Quad-City area athletes salute their moms
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“She (Gail Rush) has always been there for me. Even when she’s not there (physically), she is. She’s always on the phone. She knows about my goals and is always pushing me and making sure I’m doing the right thing. She’s always right there for me, making sure my goals are always accomplished.’’
— Clayton Rush, Aledo wrestler
“My mom (Linda Skillett) has been very supportive throughout my entire life. My brother and I have been involved in sports ever since I can remember. We always were involved in three sports, from Little league baseball, junior football and YMCA biddie basketball ...
“Mom followed us all the way through our youth sports, encouraging us along the way. Dad was usually our coach and would push my brother and I very hard. Mom would help to keep things in perspective and remind us that Dad is pushing us to be the best we could be.
“I am amazed when I look back at the sacrifices my mom made once we got into high school and then through our college athletics ...
“The fun really started once we became collegiate athletes at Iowa. I am not sure how many moms can say they have been to every football stadium and basketball arena in the Big Ten cheering on their sons, oftentimes driving to and from the games on the same day ...
“Now, in my coaching profession, she has not let up a bit. She attends all the games she possibly can. She has been to the state tournament three times in the last four years, supporting the Bulldogs, driving up and back most times.d
“During the state tournament this year, she was coming off her second hip replacement surgery, but it did not keep her from coming. Some mothers have a general interest in sports, but my mom did not play sports as a youth. I think she, like all great mothers, loves her sons and wanted to be there to support us.
“My brother and I are the luckiest guys around to have a mom who supported us unconditionally for our entire lives on and off the field. To this day Mom always says how proud she is of me and I can assure you the feeling is mutual.’’
— Kevin Skillett, Bettendorf basketball coach; former United Township, Augustana and U. of Iowa athlete
“You know all of those stories about mothers being every son’s No. 1 fan? Well, my mother, Lori Bickford, fits that description perfectly. She has been there for every baseball game, soccer game, track meet, and wrestling meet. She has been there for all my bumps bruises, all my game-winning hits and all of those that last-second takedowns to win the wrestling match.
“My mom is not the average kind of mom, either. My mother works her tail off every week in one of the most stressful jobs ever, taking care of sick newborn babies, and somehow she still manages to come home after a 12-hour day and head right back out there for me.
“She is rarely late, if ever, to an event, and she always has more energy than any other mother out there. I can always hear her while I sprint down the backstretch in the 400-meter run or when my wrestling match is tied with 10 seconds left. I can always find her words of encouragement to never give up, keep going, and win. No matter what happens when the smoke clears, however, I know my mom will be there to congratulate me or to keep my head up.
“I love my mother, and I will never find a bigger supporter in my world of competitive sports than her.’’
— Collin Bickford, Davenport West wrestling, cross country and
track athlete
“My mom was very inspirational to my career. Early on, both Mom and Dad were there. Dad was always the authoratative one who got me out of bed and was all about practice. Mom was always on neutral ground, and when I shot bad she was there to console me. Dad was there, too, but it’s always better coming from your mother. I think about her a lot, especially coming up on Mother’s Day here at Kingsmill.’’
— Beth Bader,
pro golfer from Eldridge, Iowa
“Our mother, Jane Kroening, has always been there to support us throughout our lives. She has been especially supportive in our athletic activities. To tell the truth, she spoils us. Our track and football teams never went hungry because our mom set up team dinners or had coolers of food waiting for the teams for away meets or games. She drove the wrestling cheerleaders to meets so the wrestlers could have more support. Our mom doesn’t just make food and sit on the sidelines. She has even coached Emily’s softball and volleyball teams. It doesn’t stop at sports. Our mom is the West High Athletic Booster Club Treasurer and the Student Senate Advisor. She spends countless hours working for our school and still never misses a game or meet.’’
— Michael and Emily Kroening, Davenport West athletes
“My mom (Claire Anthony) has played such a very important role in my athletic career. Moms are always the ones who wake up early and stay up late to get you where you need to go and they do it without asking questions. My mom was always the loudest one in the stands. She might not have known what she was yelling about, but she was yelling as loud as she could because she wanted to be my biggest fan. Mothers are always there to support you through the good and bad times. You can play your worst game of your career, and your mother will tell you that you were amazing out there. It seems as though moms don’t really see any fault in what you do, they just want to be your biggest fan and will always encourage you no matter what the circumstances are.’’
