John A. Logan College holds first lifeguard competition

December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By DEANA SMITH, Logan Media Services

CARTERVILLE – The John A. Logan College aquatic center lifeguard team participated in the first Logan Lifeguard competition Saturday, Dec. 1. The five-event competition was designed to refine lifeguard skills throughout the fall semester, foster teamwork, and provide a fun outlet for the guards.

The first half of the fall semester was devoted to skills practice through formal in-service training provided by Aquatics Coordinator Chris Georgantas. During the second half of the semester, teams were randomly drawn by three team captains and lifeguard competition criteria was announced and posted.

One month was provided to allow all guard teams to prepare for battle. Several guard-directed practice sessions took place with as many as four guards at a time getting together to ready themselves for competition day. A high level of cross-team cooperation was notable during this preparation period.

Aquatic Center faculty Curt Caldwell and Tricia Ely assisted with judging and result tabulation. The Chlorine Machine, a team consisting of Chris Georgantas, Josh Lannom, Miki Ness, and Derrick Snider, came out on top with 19 points. The Lochness Monsters with Mike Giovanni, Kinsley Rausch, Bailey Cook, and Alex Taylor were the runners up with 16 points. The PiranhaCondas with Sophie Hooker, Zack Essex, Collin Murrie, and Tomi Hamlin placed third with 13 points.

The first Logan Lifeguard competition was a great success, providing the groundwork for even better Logan competitions in coming semesters.

“The training and competition plan really encouraged lifeguard training, and brought the team together in new ways.” Georgantas said.

Georgantas plans to use the competition format every fall and spring and hopes for a Southern Illinois regional competition in the near future.

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Lady Vols come up short at SWIC

December 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By JOHN D. HOMAN, Logan Media Services

All-American candidate Jannelle Cannon poured in 32 points Wednesday night to lead the Southwestern Illinois College Blue Storm to a 61-54 Great Rivers Athletic Conference home victory over John A. Logan College.

Cannon, who was leading the nation in scoring at 25 points per game prior to Wednesday’s match, knocked down 9-of-22 shots from the field and 13-of-14 free throws in tallying her 32. She also had four rebounds and four steals. No other SWIC player reached double figures.

JALC sophomore transfer Autumn Miller goes up for two of her team-high 18 points Wednesday night at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville. It marked Miller’s highest offensive output of the season. (Photo courtesy Jonathan LeBlond)

Logan was led by sophomore guard Autumn Miller’s 18 points (5-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point land) and 4-of-6 at the charity stripe. Freshman post player Ashley Yateman contributed 10 points for the Vols, who fall to 7-3 overall, 1-1 in the conference. Adding eight points each were Kyra Navarrete and BreAnn Denny.

Logan trailed 26-24 at the half thanks to an 11-2 run to close out the first 20 minutes. The Vols had led by seven at 22-15 as Yateman scored four consecutive lay-ins off feeds from her teammates.

The Vols pulled within two in the second half at 37-35 on a jumper by Navarrete, but would get no closer. Cannon scored the next four points to give the Blue Storm a more comfortable spread.

The Vols shot poorly overall, converting 20-of-60 shots, including 6-of-18 from long range.

Logan head coach Marty Hawkins took the loss in stride.

“Once we got behind in the second half, it was hard for us to catch up, especially with all the free throws they were making (17-of-22),” Hawkins said. “I thought Autumn rose to the occasion and Ashley gave us a good run there in the first half. But we did a poor job against their 2-3 zone in the second half, throwing the ball away – a lot of high school floater passes.”

The Vols close out the first half of the season Dec. 15 with a 1 p.m. game against Mineral Area College in Carterville.

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John A. Logan College presents “The Holiday Hop”

December 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By TERI CAMPBELL, Logan Media Services

The John A. Logan College Choral and Chamber Ensembles will bring to life the chart-topping hits of the 1950s and 1960s with a musical production of “The Holiday Hop.” Two evening performances are set for Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. in Logan’s O’Neil Auditorium.

Nathan Arnett, a music instructor at JALC, wrote the script and is directing the show.

“We’ve done these tributes to rock ‘n’ roll before and this year we will be doing much more holiday-themed music, as well popular hits from the 1950s and ‘60s,” Arnett said. “We have a new set design, and there will be lots of singing and dancing. We also have a live rock band made up of Logan students and faculty, and they are doing a super job. It’s going to be a fun show.”

Arnett said he enjoys reprising the holiday shows.

“Over the last few years, I’ve started a rotation of popular themes during the holidays,” he said. “We generally rotate among a rock ‘n’ roll show, ‘A Dickens Dinner,’ and a 1940s radio show, and this is the year for the rock ‘n’ roll show. Our audiences seem to appreciate the recurring themes.”

Arnett said the shows are also wonderful learning opportunities for his students.

“The students are taught these popular styles of music and we prepare for this show during the semester,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for the audience to see what we do in class.”
In addition to the evening performances of “The Holiday Hop,” a matinee, also in O’Neil Auditorium, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6, and will begin at 10 a.m. Tickets for the evening shows are $12 for general admission and $7 for JALC students and children 12 and under. Tickets for the matinee are $2 for the general public and free to Logan students and staff.

Adrienne Barkley-Giffin, director of student activities and cultural events at JALC, said tickets are going fast.

“We are almost sold out of tickets for both evening performances,” Giffin said. “Anyone wanting to see the show should contact my office as soon as possible.”

For more information on “The Holiday Hop” or to get advance tickets, contact the Office of Student Activities and Cultural Events at Logan, at 618-985-2828 or 618-457-7676, Ext. 8287.

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