Great in State: Several Area Girls at EIU This Weekend

Providence’s 4x400 relay team is at O’Brien Stadium in Charleston this weekend for the IHSA Class 3A girls state track and field championships. Also representing the Celtics are Lindsay Smoljan (pole vault) and Mandy Coglianese (300 hurdles).

Lincoln-Way Central has a pair of standouts competing this weekend as Bri Tomnitz advanced in the high jump and Alena Pacheco will run the 3,200.

On the Class 2A side, it should be a great finish for Lincoln-Way West seniors Sara Losacco and Monica Hahn as the duo both will compete in a pair of events. Losacco is among the state’s elite in the pole vault and 400 dash, while Hahn will give it her best shot in the 1,600 and 3,200. Also representing the Warriors this weekend will be Abby Hedlin (high jump) and Kaitlin Neiheisel (pole vault). It’s already been quite a successful junior year for Neiheisel as she took fifth place in the floor exercise last winter in the IHSA state girls gymnastics finals.

L-W Central Clips L-W East To Share Title in Boys Volleyball

The Lincoln-Way Central boys volleyball team made the easy trip to Frankfort on Wednesday very worthwhile as the Knights knocked off Lincoln-Way East 25-19, 25-19 to earn a share of the Southwest Suburban Red title with the Griffins. For more in-depth analysis of the match, check out http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/sports/highschools/5450901-419/boys-volleyball-lincoln-way-central-gets-share-of-conference-title.html

Four Celtics Advance to State in Boys Track and Field

The Providence boys track and field team was the most successful area team in the New Lenox, Frankfort and Mokena area during Thursday’s Bloom sectional as four Celtics earned a trip to the IHSA state finals.

Chad Weaver advanced in pole vault (13-9), followed by Sean Fitzgerald in the high jump (6-1), Jesse Long in the discus (146-6) and Kevin Ryan in the 110 hurdles (14.62).

L-W Central’s Joel Swanberg Vaults to Title at Bloom Sectional

Lincoln-Way Central’s Joel Swanberg cleared 13-9.5 during Thursday’s Bloom Sectional to win the pole vault event outright and earn a trip to the IHSA state finals. He wasn’t the only track and field athlete to have a successful sectional for the Knights, either, as Brent Swanberg advanced in the high jump (5-11) and Kyle Counter had similar success in the 3,200 (9:44.58). 

Impressive Number of the Week: .903 Winning Percentage

The Providence baseball team improved to 28-3 this week with a 12-4 victory over Joliet West on Monday and a 4-0 win against Marist on Tuesday. Matt Trowbridge allowed just one hit against Marist, while Collin McEnery provided all the offense for the Celtics with a grand slam. The Celtics could reach 30 wins this weekend if they can handle Lincoln-Way Central and then Lockport. The Porters are playing very well right now and have former Providence pitching coach Butch Marklez handling similar duties at Lockport.

Softball: Celtics drop to .500 in ESCC

The Providence softball team battled with Marian Catholic on Wednesday in New Lenox, but fell 4-2 to drop to 14-7-1 overall and 9-9 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. For more details on the game, see http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/sports/highschools/5450911-419/softball-marian-catholic-turns-back-providence.html