Steve Raymond
ET Sport Report
During the hottest part of the summer, Claire Bushur could be seen practicing by herself.
“That’s what it takes to make it to the next level,” Teutopolis High School track coach Brooke Hoene noted. “It takes hard work in the off-season to be great in the regular season.”
That’s the kind of dedication that helped Claire become the state champion in the discus and runner-up in the shot put at last spring’s state track meet.
And that combination of work ethic, dedication and commitment has now provided her another opportunity – compete at the collegiate level.
Claire made that official Thursday afternoon when she signed a national letter of intent to compete in the track and field program at the University of Louisville.
“I’ve always had good teammates and coaches pushing me to be better here at Teutopolis,” Claire noted. “And I want to thank my parents, who have always supported me and supported my decision to go to Louisville.”
Steve Raymond
ET Sport Report
When Holly Heuerman was in junior high school, she had no intentions of going out for the volleyball team.
Then a couple friends talked her into it.
Good thing.
Turns out, Holly is pretty good at it, which is why she had the opportunity Thursday morning to sign a national letter of intent to play volleyball at Blackburn University.
Holly, a senior at Teutopolis High School, also plays softball for the Lady Shoes.
“But volleyball is definitely my favorite sport,” she admitted.
Holly was an important part of this year’s volleyball squad at THS, which finished 19-17 overall.
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
The pipeline between Teutopolis and Kaskaskia continued Friday.
THS seniors Mitch Hardiek and Trenton Schwerdt both signed letters of intent and committed to play baseball at Kaskaskia College.
“Both of these kids will be a good fit in our program,” said Mitch Koester, the coach of the Blue Devils and a 2000 graduate of Teutopolis High School. “T-Town has a great baseball program with great kids. Coach (Justin) Fleener does a terrific job getting his kids ready to succeed in high school and also preparing them for the next level.”
Former Wooden Shoes Eric Kremer and Dawson Smith are currently on the Kaskaskia roster and there have been other THS baseball players that have preceded them.
“Coach Fleener makes us work hard. He knows it will be tougher for us at the next level,” Hardiek said. “We’ll take the T-Town winning tradition with us to college.”
“Coach Fleener is the best coach I’ve ever had,” Schwerdt added. “He’s done everything he can to build the T-Town program. There’s just something about his personality. He’s always happy; always positive. He will stay after practice to work with you. His commitment to this program is great.”
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Mitch Hemmen was looking for a strong baseball program and one that develops players.
John A. Logan College was a logical choice.
Hemmen, a senior at Teutopolis High School, made it official Thursday morning, signing a national letter of intent to play baseball for the Volunteers, beginning next year.
“I was really looking for a good baseball school,” Hemmen said. “I really like their coach. He does a good job of developing players and helping them reach the next level. Going to John A. Logan seemed like a good fit.”
Led by head coach Kyle Surprenant, the Volunteers baseball team annually ranks among the elite in community college baseball. They have won 10 conference titles, eight Region 24 championships, and made two national tournament appearances.
Eleven Volunteers have earned NJCAA All-American honors, and 14 former Volunteers are currently playing professional baseball, with four competing in the Major Leagues.
“This past year, I think there were 10 or 11 kids that signed to play at Division I or Division II schools,” Hemmen noted. “I hope to be able to do that, too, and see where it takes me.”
Hemmen has been part of a Wooden Shoes baseball program that has won two Class 2A state championships in the past three seasons. The right-hander was the winning pitcher in last year’s title game and was recruited by John A. Logan as a pitcher.
“Coming from a program like this, and playing a schedule like we do, is a benefit,” Hemmen said. “It makes it much easier for us to be the best we can be.”
And he gives all the credit to Coach Justin Fleener.
“It’s hard to describe Coach Fleener,” Hemmen said. “He dedicates everything to this program. The players think the world of him. I wouldn’t be here today without him.”
He is undecided about an academic major at this point. But he is considering criminal justice, a program that John A. Logan offers.
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