Men’s Track: Pair of Oakton freshmen qualify for nationals

Updated: March 29, 2012 3:54PM

Oakton College freshmen Haider Sheikh and Kenny Alferes, both graduates of Maine West, qualified for the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships, due to their performances at the Margaret Bradley Invitational, at the University of Chicago on Feb. 18.

Sheikh made the cut in the 1,000-meter run, finishing in 2:39.76, while Alferes qualified in the 3,000 (9:44.28). Raiders sophomore Martin Chavez (Maine West) previously qualified for the National Championships in the 800.

The national meet is Friday and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University.

Baseball

Oakton’s baseball team opened the 2012 season with a convincing 13-6 win over nationally ranked Century College (Minn.) at the Metrodome in Minneapolis on Feb. 23.

Sophomore Ryan Tuntland (Maine West) led the way, notching three doubles and six RBIs. Sophomore Derek De Young (Plainfield) picked up the win, posting nine strikeouts in five innings.

The Raiders returned to action in a doubleheader with North Area Iowa Community College on Friday. Oakton lost the first game 8-3, but won the nightcap 7-4.

Through three games, Tuntland led the NJCAA Division II ranks in batting with a .667 average.

Women’s basketball

Oakton (18-10), seeded No. 5, will open NJCAA Region IV postseason at Moraine Valley at 5 p.m. today (Thursday).

Freshman guard Amber Patterson-Moss (Thornton Fractional North) finished the regular season among the league leaders in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference, averaging 14 points per game.

Men’s basketball

The Raiders, a No. 8 seed, will visit Moraine Valley in the first round of the NJCAA Region IV playoffs at 7 p.m. today (Thursday).

Freshman guard Givanni Bray (Hamilton, Milwaukee) finished the regular season as Oakton’s leading scorer, with an average of 16.5 points per game.

Show / Hide Comments