Prep Sports Notebook: Rocket softball team wins, SJO baseball records first shutout

Spartans notch conference win

Adam Price makes a play at first

Adam Price prepares to scoop a throw to first out of the dirt on a play in the top of the sixth inning in St. Joseph-Ogden's home baseball game against St. Thomas More. Price delivered a sacrifice fly to left field to score teammate Taylor Voorhees in the bottom of the third inning. SJO prevailed 9-0 to win the Illini Prairie Conference game.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

The St. Joseph-Ogden baseball team improved to 6-1 on the season after a seven-run inning in the bottom of the 4th to cruise past St. Thomas More, 9-0.

Luke Landrus and Taylor Voorhees scattered 2 hits apiece while senior Andrew Beyers tallied 2 RBI. Voorhees and Beyers crossed the plate twice for SJO.

Caleb Ochs earned the win on the mound for the Spartans.

Next up, St. Joseph-Ogden plays two conference games next week. On Monday, SJO hosts Bloomington Central Catholic and travels to Rantoul to take on the Eagles on Thursday.

Unity softball blanks A-O

Ruby Tarr notched pounded out four hits and scored three runs to lead the Unity softball team to a 15-0 win over Argenta-Oreana on Friday. Hailey Flesch also scored three times for the Rockets.

Flesch and Madeline Reed collected a home run apiece on Bomber pitcher Michelle Hollon.

Rockets' Ashlyn Miller included six strikeouts among the 43 pitches she hurled in the four-inning shutout.

Attention high school coaches

We need your help covering your team this spring to help keep fans, college recruiters, and area readers informed. If you are coaching a spring sport at Unity, Uni-High, Urbana High School, or St. Joseph-Ogden, please send us your game or meet results for our Prep Sports Notebook and weekly stats leaders for our All-Area team selection after the season.

The best way to send us box scores and other info is via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.

Do you have a player on the verge of breaking a school record, signing an LOI, or have a story idea? Don't hesitate to email us.


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No foolin', Ochs picks up first win of the season

Caleb Ochs unloads a pitch for St. Joseph-Ogden
St. Joseph-Ogden pitcher Caleb Ochs unloads a pitch during St. Joseph-Ogden's home baseball game against St. Thomas More. Ochs recorded 38 strikes out of the 57 pitches he tossed in his five innings on the bump on April 1 to earn his first win of the season. The Spartan blanked the Sabers on a chilly Friday afternoon in the conference matchup, 9-0. See more photos from this game.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Good for the heart, golfers have a significantly lower death rate

by American Heart Association


DALLAS -— While golfing was once known as the game of kings, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, says you don’t have to be royalty or a professional player to reap health benefits from hitting the links at your local golf course. Research presented at the Association’s International Stroke Conference in 2020 found that regularly golfing – at least once per month – lowered the risk of death, especially among older adults.

Golfing can provide benefits such as stress reduction and regular exercise. Due to its social nature and typically slower, controlled pace, people of most all ages and physical fitness levels can play the sport.

Paul Dalbey lines up his put on the 6th green at the 2005 University of Illinois Open golf tournament. Time spent outside enjoying nature, social interaction and even the friendly competition of a round of golf is beneficial to one's health.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
"The regular exercise, time spent outside enjoying nature, social interaction and even the friendly competition of a round of golf are all elements that can foster mental and physical wellbeing," said Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., Sc.M., FAHA, president of the American Heart Association and chair of the department of preventive medicine, the Eileen M. Foell Professor of Heart Research and professor of preventive medicine, medicine and pediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. "The past couple of years have been hard and many of us have picked up some unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as more eating and less physical activity, and we’ve missed the company of friends and family. I think golfing can offer a great opportunity to start venturing back out into an enjoyable activity that can feed our hearts and our souls."

