Modlin Leading by Example for Hawks

PALATINE, Ill. – Some leaders don't need to be outspoken to be a true leader because their actions speak for themselves and cause others to follow them. For Harper sophomore cross country runner Nick Modlin(Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling), he is the embodiment of one who leads by example. The leader of the nation's top NJCAA men's Div. III cross country team, Modlin is the third Harper College Athlete of the Week for the 2013-14 school year.

Modlin's decision to attend Harper didn't come until the last minute because he hadn't settled on a field of study, but since that time, he said he's reaped the benefits of a strong athletic program, helpful faculty and great selection of courses.

A letter winner in cross country, swimming and track and field at Wheeling High School, Modlin went out for cross country at Harper in the fall of 2012 and began improving under the tutelage of head coach Jim Macinder, who has over 30 years of experiencing coaching cross country, including helping guide the Hawks to their first national title in cross country in the fall of 2011. Macnider also has vast running experience of his own, as he took second in the Chicago Marathon in 1977.

"It all starts with coach Macnider. He's a fantastic coach, and I get to learn from him in every way I can," Modlin said.

Modlin took 19^th at the national meet in 2012 and was a key part of the team that won the national championship for the second straight year. His success carried over to the spring track and field season, where he place fourth in both the 5000m and 10,000m at nationals for a Hawks team that was the national runner-up.

As one of six returners to the cross country team, Modlin has stepped into a leadership role for the Hawks this season. 

"He's that one guy that everybody rallies around. He's not a rah-rah guy but definitely encourages his teammates and congratulates them after races," Macnider said. "He's just a good, well-rounded young man."

In Harper's first three meets of the year, Modlin has been the Hawks' third runner to cross the finish line twice and second runner once. As a team, the Hawks have captured top junior college honors in two of their meets.

"He's very coachable and has done everything I've told him," Macnider said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was our top runner in a few meets coming up."

Despite his individual and the team's successes up to this point, Modlin is most encouraged that the team is growing closer as a team. The team goes to Olive Garden on the eve of every meet, and that has grown the team camaraderie.

He has already excelled in the classroom with an N4C Academic All-Conference distinction and has chosen mathematics secondary education

as his major.

Modlin and Macnider both feel he can run at that next level because the Hawks regularly face tough competiton against several four-year schools. This competition will only serve to better the Hawks as they enter the second part of the season and aim for their third straight national title on a hilly course in Northfield, Massachusetts.

Looking ahead, Modlin said he would love to compete at a four-year school and spend more time training and competing with people who share the same passion.

"I want to continue running for as long as I can," he said. "I just love the sport the sport and everything that comes with it."

Harper Falls 2-1 in 2 OT to Madison

Harper's Aldo Figueroa scored his third goal of the season on Wednesday. (Jim Cummins)

Box Score

PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College men's soccer team was unable to hold a late lead in its final home game of the season against Madison Area Technical College, losing 2-1 in double overtime.

In the first half, both defenses held steady go keep the game scoreless. It wasn't until the 63^rd minute when the Hawks finally got on the board as midfielder Aldo Figueroa (Wheeling, Ill./Buffalo Grove) scored an unassisted goal to make it a 1-0 game.

Harper (1-7, 1-6 N4C) appeared to be on its way to a second conference win, but Madison's Marcos Meneses scored in the 86^th minute on an assist by Matthew Bodeau to tie the game and send it into overtime. It took a second overtime period to decide the outcome as Meneses once again beat goalkeeper Sean Cox(Schaumburg, Ill./Conant) in the 104^th minute on a feed from Rene Gonzalez to give the WolfPack their second victory of the season over the Hawks.

Meneses' pair of goals gave him seven on the season while Madison goalkeeper Juan Martinez-Perez made 11 saves in goal and earned the victory.

For Harper, Cox made nine saves in goal on the day. Kevin Engebretsen (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Conant) led the Hawks with three shots on goal, followed by Ryan Murphy(Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) with two shots on goal.

