Rick Armstrong
@RickArmstrong28
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Following
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Sportswriter, Aurora Beacon News, Chicago Tribune Publishing. The number 28? Vada Pinson, of course.
Joined March 2013
A night to remember in Normal. Many thanks to the IBCA for including me in its 2023 Hall of Fame Class, honored at its annual banquet. Humbled and honored to be a part of it.
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Yorkville senior center Robby Isaacs beats Batavia junior Breydan Ford in Sumo competition during 7on7 ams lineman eventFriday at Batavia. More on Isaacs in Sunday paper
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Metea Valley athletes get the official word, they’ve won St. Charles North Sectional title, first in program history. @MV_Stampede
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Armstrong: Stronger, faster, better. Oswego East grad RayJ Dennis ‘upped his game’ during the pandemic for Boise State. - Chicago Tribune @OEWolvesbball @OEHS_GoWolves @BroncoSports @BroncoSportsMBB @rayjdennis10
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Here’s Tuesday night’s game-winning 3 for @OEWolvesbball from Sam Schultz with 2.4 seconds left in 63-60 win over @WestAuroraBB1 .Get ready to turn your device, cameraman was a little shaky😉
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‘A real game changer for us’: Batavia’s Jalen Buckley is the 2021 Beacon-News/Courier-News Football Player of the Year. - Chicago Tribune @BataviaFootball @BataviaAthletic @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Lori Trippi-Payne’s reach extended beyond the volleyball court during her 34 years as a teacher and coach at Batavia - Chicago Tribune @BataviaFootball @BataviaAthletic @BulldogVBpride @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Armstrong: Former NFL star Don Beebe introduces high-flying aerial attack in AU opener - Chicago Tribune @AU_SpartanFB @AU_Spartans @au @acs_eagles @KHSKnights @GHS_ILathletics @BeaconNews
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Armstrong: John McCue was the quarterback when East Aurora last made the football playoffs in 1982. He wants to see the Tomcats do it again. - Chicago Tribune @EATomcats @TomcatStrength @BeaconNSports @WAHSBlackhawks
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Just months after tumor removed, West Aurora freshman returns to running - Aurora Beacon-News.@BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @WAHSBlackhawks
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Armstrong: East Aurora and West Aurora have played 228 times in boys basketball. This one, in the sectional semifinals, is No. 229 . and the unlikeliest matchup of the bunch. - Chicago Tribune @WestAuroraBB1 @EATomcats
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Introducing the 2019 Beacon-News Football All-Area Team - Chicago Tribune @BataviaFootball @Oswego_Football @coacheimer @OEHSfootball @yhsfoxes @MarmionAD @WVFBParents @KHSknightsFB
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Armstrong: Back on track at plate, NIU freshman Katie Keller of Geneva is up for national award - Aurora Beacon-News @NIUAthletics @GHS_ILathletics @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews @Huskie @NIUSoftball
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Quarterback Kyle Oroni offers a unique perspective on the brotherhood of Batavia football - Chicago Tribune @BataviaFootball @BataviaAthletic @BataviaHS @BHSCoachJensen @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews
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Congrats @AU_Spartans and coach Lance Robinson on winning NACC title; Matt Dunn (West Aur) and Ty Carlson (Kaneland) had 13 each for @AU_Spartans, who were led by 27 from POY candidate Marcus Myers (Milwaukee).
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Congrats to NIU, Aurora Christian grad Chad Beebe, who has signed with Minnesota after attending Vikings' rookie minicamp last weekend.
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Armstrong: West Aurora's Moshe Rogers says, 'I know whose name it was and how special it was to my family' - Aurora Beacon-News @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @WAHSBlackhawks @CoachJohnson20 @WABlackhawkFB
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Aurora University's Marquis Howard doing well after brain surgery - Aurora Beacon-News
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Congrats to Yorkville QB @Nate_kraus1 for receiving National Football Foundation scholar-award — $1,000 tuition scholarship — for excelling in class, on field, in community. Kraus was nominated by coach Dan McGuire.
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Congrats Nick Kukuc! East Aurora offensive coordinator/strength & comditioning coach was named Tomcats new head coach this a.m.