For the study on golfing, researchers from the University of Missouri in Columbia, analyzed data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a population-based observational study of risk factors for heart disease and stroke in adults 65 and older. Out of nearly, 5,900 participants, average age 72, researchers identified nearly 400 regular golfers. During the 10-year follow-up period, death rates for golfers were significantly lower than for non-golfers.[1]

A comprehensive review of research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine analyzed more than 300 scientific studies, leading a panel of 25 public health experts to issue an international consensus statement, from several sporting and golf organizations, noting the health and social benefits of golf.

"The American Heart Association recommends most people get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week. Golfing qualifies as a moderate-intensity exercise, specifically if you are walking an 18-hole course, carrying your golf clubs," said Lloyd-Jones. "While golfing, you’re increasing your heart rate and blood flow, enhancing brain stimulation, improving your balance and socializing. Even if you are riding in a cart and playing a short course of only 9 holes, you’re still being physically active, and we know any movement is better than none."

There are a few safety measures to take into consideration before hitting the greens. Before you start, warm up with a few stretching exercises and be sure to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. Also, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and don’t get overheated. Be aware of the signs of a heat stroke and if you or your fellow golfers show any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 and seek emergency medical help right away:

  • Fever (temperature above 104 °F)
  • Irrational behavior
  • Extreme confusion
  • Dry, hot, and red skin
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Rapid, weak pulse
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness
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Crystal Lake pool to open for summer fun in May, indoor aquatic center will close temporarily

URBANA -- The Urbana Park District will open the Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center starting Memorial Day, May 30. The outdoor swimming pool and the aquatic park will be open through Labor Day in September.

Meanwhile, the Urbana Indoor Aquatic Center will be closed from May 27 through September 5. Operating one swim facility during the summer put less strain on the district's resources and staffing needs.

The outdoor schedule will operate as follows:

Monday – Friday
6 AM – 8 AM Lap Swim/Water Aerobics
8 AM – 11 AM Programming (Nadiators, Swim Lessons, Aerobics, etc.)
11 AM – 12 PM Lap Swim/Water Aerobics
12PM – 12:30 PM Member Early Entry
12:30PM – 7 PM Open Swim

Saturday
9 AM – 11 AM Programming (Nadiators, Swim Lessons, etc.)
11 AM – 7 PM Open Swim

Sunday
11 AM – 7 PM Open Swim

"Urbana School District owns UIAC and the Urbana Park District operates it. It takes a great deal of support from both entities to make sure it is operating efficiently, safely, and fiscally responsible," said Leslie Radice, Aquatic Manager.

For people who have already paid for indoor pool memberships or have a credit balance, memberships can be transferred to the outdoor pool at 1401 N. Broadway. Members also can suspend their membership until the indoor pool opens again or receive a refund for the unused balance of the membership.

Radice recommends calling the park district office at (217) 367-1544 to discuss or adjust memberships.

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Brassy jazz

Brian Patterson plays trombone at the Rose Bowl in Urbana
Brass
Brian Patterson, a member of the U of I Trombone Ensemble, plays a solo during a song at the Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana on Saturday, March 26. The eight-piece ensemble included four other trombonists, a percussionist, a pianist, and a bass player. The band entertained nearly 30 jazz and music lovers at the Urbana bar. Earlier, the Trombone Ensemble played a tune entitled Outlook, arranged by Patterson. They also covered Whistle While Your Work in the first set and Recorda-Me, originally composed by Joe Henderson when he was 15 years of age. The Rose Bowl Tavern, in collaboration with the University of Illinois School of Music, is hosting shows featuring the talented jazz musicians studying on campus this spring semester.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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COVID-19 second boosters now available for age-eligible county residents

CHAMPAIGN -- Champaign County residents 65 and older can now receive a second Covid-19 booster. Citizens 50 and older with an underlying medical condition are also eligible to receive a second booster.

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended on Tuesday, March 29, that "expanded eligibility for an additional booster dose for certain individuals who may be at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Boosters are safe, and people over the age of 50 can now get an additional booster four months after their prior dose to increase their protection further."

