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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.”