By:Kasey Salamie, Southland Vikings Contributor.–In the 48th round of the 2011 MLB draft the Chicago White Sox drafted Southland Viking’s pitcher and outfielder Dontrell Rush. Rush just finished up his season at Harlan High School in Chicago where he led his team to the Chicago Public League Championship. Harlan High School played Simeon in the Championship and upset them. In the game Rush went 2-4 with a RBI. Rush was also a part of the Chicago White Sox ACE program. According to Whitesox.com the ACE program is, “Through the ACE program, the Chicago White Sox offer rising stars in the inner-city baseball community the opportunity to play baseball against other highly competitive groups on a traveling team. ACE team member youth, 13-18 years of age, are engaged through an elite practice and competition schedule while receiving academic direction to prepare them for success both on and off the field. The ACE program seeks to reverse and correct the downward trend of participation by African-Americans in the sport of baseball, which often occurs because of an overall lack of exposure to college recruiters and professional scouts.” Since the program started in 2007 there have been six players drafted from the team. The Prep Baseball Report ranked Rush the third best high school prospect in Illinois. According to the report, “Rush is the epitome of a quick-twitch athlete. Everything he does is fast. He possesses a lightning-quick arm on the mound, where his fastball’s velocity has climbed as high as 92 mph. His arm strength also plays in the outfield, along with his 6.7 60 speed and overall athleticism. Committed to John A. Logan JC.” Rush will only get better at Logan Junior College. His pitching skills will only get better. All of Dontrell’s skills will improve spending some time at the collegiate level. Dontrell Rush will be a key part of the Vikings success this season.