Eligible members of the community may sign-up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CA8A82CA5F94-2ndcovid to receive the vaccination at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District office located at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign.

Vaccination appointments are being booked now for April 4 – 22 from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Boosters will also be available from Promise Healthcare, Carle Health, OSF Healthcare, and Christie Clinic. Patients are urged to contact their primary care provider for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Meanwhile, those under the age of 50 and interested in receiving a second booster will have to wait for government approval for the time being. In a release issued today by the CUPHD, the "CDC, in collaboration with FDA and our public health partners, will continue to evaluate the need for additional booster doses for all Americans."

Christie Clinic will offer the booster at most of their primary care offices. According to today's press release, appointments will be limited to Christie patients 50 years old and older. "If patients have an upcoming appointment, they are encouraged to discuss their eligibility with their primary care provider."

Appointments for the second Covid-19 booster at Promise Healthcare can be made by calling (217) 356-1558.

For more information visit vaccine.gov to find a vaccine site nearest to you or log into www.vaccinefinder.org for available appointments at local pharmacies.


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Vibrant Urbana soprano set to preform in April

URBANA -- Earlier this week, vocal soloist Elena Negruta revealed dates for three upcoming appearances in Urbana. A seasoned performer, Negruta was born in the Republic of Moldova. At the age of 14, she won first place at the Golden Stork International Youth Talent Festival in Nikolayev located in the now war-torn country of Ukraine.

Soloist Elena Negruta
Photo by Clark Brooks
After immigrating to the United States, she transitioned to classical music and completed her Masters in Vocal Performance at the University of Illinois School of Music. Negruta is known for her ability to captivating renditions and versatile repertoire in baroque, musical theatre, and modern opera.

The soloist's first performance in April will be at Cello Festival 2022. Hosted by Urbana's First United Methodist Church, she will perform this Saturday, April 2, at 3:30pm.

Two weeks later, Negruta returns to the stage at Smith Memorial Hall on the University of Illinois campus as a featured vocal soloist at a Doctoral recital with music director, vocal coach, and pianist Cheryl Forest Morganson. The concert starts at 7:30p and admission is free to the public on April 18.

The last of the three appearances slated for this month is a benefit concert for Ukraine on April 26 in the south lobby of the Music Building at 114 West Nevada in Urbana. The event starts at 7pm.

Below, in a video released in December 2020, the soprano sings Youkali, a piece from the musical "Marie Galante" written by German-American composer Kurt Weill.


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St. Joseph-Ogden third-quarter Honor Roll

St. Joseph-Ogden High School Honor Roll This week, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the third-quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll recipients. To receive honor roll recognition at SJO students must earn a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students whose GPA soared above 3.74 are recognized as High Honor Roll students.

High Honor Roll

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors

Honor Roll

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors

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Make this Easter holiday 'Eggstra' special

Photo provided

Family Features -- Easter is about traditions, both old and new, as well as celebrating family and creating lifelong memories. In fact, nearly 8 out of 10 Americans will celebrate the holiday this year, according to the National Retail Federation, which often includes egg decorating amongst the fun.

Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to the 13th century. Eggs were once viewed as a forbidden food to some religious entities, so people would paint or decorate them to highlight the end of penance and fasting.

Yet still today, coloring eggs can help bring the whole family together and inspire simple moments of connection and creativity. From dunking eggs in neon dyes to embellishing them with paint, glitter and more, PAAS(r) brand - named after the Dutch word for Easter, "Passen" - offers these expert Easter egg dyeing tips based on its 140 years of experience.

Keep It Clean - Wash your hands in hot, soapy water before and after handling eggs, even if they've already been cooked or decorated. This helps protect you from any bacteria that may be on the egg and protects the eggshell from oil on hands that may make the dye not adhere properly. Make sure an adult supervises all projects to ensure food safety precautions are observed.

