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Sports

Niles West Sports Roundup: April 15

The boys track team looks to start anew while baseball is off to a fast start.

Boys Track: Before Niles West’s boys track team even began its outdoor season, the team was already dealing with adversity. Injuries to some of the team’s top returning runners and a number of athletes with eligibility issues marred Niles West’s indoor efforts.

“It’s just been a little frustrating with the indoor season,” coach Chris Vivone said. “For the majority of the kids, they’re still working hard. I’m very much looking to this outdoor season and I was glad when indoor finished.”

Vivone is hoping to have a full lineup for the outdoor season and he expects the sprinters to be the biggest contributors. While the distance crew is young–led by Neil Omar–Vivone is still looking for good things.

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"There were some good things" the coach said. "We have a lot of eligibility issues. I’m not happy in that regard. Guys that we’re really counting on. Doing things to correct that and get everybody eligibility."

Early on in the year, though, times and results aren’t everything. Vivone wants his team to peak in May rather than April.

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“We’re looking to have some good times right now--not the best times, but good times,” Vivone said. “We’re looking for kids to keep working hard.

Between now and then Niles West will participate in a number of competitive invitationals, including Homewood-Flossmoor, the Don Relays and Glenbard Relays.

Baseball: The Wolves are off to a swinging start in the baseball season, jumping out to a 10-2 record. Last week Niles West went 3-1, defeating Von Steuben, Lake View and St. Joseph. Its only loss came at the hands of Lake Forest in a tough 7-6 defeat on Thursday.

In the Wolves’ 6-1 victory over Lake View, pitcher Kenny Blanchard (2-0) struck out five and was 2-for-2 at the plate with a RBI. Against Von Steuben, Max Markoff had the game-winning hit and Blanchard went 2-for-3 with a run to pace the Wolves in a 9-8 victory.

Boys Volleyball: The Wolves know they get only one chance each year to prove themselves against Niles North, and they made the most of it on April 5. After losing the first set, Niles West rallied for a 14-25, 25-19, 25-23 victory over its rival. Setter Patrick O’Connor had 26 assists and senior outside hitter Arben Cuca had 16 kills to lead the Wolves.

Niles West also took sixth place in the Warren Tournament last weekend, losing to Maine South, 25-20, 25-17, in a game to decide the fifth-place team.

Boys Tennis: Niles West took second place in the team’s invitational last weekend, improving from its fifth-place finish last season. The No. 2 doubles team of junior Ben Kramer and senior Edmund Phan finished first while the No. 1 singles player Daniel Langer took third place.

SCOREBOARD WATCHING

Boys Water Polo:

Maine East 5, Niles West 2 on April 5

Niles West 7, Northside Prep 5 on April 9

Softball:

Elmwood Park 11, Niles West 3 on April 9

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