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Ryan Ingold goes from golf to Illinois football prospect - Chicago Tribune @BataviaAthletic @BATAVIABASEBALL @BataviaFootball @BataviaHS
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Armstrong: Ormond Stadium dedication fitting for West Aurora @WABlackhawkFB @sd129 @WAHSBlackhawks @NealOrmond3 @WATrack_Field @wablackhawkband @BeaconNews
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Give it up, West High, fans. Blackhawks doubles team of Liz Stefancic-Maria Goheen won state title today. 6 matches, 3 days, no sets lost.
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West Aurora grad Tommy Koth answers bell for North Central in its successful run to NCAA Tournament - Aurora Beacon-News @CoachJohnson20 @WAHSBlackhawks @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @NccCardinals
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Home-schooled D.J. Ellis ‘a hidden gem,’ steps up for Waubonsee Community College and first-year coach Lance Robinson - Chicago Tribune @WaubonseeChiefs @WaubonseeHoops @BeaconNews
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Armstrong: Jacolby Maxwell says ‘it still hurts.’ He keeps the memory of his father close playing football again for Don Beebe at AU. - Chicago Tribune @AU_SpartanFB @AU_Spartans @BeaconNSports @acs_eagles
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Nasir Phillips steals ball from Elgin running back at 4, runs 96 yards for gamewinning TD for East Aurora - 26-22-with :21.2 remaining.
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Rising junior quarterback Michael Ford handed keys to drive Oswego East’s offense - Chicago Tribune @OEHSfootball
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Final from Triton: @EATomcats 54, @FentonBisonFB 20.At 6-3, Tomcats lock down first playoff berth since 1982. Congrats @TomcatStrength on a job well done.
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Armstrong: Geneva graduate Pace Temple blooms at Butler, looks to go pro after settting receiving records - Aurora Beacon-News @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @GHS_ILathletics @GHS_BBasketball @GenevaViking
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Armstrong: It's a game of inches in the pole vault. West Aurora's Abbey Kuhn knows that all too well. - Aurora Beacon-News @WAHSGirlsTF @WAHSBlackhawks @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Football notes: Tre Thomas helps Yorkville ‘believe in themselves’ for stunning Southwest Prairie debut - Chicago Tribune @yhsfoxes @115yhs @Ysportsboosters @Oswego_Football @OHS_GoPanthers
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Cale Reeder, Yorkville force 5 turnovers in playoff win - Chicago Tribune @yhsfoxes @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Kentucky recruit Dajour Miles leads West Aurora past Texas commit MiKenna Robinson, Neuqua Valley - Aurora Beacon-News @WAHSBlackhawks @NeuquaAthletics @sehssports
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‘When he hits you, things rattle and shake’: Batavia’s Quinn Urwiler is the 2019 Beacon-News Football Player of the Year - Chicago Tribune @BataviaFootball @BHSCoachJensen @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews
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Totally Tammaru: Junior quarterback Will Tammaru takes control running West Aurora’s wing-T - Aurora Beacon-News
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'Never satisfied': Oswego East's RayJ Dennis is 2018-19 Beacon-News Boys Basketball Player of the Year - Aurora Beacon-News @OEWolvesbball @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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NIUhomecoming 50/50 pot was $358 today. Last night at East Aurora-West Aurora it was $501. Guess they don’t have a marketing major at NIU.
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Geneva's Grace Loberg has Wisconsin thinking national title - Chicago Tribune @GHS_ILathletics @GHSVikingsVB @GHS_girls_bball @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @UWBadgers
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Blossoming Mayes: Senior shortstop Jeff Mayes never rests, leads Aurora University into NCAA Tournament - Aurora Beacon-News @AU_Spartans @NIUAthletics @AUSpartanBase @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Back-to-Back: @OswegoGXCTF coach Bechina presents SPC championship plaque to her girls Wednesday night at Plainfield North. Congrats, ladies!
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Aurora U. 48, Elmhurst 22: Gavin Zimbelman 30-46 for 336 yds, school-record 7 TDs, 2 interceptions; Jonathan Alstott debuts, 16 carries, 72 yards; Travys Davis 14-98. WR Jacolby Maxwell record 13 rec. for 149 and record 4 TDs. Spartans 2-0.
