Chicago Public League Sports Blog

Catching up with Lane Tech great Chris Kyles

There are not too many athletes from Lane Tech's illustrious 100+ year history with more onfield accomplishments than Christopher Kyles. Kyles was all-state for Lane Tech in the 100 meter dash in 2009 and 2008, all-state 4x200 relay member in 2009 and 2007, and all-state 4x100 relay member in 2007. He also was the starting safety for Lane's city championship football team in 2008.

I got a chance to catch up with Kyles the other day at DePaul University. Kyles is a member of the DePaul track team.

The first thing I noticed was that he is much leaner than he was in high school.

"Yeah, I'm skinnier...it's all the training and diet that I'm doing for track," said Kyles. I'm glad to have run at Lane, it gave me a good opportunity to go to a good school like DePaul...I went to Skinner Elementary school by Whitney Young...I played basketball there; you see how that turned out... I'm glad to have played on Lane's city championship football team...we surprised people that year....I plan on going to check out Lane's first football game this season when they play DeLaSalle," said Kyles.

Recent track fans may think that Lane has always been dominant in track. But that was not always the case. For most of the 1990's and the early 2000's Lane Tech boys track was no where near as competitive as it is now. In some of those years, Lane struggled to finish in the top 7 at city. That all changed with the arrival of athletes such as Fuad Salami (prior to Kyles) and then Chris Kyles. Since then Lane has dominated the city track scene.

Senn football : starting to fly high!

Senn's 46-8 win over Mather is a marquee victory for Senn program

Robert Rivas (sr, 6-3, 225lbs) is part of the Senn footbal surge. I'm predicting an undefeated regular season for Senn.

When Senn beat Lincoln Park 46-0 in week 1, I was surprised but not convinced. Yes, Senn from the Chicago Big-Shoulders conference, beat Lincoln Park from the tougher Illini-Prairie State (home of Simeon and Lane). But Lincoln Park was a team decimated with injuries and low turn out.

However, after Senn's week 2 46-8 over Mather, I am really starting to get convinced about Senn. 

Senn has now outscored it's opponents 92-8 in the first two games. 

Offensively, Senn uses a good combination of running and passing. In the Mather game senior captain Rashuan Roberts (sr, 5-11, 165) had touchdown catches of 48 and 15 yards from sophomore quarterback Quinell Johnson (6-1, 180lbs). Cody Gillard (sr, 5-10, 175lbs) is the main running back and he scored tow rushing touchdowns versus Mather.

Defensively, Senn is strong at the linebacker positions with captains Yusuf Mohammed (6-2, 230, sr) and Dravon Williams (6-1, 230, jr). Both are college prospects. When I asked Mohammed what his colleges are you looking at he said: "Northwestern." The way he's been playing, he's heading in that direction. He was also the defensive MVP at the Randle-El Camp in Thornton last summer.

I got a chance to shake Mohammed's hand- And I'll tell you what, the guy's grip was like a vice grip. He's a STRONG GUY!

Senn will be the heavy favorite in all but one of their remaining games. Watch out for the Senn/Taft game on Week 5 (Sep 30). Both teams should be coming into that game undefeated and it will probably be for the conference title.

Laken Tomlison to Wear #77 at Duke

Laken Tomlison (6-3, 310lbs, Lane Tech class of 2009) chose Duke over Ohio State to play football. Laken Tomlinson, who is very happy with his choice (due to Duke's academics) will play as number 77 for the Duke Blue Devils from the ACC.

Tomlinson will not be red-shirting his freshman year as many freshman do.

"Tomlison could see some time on the O-line", said Mike Kline from the ACC and SEC blog.

Laken Tomlinson, Duke Profile

Duke football Fall 2010 Preview

video of Laken's letter of intent signing:

Les Ohara (QB- Lane Tech class of 1986) heads up Full Ride Football Camp

 
Les Ohara

I was the 86 QB for the public league champion LT Indians (Minnesota Golden Gophers).  Just put on a football camp, with current Bears, Brett Basanek (St. Viator, Northwestern) & Eric Peterman (Sacred Heart Griffin, Northwestern) Darrell Hill (Mt. Carmel, Northern Illinois, Tennessee Titans), Tim McGargile (St. Pats, Northwestern, St. Louis Rams) and 2 NFL scouts (Dwuane Johnson & Ryan Kessenich).  Corporate Sponsors were Don Beebe's House of Speed-North Shore, Build12.com, DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals, and Doug Oomen/Domann & Pittman.