Hard Cook, Don't Hard Boil - Although the cooking water must come to a full boil, the pan should be immediately removed from heat so the eggs can cook gently in the hot water. This method produces tender, not rubbery eggs and minimizes cracking.

Banish the Greenish Ring - This harmless but unsightly discoloration sometimes forms around hard-cooked yolks as a result of a reaction between sulfur in the egg white and iron in the yolk. It occurs when eggs have been cooked for too long or at too high a temperature. Cooking eggs in hot, not boiling water then cooling immediately helps minimize this discoloration.

Make Them "Apeeling" - To ensure easily peeled eggs, buy and refrigerate them 7-10 days in advance of cooking. This brief "breather" allows the eggs time to take in air, which helps separate the membranes from the shell.

Photo provided

Store Eggs Safely - In the shell, hard-cooked eggs can be refrigerated safely for up to one week. Refrigerating them in their original carton prevents odor absorption. Once peeled, eggs should be eaten that day. Piercing shells before cooking is not recommended. If not sterile, the piercer or needle can introduce bacteria into the egg. Also, piercing creates hairline cracks in the shell through which bacteria can enter after cooking.

Tap Into Your Creative Side - You don't have to be highly creative to create an "eggceptional" egg. Use your imagination to create appealing eggs by gluing on fun materials found at craft stores, like fake gems, sequins, trims and ribbons. You can also use paint, including gold or silver metallic paint, to make eggs special. An option like PAAS egg decorating kits can help make the process more convenient and fun.

Find more tips and ideas to bring your family together this Easter at paaseastereggs.com.

How to Hard Cook Eggs

Hard-cooked eggs are best when you want a sturdy egg for hiding and to eat when you're done. They are also easier for younger children to handle. Eggs can be hard-boiled or baked to achieve tender eggs perfect for dyeing. Consider these tips from the Easter egg decorating experts at PAAS to cook eggs for decorating:

Hard Boil Directions

  • Place eggs in saucepan large enough to hold them in single layer.
  • Add cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch.
  • Heat pan over high heat until just boiling.
  • Remove pan from burner.
  • Cover pan.
  • Let eggs stand in hot water about 15 minutes for large eggs. Time may need adjusted for smaller or larger eggs.
  • Cool completely under cold running water or in bowl of ice water.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use.


    • Baking Directions

  • Preheat oven to 325 F.
  • Place eggs individually in muffin tins to prevent them from rolling while cooking.
  • Cook 30 minutes.
  • Fill large bowl with ice water. Set aside.
  • Remove eggs from oven.
  • Transfer eggs carefully, one-by-one into ice water using tongs.
  • Remove from water after 10 minutes.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use.


    • Egg Decorating Kits to Make Egg Dyeing Easy

    There's more than one way to dye an egg. To meet various needs and interests, PAAS offers a variety of kits, including:

    Photo provided
  • Traditional Kits - Deluxe, Classic and Color Cup kits allow families to create a full spectrum of colored eggs.
  • Craft Kits - Craft kits help users create their own one-of-a-kind works of art, such as color whipping eggs, adding sparkles or speckles, or creating neon tie-dyed eggs.
  • Eggsperiment - Active Volcano - This kit allows users to dye eggs by lowering them into an overflowing volcano.
  • Craft-A-Scene - These kits, which come in multiple versions, offer not only dyes and decorations to create character eggs, but also different backdrops that can be used in stop motion movies using a free app.
  • Themed Eggs - These include Dino Eggs, Forest Friends, Rides and Superheroes kits that allow families to bring characters to life.
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    Sentinel 2021-22 All-Area girls basketball team

    Welcome to the Sentinel's 2022 All-Area Girls' Basketball Team. Our list is a compilation of the best players from three of the four area high school programs we cover.

    Among the top 15 players selected for the first and second teams, four are from the Class of 2023, and three are sophomores who we expect to rise to prominence this fall.