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Armstrong: A coaching change and injury setbacks behind him, former Oswego quarterback Steven Frank looks to Eastern Illinois - Chicago Tribune @OHS_GoPanthers @ohs308 @Oswego_Football @StevenFrank_3 @EIUPantherFB
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Armstrong: Kentucky recruit Dajour Miles aims for third straight state title in 400 and more for West Aurora - Aurora Beacon-News @WAHSBlackhawks @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Check out this grab by West Aurora’s @T_Smith2424 in last week’s playoff loss at Edwardsville, one of 18 receptions Smith had from QB Mason Atkins for 216 yards and two TDs. If anyone asks why TS has “high-ceiling talent,” show them this clip. Just sayin’.@WABlackhawkFB.
🐮💚 Thank you to Undeniably Dairy & DICK'S Sporting Goods for bringing us #FridayNight5 highlights throughout the 2023 #IHSA Football regular-season!!!. 🏈🖐️ Here is one more for the road from West Aurora's Terrence Smith from the First Round of the playoffs.
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Countdown to football: Speed merchant Art Taylor turns up the ‘beast’ mode for No. 1 Batavia - Chicago Tribune @BataviaFootball @OHS_GoPanthers @OEHS_GoWolves @WABlackhawkFB @WVFBParents @BeaconNSports
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Armstrong: West Aurora’s Matt Johnson sees stock on the rise, commits to Northern Illinois in football - Aurora Beacon-News @WABlackhawkFB @WAHSBlackhawks @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @NIU_Football
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Former Aurora University football coach Rick Ponx has been hired as the new coach at Plano. He replaces Brad Kunz who, after six years, was hired last month for the same position at Plainfield East @GregHGould @reap.
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Countdown to football: NIU commit Jack Hugunin departs from LB lineage, finds own niche for No. 2 Oswego - Chicago Tribune @OHS_GoPanthers @Oswego_Football @OEHSfootball @WABlackhawkFB @yhsfoxes
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Sr Trenton Kyler of DuPage Valley champ DeKalb (18-1, 10-0) is league’s MVP, joined by unanimous choices Ben Schwieger, Waub V; Connor Davis, Neuqua V; Kyle Baskin, Nap Cent snd Lane McVicar, DeKalb. WV’s Isaiah Smith also made team, Adri Malushi sp mntn; Mete’s Malik Bell, HM.
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West Aurora AD Jason Buckley confirms former Plainfield East BBK coach and WA alum Michael Fowler is program’s new coach and District 129 school board voted 7-0 Monday night to return to Upstate Eight in 2024-25 school year, leaving Southwest Prairie after 2023-24 school year ….
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Josh Costello, Batavia overpower Thornwood in 7A playoffs - Chicago Tribune @BataviaFootball @BHSCoachJensen @BATTLINDOGD @CoachPiron
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Hey kids, if you aren’t too busy these days, go to NBC Sports Chicago and watch the @chicagobulls replays from the ‘90s. You’ll get a pretty good idea of what all the fuss is about when you bring up that GOAT talk with old farts. Definitely good ol’ days. One is on right now.
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Armstrong: Oswego softball team to play with heavy hearts after the death of coach Amanda Stanton - Aurora Beacon-News @OHSPantherSB @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Congrats to @AU_Hoops and coach Lance Robinson who will play Friday (time TBA) at Washington U. (22-3) in St. Louis in first round of NCAA D-III Tournament. Soartans (19-8) making 10th NCAA appearance.
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If you aren’t watching, check SportsCenter later tonight. @BataviaFootball Michael Jansey with a pick six in the Under Armour All-America Bowl! How bout that Dawg?!?!.
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Art Taylor erupts for 218 yards as Batavia romps - Chicago Tribune @BataviaFootball @BHSCoachJensen @bulldogsully @BataviaHS @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews
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‘It’s humbling’: Larkin graduate Keion Adams a key for AU’s defense heading into NCAA Division III playoffs - Chicago Tribune @AU_Spartans @AU_SpartanFB @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews
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All-state guard Riley Mont, recovering from knee surgery, looks at January 2022 return. Meanwhile, West Aurora adds five transfers. - Chicago Tribune @WAHSLadyHoopers @rileyjmont @aspenskye17 @WAHSBlackhawks
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Play of game w/ 2.8 left in first OT, Billy Samp to Terrence Smith for contested 3 to tie it 51-51 in eventual @WestAuroraBB 58-54 win. Video courtesy of my former Beacon-News teammate, current Fox Valley Park Dist. marketing/PR guru and West grad, Tim Wagner. 👏👍🏻Thanks!