The Hawks return to action Friday as they hit the road to take on Milwaukee Area Technical College. Harper picked up their lone win of the season in a 6-1 triumph over Milwaukee back on Sept. 11

Hawks Triumphant over Joliet on Sophomore Night

Harper defeated Joliet in straight sets on Sophomore Night. (Jim Cummins)

PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College volleyball team flipped the script on Joliet Junior College, earning a three-set victory on Sophomore Night Tuesday night (25-12, 25-18, 25-14). After the Wolves had bested the Hawks in their two previous meetings, the Hawks sought revenge and got exactly that on a night that Harper head coach Bob Vilsoet described as 'truly a special night for the six sophomores'.

In game one, Harper (15-15, 6-3 N4C) jumped out to an early 4-1 lead and extended it to 12-7 on an amazing dig from sophomore libero Kelly Spychala (Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove). The Hawks stretched the lead to 17-11 and won eight of the final nine points to secure a victory. Alex Messner (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Fremd) led Harper with four kills in the set, and setter Lindsey Murphy (Lake in the Hills, Ill./Crystal Lake South) paced the Hawks with nine assists.

Game two was no different, as the Hawks led 3-0, 7-2, 14-9, and 17-11 before emerging victorious, 25-18. Sophomore outside hitter Veronica Dabrowski (Mount Prospect, Ill./Rolling Meadows) had four kills and five digs in the set, and Murphy played a solid set with nine assists and 7-for-7 serving. Spychala contributed six digs to add to her nation-leading total.

"I'd like to think that our team typically improves more than others. It was nice to see proof of that tonight," Vilsoet said.

In the match clincher, Harper jumped out to leads of 9-1, 15-4 and 20-7 before coasting to victory. Dabrowski had five more kills and five digs while Murphy had 12 more assists.

Dabrowski recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 12 kills and 12 digs. Sophomores Alex Messner (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Fremd) (eight kills), Madison Rodriguez (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) (seven kills), Alyse Kolner (Crystal Lake, Ill./Marion Central) (six kills) and Rebekah Hischke (Algonquin, Ill./Dundee Crown) (two kills) all played key roles in the victory.

"Tonight's match left us with a very good feeling. I wish we could replicate how we played tonight in every match," Vilsoet said. "I believe we will all remember this match for a long time."

After defeating Rock Valley last week, the Hawks moved up to No. 6 in the national rankings. Harper hosts its last tournament this Saturday, the Harper College Invite. Rock Valley College, McHenry County College, Elgin Community College and Carl Sandburg College will all be competing.

Harper Women Sixth Among JCs at DuPage

The Hawks placed sixth of 11 junior college teams at the meet. (Jim Cummins)

Individual Results

Team Results

WARRENVILLE, Ill. – The Harper College women's cross country team had six runners compete at the College of DuPage Invitational over the weekend. The Hawks place sixth of 11 junior colleges 17^th of 25 teams overall at the meet.

Marisa Andreuccetti (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Conant) led the Hawks with an 83^rd place finish out of 167 runners, completing the 5K race in 23:11.7. Stephanie Chaires (Palatine, Ill./Christian Liberty) ran her first race of the season and placed 111^th with a time of 24:30.2, while newcomer Mary Piltaver (/Conant) was Harper's third runner to finish with a time of 24:53.2, good for 117^th place overall.

Gabby Beaupre (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Elk Grove) contributed to the team total with a 135^th place finish in a time of 26:33.4, and Gabrielle Brosnan (Mount Prospect, Ill./Christian Liberty) rounded out the scoring with a 150^th place finish in 28:47.7. Cindia Salgado (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) crossed the finish line in 30:37.2 for the Hawks.

"Now that we have everyone healthy, we'll get better every time we race," said Harper head coach Jim Macnider.

