CCIW Announces Track & Field Athletes of the Week for February 9

Amanda LaRocca of Illinois Wesleyan and Rachel Secrest of North Central were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week Tuesday. In addition, Kyle Brady and Peter Geraghty of North Central were named CCIW Men's Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week.

LaRocca, a senior from Palatine, Ill., and Palatine High School, won three events on the track during the Keck Ecumenical Indoor meet on Saturday. She finished with an NCAA Provisional time of 7.18 in the 55-meter dash (currently third in NCAA Division III and first in the CCIW). She also finished with an NCAA Provisional time of 8.25 in the 55-meter hurdles (currently second in NCAA Division III and first in the CCIW), and won the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.09. In addition, LaRocca won the high jump, clearing 5-4. She is a History major.

Secrest, a senior from Wheaton, Ill., and Wheaton North High School, vaulted 4.02 meters (13-2 ¼) at the Warhawk Classic on Saturday, hosted by Wisconsin-Whitewater. She set a new facility record and indoor personal best and currently leads the NCAA Division III honor roll in the pole vault. Secrest also was second in the long jump with a leap of 16-9 ¾. She is a Biochemistry major.

Brady, a senior from Wheaton, Ill., and Wheaton-Warrenville South High School, ran an NCAA Division III Automatic qualifying time of 14:28.36 in the 5,000-meter run at the Squig Converse Invitational on Friday at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Brady won the event and currently has the fastest time in the nation in the 5,000. He is a Physical Education major.

Geraghty, a freshman from Oak Park, Ill., and Oak Park-River Forest High School, jumped an NCAA Division III Provisional mark of 5.05 meters (16-6 ¾) in the pole vault on Friday at Wisconsin-Whitewater. The mark was a personal best for Geraghty, which set a new North Central freshman record and puts him at No. 2 in the nation in the pole vault. He is a Physical Education major.

Illinois Wesleyan’s Hansen, Wheaton’s Painter named CCIW Swimmers of the Week

Illinois Wesleyan’s Lauren Hansen and Wheaton’s Andrew Painter were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Swimmers of the Week Tuesday.

Hansen, a junior from St. Charles, Ill., and St. Charles East High School, finished first in the 100-yard freestyle and third in both the 200-yard freestyle (2:03.66) and 100-yard butterfly (1:03.27) during a double dual meet with Wheaton and North Central on Saturday. Her time in the 200-yard freestyle was an un-tapered best and was four seconds faster than her previous un-tapered best. Her 100-yard butterfly time was also an un-tapered best. She is a Psychology major.

Painter, a sophomore from Southlake, Texas and Forth Worth Christian, won the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:18.0) and the 200-yard backstroke (1:59.9) during a double dual meet with Illinois Wesleyan and North Central on Saturday. Both times were un-tapered personal bests for Painter. He is a Pre-Med major.

Millikin’s Wildman Named CCIW Women’s Basketball Player of the Week

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Millikin’s Elise Wildman was named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week Monday.

Wildman, a junior center from Lovington, Ill., and Lovington High School, had 21 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 76-59 win over North Central on Saturday. Four nights earlier, Wildman recorded a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds to go along with four blocks in a 72-64 win over Elmhurst. She has 11 double-doubles on the season. Wildman is a Chemistry (Pre-Pharmacy) major.

Carthage’s Djurickovic Named CCIW Men’s Basketball Player of the Week

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Carthage’s Steve Djurickovic was named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Basketball Player of the Week Monday.

Djurickovic, a junior guard from Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and Bradford High School, scored a career-high 44 points on 15-of-25 shooting from the field, including four-of-five from the three-point line and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line in the Red Men’s 68-63 win at Wheaton on Wednesday. He then finished with 21 points and nine assists in a 70-59 loss to Augustana on Saturday. Djurickovic is an Exercise and Sport Science major.

Corsello, Youel Named CCIW Co-Wrestlers of the Week

Elmhurst’s Mark Corsello and North Central’s Gabe Youel were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Co-Wrestlers of the Week Tuesday.

Corsello, a junior from Park Ridge, Ill., and Maine South High School, won the Pete Wilson Invitational at Wheaton over the weekend, defeating nationally-ranked Division II heavyweight Lynn Panko of Indianapolis, 4-3 in the semifinals. He then defeated two-time NCAA champion Dan Laurent of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 5-4 in the finals at 285 pounds. Corsello was voted “Outstanding Wrestler” of the tournament and is 25-0 this season. He is a Nursing major.

Youel, a senior from Crystal Lake, Ill., and Crystal Lake Central High School, was champion at 184 pounds during the Pete Wilson Invitational, becoming the event’s first four-time champion in 60 years. Youel’s victory at 184 pounds made him the first four-time winner since the namesake of the tournament, Wheaton’s Pete Wilson, in 1950. Youel defeated second-seeded Lucas Haag of Wisconsin-Parkside, 3-2, in the championship match. He is a History major.

CCIW Announces Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week for February 2

Shavantay Thomas of Illinois Wesleyan and Ahvia Greene of Carthage were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week Tuesday. In addition, Greg Davis of Augustana and Josh Brennan of Carthage were named CCIW Men's Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week.

Thomas, a sophomore from Peoria, Ill., and Richwoods High School, ran two NCAA Provisional times at the Titan Open on Saturday. She ran a personal best and NCAA Provisional time of 7.19 in the 55-meter dash, good enough for second place. Thomas also ran the third leg of the winning 4x400-meter relay, finishing with a provisional time of 3:55.67. In addition, Thomas won the 200-meter dash with a personal best time of 25.16. She is an International Business/Spanish major.

Greene, a junior from Aurora, Ill., and Waubonsie Valley High School, won the weight throw with a mark of 17.29 meters (56-8 ¾) at the Tadd Metzger Invitational on Saturday. Her mark in the weight throw was a personal best and improved her NCAA ranking to third on the list, just missing the NCAA Automatic qualifier of 17.30. Greene is a Graphic Design major.

Davis, a sophomore from Carlinville, Ill., and Carlinville High School, earned two first place finishes during the Wartburg Triangular on Saturday. He won the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.96. He also ran the third leg of the winning 4x400-meter relay team with a time of 3:24.50. Augustana picked up 11 first place finishes on Saturday. Davis is a Pre-Physical Therapy/Biology major.

Brennan, a junior from Geneva, Ill., and Geneva High School, won the weight throw at the Tadd Metzger Invitational on Saturday. His winning mark of 17.45 meters (57-3) was a school record and lifetime best. Brennan is an Exercise and Sport Science major.

Millikin sweeps CCIW Swimmer of the Week honors

Millikin’s Kaley Wittrock and Max Simpkins were named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Swimmers of the Week Tuesday.

Wittrock, a freshman from Jefferson City, Mo., and Jefferson City High School, won three events at the Principia Invitational over the weekend. She won the 200-yard butterfly (2:13.37), setting the pool record. She also won the 500-yard freestyle (5:29.46) and the 100-yard butterfly (1:01.21). Wittrock is an Elementary Education major.

Simpkins, a senior from Danville, Ill., and Danville High School, won two events at the Principia Invitational over the weekend. He won the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:05.78 and the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 4:53.09. Simpkins is a History/Pre-Law major.