State boxing champ has become heavier handed

MERRILLVILLE | When his boxing coach proposed a new training strategy, Raul Sanchez Jr. was all for it.

Dyer Girls Softball League celebrates 50th season

DYER | When Frankie Blaize was in the process of forming a girls softball team for the sprouting town of Dyer, she leaned on an experienced coach for advice.

St. John man to compete in second Tough Mudder

ST. JOHN | When a bold but undisciplined Luke Skywalker claimed that he wasn't afraid to take the arduous journey in becoming a Jedi knight, Yoda replied, "You will be."

Bears Super Bowl champion receiver Willie Gault makes a local appearance

SCHERERVILLE | By the multitude of record covers he signed, you could have mistaken Bears Super Bowl champion receiver Willie Gault as more of a pop music star than a football player.

Teacher and swim coach competing at Masters National Championships

Lisa Szafranski doesn't walk on water, but she has been called on to assist several resurrections.

Nacovski inducted into IUPUI Athletics Hall of Fame

MERRILLVILLE | Some people have a scorer's mentality.

Former swimmer wins first bodybuilding competition

CEDAR LAKE | Devin Rohrbacher was an aspiring swimmer at Lake Central.

Well-matched teams square off at Seton Academy All-Star Games

SOUTH HOLLAND | You couldn't match them up more evenly than this.

PUC holding Game Day Experience Basketball Camp

HAMMOND | Purdue University Calumet men's basketball coach Dan Voudrie keeps himself busy during the summer.

Nick Ignatuk will rely more on skill than luck at WKC World Championships

CROWN POINT | Brett Homann will not accompany his student and assistant instructor Nick Ignatuk to Melbourne, Australia, for the World Karate Confederation World Championships.

World Series hosts open in-house season

HAMMOND | The bases were loaded, and Cargill Orioles third base coach Gabriel Lopez issued an advisory.

Swimmers prepare for Masters National Championships

MUNSTER | Bryan Buksar is not out to just master the moment; he wants to master the split-second.

E'Twaun Moore, Splash players have high hoops

HAMMOND | Teammates can either go their separate ways, or come together after traversing circuitous paths.

Local runners more determined than deterred after attack

SCHERERVILLE | You could say Misty Chandos is lucky, or you could say she is fast.

Kevin McCune keeping a family tradition rolling

HIGHLAND | If we take Kevin McCune at his word, then he must be one heck of a baseball player.

Former league president trying to resurrect town ball

SAUK VILLAGE | Build it and they will come.

Husband and wife dedicated lives -- and home -- for Cedar Lake Girls Softball

CEDAR LAKE | If Shirley Mudy were in charge of national finances, "fiscal cliff" and "sequestration" would likely not be part of the country's lexicon.

Spring Fling prelude to season, World Series

HAMMOND | As the Plymouth players, coaches and parents congregated near the scoreboard to snap photos of the final score, Hammond Optimist Youth Sports Bulldogs manager Tom McDermott, whose name and title of Hammond mayor is prominently placed on the scoreboard, was showing off one of the in…

Susan Dufrane to be honored by Indiana Basketball HOF

GRIFFITH | Susan Dufrane can trace girls basketball's timeline to when there wasn't a timeline, when fastbreaks were considered unladylike.

Documentary about pro wrestler's bout with cancer screened at TFN

CALUMET CITY | Unfortunately, esteemed movie critic Roger Ebert was not available for the public screening of Walter Banasiak's debut documentary.

Future is now for Lady Blue Chip basketball program

GARY | Just because it's free doesn't mean it's easy.

Family set to fight cancer together at 5K event

MERRILLVILLE | The Fisch family is praying for a lot of things. For one, no rain on April 27.

Blackhawk star rookie makes appearance at The Charleyhorse

MUNSTER | This was a case where mother knows best.

All Aspects Baseball and Softball Academy allows room to throw

DYER | Noah Hanna has the build and athleticism of a sprouting football player.

