The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 9

Mike Egenes. sports editor, (309) 829-9000, ext. 246, e-mail: megenespantagraph.com TUESDAY, Augusts 2009 Mastering the State Am? Rockford golfer Benjamin ready for first round at BGC Brad Benjamin of Rockford watches his tee shot on the par-3 eighth hole during a practice round Monday for the Illinois State Amateur Championship at BJoomington Country Club, Benjamin is on a hot streak after winning the U.S. Amateur Public Links and the Illinois Open last month. The State Amateur begins today.

Benjamin, who graduated from the University of Memphis in the spring, headlines a stellar field in the 79th State Amateur. The 132-man field will play 1 8 holes today and Wednes -day before the cut is made to the low 30 and ties for Thursday's 36 -hole finale. Defending champion Zach Barlow of downstate Percy, a University of Illinois senior, is coming off a second -place finish last weekend in the prestigious Western Amateur. Barlow's SEE STATE AM PAGE B6 next April instead of this fall. Benjamin followed his Public Links victory by capturing the Illinois Open and hopes to keep rolling when the Illinois State Amateur Championship begins today at Bloomington Country Club.

"The thing that is the coolest is waking up every morning and going down in my dining room and seeing those trophies," said Benjamin before a practice round at BCC on Monday. "It's a little surreal, but it's starting to sink in for sure." By Jim Benson jbensorpantagraph.cJm BLOOMINGTON He putts right-handed and swings left-handed. Wait, there's more. "I write left and throw right, so I'm all messed up," said Brad Benjamin. The 22-year-old from Rockford actually messed up his plans by winning the U.S.

Amateur Public Links title last month. Rest assured, he's not complaining. If you're Brad Benjamin, life has been good this summer. The Public Links champion usually receives an invitation to the Masters provided they remain an amateur, meaning Benjamin will delay turning pro until The PantagraphDAVID PROEBER McGee a leader in backup position QB puts winning ahead of starting 1, VJ By Mark Tupper mark.tupperlee.net CHAMPAIGN He could be the most frustrated, bitter man on the Illinois football team. He could be the exceptional athlete who feels trapped on the bench, his college career ticking past unfulfilled.

He could resent everyone from coaches to teammates. And yet Eddie McGee has one of the most upbeat, team-first attitudes on the Illini team, a trait his teammates praise him for, an atti 4 1 fs if tude head coach Ron Zook uses as an example of what a leader McGee has become. "Eddie wants to win," Zook said. "Whatever you The PantagraphLORI ANN COOK-NEISLER Above: Reigning NBA MVP LeBron James speaks in the atrium of State Farm Insurance Cos. corporate headquarters on Monday.

A pitchman for State Farm since 2008, James was in town to promote his upcoming movie and to help raise money for McLean County United Way. Below: James lines up a shot in front of State Farm employees and Western Avenue Community Center kids. i -A Fit for a TTO Jk" js need from him, Eddie he'll give it to you. McGee He's a great competitor, a guy who can help this football team in a lot of ways." There still are those who think he could help this team by being its starting quarterback. He has shown glimpses of ability speed, strong arm, explosive athletic ability during brief backup duty while filling in for starter Juice Williams.

But mostly, the junior from Washington, D.C., has been a seldom-used backup, stuck in that role because the durable Williams gets nearly all of the snaps. Last year, McGee got into five games and completed four of nine passes. He carried the ball 14 times and even saw action as a backup receiver, catching five balls in that capacity. Doesn't he get frustrated watching most of the games from the sideline? "My attitude is all about winning," McGee said. "Whatever the SEE McGEE PAGE B5 LeBron drops by State Farm for fundraising Raffle proceeds went to the United Way.

James, a State Farm pitchman since 2008, was in town to promote his new movie, "More Than a Game," and to help raise money for the United Way of McClean County. The movie documents James' days at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, where he was named 'national player of the year in 2003. It is scheduled to be released Oct.

2. At one point, James told approximately 50 kids from the Western Avenue Community Center he would buy them new Nike shoes if he made a half-court shot. He then made the shot, and State Farm is currently in the process of collecting shoe sizes for the kids. State Farm employees entered a raffle for a chance to win one of 20 basketballs autographed by James or to have their picture taken with him. PANTAGRAPH STAFF BLOOMINGTON As LeBron James makes the Cleveland Cavaliers sweat about a contract extension this summer, he simply made hundreds smile Monday at State Farm Insurance Cos.

corporate headquarters. The NBA superstar greeted fans, high-fived kids and posed for pictures in the atrium of the insurance giant's corporate offices Monday morning. READ MORE I Defensive end confirms intent to sign with Redbirds PageB5 I CARDINALS 4, REDS 1 Lohse finds form, lifts Cardinals READ MORE I Tulowitzki hits for cycle as Rockies rout Cubs Page B2 been a while since I could get in that groove when I know I'm going to go out there and give us six-plus. We get all of us going, it's Colby Rasmus drew a bases -loaded walk in the fifth off Kip Wells (0-3) for the go-ahead run and Matt Holliday, Khalil Greene and Brendan Ryan hit balls off the wall in a two-run sixth. The NL Central leaders have won four in a row, and at 63-51 are a season-high 12 games above .500.

SEE CARDINALS PAGE B3 By R.B. Fallstrom ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. LOUIS Three St. Louis Cardinals starters have win totals in double figures. Kyle Lohse, a 15-game winner last season, finally looks ready to start chasing after them.

Lohse won for the first time since injuring his forearm more than 2Vi months ago, working six effective innings in a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. He's been envious of success enjoyed by Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and Joel Pineiro, who are a combined 34-19. "I'd love to be a part of that," Lohse said. "It's Associated PressTOM GANNAM St. Louis Cardinals' Kyle Lohse pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds in Monday's game in St.

Louis. going to be hard to stop.".