— Tom Anthony, Quad-City Steamwheelers; former Pleasant Valley and Augustana athlete
“Being a mother to five children who play multiple sports is very difficult. Some mothers find it exhausting to make time for one child. That is why our mother, Joy Saladino, is an extraordinary mother. She is the head softball coach’s wife who runs all around town to get what is needed for the program, on top of running her youngest daughter (Shyanne) to ASA games across the river. Then she volunteers coaching the 12-under softball team, she gets the concession stand ready at the complex while trying to watch her other daughter play high school softball, and then she somehow finds time to make it to watch her two other daughters play college softball at two different schools. Her daughters have always come first, and watching them succeed was always the most important thing ...
“Stephanie, who now plays softball for Indiana State University, remembers when Mom went through thick and thin to be at one of her softball games (at Kirkwood Community College) ... It was 30 degrees outside, with wind gusts up to 25 mph. I do not remember who we were playing, but mom sat out along the fence with my grandma and grandpa. She had a thick blanket wrapped around her, with a video camera clenched in her hand. She was not going to miss a moment, and she wanted me to have memories of college softball. She sat outside the fence and froze ... It was the best feeling in the world when I looked down the fence and saw her yelling, ‘Yeah, Stephie!’ I will always hold that memory close to my heart.’
— The Saladino sisters: Shyanne, Williams Intermediate; Samantha, Davenport West; Sarah Muscatine CC; and Stephanie, Indiana State
“I think what stands out is that I can still play H-O-R-S-E with my mother (Therese Speth) even though she’s old now. She really has a passion for pushing me. When I score, she’s the first one to stand up at a game and holler. I didn’t beat her in basketball until ninth grade, maybe eighth grade. It’s kind of embarrassing, but she really knew how to play basketball. I got schooled a lot by my mother. Then her knees started going out, but we can still play H-O-R-S-E.”
—Joe Speth, Bettendorf
basketball player
“From my younger years of soccer and dance to now — softball, volleyball and track, my mother, Connie Coopman, has always been there to support me. She has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She is always switching work schedules to make sure she is able to watch my team and me at our game/meet. Just this past Sunday, she gave birth to my new baby brother. Just four days after his birth, my mom was at my all-academic awards and would not have missed it for anything. I’m looking forward to college sports and I couldn’t dream of playing anywhere far away where my mother would not be able to watch me. Thanks again for all your support mom!
— Carissa Coopman, Davenport North softball, volleyball and track
“Of my four years of high school — with swimming and track — my mom has not missed a single athletic event or activity, even if it’s two hours away or after a long day of work. I can’t thank my mom enough for how much she has been there to support me and cheer me on. I especially want to thank her for being there this year to watch the track team win our first MAC championship after having surgery only a few days before. I can say my senior year has been the best and I’ve had my mom there with me every step of the way. I just want to say thank you and I love you to my mom and I don’t know what I would do without her being there with me.”
— Taylor Goode, Davenport North swimming and track
“She’s taken us all over the country, and the reason she did it was because she loves us. She really has sacrificed some of the things that she would have enjoyed herself to do those things. Several times she did things that I thought were crazy. The junior high at Sherrard has just started going to the junior high state meet and that meet’s hosted the same night as the Illinois high school state meet. They’re 3 hours apart — and I’m not really sure where the junior high meet is, but the high school meet is in Charleston — and my mom (Libbie Pettie) has successfully made it to both the last three years. None of my friends’ parents would ever do that. She’s definitely one of a kind.”
— Lindsie Pettie, Sherrard
basketball, cross country and track
My mom (Cathy) has to cut practices short, but she loves coming to see us though. She’s the craziest. She’s making sure she makes it to state this year. She wasn’t there at all last year (when Allbaugh won the Class 4A 3,200-meter state title). She was at state tennis with my sister (twin Chelsea). She calls me crying on the phone because she was so happy for me. It was pretty hard for her not to be there. She couldn’t wait to see the video. I definitely wanted her to be there. She’ll get to see it this year.”
— Devin Allbaugh, Pleasant Valley cross country and track
“I think Mother’s Day is a day that everybody should cherish. Never take nobody for granted because you never know what might happen. It just shows you how to go out and live life to the fullest, do everything the best you can and just love, love.
“She was a loving mother. My dad wasn’t really there when I was little. She was my mom and my dad — she was my everything. You’ve got to learn how to just keep living and keep faith in God and just know that everything is going to be OK.
Mother’s Day is always tough on me. I just constantly, always hold back my tears. I always end up crying, but it’s a happy cry because I know she’s in a better place.”
— Tia Harvey, Rock Island sprinter who lost her mother, Debbie Gay, when Tia was 10 years old.
