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Glenbrook South’s Sellitto reunites with doubles partner Levin

April 3, 2012 By

(Glenview Announcements)  Michael Sellitto is sharing the same side of the court with a familiar face.

After playing singles last season, the Glenbrook South senior is back together with Michael Levin at No. 1 doubles. The partners started the spring Saturday by going 3-0 at Rolling Meadows’ quadrangular.

Sellitto was a 9-16 seed at singles at the state tournament last season, but he’s giving way to Konrad Ryba this year. Ryba played doubles with Levin a year ago.

Sellitto is happy to pair up with Levin again. The two were a 5-8 seed at the state tournament in 2010.

“It’s been good,” said Sellitto, who play college tennis at Illinois State. “I think he’s in good form right now and playing well. We’ve been able to work on some stuff and get a feel for each other again.”

Sellitto enjoyed a productive offseason, traveling the country playing top-level tournaments. He and his Wisconsin partner won a national open in Pensacola, Fla., and played at the spring nationals in Mobile, Ala.

“It was busy, but I felt like I got better,” he said. “I am a lot more confident going into this season. I’m feeling really good.”

Serving was one area Sellitto where concentrated on improving in the offseason. He believes he accomplished that.

“That’s a big part of why I am playing so well right now,” he said. “Being able to get free points, like aces, off my serve makes a lot of matches easier on myself.”

Sellitto also said he committed himself to working out off the court. He spent several days a week with trainers to improve his strength and agility.

“That’s such a big part of the men’s game today,” he said.

All of Glenbrook South’s players started the season the right way Saturday, as the Titans didn’t lose a match.

Things get tougher this week. Glenbrook South was scheduled to play Oak Park-River Forest on Tuesday, Niles North today (Thursday) and Moline Friday before competing at Libertyville’s tournament Saturday.

Original article here

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Glenbrook South looking towards turnaround season

March 30, 2012 By

(CSL Insider)  GLENBROOK SOUTH BOYS LACROSSE PREVIEW

COACH: Steven Brooks (2nd season)

2011 RESULTS: 5-14 overall record; lost 12-4 to Loyola in first round of Illinois High School Lacrosse Association playoffs

VARSITY RETURNEES: Seniors Billy Savino (attack), Charlie Day (attack), Josh Marinan (defense), Sonny Valcin (defense) and Zaid Allmanseer (goalie); and juniors Cam Irwin (attack/midfield), Spencer Ford (midfield), Jack Washburn (midfield) and Ben Ach (midfield)

VARSITY NEWCOMERS: Seniors Ryan Hauldren (goalie), Ryan Anastasia (defense), Daniel Mailk (defense), Erik Grey (defense), Miguel Morales (defense), Daniel Lyndon (long-stick midfield), Brendan Burke (midfield), Avery Warso (midfield), Luke Comiss (midfield), Mark Ishkan (midfield) and Brand Lanphere (midfield); juniors Thomas Hampton (attack), Nikolas Halkias (attack), Chris Thomas (attack), Michael Jobski (long-stick midfield) and Greg Abbott (defense); and sophomores Jackson Irwin (midfielder), Evan Marinis (midfield) and Will Reynolds (defense)

OUTLOOK: At first glance, the Glenbrook South boys lacrosse team’s 5-14 record from a year ago may be underwhelming.

What it doesn’t show is how many of those losses could have easily been wins.

In his first season as coach a year ago, Steven Brooks saw the Titans drop too many games down the stretch – a pattern he hopes is fixed this season.

“Last year we lost (seven) one-goal games, five of them being overtime and four being double overtime,” Brooks said. “From a 4-12 season, that could easily be a 10-6 season or better. Our focus this year is just to make sure we stick with fundamentals and make sure we play the game the right way.

“It boils down to making sure the kids are fundamentally sound and, most importantly, conditioned. I feel like a lot of our losses last year were in the end of the third and fourth quarters because we broke down fundamentally because we weren’t as conditioned as we should’ve been.”

