Sam Brief – Page 7 –

Naperville Central's Kendall Lenz lines a single to right during a DuPage Valley Conference game against Waubonsie Valley in Naperville on Monday, April 10, 2023.

Naperville Central’s Kendall Lenz is a lifelong righty. Then she switched sides at the plate. ‘I caught on quickly.’

April 14, 2023 at 9:37 p.m.

Kendall Lenz would be considered a star even if she hadn't changed her approach at the plate. The Naperville Central senior ranks among the decade's defining two-sport athletes at the...

Stevenson's Michael Belbot (3) takes a big lead off first base during a nonconference game against Buffalo Grove in Lincolnshire on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

UIC recruit Michael Belbot channels emotions and becomes star for Stevenson

April 11, 2023 at 1:26 p.m.

Stevenson's Michael Belbot has learned to harness his competitiveness. Back when he was 12, an observer might have called him a hothead. "Going back to house league baseball, if I...

Illinois' Brandon Lieb warms up before a game against Monmouth in Champaign on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022.

Illinois center Brandon Lieb enters transfer portal. The Deerfield graduate will look for more playing time.

March 30, 2023 at 3:57 p.m.

Illinois junior center Brandon Lieb is moving on. The 2020 Deerfield graduate will enter the transfer portal, he announced via his Twitter page Thursday morning and confirmed during a phone...

No stopping Stevenson’s Chucky Sullivan, the gregarious defensive end for playoff-bound Southern Illinois

April 23, 2021 at 2:56 p.m.

Every day, Chucky Sullivan would wake up at 5:30 a.m. and ask himself a question. "How bad do you want it?" In the midst of a young life littered with...

Highland Park's David Sachs (10) takes the ball to the basket during a game against visiting Lake Zurich on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015.

‘Is this for real?’ David Sachs was picked in The Basketball League draft. The Highland Park graduate just needs a roster spot to become a pro.

March 23, 2021 at 1:02 p.m.

David Sachs feared his basketball career was over. The Highland Park alum had just finished a college career that took him from Division II Barry University in Miami to Division...

‘Here we go again’ was a familiar refrain for ex-Loyola Academy standout Liz Satter — until she overcame multiple injuries to find a new basketball home

February 28, 2021 at 5:52 p.m.

Liz Satter — lover of basketball, lifelong baller and member of a hoops-frenzied family — doubted she'd ever again play the sport she treasures. "I was going to be done...

Taking it seriously: Niles North grad Damaria Franklin grows into new role at Tennessee Tech; ‘Now, it’s a big-boy game’

February 14, 2021 at 4:36 p.m.

Chat with Damaria Franklin for a few minutes, and you quickly realize that he views basketball as much more than just a game. "Growing up in the inner city of...

Glenbrook South graduate Caitlin Schneider is an assistant captain for the Wisconsin women's hockey team.

Glenbrook South’s Caitlin Schneider goes from state champion to winning an NCAA hockey title with Wisconsin: ‘It’s crazy to think how far I’ve come’

January 31, 2021 at 4:59 p.m.

When Caitlin Schneider was 3 years old, she slipped into a pair of skates and hit the ice at the Glenview Ice Center. "She'd be out in the corner building...

Brotherly bond: OPRF’s Bolivar brothers, Eddie and Nico, are wrestling teammates once again — this time at Indiana

January 24, 2021 at 4:34 p.m.

Eddie Bolivar and his younger brother Nico had shared a room since Nico was born. "Their cribs were in the same room, then the toddler beds, then bunk beds," said...

Daria Pyshnenko has won six Big Ten titles at Michigan. But the Lake Forest grad recalls not always swimming like the daughter of Olympic medalists.

January 19, 2021 at 12:15 p.m.

As you read this, Daria Pyshnenko is an All-American who has won six Big Ten titles at Michigan. She also earned two state championships at Lake Forest. But just over...

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