Local Sports Notebook

Update: Verzbicas Runs Mile in Under 4 Minutes to Win NYC Race

Sandburg grad and Orland Hills running sensation Lukas Verzbicas repeats as Adidas Grand Prix Dream Mile champion by finishing in under 4 minutes, establishing a new personal best.

Lukas Verzbicas defended his Dream Mile title in spectacular fashion Saturday. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, the Sandburg graduate and Orland Hills resident won the High School Dream Mile at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York with a time of 3:59.71, becoming one of only four U.S. high school runners to break the four-minute mark. The Dream Mile field featured top runners from across the country. Athletes competing in the Dream Mile and Dream 100 had the chance to receive coaching from mile legend Jim Ryun and Olympic gold medalist Maurice Greene.  Last weekend, Verzbicas broke the national high school record in the 2-mile run with a time of 8:29.46—five seconds better than the previous mark—while competing in Eugene, Ore. Verzbicas …

• Photos (1)

Sports Video Highlight Reel: Power Pitching, Powerful Hitting

Lora Olson, Lexi Bryant and Jess Perkins carry Sandburg to an 11-1 five-inning softbball victory over Homewood-Flossmoor.

Sandburg's softball team exploded for eight runs in the fifth inning and went to notch an 11-1 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor behind lights-out pitching from senior Lora Olson. Olson was hot right from the start as seven of her first nine outs came via the strikeout in the recent matchup of Southwest Suburban Blue rivals. In the second inning, Karissa Kouchis knocked in pinch-runner Katie Guska with a double to get Sandburg on the scoreboard. The Eagles picked up their second run from a towering home run over the scoreboard in left field off the bat of catcher Lexi Bryant. Senior Alyssa Conoboy scored Sandburg's third run off a Lizzie Wojtowicz double in the fourth. But on Senior Day, the Eagles wanted more. Senior Kelly Sheridan …

• Videos (1)

Softball: 'O' in Olson is for Runs Scored by LWE Against Sandburg Ace

Sandburg 5, Lincoln-Way East 0. Eagles fly past Griffins thanks to overpowering pitching of Lora Olson.

Touching All the Bases: Lora Olson struck out 12 in Sandburg's 5-0 softball victory over Lincoln-Way East Monday. She was helped to the win in the bottom of the first inning. Griffin pitcher Kacyee Hart walked the leadoff hitter, Candace Koch. Then, on a heads-up baserunning play on a sacrifice bunt beautifully executed by Lizzie Wojtowicz, Koch advanced to third. She scored on an RBI double from Lexi Bryant. Katie Guska came in to run for Bryant and scored on an RBI double from Jess Perkins. Olson retired the first 11 East batters before surrendering a hit to Jorgi Calombaris. Olson's toughest test came in the top of the sixth. With runners on second and third and two out, she struck out a Griffin pinch-hitter. The Eagles added three runs…

• Photos (4)
• Videos (1)

Local Sports Notebook

Sandburg Boys Volleyball Diggn' the Moment

Eagles refuse to yield a single game in victories over Marist and Lincoln-Way East.

Two tough opponents. Two straight sets victories. What's next? The Sandburg boys volleyball team continues to show signs that it will be a force in postseason play. In action on Wednesday and Thursday, the top-ranked Eagles took on No. 2-rated Marist and No. 3 Lincoln-Way East. Against the RedHawks, the Eagles were led to the 2-0 victory by Tommy Carmody's five kills. In the 2-0 win over the Griffins, the Eagles were led by Andrew Muys with seven kills and Mark Krause with 12 digs. After dropping a 2-1 decision to Lincoln-Way West, the Sandburg baseball team was able to get right back on track. Nick Bates pitched his team to a 5-0 victory over Lincoln-Way Central on Wednesday. Bates struck out 10 and allowed three hits in the complete game…

• Photos (1)

Sandburg's Perkins Has Hot Hand at Hot Corner and at the Plate vs. Marian Catholic

Jess Perkins had a busy day at third base and knocked in the game-winning run Wednesday.

Jess Perkins is one of the top-rated high school third basemen in the Southland. A member of Sandburg’s 2010 state championship softball team, the senior has been at the hot corner for coach Jim Fabianski the last two years. Perkins made her presence felt Wednesday—both in the field and at the plate—with five infield assists and the game-winning double in Sandburg's 4-2 win over visiting Marian Catholic. "We expect her to make those plays. She makes tough ones all the time," said Fabianski, after his team improved to 5-3. With two out and Katie Guska at second base, pinch running for catcher Lexi Bryant, Perkins hit a frozen rope into deep left to easily plate Guska. Perkins missed a home run by about six feet. "After our loss to Marist, …

• Photos (2)

Sandburg Draws Sweep Satisfaction From Long Road Trip

Top-ranked Eagles take two from Moline in a rematch between two teams that met in Class 4A state semifinals last spring.

1. Sandburg (2-0): Travel risk, great reward. The Eagles opened with a doubleheader sweep at Moline (9-0 and 10-4) on Saturday. The matchup pitted two teams that met in the Class 4A state semifinals last spring. Lexi Bryant hit a three-run homer in Game 1. Jess Perkins pounded three doubles and had two RBIs in Game 2. Last week: No. 1. 2. Andrew (0-0): The T-Bolts get started this week with games against Thornton Fractional South and Marist. Then, on March 29, Sandburg plays at Andrew. Everyone in Tinley Park and Orland Park has the date circled. Last week: No. 2. 3. Providence (0-0): Andrew, Glenbard West and Lockport will join the Celtics in the four-team field for the inaugural Providence Softball Invitational April 1-2. “Our goal is to…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)