J.K.A Indiana sensei remains true to martial art tradition

PORTAGE | Don't let Anthony Milevsky's age, which is 71, and size -- about 140 pounds -- fool you. He can whip you like creamed butter.

Former pro wrestler and promoter has plenty of ringside stories

THORNTON | One day the circus came to town and pitched its tent inside the home of Mike and Mary Herrick.

Despite practicing in a cafeteria, ECUEA Tigers go 27-1

EAST CHICAGO | Kids have been playing basketball in the cafeteria again.

Veteran bowler Chuck Sons Jr. rolling with the changes

DYER | During his younger days, veteran bowler Chuck Sons Jr. didn't have a textbook backswing.

HOYS getting ready to play host to the Cal Ripken World Series

HAMMOND | You can't blow off Doyle Godbolt for too long.

Spartan Elite wrestling team leaves marks at IWKF tournaments

FLOSSMOOR | "There's really no way to sugarcoat it," Phil Thorne said. "It's one-on-one. Either you win or you lose. For some young kids, that's a little too much to take.

Zoey Voris named MVP at Midwest Conference Wheelchair Championships

HOBART | It's tempting to patronize Zoey Voris, to pat her on the back and tell her that she's a "winner" without even seeing her put up a shot.

Hammond Boxing Club becomes first Muhammad Ali Center satellite location

HAMMOND | Though he may be the most outspoken athlete of all time, Muhammad Ali's boxing accomplishments speak for themselves.

Rival club host Northwest Indiana Divisional Swim Championships

MUNSTER | Jeff Kilinski doesn't like entertaining the idea that he's getting older. It's just that everyone else around him seems to be growing up.

Corral students top of the class at jiu-jitsu tournament

SCHERERVILLE | So what's the difference between "team" and "school?"

Lansing Christian wins third Roundball Classic tournament title

LANSING | It's official. Lansing Christian is a dynasty.

Strong work ethic needed to be a BMX pro

HOBART | Don't get Brandon Brown wrong. He still loves bicycle motocross.

Crown Point playing for Class 2A hockey championship

ST. JOHN | There's a flip-side to the adage "three's a charm."

Boldirev was a pre-TV Blackhawks star

GRIFFITH | Meet Ivan Boldirev.

Local skaters stay in-step on the frozen dance floor

DYER | One of the main things that differentiates figure skating from ice dancing is the latter doesn't include jumps — but don't jump to conclusions by thinking that ice dancing is easy.

Illiana Blackbirds soar into postseason

ST. JOHN | After experiencing some growing pains at the start of the season, the Illiana Blackbirds have soared into the Minnesota Junior Hockey League playoffs.

Indians skate past Mustangs to win Roper Cup

ST. JOHN | While honoring protocol of a team with some unfinished business on its agenda, the Lake Central Indians avoided contact with the traveling Roper Cup trophy like it was filled with anthrax.

Radisson hosts Indiana State Billiards Championships

MERRILLVILLE | Shooting for money or shooting for a title. Which racks up more pressure while playing billiards?

C.P. Junior Bulldogs Football League turning 60

CROWN POINT | Someone should have told Ron Goodman that he had the rest of his life to work for a living.

Beasley wins Seton Academy boys basketball tournament

SOUTH HOLLAND | Bulls superstar guard Derrick Rose may or may not return to the court this season.

Tigers hitting coach stayed busy during offseason

VALPARAISO | Gary native Lloyd McClendon has been employed by Major League Baseball for most of his adult life. As a player, coach and manager, he's seen a lot of trends and has learned how to accept a few of them — although sometimes grudgingly.

Former all-star Morandini hopes to return to big leagues

MUNSTER | If former major league all-star second baseman Mickey Morandini ever makes it back to the "bigs," the second journey is already longer than the first.

Baseball showcase spotlights local prospect

SCHERERVILLE | It may be safer to dig in against Connor Manous deep into the baseball season than when he still has hoops on his mind.

OLG wins Seton Academy Volleyball Tournament

SOUTH HOLLAND | Our Lady of Guadalupe School is located in South Chicago, but you could call the Seton Academy gym a second home for its volleyball team.