Local Sports Notebook

Orland Hills Wolves Gear Up for Today's Fall Kickoff Football Clinic

College football players will provide instruction for the youngsters at Kelly Park.

Mayor Kyle R. Hastings and the Village of Orland Hills Trustees will host a Fall Kickoff Football Clinic for the Orland Hills Wolves Youth Football and Cheerleading Association today (Aug. 13) at Kelly Park. The clinic will offer the Orland Hills Wolves football players free instruction from the Olivet Nazarene University football team. The clinic will run from 4:15 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Afterward, the college team will hold a team practice on the Kelly Park football field from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the recreation department at 708-349-7211. Orland Park Youth Football opened its practices earlier this week. The Pioneers are celebrating their 35th season of football. They will open their season Sept. 3 …

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In Good Company: Sandburg Grad Bob Hicks Impressed By Lukas Verzbicas

Hicks credits the sport of running for his current career as a veterinarian in Florida.

Having starred at Sandburg during the same time legendary distance runners Tom Graves and Craig Virgin were dominating the cross country scene in Illinois, Bob Hicks is not easily impressed. Following what recent Sandburg graduate Lukas Verzbicas has accomplished, however, is impossible to ignore. “It’s neat watching what Lukas is doing,” Hicks said. “I always thought Tom Graves was the toughest mental and physical runner, but the times Lukas is throwing out there are unreal.” Verzbicas, who graduated in May and will compete at the University of Oregon, was the winner of the Gatorade national cross country runner of the year award the past two seasons. He won two straight state cross country championships. He defended his state …

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Local Sports Notebook

Sandburg Ends Summer On Top of the Heap

Eagles defeat Lincoln-Way East to win girls volleyball summer league.

Sandburg's girls volleyball team played four matches in a span of five hours Thursday night at Palos Courts, winning all four to finish its summer league at 13-2 and in first place out of 16 teams. The Eagles didn't lose a game Thursday night, defeating Marian Catholic (25-20, 25-20), Lincoln-Way North (25-11, 25-19), Lincoln-Way West (25-12, 25-15) and Lincoln-Way East (25-12, 25-23) in the title match. On Friday, head coach David Vales talked about the summer season and the challenges his Eagles will face when they begin the regular season in late August. Other results of note: Sandburg standout pitcher/second baseman Nick Bates has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Saint Louis University, according to the team's …

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Local Sports Notebook

Verzbicas Makes Splash on International Scene

Sandburg alum adds swimming and cycling to his routine in a north-of-the-border showcase of his all-around talents.

Another race, another victory. Ho-hum. Lukas Verzbicas wins races all the time. But, on July 10, he was in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and up to new new tricks. Verzbicas took part in the Pan American Junior Championship triathlon. How did he do? He won. No surprise there. He was clocked in 55:24. The triathlon was a preliminary event for Verzbicas, who will be heading to Beijing to run in the World Triathlon Junior Championships, according to the Chicago Tribune. Brandon Precin wrestling resume continues to grow. He was a three-time All-America selection at Northwestern University and posted a record of 186-6 when he was at Sandburg High School. According to Northwestern's athletics website, Precin is an aspiring Olympian. He ranks third …

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Orland Park Brothers Move Closer to Putting on the Hawks' Indian Head

The Broadhursts get a shot to play for the Blackhawks, a team they grew up rooting for. The two will participate in a prospect camp at Johnny's Ice House West in Chicago.

ESPNChicago.com reported earlier this week that two brothers from Orland Park have been selected to be part of the Blackhawks summer prospect camp being held at Johnny's Ice House West on Madison Street in Chicago. Alex and Terry Broadhurst, both forwards, grew up in Orland Park before playing hockey at various levels. Most recently, Alex was with the Green Bay Gamblers and Terry was playing with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. There is one other thing that might add to their sibling rivalry: Alex was the 199th overall draft pick. Terry was an undrafted invitee. Recently retired Sandburg baseball coach Doug Sutor was profiled by the Southtown-Star and discussed his plans for retirement. Ever wonder what it's like for a day in the life of…

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