By Greg Halbleib
A look at Wednesday’s sports headlines and Thursday’s schedule sponsored by COUNTRY Financial Representative Eric Lapan:
Pence repeats as All-American: Illinois State volleyball has its first-ever repeat All-American. Libero Courtney Pence has received honorable mention for the second straight year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Pence ended her Redbird volleyball career as this season’s Missouri Valley Conference Libero of the Year and the conference’s all-time digs record-holder.
CCIW adds men’s volleyball: The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin has voted to include men’s volleyball as a league sport beginning next school year. Greenville and Loras were approved as associate conference members in the sport. Four CCIW schools and the two new associate members are expected to begin play next year with Millikin beginning in 2020. Illinois Wesleyan does not have a men’s volleyball team.
Shrine football All-Stars chosen: Several local players have been selected for the Illinois Shrine All-Star Football Game next June. The East squad selections include Normal Community’s quarterback Daylen Boddie and offensive lineman Reeves Wester, running back Ryne Faulk of El Paso-Gridley, wide receiver Derek May of Fieldcrest, offensive lineman Jonah Miller of Prairie Central, safety Eric Watson of Pontiac and linebackers Logan Graham of Dwight and Patrick Namoff of Central Catholic. The West selections include wide receiver Armani Forrest and linebacker Garrett Rhode of Normal West. The game is scheduled for June 15 at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Tucci Stadium.
Thursday’s schedule:
On WJBC-AM 1230—
NFL, Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, 7 p.m.
Girls High School Basketball–
Normal West at Limestone, 7 p.m.
Manual at Bloomington, 7:30 p.m.
U-High at Springfield Lanphier, 7:30 p.m.
Sports Director Greg Halbleib can be reached and scores reported to [email protected], or on Twitter (@SportsWJBC, @Gregoradio).