Ashlyn Keeney
Grade 10
Davenport West High School
Volleyball, Golf, & Cheerleading
My mom, Felicia Keeney (AKA: "Mrs. Coach"), would sacrifice her time any day of the week for me, our family, or the West High Volleyball Team. My mom has made a huge impact on many of the girls from the volleyball team. She is the sophomore coach and is the assistant to my dad, who coaches the Varsity. My dad, Verne, would be lost without her during the season. My mom had an amazing experience when she played high school volleyball and I know she wants that for our team as well. She is always supportive and pushing us to do our best both athletically and academically. My mom loves what she does and always gives 100%.
We all appreciate her and I am proud to be her daughter.
Kelli Crow
Grade 10
Davenport West High School
Volleyball, Golf, & Cheerleading
My mom, Debbie Crow, is one of the best mom's anyone could have. She is supportive and cares about me and all of my activities. She is always at every single game cheering me on. She has always been the "team mom" for my volleyball and softball teams. She is always organizing events and getting the food together. In fact, my mom is in charge of the West High Booster's Spirit Wear. She has to order and organize all the clothing items that are sold at West events. Every single football, basketball, volleyball or other team events my mom is there selling spirit gear, often joined by her mother, my grandmother, Dorothy Bochwoldt. At the same time she's there watching me cheer or play. My mom is one of a kind and I'm glad to be her daughter, and I love her very much.
Emily Martz
Grade 10
Davenport West High School
Soccer, Track, & Cross-country
My mom, Joan Martz, is extremely supportive. She would never miss a soccer game or track meet. RAIN or SHINE, she is there! She has always loved to watch me play soccer, ever since I was little. She volunteered to be our team mom this year. She brings the team water and snacks after every game. She always tells me that I played well and she also tells me what I can improve on for the next game. Sometimes she just listens to my frustrations. No matter what she is always there and I appreciate all that she does.
Alexis Johnson
Grade 10
Davenport West High School
Soccer, Volleyball, and Basketball
When I hear the word role model I think of my mom, Terri Johnson because that is what she is to me. She has been active with West High School Athletics for about 18 years since I am the youngest of three girls. She is currently the President of West High Athletic Boosters. She always comes to all my sporting events. She works in the concession stand whenever they need someone and helps out whenever needed even if I am not playing. She is always running around driving me places and taking me to practice and games. No matter what, my mom will always be my role model and my friend.
Jill Feipel Jody Feipel
Grade 12 Grade 10
Davenport West High School Davenport West High School
Volleyball Volleyball & Softball
Our mom, Sheila Feipel, is the type of woman that comes home from a long hard day of work and heads right back out the door to one of our various activities. She always puts her children's needs before her own. She has dedicated many hours of her time to benefit us. She always finds time out of her busy schedule to take care of us, and we love her greatly for that. THANK YOU MOM!
Collin Bickford
Grade 12
Davenport West High School
Wresting, Cross Country, Track
You know all of those stories about mothers being every son's number one fan? Well, my mother, Lori Bickford, fits that description perfectly. She has been there for every baseball game, soccer game, track meet, and wrestling meet. She has been there for all my bumps bruises, all my game winning hits, and all of those that last second takedowns to win the wrestling match.
My mom is not the average kind mom either. My mother works her tail off every week in one of the most stressful jobs ever, taking care of sick newborn babies, and somehow she still manages to come home after a 12-hour day and head right back out there for me. She is rarely late, if ever, to an event, and she always has more energy than any other mother out there. I can always hear her while I sprint down the backstretch in the 400-meter run or when my wrestling match is tied with ten seconds left. I can always find her words of encouragement to never give up, keep going, and win. No matter what happens when the smoke clears, however, I know my mom will be there to congratulate me or to keep me head up. I love my mother, and I will never find a bigger supporter in my world of competitive sports than her.
Lindsey Buckles
Grade 10
Davenport West High School
Basketball
My mom, Brenda Jordahl-Buckles, devotes lots of time and effort into going to my basketball games and helping out with things for the school. She doesn't like to miss any of my games. My mom is always on the go doing something, especially meetings for West High Boosters, since she is the vice-president. My mom is always the type of person to help others before she does things for herself. The thing I like best about my mom is that she always makes enough time in her busy days for me and my two sisters. I appreciate everything my mom does for my family and the school.
Lindsay Moore
Grade 10
Davenport West High School
Volleyball & Softball
My mom, Michelle Moore is a very supportive and active mother. She is always there for me whenever I need anything. She attends every sporting event I am involved in and is constantly volunteering her time to help in whatever way is needed. She works in the concession stand, was the team mom for my volleyball team, and is an executive board member of the West High Booster Club. Along with helping the team, my mom is also a great fan. She is always there to cheer us on and support us no matter what. If attending everything I am involved in isn't enough, my mom also attends everything for my three young sisters. I love my mom very much and I am very thankful for everything she has done and will do in the future. All her hard work and dedication is much appreciated.
