Portfolio - Freelance work - Chicago Tribune-Pioneer Press

Don't underestimate the power of networking. That's how Heather got connected with the work for the Chicago Pioneer Press, a branch of the Chicago Tribune Media Group. She connected with the sports editor a few years ago while applying for another job at another outlet. He reached out to her in the spring of 2016, asking if she would be interested in writing sports features for the paper in Chicago. 

The Chicago Pioneer Press - not to be confused with the Pioneer Press that Minnesotans know locally in St. Paul - is 32 local newspapers in the Chicago metropolitan area. Heather conducted interviews over the phone with coaches and athletes in order to write features and profiles that typical focused on high school sports. 
First-year coach Katie Perkins turns around Evanston softball program
​May 5, 2016

Coach Katie Perkins moves from coaching the JV softball team to the varsity team this season.​
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Jimmy Karfis quickly makes mark on Glenbrook North baseball team
June 14, 2016

Jimmy Karfis is a left fielder with the Glenbrook North baseball team. 
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Conor Dwyer 'emotionally ecstatic' to qualify for Olympics again
​July 14, 2016

Conor Dwyer qualified for three Olympic swimming events, competing at the 2016 Rio Games.​
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JT Compher takes next step to achieve goal of winning Stanley Cup
​July 14, 2016

Northbrook native JT Compher signed with the Colorado Avalanche and looks to fulfill every hockey player's dream.
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Alex Hermeling adjusts to relief role with Dodgers farm team
​July 21, 2016
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Glenbrook North graduate Alex Hermeling works on his pitching game during his first minor-league season in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
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Sabrina Bonanno once again finding joy in playing golf
​Aug. 3, 2016

Ridgewood graduate Sabrina Bonanno came out of a slump on the golf course to rebound over the summer with the Arkansas-Little Rock team. ​
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Maine East setter Erika Christiansen playing well after year off
Sept. 16, 2016

Volleyball player Erika Christiansen is back at 100% this season after an injury sidelined her last year. 
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From Russia with love: Anastasia Goncharova stars for Evanston tennis
​Oct. 8, 2016
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Tennis player Anastasia Goncharova is ranked No. 8 in Chicago in the Girls' 18 singles division.
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Ridgewood's Kurt DeLong continues racing in spite of knee pain
​Nov. 10, 2016
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Kurt DeLong didn't let a little knee pain stop him from running his race for Ridgewood.
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Glenbrook South off to promising start in pool
​Dec. 16, 2016

Glenbrook South set four meet records and three school records at the Deerfield Relays.
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Boys bowling state notes on New Trier, Glenbrook North
Feb. 7, 2017 

New Trier and Glenbrook North boys' bowling teams both competed at state this year. 
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Katia Novi picks SMU partly becuase of its 'pretty soccer' style
​March 9, 2017
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Soccer player Katia Novi signed with SMU as a center midfielder/forward.
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Maine East's Lizeth Torres paves the way for female wrestlers
​April 15, 2017

Lizeth Torres is a senior on the Maine East boys wrestling team, paving the way for other girls to do the same. 
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Glenbrook North swimmer learns to walk again after beach accident
April 20, 2017

In this enterprise feature, Tural Erel had a long journey back to the Glenbrook North swim team after a beach accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. 
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Maine East's Kayla Gregorio gets two thumbs-up for attitude, effort
​May 11, 2017

Kayla Gregorio brings both her talent and her infectious positive attitude to the Maine East girls track and field team. 
Evanston lacrosse coach a testament to sport's transformative power
May 17, 2017 

Justin Porter played professional lacrosse before taking over the Evanston boys lacrosse team. 
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Notre Dame coach helps three different programs reach state tourney
​June 21, 2017
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Mike Paskvan has quite the extensive coaching resume in terms of success, leading a variety of teams to state tournaments. 
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Dalai Jamiyankhuu perseveres through adversity during freshman season
​July 20, 2017

The local gymnast joined his collegiate teammates in January, competing in still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar. ​
Hinsdale Central grads now captain Ball State football, swimming teams
​Aug. 10, 2017

Jacob White is a captain on the Ball State football team, while his friend Banistre Lienhart is captain of the swimming team at the school. Both graduated from Hinsdale Central. ​
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Timothy Christian's Abygale Ahn shines in two fall sports and more
​Sept. 13, 2017

Abygale Ahn is a multi-sport athlete - in the same season. She plays tennis and volleyball for Timothy Christian. ​
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Winnetka's Jack Drury on track to follow in his family's NHL path
​Dec. 28, 2017
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Jack Drury scored a Gordie Howe hat trick during USHL play, the top junior league in the United States. He got into a fight, assisted on a goal and then scored his own goal in the third period. 
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Wilmette natives reunite on U-17 national boys hockey team
Dec. 28, 2017 

Cameron Rowe and Alex Vlasic grew up playing hockey together in Wilmette before joining the U.S. National Team Development Program. 
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'Extraordinary volunteer' Jim Neville entering hockey hall of fame
Jan. 18, 2018 

Jim Neville is being honored after his decades of volunteer hockey coaching at a variety of levels, from high school to sled hockey. ​
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Maine East dance team overcomes adversity, makes state finals
Feb. 1, 2018

The Maine East dance team finished in 11th place in the state dance finals, a program best. 
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Hinsdale's Caroline Dolehide plays 'a few really good matches' on one of tennis' biggest stages
​April 5, 2018

The 19-year-old wasn't expecting a wildcard entry into one of the most prominent tournaments outside of Grand Slams, at Indians Wells, but she got one anyway. ​
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Park Ridge's Michael OBroin programmed for success in cross country, classroom
​April 16, 2018
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St. Ignatius senior and Park Ridge resident Michael OBroin was one of 26 student-athletes named to the IHSA’s 2017-18 All-State Academic Team.
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Girls track notebook: Hinsdale South's 'two big hitters' qualify for state again
May 12, 2018 

This track and field notebook includes tidbits from the Hinsdale South, Hinsdale Central and York programs.​
Pioneer Press 2018 football preview: Maine East Blue Demons
Aug. 16, 2018 

Maine East football, with first-year head coach Bob Winkel, looks to rebound from a 1-8 record the previous season.
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