REGION COLLEGIANS: Illini wrestler Futrell gains All-America status

By being No. 6, B.J. Futrell became one of four.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Lew Wallace grads Gardner, Flournoy are All-Americans in track

Being an All-American in track is becoming pretty commonplace for Robert Gardner.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Novak providing the glue for Michigan basketball

Numbers alone don't tell the whole story of Zack Novak's importance to Michigan's basketball team.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Hummel, Cato, Sutka earn Big Ten recognition

A few local graduates recently made their presences known in Big Ten athletics, with two earning Player of the Week honors and another being tabbed as the Field Athlete of the Year for indoor track.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Lansing's Kravetz named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week

One game into his collegiate baseball career, John Kravetz has already given himself a tough act to follow.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Locals prominent on Purdue track teams

A number of local graduates are occupying spots on Purdue's indoor track rosters this winter, and some of them produced strong showings at recent meets.

REGION COLLEGIANS: SXU's Karp feted for basketball and academics

The awards keep coming for Brad Karp.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Wallace grad Branden Dawson tabbed as Big Ten Freshman of the Week

He did it on behalf of Michigan State, but Branden Dawson did not give a spartan performance.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Andrean grad Klyczek continues to excel on the tennis court at IU

A little down time did nothing to dull Katie Klyczek's game.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Rose-Hulman's Kovach named to Little All-America football team

A little-school residence didn't mean Kyle Kovach couldn't accomplish big things in 2011.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Valpo grad Karp instrumental in SXU's win streak

A double-digit win streak was forged with double-double assistance from Brad Karp.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Thornwood alum Warren named NJCAA Player of the Week

Celestra Warren is doing big things on a small stage.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Chesterton grad Whitaker excels at Hawkeye swim invitational

Kyle Whitaker helped Michigan leave its competition all wet.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Trine wrestler Elias Larson living up to top billing

So far, Elias Larson has been as good as advertised.

REGION COLLEGIANS: L.C. grad Megan Epperson excels in final volleyball match at Lees-McRae

Megan Epperson went out in a manner befitting a team leader.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Illini wrestler Futrell picks up Big Ten's second weekly honor

The Big Ten wrestling season is only two weeks old, but B.J. Futrell has already put his imprint on it.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Andrean grad Kovach feted for record-setting football effort

This junior's achievement was duly noted.

After signing with Illinois, Crete's Orris wants to go out with a bang

CRETE | Shortly after making his future with the orange and blue official Wednesday morning, Michael Orris turned his attention back to the blue and gold.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Munster grad Gill makes most of extended time at QB for SXU

St. Xavier University likely has plenty of football left to play in 2011, but Joe Gill recently gave fans of the NAIA top-ranked Cougars a glimpse ahead to 2012.

REGION COLLEGIANS: E.C. Central grad Kawaan Short named Big Ten Player of the Week

Illinois came up short last Saturday, thanks in large part to Kawaan Short.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Purdue freshman Back tabbed as Big Ten Diver of the Week

One meet into his collegiate diving career, Alec Back has already entered the fast lane.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Illini volleyball player Anna Dorn awarded twice by Big Ten

Anna Dorn got a 2-for-1 deal from the Big Ten.

Senior Dylan Angell fuels T.F. South's cross country improvement

LANSING | This Angell has been giving opponents a devil of a time.

Towns twins giving Thornton's football foes twice the worry

HARVEY | These twins haven't reached their peak.

T.F. South football players not letting sub-.500 record get them down

Tom Padjen has been through enough of these matchups through the years to no longer be shocked by anything he sees.

T.F. South's Rodriguez headed to PUC for volleyball

Email sealed the deal.

Illiana's Tony Wondaal continues family running tradition

Freshman year of high school can be an intimidating time.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Griffith grad Geffert receives lineman award at ISU

This Big Ben made it a good time for Indiana State University to run wild on Western Kentucky.

H-F's Williams wants future to be at QB

QB or not QB?

REGION COLLEGIANS: Marian grad Sloan listed among Big Ten golfers to watch

The season's first round won't be played until Monday, but Illinois senior Samantha Sloan has already been noticed.

Meteors senior QB Calvin Lindsey riding high after eight-TD game

On this occasion, eight was more than enough.

Nebraska's arrival creates two Big Ten divisions, need for title game

Remember the three-way title that capped the 2010 Big Ten football season?

NU anxious to have healthy Persa leading it again

Asked during last month's media days which people spring to mind when he hears the words "Big Ten" in 2011, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald didn't hesitate to answer.

Thornton grad Craig Wilson switches sides, becomes part of Illini defense

He's big enough to do as he pleases in many instances, and what Craig Wilson wanted most was to become a defender.

REGION COLLEGIANS: IU Northwest player Houston's jersey going to Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

The only problem associated with this Houston was the one she continually gave IU Northwest opponents on the basketball court.

After a year of uncertainty, Thornridge football making long-term plans

The future looked bleak. As a matter of fact, it was set to be nonexistent, at least in regard to the typical high school scenario.

Kostic leaving Bishop Noll basketball team

His college choice had already been declared months before, but Milos Kostic wasn't finished making decisions about school.

Balmoral Park going strong in 85th racing year

After 85 years, a slower rate of movement is to be expected.

Roster numbers on the rise for Crete-Monee's football team

Jerry Verde's dilemma probably makes many of his coaching counterparts envious.

New rule allows for removal of scores in college football

Effort giveth and the officials can taketh away.

Former NIU football coach Kill says Minnesota has a lot to offer

With a track record that includes some very good football work done at both Northern and Southern Illinois universities, Jerry Kill's qualifications as a gridiron boss are evident.

Big Ten coaches excited about addition of Nebraska

In July, everyone is excited.

Marian Catholic senior-to-be Brett Lilek verbally commits to Arizona State

Beginning in the spring of 2013, Brett Lilek plans to have a Devils of a time playing baseball.

T'wood's 1,600 relay team takes second in national meet

Before he heads off to college to study history, London Hawk decided to create some.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Marian grad Gergel among pole vault qualifiers for NCAA meet

Already a six-time All-American in the pole vault, Melissa Gergel has one more goal in mind: a national championship.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Langhurst named Aurora's top male athlete for 2010-11

Six months after it ended, Mike Langhurst's senior football season is still attracting notice.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Whiting's Dumezich named to Central Region team

In just her second year as a college softball player, Whiting grad Mel Dumezich earned national honors for the second time as she was selected to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-Central Region team.

REGION COLLEGIANS: Bolda named CCAC Pitcher of the Year

While Calumet College's baseball team wasn't a big factor within the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference this spring, its top pitcher certainly was.