Local briefs: AU athletic honors

Aurora University men's soccer player Justin Pedersen was named the Northern Athletics Conference Men's Soccer Student-Athlete of the Week for the week ending Oct. 25.

The senior midfielder led the Spartans to a 2-0 week with a 2-0 win at Lakeland College and a 5-2 victory at Wisconsin Lutheran. He scored a goal in each contest, while adding two assists against Wisconsin Lutheran. On the season, Pedersen has five goals and a team-leading eight assists.

Aurora University also had three members of their respective sports -- men's golf, women's tennis and women's golf -- named to the Northern Athletics Conference All-Sportsmanship teams. To be selected to the NAC All-Sportsmanship teams, individuals must have exemplified positive sportsmanship throughout the season.

Spartans that were named to the teams were junior men's golfer Cameron Parker, senior women's tennis player Amanda Walden (Yorkville) and sophomore women's golfer Emily Densmore (Waubonsie Valley).

Master Kyle Tyson of Tyson's Taekwondo recently was inducted into the Martial Arts World International Hall of Fame in Orlando, Fla. Tyson was honored for his 25 years of achievement in martial arts competition. He holds a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and a First Degree Black Belt in Combat Taekwondo. During his 25 years of competition, Tyson achieved more than 150 victories in various styles of martial arts tournaments. He achieved two gold medals in the Amateur Athletic Union Taekwondo Olympic Style Full Contact tournaments in 2003 and 2004. During those two years Tyson recorded a record of 20-0. For 14 years, Tyson has owned and operated Tyson's Taekwondo in Aurora. In his honor, Bob Stewart has named his fight team Team Tyson MMA and has Tyson as the head striking instructor. For eight years, Tyson has run an after-school program that provides transportation for in the East and West Aurora school districts. For additional information on Tyson's Taekwondo programs, visit www.tysontkd.cmasdirect.com or call 630-347-6351. Sean Smith, 9, of Sandwich was a champion in his age group at the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick sectional round held in Woodridge on Oct. 18. He finished in the top four out of all sectional winners in the Chicago Bears NFL market area. This qualifies him to compete in the Bears Team Championship round, to be held at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Nov. 7. The top four finishers in each age group of the team championships round qualify for the national finals, set for January at the AFC or NFC Championship game. On Oct. 29, Sheldon Kirshner aced the par-3 sixth hole at Orchard Valley. He used a 7-wood from 122 yards, and the feat was witnessed by Ron Pool and Jeff Luptak. The Aurora Central Catholic High School dance team will collect old children's Halloween costumes from 5 to 6 p.m. Nov. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 5 and from 3 to 4 p.m. Nov. 6. Parents are asked to bring outgrown costumes to the school via the chapel entrance to donate them. Dancers will categorize, package and store the costumes for resale at a greatly reduced price next Halloween season. The program is designed to provide a service and savings for families to purchase children's costumes for next Halloween at a substantially reduced cost. The Fox River Trail Runners and Batavia Accelerators are hosting the 13th annual Fox and Turkey 4 Mile and Youth Mile Race on Nov. 26. The Youth Mile starts at 8:30 a.m. and the Four Miler at 9 a.m. Neither race is a predictor race. The race headquarters is River West Family Fitness, 108 First St., Batavia. Online registration is available at www.signmeup.com/66353 until Nov. 24. Race-day registration is from 7 to 8 a.m. at River West. For information, visit www.foxrivertrailrunners.org. A long-sleeve shirt is included in the entree fee. The shirts are guaranteed for runners who register in advance and available for race-day registrants while supplies last.

Race fees for the Four Miler are $20 by Nov. 24 and $25 on race day. The Youth Mile fees are $12 by Nov. 24 and $15 on on race day. Fox River Trail Runners and Batavia Accelerator members who register in advance receive a $5 discount.

The races are run along the west side of the Fox River south from River West. The course can be viewed at www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID687. The Youth Mile uses the first half-mile of the 4-mile course.

Elite Sports Performance will host a Winter Softball Training Camp featuring coaches from Florida State University. The camp will run from 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 28 and 29 and costs $139 per participant. This camp offers an opportunity for players in grades 7 to 10 to learn skills used by the top softball players in the nation from some of the best coaches in the nation. The camp will cover hitting, fielding, base running, team defense, and a speed and agility warm-up. Registration ends Dec. 14. For information, contact Elite Sports Performance at 630-554-5144 or espcomplex@gmail.com. The facility is at 2050 Mitchell Drive, Oswego. The Oswego Family YMCA in conjunction with Kickers Soccer Club will host a CPR/AED training course for coaches and instructors on Nov. 18. The cost is $40 for coaches (3 to 5 p.m.) and $165 for instructor training (6 to 8:30 p.m.). The registration deadline is Nov. 11. The YMCA is at 249 W. First St., Oswego. The Geneva and Kaneland boys basketball teams will face off in a Western Sun Conference game at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at the United Center in Chicago. The game will take place before the Bulls tip off against Philadelphia. Tickets are $28, which includes admission to the Bulls game. For information or to purchase tickets, contact Brian Johnson at brian.johnson@kaneland.org or 630-365-5100, ext. 34. Waubonsee Community College is accepting applications for its Athletic Hall of Fame. Individuals or groups can be nominated, and forms are available at www.waubonsee.edu/athletics or through Waubonsee's athletic office at the Sugar Grove campus. Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 1. The inductees will be honored May 11.