The Titans opened their season with a 6-1 victory over Palatine March 19. The win was encouraging to Brooks after graduating last year’s defensive leader, Chris Schwanz, and watching GBS struggle on that end of the field in two preseason games against highly-ranked Culver Academy (Ind.) and Lake Forest.

“From (last) Saturday to (the Palatine game) was night and day for our defense,” Brooks said. “Defense is the most important aspect of a team. If you can’t play team defense, let alone save a shot, you’re going to have a rough day. But we broke down film before the game, and they went out there, came together and played great defense all game.”

Goalie Zaid Allmanseer returns from last season and will also be joined by Ryan Hauldren. Seniors Josh Marinan and Sonny Valcin are the only long poles who return with varsity experience, and Brooks is still sorting through all of the newcomers on defense. Regardless of who’s on the field, he’s hoping they play as one unit.

“We have some new fresh faces on defense, but it’s no different than any other lacrosse style we’ve been playing the last couple of years,” Brooks said. “Our goalies are a tossup right now because they’re both playing very well. We’re still trying to figure out who our go-to guys are on defense, but it’s a team game on defense, so if they work together we’ll be successful.”

Spencer Ford, Jack Washburn, Cam Irwin, Charlie Day, Ben Ach and Billy Savino all return and figure to be the primary sources of the GBS offense – something Brooks feels will be its biggest strength. Irwin, Ach and Washburn most likely will carry the scoring load early on as Savino remains sidelined with an injury.

“They’re our big-name, go-to guys,” Brooks said. “Last year we were defensive oriented. This year we’re offensive oriented. We’re depending a lot on our offensive guys this year. We need them to be able to take over the game and control the ball. They’re athletes and have been playing together for the last two years and know how each other move. Most importantly, they communicate when they’re playing back there.

“Cam’s at attack, Jack is at forward and Ach is up top, so when Cam dodges from behind and he draws a slide, he can find one of those guys knowing they can catch and shoot the ball.”

As the Titans look to re-establish themselves as one of the best teams in the conference, they will face difficult competition this from seven-time defending state champion New Trier, Glenbrook North and Highland Park.

No matter who the opponent is, Brooks is hoping the Titans mentality doesn’t change going into each game.

“We just want to compete,” Brooks said. “Coach (Justin) Porter and I just want to train these kids to be able to compete and be the best players they can be. It’s our job to get these kids as prepared as we can for their next opponent, then go from there. We never look ahead in our schedule, and our focus is building from the mistakes from yesterday to today.”

QUOTABLE: “I tell the guys all the time to remember every game we lost last year, and how many of (those teams) we’ll face this year. It’s really sticking in the back of our minds of how we were so close to being successful last year.”

Original article here

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Rally makes GBS’ return home a happy one

March 29, 2012 By

(CSL Insider)  Following a winless five-game road trip to St. Louis earlier this week, the Glenbrook South softball team found itself with its back against the wall once again Thursday against visiting Lane Tech.

But some patience and persistence proved to be the winning formula for the Titans as they erased a four-run deficit and came away with a walk-off 5-4 victory.

GBS right fielder Grace O’Gara scored from third base after second baseman Megan Steil laid down a bunt with no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and a throwing error from the Indians’ third baseman went past the catcher.

“At the beginning of the game, we had some issues being patient (at the plate),” GBS coach Kay Sopocy said. “We just started exercising the patience as the game went on, and it certainly made the difference up to bat. Alyssa (Strapko) had some really sweet hits as well as her defense. She was a big part of it. We just finished a road trip and it was nice to see that result and some nice team play.”

O’Gara and Strapko each played a big role in the GBS (4-5) rally with the bats. With the game tied at 4-4, O’Gara led off the bottom of the seventh inning by reaching on an error. Then center fielder Strapko singled to advance her to second base. The Titans then executed a double steal to put runners on second and third with no outs to set the stage for Steil’s at-bat.

However, it was in the fourth inning where the Titans were equally clutch. GBS No. 9hitter O’Gara’s two-out RBI double on an 0-2 pitch to right field scored Amanda Strapko to trim the Lane Tech lead to 4-3. Titans leadoff hitter Alyssa Strapko followed up with another double on an 0-2 pitch that brought O’Gara home from second base to tie the game at 4-4.

