Spartan basketball schedule is out and players are ready

The first St. Joseph-Ogden basketball game of the season tips off next Thursday when the girls' team will square off in a rematch at home against Villa Grove on February 4. The Blue Devils, who were eliminated from the IHSA postseason by the Spartans a mere 51 weeks - give or take a few days - ago, will be seeking revenge for the 50-34 loss in 2020.

Payton Jacob drives to the paint during the St. Joseph-Ogden's girls last home game in 2020. The Lady Spartans debut in their first home game of year next Thursday against Villa Grove. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

The boys squad also opens at home next week. On Friday, the SJO boys squad will take the floor against Cissna Park in the main gym at the high school. The Spartans will have six more home games before closing out their season on the road at Monticello.

The Spartans' ultra shortened season for both the girls and boys will end on March 8 and 9 respectively with no postseason play as per the recently released IHSA schedule that is squeezing normally ten months of prep sports and activities into five. Both varsity and junior varsity squads on each side will play a 12-game schedule this season.

Despite the low number of contests, players are excited to finally be able to get out on the court and compete.

"I know my teammates are all just as excited as I am," said St. Joseph-Ogden junior Taylor Wells. "We have all been waiting for answers on whether or not our season would happen since November. My team and I are very excited to be back in the gym getting to work."

Ty Pence, whose skill set and work ethic on the hardwood is paying dividends as his stock rises as a top college prospect in Illinois, echoed Wells' enthusiasm.

"I was very excited when I heard the news," he said. "I’m glad that our seniors will have a chance to have their season and hopefully we can be the best we can be.

Below are this year's boys and girls junior varsity and varsity schedules.

St. Joseph-Ogden Junior Varsity Basketball Schedule

Boys

02/05/2021
Cissna Park High School
SJO Main Gym • 6:00 PM

02/09/2021
St. Thomas More High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

02/12/2021
Rantoul High School
Rantoul High School • 5:30 PM

02/16/2021
Bloomington Central Catholic High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

02/19/2021
Unity High School
Unity High School • 5:30 PM

02/23/2021
Pontiac High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

02/26/2021
Prairie Central High School
Prairie Central High School • 5:30 PM

03/02/2021
Illinois Valley Central High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

03/05/2021
Olympia High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

03/06/2021
Teutopolis High School
SJO Main Gym • 1:00 PM

03/09/2021
Monticello High School
Monticello High School • 5:30 PM

Girls

02/04/21
Villa Grove High School
SJO Main Gym • 06:00 PM

02/08/21
St. Thomas More High School
St. Thomas More High School • 05:30 PM

02/11/21
Rantoul High School
SJO Main Gym • 05:30 PM

02/15/21
Bloomington Central Catholic High School
Bloomington Central Catholic • 05:30 PM

02/18/21
Unity High School
SJO Main Gym • 05:30 PM

02/22/21
Pontiac High School
Pontiac High School • 05:30 PM

02/25/21
Prairie Central High School
SJO Main Gym • 05:30 PM

02/27/21
Paris High School
Paris High School • 11:00 AM

03/01/21
Illinois Valley Central High School
Illinois Valley Central High School • 05:30 PM

03/04/21
Olympia High School
Olympia High School • 05:30 PM

03/06/21
Teutopolis High School
Teutopolis High School • 01:00 PM

03/08/21
Monticello High School
SJO Main Gym • 05:30 PM

St. Joseph-Ogden Varsity Basketball Schedule

Boys

02/05/21
Cissna Park High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:30 PM

02/09/21
St. Thomas More High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/12/21
Rantoul High School
Rantoul High School • 07:00 PM

02/16/21
Bloomington Central Catholic High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/19/21
Unity High School
Unity High School • 07:00 PM

02/23/21
Pontiac High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/26/21
Prairie Central High School
Prairie Central High School • 07:00 PM

03/02/21
Illinois Valley Central High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

03/05/21
Olympia High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

03/06/21
Teutopolis High School
SJO Main Gym • 02:30 PM

03/09/21
Monticello High School
Monticello High School • 07:00 PM

Girls

02/04/21
Villa Grove High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:30 PM

02/08/21
St. Thomas More High School
St. Thomas More High School • 07:00 PM

02/11/21
Rantoul High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/15/21
Bloomington Central Catholic High School
Bloomington Central Catholic • 07:00 PM

02/18/21
Unity High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/22/21
Pontiac High School
Pontiac High School • 07:00 PM

02/25/21
Prairie Central High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/27/21
Paris High School
Paris High School • 12:30 PM

03/01/21
Illinois Valley Central High School
Illinois Valley Central High School • 07:00 PM

03/04/21
Olympia High School
Olympia High School • 07:00 PM

03/06/21
Teutopolis High School
Teutopolis High School • 02:30 PM

03/08/21
Monticello High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

2020 St. Joseph-Ogden baseball season in question

Zach Martini reaches back to unload a pitch in the Spartans' home game against Centennial. SJO narrowly lost the non-conference game against the Big 12 foe on March 27 last year, 2-1. It remains to be seen if Martini and the Spartans will take the field this season due to the growing threat of the Coronavirus and governmental shutdown schools and group events across the country. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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With an impressive line-up of 11 talented seniors, the St. Joseph-Ogden baseball team is stacked to win its eighth consecutive regional title this season and is a very strong challenger for one of four slots in the Class 2A state finals in June.