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All business: Michigan State lands Kaneland pitcher Mason Kottmeyer, a late bloomer who ‘signed incredibly late for a school that size’ - Chicago Tribune @KottmeyerMason @KHS_Knights @KlandBaseball @BeaconNews
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Consistency pays off for Northern Illinois defensive lineman Weston Kramer - Chicago Tribune @NIU_Football @NIUAthletics @MarmionAD @marmionacademy @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Troyer Carlson stepback 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining off Freddy Hassan screen gave Kaneland the 55-53 win in Plano Classic title game on Saturday. First time Knights led sll night.
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Armstrong: Professional baseball would be a new cup of tea for Minnesota's Micah Coffey - Aurora Beacon-News
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Congrats to 7 area players named to IHSFCA Shrine Game, 6/18:.Austin Pierce @WABlackhawkFB .Gavin Sarvis @CHSFootball100 .Dontrell Maxie @Larkin_Football .Mike Estrada @SabresAD .Clem McCullough III @EHSMAROON .Malachi Jones, @CoachDanMcGuire .Jordan Jones @coachteonic.
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All hail Kaili: Speedy Illinois State recruit Chval sparks 20-hit attack for Oswego East in easy win at DeKalb - Aurora Beacon-News @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @OeSoftball
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Armstrong: West Aurora's Megan Sporny a wheelchair state champ @WAHSBlackhawks @WATrack_Field @mega_xc @WAHSGirlsTF @BeaconNews @IHSA_IL
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Breaking news: Aurora Christian sophomore point guard Marshawn Cocroft is “transferring back to his childhood school district, Kaneland” according to his dad, Gerry. The family lives in a Montgomery subdivision near McDole Elementary School in the Kaneland district ….
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Softball notes: Addison Koth breaks records for Bartlett @addisonkoth @bartlett_hsSB @jameswolfsmith @WA_softball @newark @NewarkNorsemen @Kaitlyn00878766 @BeaconNSports @ECNSports
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Marmion graduate and Naperville native Weston Kramer emerges as starter in second year for Northern Illinois - Aurora Beacon-News
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Softball notes: Kaneland coach Mike Kuefler dishes the dirt on getting in games on spring break - Aurora Beacon-News @KHSKnights @ACC_Fastpitch @OHSPantherSB @WAHSBlackhawks @BeaconNSports
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World traveler: West Aurora's Will Easley takes 11th in first international competition with Team USA in Fiji - Aurora Beacon-News @WAHSBlackhawks @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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‘A proven winner’: Waubonsee hires former Aurora University men’s basketball coach Lance Robinson - Chicago Tribune @WCChoops @WaubonseeChiefs @WccCheerleading @waubonsee @AU_Spartans
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Congrats to Geneva's Daniel Santacaterina. He's 3-0 as a starter at NIU after Huslies upset Nebraska. How bout that defense? 2pick6s.
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Final: @BataviaFootball 35, @GWHilltoppers 28 in battle of two powerhouse Illinois programs. @NathanWhitwell was chill on a hot day, running 34 times for 182 yards and TDs of 52, 3 and 24 yards. Impressive work by Bulldog defense as well.
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Armstrong: Time for overly zealous parents and fans to turn down the heat on officials - Aurora Beacon-News @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @BataviaBBBall @CoachJohnson20 @ACCchargerhoops
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Sixth-seeded @WA_softball tops top-seeded @_YHSsoftball 3-2 in Class 4A Yorkville Sectional semifinal to advance to Friday title game vs. winner of Wednesday semifinal between Neuqua Valley and Naperville North.
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Off to a fast start, A.J. Gill and the nationally ranked AU baseball team now must wait to play on new home field - Chicago Tribune @AU_Spartans @AU_SpartanFB @CoachTrudo @AUSpartanBase @BeaconNews
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Football: Rocco DiLeonardi, Geneva rout Lake Forest @GHS_ILathletics @GenevaViking @RoccoDileonardi @TommyDiamond7 @cwinterhalter54 @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews @ECNSports
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Armstrong: Max Vickers bounces back from gruesome injury, leads AU to NCAA Tournament - Aurora Beacon-News @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews @AU_Spartans @CoachTrudo @AU_Hoops @shsbulldogbball @KHSKnights
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7-3 senior center @cluczynski33 of @bhshawksbball and @WolvesILL has decided to attend @LinkAcademy_ in Branson, Missouri for a prep year before moving on to college. Luczynski averaged 18.5 pts, 12.8 reb, 4.3 blcks, 3.5 asst in earning multiple all-state honors last season.