“I was really nervous actually,” said Alyssa Strapko, who finished 3 for 3 with a triple, double, single, RBI and run. “I just tried to stay focused and loose and watch the ball. She was a slow pitcher, and she was throwing a lot of change-ups so we had to know to be ready for that.

“Over the break, we went to St. Louis and I had a rough time out there hitting. So when I got home, I practiced to prepare for this game and brought it out onto the field. I was really proud of how we stuck together. We stayed focused the whole time and stayed engaged.”

Lane Tech scored three runs in the top of the first inning and one more in the top of the second to take a 4-0 lead, but GBS pitcher Katie Rossman settled in after that. She tried her best not to get rattled during the early Indians’ onslaught.

“I really wanted to go to the next play,” Rossman said. “We have a really solid team and great hitters, so I knew we’d get the runs back. Of course it’s frustrating, but I had to keep pushing. Everyone did a great job.”

Rossman picked up the win by throwing a complete game while giving up seven hits, striking out six and walking two.

“My inside and outside pitches were working really well,” Rossman said. “The change-up was working too, and the main thing about changes is that they’re not going to hit it really fast. I had to focus on that.”

“She was hitting her spots and started showing some poise and confidence, which made a huge difference,” Sopocy said.

Alyssa Strapko scored the Titans’ first run from third base in the bottom of the third after a throwing error to first base on a Steil hit with two outs. GBS third base man Yassie Giliana followed with a single to move Steil to second, then shortstop Vicki Mohr singled to center to score Steil.

O’Gara finished 1 for 2 with a double, RBI and run. Amanda Strapko finished 1 for 2 with a run.

Original article here

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Glenbrook South’s Meyer and Meyer double up on defense

March 29, 2012 By

(Glenview Announcements)  Glenbrook South has jumped out to a strong 7-1-1 start this season and a lot of that has to do with the Meyer brothers.

Senior Tom Meyer and junior Bob Meyer have provided the Titans an iron curtain on defense. With Tom in goal and Bob as the best defender in the pool, opponents have struggled to find the back of the net.

While the brothers are thrilled with the fast start, they’re just enjoying getting to play with each other for a whole season for the first time in their careers.

“It’s something a little different but I really love it. What’s better than having your brother on the team with you?” Tom said. “And he’s so committed and wants to get better every game. It’s so good to have that on your team and it’s a bonus it’s your brother.”

“We have the top goalie in the state and it’s just a lot of fun to play along with my brother,” Bob said. “It’s really cool. He’s really supportive of me and my progress. We get to talk to each other about the games and it’s just a really lucky experience for me.”

Glenbrook South coach Dave Lieberman agrees Tom is the best goalie in the state and that gives the Titans some flexibility on defense.

“You can double team in the hole and he can block pretty much any shot from the outside,” Lieberman said. “I don’t have to worry about them having shots from six, seven and eight meters. The guys can cheat and crash to the center. It’s the security blanket for the defense. And when he does make his saves, he’s a really nice passer. He gets the ball out quick and we get a lot of easy goals that way.”

Tom, despite playing a different position, has had a big effect on his younger sibling.

“Bob kind of grew into the sport because Tom was into the sport,” Lieberman said. “They push each other and have a good relationship. Bob has really come into his own as a field player. He’s becoming a really good defender. He’s a little rough around the edges on offense but he anticipates the passes, gets in there and is a very fast swimmer so he gets a lot of easy goals for us.”

The Titans went 21-8-2 last year, but lost its top player, Igor Grynic, who led the state with 163 goals. That has forced Glenbrook South to be more balanced this season, and it’s been working like a charm.

J.J. Connor is the team’s leading scorer this season, but Glenbrook South has had plenty of other offensive weapons. Senior Ryan Hianik, junior Danny Corrrea and sophomore Brent Boczek have made the Titans tough to defend.

“We’re kind of preaching to them right now: The more we can get everyone involved in the game the better we’ll be,” Lieberman said. “They’ve bought in. You keep the defense honest and the goaltending honest. It makes things that much easier.”

