Lake Zurich's Staley gets All-American recognition
Illinois Wesleyan junior defensive back Trevor Staley, who played at Lake Zurich, was named to the second team of the 2017 Associated Press Little All-America Division III football squad.
Staley was also a D3football.com first team all-North Region selection as he finished third on the Titans with 56 total tackles, including 44 solo, with a team-leading 3 interceptions for 77 return yards.
The All-America team is presented in a partnership between the AP and the College Sports Information Directors of America. The AP began naming Little All America football teams in 1934.
Women's basketball
DePauw freshman Claire Keefe (Libertyville) scored 14 points as the Tigers improved to 12-1 with their eighth straight win, 80-49 over visiting John Carroll in the final game of the Amy Hasbrook Memorial Classic.
Men's basketball
Villanova junior Jalen Brunson (Stevenson) led the Wildcats with 27 points and 8 assists in a 100-90 win over Marquette before 14,210 at the Wells Fargo Center. The No. 3 'Cats improved to 14-1 overall and 2-1 in BIG EAST.
They were coming off their first loss of the season and have not lost consecutive games since the 2012-13 season.
The win was the 400th of head coach Jay Wright, who began at Villanova in 2001.
On the screen
Ex-Libertyville football star Santino Panico's documentary film "From The Ground Up" made its Chicago debut last week. Panico, the director of the documentary, frames the film with his own experience as a former college football player (University of Nebraska) who is training for the New York City Marathon as a vegan.
• Augustana senior tight end Andrew Apel (Buffalo Grove) was the Vikings' winner of the Doug Schmied Award, voted on by the coaches for loyalty, leadership, citizenship, most sports- and team-minded and attitude. The honor is named for Schmied, the IWU senior offensive lineman who passed away in 2005.
Men's soccer
Central College (Pella, Iowa) junior defender Kiel Pederson (Hersey) received honorable mention recognition in the Iowa Conference.
• North Central freshman Andrew Bird (Schaumburg) was an Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection. Bird played in three games and helped the Cardinals finish with an 8-9-1 overall record.
• North Central freshman Sean Bird (Schaumburg) was also an Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) selection.
Women's cross-country
North Central junior Katie Thevara (Elk Grove) was an Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) selection. Thevara finished in 31st place at the CCIW Open Race. She helped the Cardinals finish third at the CCIW Championship and 13th out of 37 teams at the NCAA Division III Midwest region Championship.
Men's soccer
North Central freshman Alexis Flores (Schaumburg) was an Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection. Flores led the team in shot attempts (53) and shots on goal (24). Flores helped the Cardinals finish with an 8-9-1 overall record.
Men's cross-country
• North Central senior Argeni Bailon (Palatine) was an Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection. Bailon finished in sixth place out of 42 participants in the Principia College Invitational. Bailon assisted the team in finishing in first place in this meet. He helped the Cardinals win their 44th consecutive CCIW Championship and their 18th national championship.
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