Of the junior college teams to compete, College of DuPage was the top overall finisher with a seventh place showing (236 points). Harper took sixth of the 11 junior colleges with a team total of 127 points while finishing with 434 points in the overall competition.

The University of Illinois-Chicago was the overall winner of the meet with 36 points, followed by UW-Milwaukee (38 points) and UW-Green Bay (131 points).

The Hawks will continue to train in preparation for the Benedictine Invitational on Oct. 11. 

Harper Men Top JC, Sixth Overall at DuPage

Zach Stella was Harper's second finisher, taking 39th place in a time of 27:09.7. (Jim Cummins)

Individual Results

Team Results

WARRENVILLE, Ill. – The Harper College men's cross country team had a strong showing at the College of DuPage Invitational on Friday. The Hawks were the top junior college of 10 teams and finished sixth overall of 25 teams at the meet.

The talented freshman duo of Juan Barajas (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Schaumburg) and Zach Stella (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) once again led the Hawks. Barajas took 33^rd overall out of 202 runners in the 8K race, finishing in a time of 26:58.9, and Stella captured 39^th place in 27:09.7.

Sophomores Nick Modlin (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) and Jhoan Lino (León, Guanajuato/Streamwood) weren't far behind, as Modlin took 52^nd place in 27:48.6 and Lino took 58^th place in 27:49.6. Freshman Sebastian Ramirez(Lima, Peru/Palatine) rounded out the top five for the Hawks with a season-best time of 28:09.4, good for 60^th place.

"They ran a textbook race and a much more aggressive race," said Harper head coach Jim Macnider of his team. "I thought it was our best race yet."

Harper scored 35 points among the junior colleges to outpace College of Lake County (64 points). The Hawks finished with 215 points in the overall competition.

North Central College won the overall meet with 21 points, followed by UIC (47 points) and UW-Milwaukee (80 points).

The Hawks will continue to train in preparation for the Benedictine Invitational on Oct. 11.

Amarino to be Honored at First Home Game

Harper head men's basketball coach Tony Amarino will be honored with a Region IV Hall of Fame plaque before the first home game. (Jim Cummins)

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper head men's basketball coach Tony Amarino will be presented with a Region IV Hall of Fame plaque prior to the start of the Hawks' home opener on Monday, November 4 at 7:00 PM against Judson University. The award, which will be presented by Athletic Director Doug Spiwak, represents his combined career at Morton and Harper.

Amarino is part of the Region IV Hall of Fame Class of 2012-2013 and is one of a select few NJCAA coaches with 300+ career college coaching victories. His 300th victory came on January 16, 2010 when the Hawks beat Wilbur Wright 75-59.

Harper College President Dr. Kenneth Ender, McHenry County College Athletic Director Wally Reynolds and former Morton College Athletic Director George Feijt will be in attendance. 

Harper Alumni Baseball Game Slated for October 13

The Harper baseball program is holding an alumni game on Sunday, Oct.13. (Jim Cummins)

PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College baseball program will be holding an alumni baseball game on Sunday, October 13 for former Harper baseball players.

The schedule for the day will go as follows:
11:00 AM-12:00 PM-Warm-up and batting practice
12:00 PM-2:00 PM-Alumni game and cookout during the game
*You will also be receiving a free Alumni Baseball Game t-shirt for your participation. 

There is no Chicago Bears game on that day, so come on out and join us at the Harper baseball field.

We also see this as a great opportunity for former players to interact with current players. Current players often lack the perspective of where baseball could lead them down the road, so it'll be awesome for them to talk to you guys and see what their future in baseball and life could look like.

For those former players who have families, bring your wives and kids out to the game; we'd love to have them out for the day! If you do not want to play in the game, you can still come out and enjoy the day.

If you are interested in being a part of this event, please contact head baseball coach Cliff Brown (cbrown2@harpercollege.edu or 847-925-6485) or Sports Communications Assistant Bill Smith (wsmith@harpercollege.edu or 847-925-6000 x2034) and let us know your shirt size.