Original article here

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Cronin commits to finding more offense for Glenbrook South

March 27, 2012 By

(Glenview Announcements)  No one is more frustrated with Glenbrook South’s offense than April Cronin.

But she definitely isn’t alone.

“Yeah, very disappointed,” coach Seong Ha said after last week’s 1-all tie with Glenbrook North. “We didn’t finish our chances, and we didn’t do what we needed to do.”

In five games, the 1-1-3 Titans have five goals. But four of them came in a 4-0 win over Young.

It was the same story last season for Glenbrook South, which featured a top-rate defense but struggled to score. The Titans have allowed only two goals this spring.

“It’s think it’s a connection between our midfielders and forwards,” said junior forward Cronin, who has one goal on the year. “The defenders are getting the job done.

“Thing is, we have talented players, but we are not working well together right now. We had so many crosses into the box (against Glenbrook North), but we couldn’t connect on any of them.”

Cronin is among those skilled Titans possess on the pitch. Earlier this year, she verbally committed to play for Valparaiso after attending various camps and showcases over the summer.

After contacting several colleges on her own, Valpo was one program to seek out her services.

“To see them express so much interest in me was great,” said Cronin, who plays for FC United in the offseason.

Cronin took an unofficial visit to the campus in January and fell in love with the school, the coaches and teammates.

“They made me feel like I already was part of the team,” she said.

With her college decision out the way for now, Cronin can concentrate on helping fix Glenbrook South’s offense.

“People are looking to me to take on an offensive role, so I am taking it upon myself,” she said.

After a scoreless first 40 minutes last week at Techny Field, the Titans broke through in the fourth minute of the second half on Taylor Fuderer’s goal from Kaily Bruch.

The lead didn’t last long as Rachel Hirshman scooted one past Kesley Byers at the 28-minute mark. Maggie Washeksy assisted on the score.

Glenbrook South’s goal was its first since the March 15 win over Young. Ha said the Titans outshot the Spartans, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

“We have got to fix that quick,” Ha said. “We have to play with some composure and poise. We are overdoing a lot of things, but the process of getting there has been nice.”

After eight days off, the Titans return to action Saturday against Rockford Lutheran. Glenbrook South then starts CSL South play Tuesday against New Trier.

Original article here

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Glenview’s Hansen skates on runner-up team at world championships

March 26, 2012 By

(Glenview Announcements)  Team USA closed the Single Distance World Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands, on Sunday with a silver medal in the Men’s Team Pursuit.

The defending World Champions, comprised of Chicago’s Shani Davis, Glenview’s Brian Hansen and Champaign’s Jonathan Kuck, posted a 3:43.42, 1.99 seconds behind Team Netherlands.

“It was great ending the year strong with a second place finish in the Team Pursuit,” said Hansen.

“It was a nice way to finish the season with a medal winning performance,” added Team USA coach Kip Carpenter.

Original article here

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Joe Trost’s Corner Kicks blog: Glenbrook South aims for another strong season

March 24, 2012 By

Glenbrook South girls soccer coach Seong Ha promotes his players and program with the best of them, and ensures that his alumni are never forgotten.

That caring and dedication has played a big role in helping the Titans become a premier program. Glenbrook South is unbeaten in 47 of its last 58 matches (40-11-7).

Ha consistently adjusts to the talent within his program. Two years ago Glenbrook South did it with a superior offensive attack. Last spring the game plan was built around defense.

With 11 returnees, most of them on defense, it’s safe to say Glenbrook South will try to duplicate its success from 2011, when it allowed eight goals in 24 games.

“We’re returning (goalie Kelsey Byers) and a defensive line,” Ha said. “(Senior defender) Keeley Nolan and (junior forward) April Cronin are two other players that are going to help us have another strong spring season.”

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Badminton Swings Into Gear

March 21, 2012 By

(Journal Online)  Badminton is like the weather this early spring season, getting off to an early, fast start.

In the last week, traditional powerhouse teams like Fremd, Palatine, Glenbrook South, and Buffalo Grove all participated in large invitational tournaments. It was the second week of badminton competition.

