O’Brien Field in Peoria (where the Peoria Chiefs, a Minor League Baseball team plays).

So what about the rest of the schedule?

“The whole Big 12 conference will be a tough test for us as well as many non-conference opponents.”