Katie Hamilton
Grade 12
Davenport West High School
Volleyball & Wrestling (manager)
My mom, Deb Hamilton, supports me in everything I do, especially with my sports. She is always the first one to be sitting in the stands before my games and always the last to leave after congratulating the team.
For several years, she has coached my softball and volleyball teams and would always rush from work to start practice, always managing to pick up a snack or water for me on the way.
She is also a very active member of the athletic booster club at West that raises money for sports. She should be recognized for her hard work in supporting ALL sports at West, not just mine.
My mom is a very dedicated person and mother. She has always encouraged me and never let me down. She is an amazing mother and I couldn't ask for a better one.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM! Love, Katie
Hailey Nichol
Grade 11
Davenport West High School
Softball, Cheerleading, Track & Cross-country
Support is not something one comes by everyday. When it comes to my life, my mom, Barb Nichol is my support. No matter what athletic season, she is always there for me. No other woman defines "TEAM MOM" as well as my mom does. In order for me to be successful I need her to be there for me. My whole life she has been nothing by perfect. My mom supports me in the classroom and on the field. For all your hard work and dedication I want to say, thank you mom and Happy Mother's day! I LOVE YOU!
Ryan Redmond
Grade 12
Davenport West High School
Wrestling
Every year I always hear at least one person say "nobody supports us." Whether its basketball or volleyball, students at West can't seem to support our teams; however, the students on the teams also forget who does support them. The supporters are by far the most important in our lives, our mothers. Mothers almost never miss a game and usually can't keep quiet when they are there, but without them where would we be?
My mom, Shelley Hillman, has been to almost all of my wrestling meets and is usually the loudest fan there. Most people would be embarrassed by this, not me. I appreciate everything she does. She has taken great care of me my entire life, given me everything I have, and supports me in whatever I do. So, if she feels the need to scream and shout at my meets she is more than welcome to do so, she earned it. Most people take their moms for granted like they will always be there to help them, but they won't always be. I just want to thank my mom for everything. I love you.
Mark Gray Mackenzie Gray
Grade 12 Grade 9
Davenport West High School Davenport West High School
Basketball & Soccer Cross-country, Soccer, Basketball & Cheerleading
Throughout our academic and athletic careers our mom has been there for us. Even though we both play basketball and soccer and she still finds time to go to all the games. Mackenzie also competes in cross-country and cheerleading. We can still both remember from when we were little she would go outside with us and help us practice. She has also been the team mom which includes setting up team dinners and getting snacks for the teams. She would stay up all night just to wash our jerseys. For all the "butt time" on the bleachers, yelling, and embarrassing us will always love her. We just want to say thanks for always pushing us to be the best and being there to support us. Happy Mother's Day!
Michael Kroening Emily Kroening
Grade 12 Grade 10
Davenport West High School Davenport West High School
Football & Track Tennis & Cheerleading
Our mother, Jane Kroening, has always been there to support us throughout our lives. She has been especially supportive in our athletic activities. To tell the truth, she spoils us. Our track and football teams never went hungry because our mom sets up team dinners or has coolers of food waiting for the teams for away meets or games. She drove the wrestling cheerleaders to meets so the wrestlers could have more support. Our mom doesn't just make food and sit on the sidelines she has even coached Emily's softball and volleyball teams. It doesn't stop at sports our mom is the West High Athletic Booster Club Treasurer and the Student Senate Advisor. She spends countless hours working for our school and still never misses a game or meet. WE LOVE YOU MOMMA AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR US!!!!
Shayanne Saladino Samantha Saladino
Grade 7 Grade 11
Williams Intermediate School Davenport West High School
Volleyball, Softball, & Basketball Basketball & Softball
Sarah Saladino Stephanie Saladino
Freshman Junior
Muscatine Community College Indiana State Univ.
Softball Softball
Being a mother to five children that play multiple sports is very difficult. Some mothers find it exhausting to make time for one child. That is why our mother, Joy Saladino, is an extraordinary mother. She is the Head Softball Coach's wife that runs all around town to get what is needed for the program, on top of running her youngest daughter to ASA games across the river, then she volunteers coaching the 12-under softball team, she gets the concession stand ready at the complex while trying watch her other daughter play high school softball, and then she some how finds time to make it to watch her two other daughters play college softball at two different schools. Her daughters have always come first, and watching them succeed was always the most important thing.
Growing up Mom has always been there, even when she thought it did not matter to us girls as much as Dad being there did. She has always had just as much as an impact on our lives. The youngest child in our family is Shyanne. Growing up with four older sisters has always been difficult for her. Between all the hand-me-downs, expectations, and being picked on, Mom has always been there at her side. She has had very big shoes to fill from her older sisters wi
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