Prairie Central sports programs took center stage during this week’s meeting of the Fairbury Rotary Club at Dominy Memorial Library.
PC Superintendent Paula Crane spoke of the hard work those at the junior high and high school level do for the kids, putting in plenty of hours and dedication.
“We’ve got some really successful programs going on right now,” said Crane.
Crane attributes that success to the coaches and booster club, which helped with weight room renovations. The room has new equipment with more on the way and kids are using the facility.
Seventh grade boys basketball coach Todd Cheek said his team finished second in the Livingston County tourney and concludes the regular season this week. The regional is at Kankakee next week and the team is 14-7 on the season.
Eighth grade boys basketball coach Travis Johnson noted his team is 17-3 and they play in regionals in early February and are hosting this year. Johnson is happy with the way the boys are working and they are good students also.
Eighth grade volleyball coach Shannon Brown explained 19 girls went out for the team which is a lot of fun to watch. The seventh graders continue to learn the sport.
PCHS athletic director Chris Harper spoke about the girls basketball program which placed fourth in the Riverton Tournament and won the Hawk Turkey Tourney. The varsity team is 20-4 with the JV at 16-5.
“We’ve had a lot of success on the floor,” Harper explained.
The girls will either play in Pontiac or Hoopeston for regionals and should be a one or two seed. The team has a shot at setting a school record this year for the number of wins.
Head boys basketball coach Darin Bazzell said his team had plenty of success by winning the GCMS tournament and pre-Christmas Watseka tourney. He is pleased with how the season is going.
“Things look good for us for the future as well,” Bazzell said.
PC does not yet know where they will be for regionals but should be a one seed at the end of the season if they keep playing like they have.
Head winter cheerleading coach Erin Ifft discussed the program which cheers for the JV and varsity boys and participates in a competitive season underway currently. A junior cheer clinic is coming in February and the senior cheerleaders have been working on a routine for senior night.
“It’s been good,” Ifft stated.
Wrestling coach Tyler Webster discussed the 31-4 season for his wrestlers. The conference tourney was last weekend and PC is a conference champion. Two undefeated wrestlers on the team, Brandon Hoselton and Logan Deacetis are both 44-0. Josh Woodrey is 43-1. The team took second at the Pontiac tourney this year and at the recent Hawk Classic. They received ninth overall at Abe’s Rumble in Springfield.
“The kids are starting to peak at the right time,” Webster noted.
Regionals are Feb. 8 in Dwight.
Also at Tuesday’s Rotary meeting, the December Rotary Outstanding Student of the Month at PCHS was announced. Emma Oest was nominated by the Science Department for her hard work and willingness to learn, always willing to help others. Emma is the daughter of Craig and Karen Oest of Fairbury.