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Countdown to football: Isaiah Lowry waits his turn, makes most of chances for No. 4 West Aurora - Chicago Tribune @WAHSBlackhawks @WABlackhawkFB @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews
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Geneva’s Lindsay Blackmore is the 2019-20 Beacon-News Girls Basketball Player of the Year: ‘She blossomed into being our stud.’ - Chicago Tribune @GHS_girls_bball @GHS_ILathletics @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Armstrong: Gavin Zimbelman lights up scoreboard for AU - Chicago Tribune @AU_Spartans @CoachTrudo @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews
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Armstrong: Experiences as a player, a coach and an administrator prepared Dana Wagner to be Waubonsee Community College’s athletics manager - Chicago Tribune @WaubonseeChiefs @WCCwomenhoops @BeaconNews
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More goid news @BataviaFootball fans, piron reports RS frosh RB Jalen Buckley has earned scholarship and will start tonight for Western Michigan in its opener vs St. Francis, Pa. More alumni news: true frosh LB Jack Sadowsky expected to start Saturday in Iowa State opener.
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Armstrong: Tom Babyar almost quit after his first year at York. This year, he led Aurora Central Catholic to a sectional title - Aurora Beacon-News @ACC_Fastpitch @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews
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Announcing the 2018 Beacon-News Football All-Area Team - Aurora Beacon-News
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Introducing the 2019-20 Beacon-News Girls Basketball All-Area Team - Chicago Tribune @ealadycats @WAHSLadyHoopers @Coach_BDub @OHS_Girls_BBall @GHS_girls_bball @BHS_GirlsBsktbl @BeaconNSports
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Column: Rosary athletic director Mary Lou Kunold retiring after 46-year run - Chicago Tribune @BeaconNSports @RosaryTrackXC @BeaconNews bbv
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Boys basketball notes: Cancer survivors Connor Robinson and Madi Beetham happy to be back in game - Beacon-News @PohlmannChad @OPBhoops @yhsfoxes @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports @IC_BBall @BataviaBBBall
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Area softball notes: South Elgin, Oswego, Oswego East, Newark - Chicago Tribune @SStormsoftball @STCE_Gutesha @OeSoftball @OHSPantherSB @sammynoelle22 @CaraCruthers @bartlett_hsSB @BeaconNews
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Bartlett’s Addison Koth keeps hitting home runs, adding to her school records with two more. And her 53 RBIs? ‘She’s just that kid.’ – Chicago Tribune @nicole77689826 @addisonkoth @bartlett_hsSB @BartlettHawksAD
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Girls volleyball notes: Two sports keep Aurora Central Catholic’s hard-hitting Ava Wilkins busy - Chicago Tribune @ACC_Vball @NewarkNorsemen @WAHSBlackhawks @wv_girlsvb @BeaconNews @BeaconNSports
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Local college football notes: In second year under coach Don Beebe, AU earns national ranking in three polls. But will there be a season? - Chicago Tribune @AU_SpartanFB @AU_Spartans @OEHSfootball @OEHS_GoWolves
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Boys basketball notes: Three-year starter Cooper Larsen and undefeated Indian Creek continue to roll - Chicago Tribune @IC_BBall @CoachJohnson20 @BataviaBBBall @BeaconNSports @BeaconNews
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Armstrong: NFL teams check out Sandburg's Chris Toth at AU @christoth99 @AU_SpartanFB @AU_Spartans @DonBeebeNFL @BeaconNews @Naperville_Sun @ECNSports @NACC_sports
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Softball notes: Loyola recruit Dani Brown eyes a long playoff run in Class 2A for Aurora Central Catholic - Aurora Beacon-News @ACC_Fastpitch @BHSBulldogsSB @yhsfoxes @YHS_FoxPride @OeSoftball @KHSKnights
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Walking tall: West Aurora grad Matt Dunn making big impact for AU - Aurora Beacon-News
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