• Maine South, which sent two doubles teams to state last year and finished in 26th place, lost three/fourths of those two doubles pairs to graduation, is doing some rebuilding this year, according to coach Eve Muir-Wilson. But the Hawks impressed with 20 points and a 3rd place finish at the Buffalo Grove invitational last weekend. Junior Natalie Michalski won at 3rd singles, senior Lindsey Zawila placed 3rd at 2nd singles, and juniors Becca Klages and Meghan Salgia finished 3rd at 1st doubles.

In early competition so far, Salgia and Klages have opened at 1st doubles for the Hawks, and Cassie Doody has begun at 1st singles, with Salgia at 2nd.

“We have only four seniors this year, none of whom have been to state,” Muir-Wilson said. “This year will be a growing year for us, but the girls are working really hard and have done well so far.”

At this same invite, the host Bison, with state medalists Michelle Byjos and Nell Boyd gone, still showed power with 26 points and a second place finish to winner Wheaton South.

• Fremd, which sent Angela Wu and Annie Huang to the state finals last year, still is deep and talented. The Vikings won the Palatine invitational last weekend with 31 points. Defending state champ Sandburg was 2nd with 22 points, Palatine was 4th with 17 points, and Prospect 5th with 14.

This invite featured a singles confrontation between state 2011 quarterfinalists Wu and Maggi Von Grondelle of Palatine, who won the state doubles title with Tomoyo Tsurumi last year. Von Grondelle prevailed this time, and the two will likely meet several more times this season.

Fremd, however, showed much more depth up and down its lineup than did Palatine and Prospect.

• At the Rolling Meadows quad, Stevenson showed it would be a major force in area competition when it swept all the singles and doubles levels in a 30 point victory at the Mustang quad. Meadows was second with 16 points.

In a shortened, 10-game format, the Patriots blanked Meadows, McHenry, and Lake Forest.

Meadows defeated Lake Forest, 6-4, with singles victories by Laura Srnak, Phoebe Kim, and Ericka Slusarczyk. The Mustangs also shut out McHenry, 10-0.

• Glenbrook South, which sent Angela Cho and Olivia Nelson in doubles, and Diana Diaconu and Crystal Thomas in singles, to state last year, lost only three seniors and has looked strong in winning the Palatine quad and placing 2nd in the Buffalo Grove invite last week. In addition to veterans Nelson and Diaconu, the Titans have eight other varsity returnees.

• Two other 2011 state qualifiers that return this year and will be significant talents for other teams are Cindy Wong at Maine West, and Lillian Armoush at Leyden.

Original article here

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Undefeated Titans Take Evanston Invite

March 21, 2012 By

(Journal Online)  The Glenbrook South boys water polo team had a long enduring weekend, but came out victoriously winning the Evanston tournament and maintaining an undefeated record.

The Titans showed off their strength Friday night taking down Evanston 9-7 and tying McHenry, a three-year consecutive state qualifier, at 9 points.

“Friday night was the tournament for us,” said Glenbrook South coach Dave Lieberman.

Against McHenry, the Titans were tied 4-4 at halftime. McHenry went up 8-6 in the third, but GBS roared back out-shooting them 3-1 in the fourth.

On Saturday, the team beat St. Viator 18-2 and Bremen 11-6. McHenry kept up their winning streak going into the final game as well.

In order for GBS to win the tourney, the team couldn’t allow more than 6 goals in their last match against crosstown rival Glenbrook North.

“We knew what we had to do,” Lieberman said.

The team pulled through with an 8-4 win over GBN, comfortably pacing ahead of 2nd place McHenry.

Over the course of the tournament senior JJ Connor led with 23 goals. Teammate Ryan Hianik finished second scoring 9 goals. It was also Hianik’s first full week back after being sidelined with tendonitis pain in his leg.

On the defensive end Tom Meyer kept the net clean recording 40 saves over the weekend and only allowing 28 goals.

The team’s performance exceeded all expectations especially given they hadn’t practice since last Tuesday.

