The daily pitch from Sports Editor Matt Daniels: March 31, 2025

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Sports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area:



Marx M-S state champ

Mahomet-Seymour sophomore Madalyn Marx reacts after winning a Class 2A state championship in the 400-meter dash on in May 2024 in Charleston.




Three reasons we love sports today

1. The area high school track and field scene is, once again, loaded with talent. Get ready to see names like Voldy Makabu and Nina Brown from Centennial, D’Mario Jackson from Danville, Madalyn Marx from Mahomet-Seymour, Lia Patterson from Tuscola and Robert Boyd-Meents from Paxton-Buckley-Loda all spring.

2. Those six athletes all won individual events this weekend at the Illinois Top Times Meet, the unofficial indoor state meet held in Bloomington.

3. Three guests are on tap for ‘Monday Night SportsTalk,’ at the Esquire: Illinois women’s gymnastics coach Nadalie Walsh, former Unity football coach Scott Hamilton and current Unity football coach Tony Reetz. Hope to see you from 5-6 p.m.



jalen quinn

Jalen Quinn has kept on producing after his standout basketball career at Tuscola ended in 2022. The Loyola Chicago junior guard has helped the Ramblers reach the NIT semifinals, and will play on Tuesday night in Indianapolis.




Numbers game: 98

games former Tuscola standout Jalen Quinn has played in his first three seasons with the Loyola Chicago men’s basketball program. The 99th game will take place Tuesday night when Quinn and his Ramblers (25-11) play Chattanooga (27-9) at 8:30 p.m. in the NIT semifinals at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Quinn is averaging 7.2 points, 2.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds this season with the Ramblers.



04102024 UIbbISU. 10

Dan Hartleb and his Illinois baseball team is back in Champaign on Tuesday night to host in-state foe Illinois State. First pitch is at 6 p.m. at Illinois Field.




Crowd control

Three events I’m paying attention to

1. Illinois State at Illinois baseball. If the wind is blowing out Tuesday night at Illinois Field, watch out when the Illini (14-11) host the Redbirds (12-14) at 6 p.m. The Illini pitching is a bit suspect, but Dan Hartleb’s team is averaging 8.6 runs.

2. Mahomet-Seymour at Champaign Central girls’ soccer. A good, early-season nonconference test for both teams when the Bulldogs (1-1-1) visit Champaign to take on the host Maroons (3-0) at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Central’s North Field complex.

3. Parkland at Kankakee Community College baseball. The Cobras (18-7) have won seven straight before they venture north on Tuesday to take on the host Cavaliers (21-3) with a 3 p.m. first pitch.



Zach Boehmke

Zach Boehmeke, left, and Urbana distance runner Vinny Benjamin.




Coach’s corner

Three questions with Urbana cross-country coach Zach Boehmke:

1. My favorite sports team is … the Chicago Bears.

2. Three coaches I’d like to have dinner with are … Steve Magness, Gregg Popovich and Ben Johnson.

3. My biggest pet peeve is … when drivers do not use their turn signals or ignore crosswalks. It’s very dangerous for runners.


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