Davis-Falco back in the game
By JAMES NOKES
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sports@daily-chronicle.com
SYCAMORE – When Chris Davis-Falco was 3 months old he wasn’t gaining weight.
He was taken to a specialist in Chicago for a sweat test, which determined he had Cystic Fibrosis. He was treated, had an active childhood and teenage years, but when he became an adult it was harder for his body to fight off lung infections.
In 2006, Davis-Falco was on oxygen full time. In November of 2007 he had a lung transplant.
Davis-Falco spoke before the NITRO Races on May 30 breathing in air and exhaling carbon dioxide as he spoke through his new set of lungs.
It is because of events such as the one NITRO hosted, which raised $1,500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Illinois, that Davis-Falco is able to again play roller hockey and live an active life.
“It has been awesome every day since my surgery,” Davis-Falco said. “I can do things now that I couldn’t do before."
There is a litany of running events listed on the outdoors page. When I travel to Chicago or visit friends in the suburbs, I always seem to see posters popping up for new races or bike rides.
If you ever needed motivation to get healthy running or walking in an event and helping a cause at the same time, look no further than the story of Davis-Falco.
“Researchers need money to come up with new and improved drugs,” Davis-Falco said. “Studies and research lead to breakthroughs. A huge difference can be made because of events like the NITRO Race.”
KEEP RUNNING
The first Tractor Trot Malta Days 5K is at 9 a.m. Saturday. Race organizer Loni Wilson is an avid runner and will donate the proceeds to a local family in need.
Even though she said organizing a race for the first time is a lot of work, the volunteers for the race have been stellar thus far.
“We have 40 people signed up right now,” Wilson said. “We are hoping to have 75 to 100 after people walk up and register on race day.”
The race starts at Malta Elementary School. Pre-registration has closed but race-day sign-up will take place form 8-8:45 a.m. in front of Malta Elementary School. For more information, contact Wilson at 815-970-5411.
SHABBONA LAKE SPORTSMEN’S CLUB NEWS
The 13th annual Young Angler’s Fishing League is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8. For more information, contact Rich McElligott at 815-824-2523.
The SLSC also has been busy as it recently concluded a Muskie rescue at Shabbona Lake. Forty-four muskies and 29 walleye that had wandered past the barrier net swimming with the current when the waters were high are now living with minimal food and in water growing increasingly warm as it became shallower.
Working with the Quad County Hawg Hunters and a state biologist, the SLSC netted the fish back into the lake.
The number and size of walleye was a pleasant surprise to McElligott.
“We had some 28-inch walleye,” McElligott said. “They were 6 to 8 pounds, which was great.”
The SLSC is looking at several alternatives to improve the current netting system to help keep fish out of the spillway when the waters rise in the fall and winter. Any changes would be made with the approval of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
UPCOMING EVENTS
• While I’d like to consider myself the ultimate athlete every time I engage in a sporting activity, Men’s Fitness will crown its “Ultimate Athlete” in a free public contest set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at North Avenue Beach in Chicago.
The event features a series of seven timed sporting competitions with the winner bagging a cool $2,500, a trip for two to Beaches Resorts and a one-year membership to Chicago Equinox with a six-pack of physical training or Pilates sessions.
Competitions include: fastest tennis serve, a quarterback challenge in football, a series of football combine drills, a basketball shoot out, a fastest pitch and baseball home run derby and the “ULTIMATE” obstacle course.
For more information and to pre-register, visit MensFitness.com/UA.
• The Unlimited Performance 5K takes place at 8 a.m. June 20 at the KishHealth Resource Center. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the DeKalb County Chapter of the American Red Cross. For more information and to register, visit unlimitedperformance.org/5K_Run.html.
• The Dew Tour comes to Grant Park in Chicago on June 26-27 with the Nike 6.0 BMX Open. The event features BMX park, vert and dirt disciplines, along with a Nike 6.0 street specialty competition. Visit allisports.com for more information.
• The McDonald's L.A.T.E. Ride is set for July 11.To register for the 25-mile, overnight ride through Chicago, visit lateride.org.
• Rundown Alzheimer’s will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July, 28, at U.S. Cellular Field. $70 gives you a chance to run the bases. For more information, visit alz.org/illinois or call 847-933-2413.
To add an event please e-mail me at Jamesnokes25@yahoo.com.
OUTING CENTRE UPDATE
On my daily stop at the Northern Illinois Recreation Center, I stopped into the Outing Centre to find staff bringing some new gear out of storage. If you are headed to the woods for a weekend excursion, the Outing Centre has a new assortment of sleeping bags and tents waiting to be rented.
Visit niu.edu/recservices/outdoors/index.shtml or call 815-753-9423 for more information.
IDNR NEWS
• Applicants for Conservation Police Officer Trainee are being accepted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Applicant testing takes place June 15-18 and June 22-25 through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Visit dnr.state.il.us/law3/career.htm to apply online, download a paper application or for more information on the hiring process.
• The Illinois General Assembly declared June to be known as “No Child Left Inside Month.”
For a full list of June activities at state parks visit dnr.state.il.us/events/calendar.pdf.
