LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM wins state
The Hinsdale 11-year-old All-Star team captured the state championship for the second year in a row last month.
Hinsdale beat Homewood Heights 6-2 Aug. 2 in LaSalle for the title, going 10-1 in post-season play. Will Francis and Grant Cook each hit a big home run in the championship game. Pitcher Jack Thorington earned the win.
Hinsdale was led by outstanding fielding that backed strong pitching, giving up only six runs through the four game stretch at the state finals tournament. Getting to state wasn’t easy, as Hinsdale had to navigate tough competition, including Clarendon Hills and Naperville in Districts as well as Clear Ridge and Western Springs in Sub-State. Hinsdale’s road in LaSalle included four consecutive wins (10-3 over Moline, 11-0 over Champaign East, 14-1 over Horner Park and the title game) to complete the thrilling ride.
“It’s a long season and the kids can get pretty tired by late July,” Coach Rich Garchar said. “The boys stayed tight as a group and won with strong fundamentals. They are a great group.”
Coach Bill Main praised the boys for their dedication.
“I am so very proud of this group of boys — all of the late evening and early morning practices, as well as giving up much of their summer to represent Hinsdale. They will always remember the caravans to LaSalle,” he said.
Last year as 10-year-olds the team beat Spring Valley 8-3 to win the state title and cap off a 9-1 post-season.
Team members are Cook, Francis, Thorington, Jack Aletmose, Charlie Fox, Alex Garchar, Connor Hoddle, Chase Jessopp, Dylan Kassab, Gavin Klobach, Billy Main, Benny Munoz and Jack Treadwell. The team was coached by Garchar, Main and Jack Francis.
Photos appear online at https://www.thehinsdalean.com.
BRUNS family tackles triathlons
The Bruns women of Hinsdale competed in a variety of Illinois triathlons this summer. Fourteen-year-old Lindsey Bruns earned podium finishes in all three events in which she competed.
Lindsey took first place in the female age 13-15 division at the Manteno Triathlon July 27.
Her time of 1:14.55 was higher than winner of the female 16-18 category.
At the Naperville Sprint Triathlon, Lindsey placed second in the 13- to 15-year-old female age group with a time of 1:11.57.
Molly, 17, placed 8th in the 16- to 19-year old female age group with a time of 1:19.28.
The two along with their older sister, Allison, and their mom, Betsy, competed in the Chicago Sprint Triathlon Aug. 25. The swim portion was canceled due to the tumultuous condition of Lake Michigan.
Lindsey took first place in the 19 and under women’s division in the run-bike-run duathlon with a time of 1:20.51.
Her race placed her 17th out of the 1,134 female athletes who competed and 200th overall out of 2,436 athletes.
Molly took second place in the category with a time of 1:29.27. She placed 136th among female athletes and 620th overall.
Allison placed 33rd in the 20-24 female division, 474 among female athletes and 1,351st overall with a time of 1:41.09.
Betsy was first in the 45-49-female division, 21st among female athletes and 219th overall with a time of 1:21.29.
SWIM TEAM RAISES MONEY FOR HCS
Members of the Hinsdale Central girls swim and dive team raised almost $2,100 for HCS Family Services.
More than 70 swimmers and divers set up a car wash Aug. 24 in the student parking lot.
They presented the donation Sept. 6 to Stan Cook, executive director of the Hinsdale nonprofit, which works to prevent food insecurity.
A photo appears online at https://www.thehinsdalean.com.
