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36 | July 12, 2018 | The Lockport Legend sports lockportlegend.com Athlete of the Week 22ND CENTURY MEDIA is looking for local FREELANCE REPORTERS and PHOTOGRAPHERS to cover events, meetings and sports in the area. 10 Questions with Blake Sartin Interested individuals should send an email with a resume and any clips to jobs@22ndcenturymedia.com www.22ndcenturymedia.com CHICAGO SOUTHWEST CHICAGO NORTHSHORE MALIBU Blake Sartin will be a senior at Lockport Township this fall. He is a forward on the basketball team and recently helped the Porters to their best summer showing in more than a decade. The basketball team reached the quarterfinals at the Morris Shootout for the first time since 2006. What was the key to the team’s summer success? I feel like our competitiveness and cohesiveness played a role. Our willingness to pass the ball and trust each other. Everyone on the team has worked on their game, and that helped, also. How long have you been playing basketball? I started playing when I was 8. I first played at the Lockport [Township] Park District, and then went to AAU ball. My parents, Anthony and Yolanda, got me into it. Do you play any other sports? I did track and field my freshman year and most of my sophomore year, but it conflicted with AAU basketball, so I gave it up. I play AAU for Next Generation, out of Aurora. What is it about the game of basketball that makes it the sport for you? It’s fast, it’s exciting and something is always happening. Since I was a kid, I’ve loved watching the NBA and the [Chicago] Bulls. I love the competitiveness and the camaraderie of the game. Who is your favorite NBA player? Growing up, it was Derrick Rose. I watched him in high school at Simeon. But ever since 2010, it’s been Paul George. My dad is from Indianapolis, and Paul George played there [from 2010-2017]. This past regular season was a disappointment for the Porters basketball team. What factors are going to change that this November? Our cohesiveness will be a factor. We all enjoy being around each other, and that makes us play hard. We hold each other accountable, and then when it comes to crunch time, we have enough trust in each other to make plays. Do you have any pregame superstitions? I have a whole playlist of songs, but I listen to only the first five on it. Also, when I put my left sock on, I pull it all the way up and then flip it over [from the top]. I also pray for 30 seconds or so, and I’m good to go. Photo submitted What have you learned from Lockport coach Brett Hespell? I’ve learned that he always expects my best, on and off the court. He’s brought out my leadership skills and helps with things that are not even basketball related. Do you plan to play basketball in college? I hope to. But it’s a matter of getting the right offer and being able to go to the right place for my major, which is communications with sports media and business. What is the best thing about being an athlete at Lockport? I like the support from everyone at Lockport. It’s crazy to see all the support that we have, no matter if we win or lose. We have a rich tradition, and also great academics. Interview by Freelance Reporter Randy Whalen
lockportlegend.com sports the Lockport Legend | July 12, 2018 | 37 Alumni Spotlight Chmielewski chasing starting spot at Southern Randy Whalen Freelance Reporter Matt Chmielewski will never forget what it was like to start his first college football game. A 2016 Lockport Township High School graduate, he signed to continue his football career at Southern Illinois University. After redshirting his freshman year, Chmielewski was a starter on the offensive line for the Salukis as they took the field in the season opener on Sept. 9, 2017 against visiting Mississippi Valley Sate in Carbondale. “It was awesome,” Chmielewski said of starting at left guard in the Salukis 55-3 victory that day. “It was great to be back out on the field and out there working with pads on. As a redshirt freshman, time seems so long and it’s so hard watching. You want to be out there, on the field, contributing in a positive manor.” Chmielewski also started in the second week, too. That was Sept. 16 and was a 35-17 victory at Southeast Missouri. He quickly noticed one particular difference between the high school and college games. “Just the game speed in general,” Chmielewski said of the difference. “Each level you move up gets faster, faster, and faster. It’s just that everybody is good and you have to separate yourself. Plus, there’s the mental part of the game. Just making sure you’re in the right spot and always knowing your responsibility.” While Chmielewski proved himself capable enough to earn a starting spot, he was also in there because of an injury to the normal starting left guard Josh Podzielinski. So, while Chmielewski played in the remaining nine Salukis’ games (they went 4-7), most of those were on special teams. He got back in for some more offensive line play, but mostly blocked on field goal and extra point attempts and was also on the kickoff receiving team. Chmielewski, who is listed at Lockport Township High School graduate Matt Chmielewski, of the class of 2016, will be competing for a starting spot along the offensive line at Southern Illinois University this fall. Photo submitted 6-foot-4 and 294 pounds, did get an opportunity with the ball in his hands. “Yes, I got one at South Dakota State,” he said of the teams 49-14 loss on Oct. 7 in Brookings, South Dakota. “But I fair caught it. The coaches told me to fair catch the ball and I didn’t want to make them mad.” Despite having the experience of fielding a kickoff, Chmielewski doesn’t expect to be included in the offensive gameplan anytime soon. “I doubt if I would, but that would be awesome,” Chmielewski said of the possibility of being used as a ball carrier near the goal line. “That’s every lineman’s dream to score a touchdown.” When he was at Lockport, Chmielewski made an impact on the offensive line as a three-year starter. He was named as an honorable mention All-State selection in his senior season of 2015 as well as a two-time Academic All-State selection. He was a two-time firstteam All-Conference honoree in the SouthWest Suburban Blue as the Porters rushing attack gained more than 1,000 yards in that pair of years. He also competed in track and field, where he qualified for the state meet in the shot put, and also participated in basketball. “He’s a great kid,” Lockport football coach Dan Starkey said. “He going to be right in the mix this season at Southern, and the thing about Matt is that he’s a good athlete. He’s very bright and a hard worker in the weight room and those things do great things for you as an offensive lineman. “We had Matt and Quinn Polaski [who was 6-foot-6, 305 pounds] side-by-side and our line leaned to the left as far as running behind them. I think Matt is going to make big contributions. I know the head coach there, Nick Hill, and this is a good time to be at Southern.” Chmielewski has been at Southern working out and taking classes most of the summer. He got his football career start later than most, not playing until high school. “I played a lot of sports, like baseball and basketball, before high school,” said Chmielewski, who also played basketball his senior year at Lockport and placed 11th in the shot put in the Class 3A state finals as a senior. “I first tried football in high school because I’m big and it looked fun. I tried it out and never looked back.” Now, he hopes to once again crack the Salukis starting lineup. The position competition will start next month and Chmielewski plans to be right in the mix for that left guard spot. But no matter what, he knows he’s in the right place. “I’m looking to play more, I’m looking for a spot, but no matter what I’m looking to play in a lot of games,” said Chmielewski, who is majoring in mechanical engineering. “At Southern, it’s just the people, the atmosphere and the love and care everyone has for each other. “It’s one big happy family and I also love that everything is set up right there. Everything is close on the campus and right next to each other. I get to play and work out with my brothers and I can’t wait to play football again.”
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