    The performances of our first-team members were the cornerstones to each of their team's success this season. These player's leadership, commitment, and contributions on offensive or defensive was key to earning a spot on this year's Sentinel All-Area Girls Basketball Team.


    Sentinel All-Area First Team
    St Joseph-Ogden basketball player Payton Jacob         Unity's Maddie Reed

    Lauren Miller from Unity         Urbana's Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta

    SJO's Taylor Wells         Unity's Taylor Henry

    St Joseph-Ogdent's Ella Armstrong


    First Team

    Ella Armstrong, Senior
    St. Joseph-Ogden

    Taylor Henry, Senior
    Unity

    Payton Jacob, Senior
    St. Joseph-Ogden

    Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta, Junior
    Urbana

    Lauren Miller, Junior
    Unity

    Maddie Reed, Senior
    Unity

    Taylor Wells, Senior
    St. Joseph-Ogden

    Second Team

    Destiny Barber, Junior
    Urbana

    Zineria Edwards, Senior
    Urbana

    Addison Frick, Sophomore
    St. Joseph-Ogden

    Peyton Jones, Junior
    St. Joseph-Ogden

    Ashlyn Lannert, Senior
    St. Joseph-Ogden

    Katey Moore, Sophomore
    Unity

    Raegan Stringer, Sophomore
    Unity

    Erika Steinman, Senior
    Unity

    Honorable Mention

    St. Joseph-Ogden:
    Alyssa Hamilton (Sr), Alison Kearney (Sr), Kaytlyn Baker (Jr)

    Unity:
    Hailey Flesch (Sr), Gracie Renfrow (Sr), Savannah Alagna (Sr), Calli Chandler (Sr), Bridget Henry (Sr), Addison Ray (So)

    Urbana:
    Amarah Howard (Sr), McKenzie Sprague (Jr), Teri Hall (So), Savannah Blanden (So)


    Editor's Note:

    A Certificate of Recognition is available for each of the players listed above. Players, coaches, or parents/guardians can email us at sports@oursentinel.com to receive their 2021-22 certificate.

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    Give mom the night off and make this easy savory, stuff pasta dish

    Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Bacon Pierogies
    Photo provided

    Family Features -- Whether you're celebrating a special day or simply looking for an excuse to show her the love she deserves, giving mom the gift of time to explore her hobbies and interests is a treasure she'll surely appreciate. Providing her with those extra moments can be as easy as creating a meal that gives her back the time to enjoy her passions and hobbies.

    You don't have to be an experienced chef to make a dish you'll be proud to share. Simply putting your heart into preparing a meal you can enjoy together is sure to send a strong message about how much you appreciate the time and love she pours into you. A simple, savory treat like these Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Bacon Pierogies may look and taste fancy, but you can whip them up in next to no time at all.

    Make cooking a breeze and put a smile on your mom's face with easy-to-prepare Mrs. T's Pierogies, which are pasta pockets stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy goodness and other big, bold flavors. You can find full or mini sized versions in the frozen food section in 13 flavors. If you want to try your hand with other dishes, these pierogies are versatile; you can boil, bake, saute, fry or grill them.

    Visit mrstspierogies.com to find more recipe inspiration to celebrate mom.


    Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Bacon Pierogies

    Ingredients -

  • 4 strips bacon, chopped
  • 3 small onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup baby bella mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 box Mrs. T's Classic Cheddar Pierogies

    • Directions -

    In pan over medium-high heat, cook bacon until tips begin to crisp.

    With bacon and drippings still in pan, add onions, mushrooms, thyme, balsamic vinegar, sugar and salt. Cook 2-3 minutes until onions begin to brown. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered with lid, 10-15 minutes; stir occasionally. Set aside.

    In clean skillet, melt butter and saute pierogies according to package directions.

    Top pierogies with caramelized onion mixture before serving.

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