Community News
9 athletes named All-Stars by Telegraph
Coach Michele Smith receives Coach of the Year
Being a Miner is not something any athlete at Gillespie High School takes for granted. The term is not handed out to just anyone. It is earned. It entails your heart sanctioned to the game you love and whether its gold or silver, a Miner does not give up until the season is over.
Sam Wasylenko
Gillespie had a tremendous year this year, especially the women. The girls’ soccer team played in the regional championship, the closest they ever came to the ship. The softball team won their regional and conference this year. The track girls won their conference, their county, and their sectional. Needless to say, the numbers from this year are indelible and will rank among the best years in Gillespie athletics.
Although, the raw stats do not reveal who these women really are. They are clutch performers, they are determined, they are motivated, they are exceptional ballplayers, and they are exceptional kids. Their season is not defined by their postseason success. Yeah, it’s a disappointment watching the soccer team lose in the championship after beating the same team three times before. Yeah, it’s a disappointment watching the softball team be denied a super sectional game. But, you cannot forget what else the teams have done.
The soccer team opened their season with a first place trophy at the Metro Cup and played superb all season long. The track girls broke school records meet after meet and had one lady place in State competition. The softball girls had a 13 game win streak during the mid-season. This is what defines success for a Miner and what suggests a great year for Gillespie.
Payton Anderson and Laura Halpin.
And a great year for Sam Wasylenko, Payton Anderson, Abbie Cline, Molly Gray, Laura Halpin, Tateum Rosentreter, Alexis Burns, Allison Goldasich, and Tyler Ross it was. All nine girls made a mark this season and were named All-Area First-Teamers by the Alton Telegraph in the 2012 Spring Riverbend All-Stars edition.
Sam Wasylenko, senior, made it for soccer. An asset to the team as some refer to her. Wasylenko helped carry the Miners to great start on the season while being a striker on the offensive side. She was always a threat to score and was always bobbing around the net. Wasylenko earned All-Section Honorable Mention awards from the IHSA soccer coaches.
Payton Anderson, Abbie Cline, Molly Gray, and Laura Halpin all carried the softball team. Anderson, Cline, and Halpin were all seniors for the Miners while Molly Gray was a sophomore. Anderson boasted 52 RBI’s for the team while recording over 18 extra base hits for the year. She earned a spot on the first team all-conference team as a short-stop this season and will go on and play at Missouri Baptist in the fall.
Cline also will go on and play college softball at Austin Peay State. Hitting in the number three spot most of the time, Cline recorded 26 RBI’s and 42 runs while being named a spot on the first team all-conference team as a catcher.
Abbie Cline
Halpin supported the Miners on the mound this season with a 23-6 record and a 2.47 ERA. Halpin was also named a first team spot on the all-conference team and a chance to play in the State Journal Register All-Star Classic along with Abbie Cline and Payton Anderson.
The young gun, Molly Gray, was also named by the Telegraph. Being just a sophomore, Gray has 2 years of softball left to produce for the team. She hit in the lead-off spot for the Miners and batted in 27 base runners over the course of the season. She stole 27 bases and was also named to the first team all-conference team for the Prairie-State Conference.
(L-R): Tyler Ross, Allison Goldasich, Alexis Burns, Tateum Rosentreter
Last, but not least, the 4×800 team comprised of Tateum Rosentreter, Alexis Burns, Allison Goldasich, and Tyler Ross. The relay team broke their record four times ending with a 15th place in state with a time of 10:04.11. Overall, the girls had a tremendous season and, as a whole, were the first girls’ team to win Conference, County and Sectionals in the same year.
Now it is the coach’s turn. Michelle Smith, softball coach, was named small school coach of the year. Smith achieved all 3 of the team goals this year: 20 victories, conference championship, and regional championship. Smith has coached the Miners to a 141-55 record over her time at Gillespie and a chance to coach Prairie-State Conference team in the All-Star game. Smith’s goal for next year will be “reloading” as the Miners will lack a player in the number one position next year.
