Olympia plays U High

The first Friday in October was a pleasant change from many in September.  The air was a bit cooler and no lightning!  The Spartans of Olympia visited Hancock Stadium to take on the Pioneers of University High. It was senior night for the Pioneers.

Check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for game coverage by the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington Normal.


20151002 Olympia at UHigh football photos - Images by Alan Look
 - Chimper

Illinois State Redbirds defeat Northern Iowa Panthers in conference play

Family Day had Hancock Stadium at standing room only and the tailgates all full. Governor Rauner was on hand as well as comedian Bill Engvall.  Both teams came into the square off with records of 2 wins and a loss.  The Redbirds loss was to Iowa.  The Redbirds switched up quarterbacks most of the game with Jake Kolbe getting the first snap and Tre Roberson coming in and out.  Jay Blunk, a graduate of ISU and a member of the Chicago Blackhawks stopped by with a big shiny cup often referred to as a Stanley Cup which brought a round of applause from the fans.  Redbirds took the game to go to a record of 3-1 and 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Be sure to check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for more photo coverage from the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington - Normal.




20151003 Northern Iowa at Illinois State football photo gallery - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper

Heyworth host Tremont for Homecoming

Friday Night September 25, the Heyworth High School Hornets hosted the Tremont Turks for the Hornets homecoming football game.  As we drove to the game, it was kind of deja vu of the 2nd week of the season when we also covered the Hornets in Heyworth at clouds started backing in from the Northeast.  The resulting sunset was nearly the same as week two - vivid brilliant colors providing back light for silhouettes of some houses and birds flying just west of the field.  The playing conditions were night and day.  The clouds cleared off to reveal a brilliant moon and there was no precipitation or lightning in the area to prevent any action on the field.

Our star of the night was the Homecoming King, Cole Sinn who seemed to have about twice as much will and fire as the next Hornet on the field.  The Queen this year was Lydia Martens.

Please look for more coverage in the Heyworth Buzz - a Normalite Newspaper, and in Best Look Magazine.  The image show below is complements of Alan Look Photography - Bloomington Normal's Best Look in Sports Action Photography.

20150925 Tremont Turks at Heyworth Hornets football photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper

Augustana Vikings take the IWU Titans in a Women's Volleyball Match

On Tuesday September 22, the Vikings from Augustana pried a seesaw volleyball match from the Titans.  The match went 5 sets.  The 4th set went to a two point overrun in order for the Vikings to take it.  They also got the best in the 1st and last sets.  The Titans took the 2nd and 3rd sets, both by the score of 25-21.  Nicole Morrissey let the Vikings with 20 kills while Kyleigh Block had 23 for the Titans.  Also for the Vikings were Kylie Siebert with 27 digs and Hannah Lindaman with 23 assists.  Leading those categories for the Titans were Mary Rankin with 44 digs and Colleen Rynne with 33 assists.  The Titans now have a record of 10-3 overall and are 0-1 in the conference.

See Alan Look Photography for some great photos and the November issue of Best Look Magazine for more coverage.

 - Chimper



20150922 Augustana Vikings at Illinois Wesleyan Titans volleyball photos - Images by Alan Look

Illinois Wesleyan defeats the Storm of Simpson College

In a very lopsided scoring game, the Titan football team from Illinois Wesleyan defeated the Storm from Simpson College of Iowa.  It was a non-conference game for the schools.





20150919 Simpson at Illinois Wesleyan - Images by Alan LookIn a very lopsided scoring game, the Titan football team from Illinois Wesleyan defeated the Storm from Simpson College of Iowa.  It was a non-conference game for the schools.

Chili Bowl lives up to it's name

Yes, it was a chili night on Friday for the Chili Bowl between the Normal Community Ironmen and the Normal West Wildcats.  The temps were in the low 60's and there was a pretty good breeze blowing in from the north at Normal West High School's football field.  The effects were evidently felt more by the Wildcats than the Iron.  The Iron stormed ahead in the first half, but the Wildcats stayed in the game with a couple of pretty solid drives.  In the end, it wasn't enough for the hosts with the Iron taking the game and the Chili Bowl.

 - Chimper



20150911 Chili Bowl - NCHS at NCWHS football photos - Images by Alan Look

Friday fizzled out.

The high temperatures and humidity across the mid section of the country spawned isolated storms on Friday night.  Although some rain fell in the area, the biggest problem locally for football games was the lightning.  Many area schools saw their games suspended because of the electric atmosphere.  Normal West playing in Collinsville, Normal Community and Bloomington both playing at home and Heyworth were all subject to the suspensions.  One report tells of more severe thunderstorms to the east affecting the Champaign - Urbana area, Danville and into west central Indiana.

Play did get started at the Heyworth game.  Heyworth hosted the Falcons of Flanagan, Cornell, Woodland.  The Falcons started the game kicking to the Hornets and defending the north end zone. Brandon Day accepted the kickoff for the Hornets and made a good run up the field.  He followed it shortly after moving the ball much closer to the goal.  After a too high pass to Skyler Cox in the corner of the end zone, the Hornets kept the ball on the ground with runs by Keith Hickenbottom and eventually one by Matt Schultz for the first score of 6 points. A 2 point conversion ensued on a keeper run to his right by quarterback Jacob Day.

The game suspended shortly after with the Hornets in the lead 8-0

 - Chimper

20150904 Flanagan-Cornell-Woodland Falcons at Heyworth Hornets football photos - Images by Alan Look

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