 

Nearly 60 football players aged 7-13 from the NW suburbs gathered for 3 days july 19-21 for intensive football fundamentals, speed and agility training, and scrimmages each day with NFL player supervision.

 

The video is on our blog www.fullridesportstraining.com

 

Full Ride Sports Training is attempting to be the clear cut leader in athletic and character development for the serious athlete trying to play at the next level.  Monthly events, clinics, and seminars are presented monthly in topics ranging from Basketball-Baseball-Football sport specific skills, Speed-Strength-Agility Training, Mental Peak Performance Coaching, and much more.

 

Facebook Page link is facebook.com/FullRide

Twitter Page is twitter.com/fullridesports

Jamelle Williams (Lane Tech class of 2007) Directing the Chicago Got Game Basketball and Leadership Camp

Jamelle Williams (Lane Tech class of 2007) was 2 time city runner up and state wrestling qualifier for Lane and now attends the University of Chicago. He is helping run a unique basketball camp called Chicago Got Game. I'll let him tell about it in his own words....

Download Chicago Got Game Brochure July 22

I hope everything is going well, this is Jamelle Williams, the Lane Tech wrestler from 2007.  I am just writing to tell you about a basketball camp that I am help designing, as a part of an organization that I am deeply invested in on campus.  Currently I am a mentor captain for Moneythink, which is a financial literacy organization where we mentor urban high school students on the south side about basic financial economics, budgeting, and entrepreneurship.  This past June, we held the 2nd Annual Moneythink Young Entrepreneurs Conference, where our students composed mock business proposals to venture capitalists and business professionals.  One pitch was made by two of my students, Hales Franciscan basketball standouts Patrick Miller, and Jamie Adams.  They pitched the idea of Chicago Got Game, which is a basketball camp for varsity athletes which will incorporate Moneythink's values into the curriculum.  Basically a camp that employs components of leadership and goal setting.  Their idea was so tremendous that Moneythink has decided to make their plan come to life, and has already won over $2000 in grant money for the launch of the camp.

The camp will be held at the University of Chicago's lab school from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM from Tuesday August 17th - Thursday August 19th.  We have already secured former Chicago Bull Randy Brown, NU's All-Big Ten PG Mike Thompson (Lincoln Park standout), UChicago Econ professor Allen Sanderson, and members of Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs.  I am currently the director of outreach, responsible for recruiting varsity athletes to attend.  With that said I was wondering if you could possibly write a blog post advertising the camp on the website.  We are targeting urban CPS athletes but are opening up to any basketball players since it has been extremely tough to get in contact with varsity coaches. 

I have attached the camp brochure for your viewing.  It has more information about the camp, Moneythink, and the registration process, which is conducted online.  If you could post some information on your website, endorsing the camp and encouraging participants, that would be absolutely wonderful and truly appreciated.

Special Event Guests include:
Randy Brown, former Chicago Bull from 1996-1998
Michael Thompson, Former All State PG from Lincoln Park, All Big Ten PG at Northwestern

Camp Info

Exciting Basketball Camp Opportunity!

This August, Moneythink Financial Literacy is launching Chicago Got Game, a 3-day basketball and leadership camp from August 17-19th.  Chicago Got Game will bring together 40 of the best Chicagoland HS Varsity basketball players for a truly unique basketball experience to prepare them for college and life afterward, on the court and off the court.  Along with an elite basketball curriculum, hoopers will learn and develop life skills that extends beyond basketball.

Campers will learn about:
NCAA recruiting process and secrets
Balancing life as a collegiate student athlete
Practical goal setting
Leadership development on the court, and off the court

Special Event Guests include:
Randy Brown, former Chicago Bull from 1996-1998
Michael Thompson, Former All State PG from Lincoln Park, All Big Ten PG at Northwestern
Allen Sanderson, Economics Professor at University of Chicago
University of Chicago Basketball Team

Registration Information
The camp will be held at the University of Chicago Lab High School 1362 E. 59th St, from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.  Campers will receive a camp jersey and snacks daily.  If you are interested, fill out the application at www.tinyurl.com/chicagogotgame by August 10.  Spots are limited so sign-up ASAP.  Pre-registration fee is only $25, at the door $35.

For more questions please reach out to Jamelle Williams (Lane Tech graduate 2007) at jrwill165@gmail.com or (773) 573-5955.