That Wednesday (Mar. 14) an explosion in the adjacent Glenbrook Hospital parking lot shut down the school for the day. Then the team had a game on Thursday where they beat Maine East, 14-3.

“We haven’t really worked on our special teams, our six-on-five, or had a good chance to work on counter attacks,” Lieberman said. “The guys have really impressed me with the knowledge they’ve retained from years past and just really stepping up.”

Glenbrook South (8-0) plays Loyola, which placed 3rd in state last year, today (Tuesday). They’ll host New Trier after their spring break Apr. 3.

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Lady Titans Defend Crown Against Hersey

March 20, 2012 By

(Journal Online)  The annual Glenbrook South girls water polo tournament marked its 7th year over the weekend.

For seven years, the Titan Classic title game has been dominated by Glenbrook South and Hersey.

The Lady Titans were defending champions, and maintained their crown Saturday with a 6-5 victory.

Titan junior Anne Edwards tied the team-high 2 goals sinking both in the fourth quarter. She scored the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation.

“The whole team was pretty tired, but when you don’t have a very good goalie and the whole thing is on the line, you put everything aside and go for it,” Edwards said.

The team had foreboding thoughts going into the game because their starting goalie, Eleanor Forgarty, had to leave for a wedding.

So junior Meghan Dragman was dropped in front of the net. She’s never played goalie before.

“I told the girls just guard them like freckles. Do not let them get a shot off,” said Glenbrook South coach Chris Tomsheck.

The girls followed orders to a T.

Their aggressive man-to-man defense severely limited any open looks for the Huskies. GBS out-shot Hersey 26-12.

“They were very hands-on and we didn’t get enough shots,” said Hersey’s Alli Williams.

All the components of a championship game were in play before the girls even got into the water. Both teams were 2-0 in the tourney and both scored 22 total goals each heading into the title game.

Williams started the momentum for the Huskies sinking both of her team-high 2 goals in the first quarter.

But Titan Maggie Dietrich swooped past two defenders with 31 seconds left in the quarter to tie the game at 2.

It was a back and forth battle in the field during the second quarter. Titan Sara Ocytko finally found the net with 2:54 remaining for a 3-2 lead.

But with a minute left before halftime Hersey’s Hannah Johnstone launched a shot from half-court rolling backward off Dragman’s hands into the net tying the game at 3.

Hersey ended the third quarter with a 5-4 lead with a pair of goals from Karolina Szymaszek and Maddie Liesz. Dietrich put one in the net for the Titans off a steal from Jessie Kerndt. Dietrich ended the game with 2 goals.

Kerndt ended with six steals, which accounted for Hersey’s 17 total turnovers, which was part of the difference maker, said Hersey coach Megan Brownley.

“There were a lot of games this week. A lot of them went downtown for this orchesis choir concert and didn’t get home until midnight,” Brownley said. “They looked like they were swimming through pudding.”

Hersey was comfortable in their lead in the fourth and was lucky with two crossbar shots, but Edwards found the net with 4:11 left tying the game at 5.

“I just really thought this was our time,” Kerndt said. “We just wanted to try and win it again because last year was our first time winning and it felt awesome.”

In the seven Titan Classics, Hersey has played Glenbrook South for the crown each year. The Huskies hailed supreme the first five years until 2011.

This year’s victory was even more surprising for Tomsheck because he’s playing with a varsity roster of 11 compared to the usual 20 plus of years past.

The Titans lost last year’s leading scorer Hallie Hengels and Anna Veselovsky who both decided to focus on swimming instead of playing polo this year.

“We are far beyond where I thought we’d be,” Tomsheck said. “We have 11 girls, that’s it. We can’t even scrimmage. So this is what we’re going to do – we’re going to be in the best shape of our lives – sort of out of Hoosiers.”

That best shape entails a rigorous workout regiment encompassing weight lifting and swimming. The team didn’t even start practicing polo until last Monday, Tomsheck sadi.

Glenbrook South (5-1) will play at Vernon Hills Thursday. Hersey (4-7) travels to Buffalo Grove Thursday.

Original article here

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