baranek
-
Baranek: Podbielniak a prestigious prognosticator
I said it last year, and I guess I’ll have to say it again today. I should have listened to Wendy. The Wendy I’m talking about is Tinley Park coach Wendy Podbielniak, the one we had a big story about in Sunday’s paper for being …Read More
-
Baranek: With help from friends, Farren back on track
I’ve got some really good news for you today. Renee Farren is planning to drive her No. 44 street stock at Grundy County Speedway Friday night. If you were there on June 7 you’re probably first of all thinking, “Thank God she’s all right.” You’re …Read More
-
Baranek: Winner’s circle a crowded place at Grundy
The weather could have been better, but a local racing fan couldn’t ask for more variety than we’ve seen in the late-model winner’s circle this season at Grundy County Speedway. So far, there have been five different winners in the five features run. And how …Read More
Search recent columns
More Columns
Baranek: Providence’s Hartley a man of steel
If Providence senior Kevin Hartley is puffing his chest out more than usual these days ... well, he deserves to. The 6-foot-3 volleyball player has just finished a successful season in which he switched from setter to middle hitter, compiling 63 kills and 33 blocks …
Auto Racing: Drivers grumbling over rash of crashes at Grundy County, Illiana speedways
Double, double toil and trouble. Race cars crash and drivers grumble. There certainly has been a lot of both early this season at Grundy County and Illiana speedways. A couple of weeks ago almost half of the turbo stox field at Illiana was invited to …
Baranek: Tinley Park’s Arden plays, dances on despite fracture
Being there for your teammates is one of the most important things a captain can do. What Tinley Park senior soccer player Carlye Arden did on May 22, however, went well beyond doing her job. Put it somewhere between courageous and, to be blunt, maybe …
Baranek: Like father, like son? It’s a smooth Shafer
Kids these days. It used to be they drove go-karts until they were 18, then worked their way up the division ladder at the local speedway. Now, we’re seeing more and more of them jumping behind the wheel of a late-model by the time they’re …
Baranek: Brittany Gardner’s achievements just keep growing
When it comes to playing “Can you top this” with an athletic career, few Southland females can run with Brittany Gardner. The Orland Park native went from being a brilliant high school pitcher who led Sandburg to a Class 4A state title in 2010, to …
Baranek: Kelly takes time to stop and smell the roses
Pat Kelly sure is enjoying this temporary retirement thing. “I feel great. I have a lot less stress, and a good girlfriend. That sure helps a lot,” the four-time late-model champion said, laughing. The 44-year-old Coal City native isn’t defending his 2012 title at Grundy …
Baranek: Like mother, like daughter? Well, almost
Sandburg senior Carly Katalinic has followed in her mother Cheryl’s footsteps in being a tremendous high school multi-sport athlete. She hasn’t, however, followed in her cleats. Cheryl, then named O’Dekirk, played volleyball, basketball and softball at Oak Forest from 1980-84. She played softball so well …
Auto Racing: Double-duty Danta eyeing twice the success
With sponsorship money to run a full season in his No. 51 car at Illiana Speedway and another being built for him to drive at Grundy County Speedway, the full late-model potential of Anthony Danta finally may be realized in 2013. The 26-year-old Orland Park …
Baranek: Stanton has made her mark at Marian
Being a record-setter often brings star recognition. Marian Catholic’s all-time home run leader Becca Stanton found that out during the first days of practice before the 2013 softball season. “When the freshmen came in they were like, ‘Oh, my gosh. You’re Becca Stanton!’ ” she …
Auto Racing: Female drivers making inroads at Grundy County, Illiana speedways
It may be a while, if ever, when Danica Patrick wins a NASCAR race. But it’s a sure bet female drivers are going to be carrying checkered flags at our local asphalt ovals in 2013. One, in fact, already has, with Melissa Wilson capturing the …
Baranek: Rich Bickle to drive in late-model class at Grundy County Speedway
Get your motor runnin’, because it’s time to head out on the highway for the start of the 2013 campaign at both of our area asphalt short tracks. Friday night (first race 8 p.m.), the three-eighths-mile Grundy County Speedway will conduct its 43rd season opener, …
Baranek: Beecher softball player Savannah Soppet a hidden gem
Beecher senior Savannah Soppet just loves to surprise people with her multiple softball abilities as a pitcher, shortstop, third baseman and hitter. “Beecher is a really small school compared to Sandburg, where they expect that out of their players,” she said. “They don’t expect it …
Baranek: Baseball umpire John Tumpane remembers his roots
He isn’t there very often from February through October, but to Evergreen Park native, 2001 St. Laurence graduate and current minor and major league umpire John Tumpane there still is no place like home. He still dates the Queen of Peace girl (Jennifer Cerny) he …
Baranek: No quit in Kaitlyn Ray
For Kaitlyn Ray, it almost was like a regularly scheduled fire drill. Injure her knee, go see the doctor, get the surgery and dive into rehab. Only this time, the fourth painful time, the drill was a little different. This time there was an option …
Baranek: Lincoln-Way East’s Jenny VanGeertry rides fast track to success
If Jenny VanGeertry turns into the power-hitting team leader Lincoln-Way East softball coach Elizabeth Pawlicki predicts she will, there will be plenty of great tales to tell about the Griffins sophomore over this spring and the two to follow. But I’ve got one about her …
Baranek: Replacing Emily Naegele and Brianna LeBeau a double dilemma
It’s a pretty good bet that no two Southland softball players over the past four years made those watching say “Wow!” more often than Brianna LeBeau and Emily Naegele. LeBeau, the last of three sisters who helped define Richards softball for almost a decade, had …
Baranek: In compliance with Title IX, Homewood-Flossmoor upgrading softball facility
Homewood-Flossmoor softball is moving into the 21st century. Some might question why it’s going to be 14 years late in coming. But there are a lot more positives to dwell on as we update a story that first broke in the SouthtownStar in July. Jodi …
