Softball adds to Hall of Fame; Cottrell leads nation at line

When you think of 16-inch softball, one city steps forward in a big way.

Chicago is where this style of the popular game became famous, taking off in the 1920s.

The Chicago game is one of lore and color, a world of deep tradition.

That tradition finally was honored in 1996 when the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame became the premier organization for supporting and recognizing the game.

They honored that tradition again last Saturday.

Jerry Rhea of Arlington Heights, Frank Mustari of Des Plaines, Pat Heraty of St. Charles and Jim Kraus and Gene Mozdzierz of Addison were recognized from the Daily Herald area as new members of the Hall of Fame.

The five players joined 14 other new Hall of Famers for the event held at Hawthorne Park Race Track.

Rhea played in the outfield and infield for the 45's, March Manufacturing and Red Dog.

Mustari is considered possibly the game's greatest shortstop.

Heraty helped the 45's win many of their national titles.

Kraus was an MVP player for the Whips.

Mozdzierz was a shortstop who played on Chicago's Northwest side.

Basketball

Gabrielle Cottrell (Prospect) of Manhattan College is the leading free-throw percentage shooter in Division I women's basketball. She has hit 45-of-48 free throws for 93.8 percent. The totals are based on a minimum of 2.5 free throws made per game.

In a 75-65 win over Rider University, Cottrell scored 20 points, going 6-for-10 from the field and 4-4 at the line. She had 13 points and 10 rebounds against Niagara.

She is the second-leading scorer on the team at 12.5 points per game and is shooting .421 from 3-point territory with 45-for-107.

• Sarah Boothe (Warren) appears on the January cover of RISE Magazine (formerly School Sports Magazine).

The 6-foot-5 Boothe, who has committed to play at Stanford, joins an impressive group of athletes who have appeared on the cover, including LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudemire.

• Krista Mayyou (St. Viator) of Concordia University Wisconsin scored 22 points and went over 1,000 for her career in a 68-41 victory over Marantha. It was Concordia's 10th straight conference win.

Mayyou, who was named to the all-region team last season, was conference rookie of the year in 2006 and all-conference in 2006 and '07. She leads the team in scoring this year at 14 points per game.

• Sean Dwyer (Hersey) of Illinois Wesleyan made his first career start and had 11 points and 6 assists against Wheaton College.

• Melissa Gorski (Buffalo Grove) scored 20 points and had 7 rebounds as Monmouth College handed St. Norbert its first conference loss of the season. It was the first win for Monmouth over St. Norbert in six years.

• Shana Lieberman (Hersey) of Carthage College scored 15 points against North Central.

• Charlotte Milas (Rolling Meadows) of Cornell (Iowa) College hit a layup with seven seconds remaining to force overtime in a 78-70 win over Dubuque, finishing with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Melanie Duplessis (Warren) had 16 points. They both scored 10 points against Buena Vista, and Kristin Paczosa (Buffalo Grove) had a team-high 9 rebounds.

Duplessis had 21 points, 7 coming in overtime, in a 74-71 win over Wartburg.

Speed training

The first of 14 Saturday sessions devoted to speed training for athletes will be held Saturday at Prospect High School.

The opening sessions are scheduled for gyms 1 and 2.

Marwin Kline of the Varsity Factory in Naperville will be the trainer for each session, which will start at 2:45 p.m. and last approximately 70 minutes.

Open to anyone in the area in sixth grade or older, the sessions will cost $10 each Saturday and will run until May 17.

Questions on the speed training can be directed to Kline at the Varsity Factory, (630) 420-2713.

Track and field

Dan Leonard (Fremd) of Augustana College was second in the 5,000-meter run (15:42.36) at the Midwest Invitational.

• Freshman Arthur Baptist (Prospect) of the University of Chicago placed fourth at 3,000 meters (8:59) at the University of Chicago Phoenix Invitational.

Softball clinic

The Prospect Youth Softball Clinics for ages 8-14 are scheduled for Feb. 10 and Feb. 24 in Jean Walker Field House at the high school.

The sessions are scheduled for 8-10:30 a.m.

Feb. 10 will feature hitting/slapping skills and video analysis. Feb. 24 concentrates on defensive skills.

If you are interested in signing up, contact brenda.martin@d214.org.

Cost of the clinics is $50 for both and $30 for one. You pay when you arrive.

There are limited spots so early signup is encouraged.

Football registration

The Prospect Heights Falcons Football Association will hold its "Super Bowl Saturday" registration on Saturday, Feb. 2 for Prospect Heights/Wheeling football and cheerleading.

The registration will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at two locations: walk-in registration at the Gary Morava Recreation Center, 110 W. Camp McDonald Road, Prospect Heights, and the Wheeling Community Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road.

There are travel tackle and cheerleading programs and in-house flag football beginning in the 6-8 age bracket.

Any boy or girl registering on Feb. 2 will receive a free Falcon T-shirt.

The organization also offers registration discounts on any new cheerleader, flag and tackle player signing up.

For more information, call (630) 327-6663 or go to the Falcons' Web site at www.phfafalcons.com.

Wrestling

University of Chicago freshman David Kneisel (Barrington) was named the University Athletic Association Athlete of the Week. Kneisel was runner-up in the 174-pound class at Elmhurst College's 12-team Al Hanke Invitational. He pinned his first two opponents.

• Derrick Pousson (Round Lake) of Augustana College placed fifth at the Elmhurst College Invitational, going 3-2 for the day to bring his record to 13-7.

Jim Sheehan

Jim Sheehan, a teacher and athletic trainer at Arlington High School for 23 years, died Jan. 19 at his home in Jacksonville, Ill. He was 81.

Sheehan was one of the first certified athletic trainers in Illinois, and he later was responsible for implementing the program at Illinois College, upon his return to Jacksonville in 1985.

Memories are suggested to Cass-Schuyler Area Hospice, Routt Catholic High School or Our Saviour School and may be sent in care of the funeral home at 1405 Lincoln Ave., Jacksonville, Ill. 602650. For information, call (217) 243-1010.

Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.