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lockportlegend.com sports the Lockport Legend | November 15, 2018 | 35 Athlete of the Week 10 Questions with Kaeli Ford Kaeli Ford is a senior at Lockport Township and is expected to be one of the main contributors on the Porter girls basketball team this season. What are your expectations for this basketball season? I expect us to be regional champions again, just like last year. I feel we can really do it. We have some good players, and we’re ready to push ourselves. How did you get started playing basketball? My dad, John, put me in a camp when I was young. I didn’t like it at first and would just run around. But I went out for basketball when I was at Hufford Junior High in Joliet, and I really liked it. I’ve been playing since. Your dad is the assistant varsity coach for your team at Lockport. What’s that been like? I’m used to it now. He’s always pushing me to play harder. Your dad is really tall. Do you wish you had more of his height? Yes, he’s 6-foot-9. I’m 5-foot-8, and I’m done growing. But I wish I was taller, I wanted to be 6-foot. Are you switching positions this seasons? Yes. Last year, I was a post player, sometimes a center. But now, I’m playing on the wing. That means I have to be a faster player and move my feet more. But it could be a lot more fun, and I could shoot more. Do you play any other sports? Yes, I throw the shot put in track. I first did that last year. But it’s not as exciting as basketball. I like basketball more because it’s a team sport and we’re like a family during the season. What have you learned from Lockport head coach Dan Kelly? No excuses. That’s definitely stuck with me. He holds us accountable. Do you have any pregame rituals? Well, last year, as a team, Randy Whalen/22nd Century Media we would do our own pregame dance or cheer. We called it a rollercoaster, and it got the team to come together. Are you planning to play basketball in college? If I get the opportunity, I certainly would. I would like to stay close and go to a smaller school. I’m considering Lewis University or the University of St. Francis. What’s the best thing about being an athlete at Lockport? I feel like being at Lockport gets you out there more in terms of socially. I’m a quiet person, but being on a team and playing sports gives me something to talk about. Interview by Freelance Reporter Randy Whalen This Week In... Lockport Township High School Varsity Athletics Boys Basketball ■Nov. ■ 19 at St. Francis Tournament, TBA at University of St. Francis ■Nov. ■ 21 at St. Francis Tournament, TBA at University of St. Francis Girls Basketball ■Nov. ■ 15 at Willowbrook Invite, 7:30 p.m. bowling From Page 39 liet West match. “We had 10 freshmen come out that we kept on the lower levels this season. The competition in this area is always good. It’s still early in the season, so we will see who steps up.” On Nov. 5, the Porters traveled to Plainfield Lanes and dropped their first dual meet match of the season swimming From Page 38 as Merk, freshman Hayley Bogdan, Johnson, and sophomore Alyssa Wengel came in with a time of 1:51.57, and the 400-yard freestyle relay of Johnson, Bogdan, Wengel and Merk came in at 3:39.97. “I did it the last couple of years but it’s still great,” Merk said of going to state. “The fact that you have so many teammates that are good too with you at sectional is what makes it even better.” The sectional title was a belated birthday present for Ferkaluk, whose birthday was on Nov. 8. But the veteran coach was happy for some of his other swimmers who will be going to state. Starting with the 200-yard freestyle relay of juniors Steffanie Lantow, Maddie Odeen, Alexis Webb and Wengel who won with a time of 1:42.24. “That was pretty special,” ■Nov. ■ 16 at Willowbrook Invite, 4:30 p.m. ■Nov. ■ 19 at Willowbrook Invite, 4:30 p.m. ■Nov. ■ 20 at Willowbrook Invite, 4:30 p.m. ■Nov. ■ 21 at Willowbrook Invite, 6 p.m. Girls Swimming ■Nov. ■ 16 at IHSA State Championship, 9 a.m. ■Nov. ■ 17 at IHSA State Championship, 8 a.m. by a count of 2,125-1,991 to Plainfield Central. Pleshar (403 series) was consistent and the high scorer for the Porters with 202 and 201 games. The Wildcats eked out the opener 1,014- 1,007. But in the second game, it was time to make a wish for Plainfield Central with a score of 1,111, while Lockport bowled a 984. Both Lockport and the Tigers opened the season on Ferkaluk said of the 200-free relay. “Alexis Webb was the only one who had been to state last year. Steffanie Lantow didn’t swim last year, and Maddie Odeen was on the JV team.” But the accomplishment that was amazing was that of Savita Chandarana. The Lockport junior came in seeded No. 9 in the 500-yard freestyle, but won it with a time of 5:31.28. “She came in seeded ninth and was in the third heat,” Ferkaluk said. “She had never swum better than a 5:55 in the event and she dropped 24 seconds. Afterward, she was all smiles and then as the results kept coming in those smiles turned to tears as no one else matched her time and she won. “The whole place went crazy. She worked so hard and for her to get the opportunity to do that is what coaching is all about.” Her teammates agreed. Boys Bowling ■Nov. ■ 15 host Thornridge, 4:30 p.m. at Strike & Spare ■Nov. ■ 17 at Plainfield North Invite, 9 a.m. at Town and Country Lanes ■Nov. ■ 19 host Plainfield East, 4:30 at Strike & Spare ■Nov. ■ 20 at Andrew, 4:30 p.m. Girls Dance ■Nov. ■ 17 at Andrew Invite, 8 a.m. (Performance time TBA) Nov. 3 at the 26-team Naperville Central Baker Bowling Kick-Off Challenge at Lisle Lanes. There, Joliet West won while the Porters placed fifth, missing the final four cut by 15 pins. This Saturday, Nov. 17, will bring another big tournament as the Porters will be at the Plainfield North Invite starting at 9 a.m. at Town & Country Lanes in Joliet. “That was one amazing race,” Merk said of Chandarana. “Se worked so hard for that and there were so many tears of joy. It was just a great day.” Johnson concurred. “It was so amazing and I was so proud of her,” Johnson said. “It was her first time ever swimming at a sectional and she won it. I’ll never forget that moment, ever.” In the Athletes with Disabilities category, Fontanetta had to beat qualifying times in her three events to advance to state and she did that. Those were the 50-yard freestyle (1:29.64), the 100- yard freestyle (3:19.90) and the 100-yard breaststroke (4:39.72). “Ellie was amazing,” Ferkaluk said. “She qualified in all three of her events. Just six months ago she had never tried swimming, and now here she is. I’m just so encouraged what she’s brought to the team.”
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