Winners, champions, and believers. Boom, boom, and boom. Gillespie has them. The Miners made a statement this year and it was definitely one for the books, but next year will bring another season. And with another season will be more challenges, new goals, and new players.
Molly Gray
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FELONIES
Ronald R. Arnold, 35 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a December 28 incident.
Kenneth E. Ray, 39 of Bethalto, is charged with aggravated fleeing while involving the disobedience of two or more official traffic control devices, fleeing/attempting to elude officers, speeding 25-34 mph over the limit, and driver’s license expired more than a year in connection with a December 19 incident.
Jacklyn M. Wichman, 30 of Decatur, is charged with possession of methamphetamines (< 5 grams) in connection with a December 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Levi R. Ladendorf, 31 of Staunton, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a July 17, 2023 incident.
Demian E. Ellis, 46 of Benld, is charged with battery/making physical contact in connection with a December 30 incident.
Steven D. Lewis, 33 of Virden, is charged with two counts of violation of a protection order in connection with a December 30 incident.
TRAFFIC
Jason A. Keffer , 28 of Standard City, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 23 incident.
Daniel R. Gooding, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a December 28 incident.
Douglas D. Davis, 27 of Benld, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration in connection with a December 26 incident.
Brandon E. Swarringin, 26 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a December 21 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Terry L. Lumma versus Robert L. Lumma
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Pietro Lentini of Carlinville and Anna Jean Triplett of Greenfield
- Morgan Barber and Emilee Bridgwater, both of Benld
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Summer Repertory at Carlinville is pleased to announce the return of a comedy play to the stage. Performances of Ripcord will be held January 17 and 18th at 7:30 PM and January 19 at 2 PM at Blackburn College Bothwell Auditorium.
Ripcord, by David Lindsay-Abaire, is based in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. The rivalry of odd couple roommates Abby and Marilyn, results in high stakes comedy of conflict for control of territory.
Cindy Rice and Joe Hardy bring their combined experience directing the small cast of seasoned actors.
Rice, who has directed place and musicals In Illinois and Texas, spent 15 years co-directing musicals at North Green high school.
Hardy, who began acting at age 7 with notable roles in Summer Repertory Theatre’s Shrek The Musical, The Little Mermaid , and Suessical, has also performed at several Springfield, Illinois, theaters. He has a BA in Theatre Performance from SIUE.
Tickets for Ripcord may be purchased at the door only. Ripcord is rated PG-13. For more information, see Summer Repertory Theatre at Blackburn College Facebook page.
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The Partnership for Educational Excellence is gearing up for an exciting trivia night on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The lively evening is the education foundation’s one-and-only fund raiser. Proceeds will allow The Partnership to continue programs benefitting all CUSD7 students. Since 1992 the it has awarded more than $1 million to the improved and continuing educations of local students.
Since 1992 every student in every classroom in CUSD7 has benefitted from classroom mini-grants, school-wide academic grants, and – over the past three years – district-wide grants of $90,000 for improved and enhanced student computers.
In addition, The Partnership offers individual $2,000 academic tuition scholarships to GHS graduates enrolled in accredited state and private, academic and trade colleges and universities. In 2024, a record 40% of GHS graduating seniors received these awards.
The “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night will be held at the Gillespie Civic Center, 115 North Macoupin (behind City Hall). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the competition begins at 7:00 p.m.
Mulligans will be for sale; games and lightning rounds will keep the evening lively; and a variety of door prizes will be awarded. Contestants are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks. Alcoholic beverages are permitted with a photo I.D.
In addition, The Partnership’s annual Grand Raffle will kickoff. Two “early bird” winners will receive $100 each on February 15. Their tickets will remain eligible for the grand prize of $5,000 on Saturday 12 April 2025. The fee is only $100 per table, up to 10 people per team.
There are four ways to register:
- phone Director Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456;
- visit www.thepartnership7.org to register online or to print out a mail-in form;
- write to The Partnership, P.O. Box 125, Gillespie IL 62033.
