Athletics

I would love to cover women's sports some day, but I've chosen to get my start as a news reporter. Here's a list of links to the sports-related coverage I've done so far:

Chief Illiniwek

- Parade bans Chief symbol from floats

published Oct. 23, 2007

http://www.dailyillini.com/special/2007/10/23/parade-bans-chief-symbol-from-floats


- Council selects new Chief

published April 29, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/04/29/council-selects-new-chief


- Students for Chief Illiniwek plans 'The Next Dance'

published Oct. 30, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/10/30/students-for-chief-illiniwek-plans-the-next-dance


Other Illini sports coverage

- Kevin Hambly turns Illinois volleyball into family affair

published Nov. 14, 2009 on the website of the Champaign News-Gazette, www.news-gazette.com

http://illinihq.com/video/view/1473/

- Students assess Illinois spirit

published Nov. 18, 2008 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2008/11/18/students-assess-illinois-spirit


Other athletics and fitness stories

- Sports camp participants gain experience, risk burnout

published July 6, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=304188


- New pool safety law drains park district budgets

published July 6, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=304852


- Gurnee man's team of diabetic athletes wins cross-country bike race

published July 6, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=304353


- Slow-bouncing balls help beginners learn tennis ... and fast

published June 29, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=301825


- 'Healthy competition' encourages commuters to bike

published June 12, 2009 in the Chicago Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=300178


- Wellness week educates, unites women: Events kicked off with 5K Sunday

published Nov. 5, 2007 in The Daily Illini

http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2007/11/05/wellness-week-educates-unites-women


- Warrior winners: Waubonsie celebrates girls state soccer title at pep rally

published June, 2008 in the Naperville Sun www.napersun.com

The first 45 minutes of the second-to-last day at Waubonsie Valley High School were dedicated to the annual recognition assembly for athletes.

For the second year in a row, the school celebrated the achievements of its girls soccer team in winning the Class AA state championship.

The 24-member team also boasts an undefeated season, a 58-game winning streak, and the winner of the Gatorade State Girls Soccer Player of the Year Award, junior Bri Rodriguez.

"As an individual award, she deserves it," coach Julie Bergstrom said. "But it also is representative of Waubonsie soccer and where we've come with the players on the team in the last few years."

Through all the team's accomplishments, Bergstrom has taught her players not to think about championships or winning streaks, but to take the season one game at a time.

And her players bought into her philosophy.

"We tried to take it one game at a time because we know that no matter who we're playing, every team is going to come out and try to beat us," Rodriguez said.

Bergstrom, a physical education teacher at the high school, also taught her players to step up in pressure situations and not to depend solely on a few star athletes to carry the team.

And when Rodriguez tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in a tournament game Friday against Maine South, Bergstrom said the entire team stepped up.

Rodriguez said she gave her captain title to sophomore Vanessa DiBernadino after her injury. DiBernadino joined junior captains Rachel Bostick and Claire Hanold in the leadership position.

The team went on to clinch the state title with a 3-0 win against Belleville's Althoff High School at North Central College.

For seniors Emily Bielaga, Hillary Blake and Jessica Blake, the state championship game was their last in a Warrior uniform.

The location of the state tournament allowed Waubonsie's fans to continue attending games and supporting the team, Bergstrom said.

A slideshow at the pep rally showcased Warrior fans cheering on the team decked out in body paint, flags and all forms of green and gold gear.

"It's amazing, especially at the home games," Rodriguez said of the team's fan support. "It's probably hard to play against, but when you know it's for you, it definitely gets you pumped up."

Parents and family members also celebrated the team's achievement in the crowd of about 3,600 at the assembly.

"At girls events, let alone soccer, a lot of times you don't get much support," said Lisa McClellan, mother of junior Kiki McClellan. "The girls here and the students here love the coach so much and I think she has a lot to do with that. She makes all these T-shirts and really gets people excited about sports."

Copyright 2008 Naperville Sun