About Moneythink:

MONEYTHINK is an award-winning financial literacy mentoring program founded in 2008 at the University of Chicago that connects talented college mentors with inner-city high school students, where students learn the basics of entrepreneurship, economic life skills, as well as goal-setting through the power of peer mentoring.  Currently we have 35 mentors teaching at 7 Chicago Public Schools and has produced 1,400 graduates, and is expanding into campuses in St. Louis and Florida. For more information visit www.moneythink.org 

Cathching up with Rodolfo Fransual (Lane Tech Soccer; class of 2008)

Rodolfo Fransual holds up Lane's 2007 sectional championship plaque after scoring the winning goal.

Rodolfo Fransual (Lane Tech class of 2008) was a 3 sport star at Lane.3 sport stars are not rare, but what is unusual were the sports: football, soccer, and volleyball. He was the kicker on the football team, starting forward on the soccer team that advanced to the super sectionals (a rare feat for a CPS team), and started for the boys volleyball team.

Rodolfo sent me this email:

i am playing soccer at morton college and i am currently captain and top scorer of my team, i was also named one of the top players of the week in the njcaa division 1 soccer

Rodolfo has been added to the table of Lane Tech Alumni who have played beyond college.

Lane Basketball Star Cameron Hill Decides on Stillman College

Cameron Hill #32


"I am officially signed with Stillman College in Alabama should be in the Sun-Times Tomorrow or Friday," said Cameron Hill (sr) - Lane Tech class of 2009.

Stillman College Info

Hill has been added to the table of Lane Tech Alumni that have played beyond high school.

Maria Joyce gives verbal agreement to play basketball at Illinois Central College

Maria Joyce (left) has been a standout for Lane Tech in basketball and softball.

Lane Tech senior Maria Joyce gave a verbal agreement to play basketball for ILLINOIS CENTRAL COLLEGE located in Peoria, IL. on a full scholarship for the 2009-10 year.
ICC Cougars are coached by Steve Garber sgarber@icc.edu   (309)694-5418 
ICC has a very exciting team  which were ranked this year as high as #3 in the country at  the  JCAA  level.  Look for Maria to propel  this team to the next level, work on her studies and then transfer to a 4 year college....
With all the offers that were offered, Maria believes she would best fit the style of Illinois Central running, pressure  type of basketball..

Brad Pearson (class of 1998) added to Alumni Page

I added a Laneite wrestler to the Alumni Page.

Here is his email to me:

Neil,
 
I am a Lane Tech alumni.  I graduated in 1998.  I wrestled at Lane and went on to wrestle at North Central College.  I currently am a blue belt in jiu-jitsu and compete occasionally.  Eventually I look to compete in mixed martial arts.  Let me know if you need any more info.

Brad Pearson

Update of CPS cross country track runners in college

 

Alex Agafonov, Class of 2008 Lakeview Track and Cross Country star is now running at Oakton Community College and recently qualified for NJCAA Nationals

Lane Tech Fan readers keep producing incredible material. Here is an updated of CPS runners/track people who are in college. (from the message board). This list can be permanently found on the  cross country history page

The question of where some of the top CPS guys are running in college has been posted on here several times. This is the list to my best knowledge: Ethan Heppner (Whitney Young)- Grinnell College - Qualified for DIII Nationals Griffin Lawler (Whitney Young)- DePaul University - Not Running Alan Rosiquez (Taft) - Monmouth University - Team's #5 at Conference Alex Agafonov (Lake View)- Oakton College - Qualified for NJCAA Nationals Sirak Areki (Lake View)- Oberlin University - Not Running Jerry Gonzalez (Lane) - University of Illinois - Not Running Farrahadoon Durani (Mather) - UIC - Running Track + XC Jorge Flores (Foreman) - UIC - Top 3 XC runner Jorge Espinosa (Lane) - UIC - Ran track..taking time off Chris Gallardo (Lane) - DePaul - Running Track + XC Derek Schnake (Lincoln Park) - Valparaiso - Running Track + XC ...there may be more but that is the most complete list i can come up with at the moment. Rachel Kittaka (Northside College Prep) - Carleton - Track Santino Merino (Northside College Prep) - Oberlin - XC/Track Julia Shimada (Northside College Prep) - Hendrix - XC Jordan Stacey (Northside College Prep) - Cornell College - XC/Track Kelly Varney (Northside College Prep) - University of Chicago - Track Maruja Yoshimura (Northside College Prep) - ITT - XC /Track Catherine Rook (Whitney Young)- Pole Vaulting at Hilsdale Ivory Mills (Whitney Young)- Pole Vaulting for Spellman Myia Thompson (WY) - Illinois Wesleyan Stephanie Omueti (WY)- University of Chicago- All-American & Team MVP Victoria Forte (WY)- Butler Triple Jumping