High School Sports Spotlight for Sept. 24, 2012
September 23, 2012 8:04PM
Emily Wetzel, of Richards.
Article Extras
Updated: October 25, 2012 3:40PM
This week we shine the spotlight on: Stagg tennis player Vicky Kulbokas, cross country runners Pat McMahon of Sandburg and Victoria Salazar of Lemont, and Richards swimmer Emily Wetzel.
Vicky Kulbokas
Sr., Tennis, Stagg
Kulbokas is physically talented. The next step to forging a deep run in the state meet likely will have more to do with other aspects of her game.
“I have to work on the mental side of my game right now,” Kulbokas said.
She has advanced to the state meet as a singles and doubles player the past two years, but has yet to win a match. She wants to finish her career with a bang.
“My goal is to become an All-State player by finishing in the top 24,” she said.
Dennis Nelson
Pat McMahon
Sr., Cross Country, Sandburg
Coach John O’Malley on McMahon, who runs despite having cystic fibrosis: “He always talks about it as being a strength for him. It would never be an excuse for him.
“He sees any kind of setback as the substance for greater victory. You see so many people who find ways to doubt themselves.’’
McMahon finished 32nd in the 2011 Class 3A state meet in 15:06 to lead Sandburg to seventh place.
Tim Tierney
Victoria Salazar
Soph., Cross Country, Lemont
Salazar surprised herself by leading Lemont at the 2011 Class 2A state meet.
“I was really bad in middle school,’’ she said. “Somehow last year I did really good, more than I expected.”
After finishing 102nd at Detweiller Park in 19 minutes, 11 seconds, her goal this season is the 18:30s or below and the team to improve on 21st place.
Salazar chooses soccer over track in the spring.
“I’m not good short distances,” she said, smiling.
Tim Tierney
Emily Wetzel
Soph., Swimming, Richards
A relative newbie to hockey and swimming veteran, Wetzel can’t pick a favorite among the two.
“I’ve only been playing hockey for about four years, but my skills are getting better,” she said. “I’ve been swimming forever, so I’m probably better at (that).”
Wetzel, the defending South Suburban Red champ in the 100-yard breaststroke, plays hockey for the Rattlers, a team with players from several local schools.
Tim O’Brien