In the past four seasons under head coach Josh Haley, the Spartans have amassed an impressive 110 wins against 36 losses. SJO finished the 2019 season with a record of 27-9.

Unfortunately the St. Joseph-Ogden team and other baseball teams around the nation, the call to "play ball" may not be heard at least at the high school level this Spring due to the spread of the Coronavirus.

On Friday governor J.B. Pritzker closed all Illinois public and private schools for nearly a two-week period to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, the official name for the flu-like virus. As of today the number of confirmed cases in the state rose from 42 yesterday to 64 out of the mere 708 residents who have been tested so far. Another 200 cases are currently under investigation by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The earliest SJO will be able to practice or play at this point will be on April 6 and that is no guarantee. The pandemic strain threatening US citizens could extend the current postponement or cancel the season altogether if the IHSA follows suit and annonce the spring sport season over before it even started as the NCAA did last week.

In a statement on Thursday evening after canceling the winter season hours before the tipoff of the first boys semifinal basketball game for Class 1A on Friday, Executive Director Craig Anderson said no decision had been made on taking similar action.

"It is too early to make any decisions regarding IHSA spring state final tournaments," said Anderson. "We respect the NCAA’s decision to cancel its spring championships, but also recognize that the exposure and travel by our high school teams is not as expansive as collegiate teams. At this juncture, we recommend that all IHSA spring sport teams consult their local health departments, and follow their recommendations on if and how to proceed with practices and regular-season contests."

With no organized practice allowed by school districts until then, the likely first contest for SJO will be sometime around April 11. Optimistically, teams across Illinois can resume practice starting sometime between March 30 and April 6.

The Spartans have five litmus games on the schedule. Three of them may not be rescheduled unfortunately. Their doubleheader on March 19 with the opener against Oswego at 1p and then taking the field against Carbondale hours later would have been two solid early season tests for the SJO pitching corp.

The other game on the schedule to look forward was the away contest at Morton High School against Joliet Catholic on March 27. In their last meeting back in March of 2018, the Hilltoppers, who went on to become Class 3A sectional finalists, defeated the Spartans, 11-3.

If the season is allowed to continue, one of three games not to miss would be the Spartans' road game on the newly remodeled turf diamond at Unity on April 20. The other two can't miss 'em are home games. The first on April 4 against last year's Class 2A state champions Tuetopolis. The second, another non-conference matchup, is against Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on April 28.

2020 St. Joseph-Ogden Baseball Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home Away	Time
16 March	Heritage High School	H	4:30
17 March	Armstrong-Potomac High School-@ Potomac	A	4:30
19 March	Oswego High School @ Edwardsville	A	1:00
19 March	Carbondale High School @ Edwardsville	A	4:45
24 March	Tuscola High School	H	4:30
25 March	Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin High School	H	4:30
26 March	Urbana High School	A	4:30
27 March	Joliet Catholic @ Morton High School	A	7:00
30 March	Salt Fork High School	H	4:30
1 April	Champaign Centennial High School	A	4:30
2 April	Westville High School	A	4:30
4 April	Teutopolis High School (DH)	H	10:00 AM
6 April	Mahomet-Seymour High School	A	5:00
7 April	St. Thomas More High School	H	4:30
8 April	Heritage High School @ Broadlands	A	4:30
11 April	Williamsville/Tremont High School @ Millikin (DH)	A	12:00
13 April	Rantoul High School	A	4:30
16 April	Bloomington Central Catholic High School	H	4:30
17 April	PBL High School	A	4:30
20 April	Unity High School	A	4:30
21 April	Oakwood High School	A	4:30
23 April	Pontiac High School	H	4:30
25 April	Illinois Valley Central High School (DH)	H	11:00 AM
27 April	Prairie Central High School	A	4:30
28 April	GCMS High School	H	4:30
30 April	Charleston High School	A	4:30
1 May	Maroa-Forsyth High School	A	4:30
4 May	Olympia High School	H	4:30
5 May	Fisher High School	A	4:30
7 May	Monticello High School	A	4:30
9 May	SJO Invite (DH)	H	9:30
11 May	Danville High School	H	4:30
14 May	Mattoon High School	H	4:30
16 May	Salt Fork High School @ Jamaica (DH)	A	11:00 AM
18 May	Tri-Valley High School	A	4:30
19-22 May	IHSA Regionals	A	TBA
23 May	IHSA Regional Championship	A	TBA

2020 JV Baseball Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home Away	Time
20 March	Normal West @ Edwardsville High School	A	10:00 AM
23 March	Mahomet-Seymour High School	H	4:30
25 March	Danville High School @ Tilton	A	4:30
28 March	Mahomet-Seymour High School (DH)	A	11:00 AM
31 March	Champaign Central High School	H	4:30
2 April	GCMS High School	H	4:30
4 April	Teutopolis High School (DH)	A	10:00 AM
6 April	Charleston High School-Baker Field	A	4:30
8 April	St. Thomas More High School	H	4:30
9 April	Heritage High School @ Broadlands	A	4:30
10 April	Maroa-Forsyth High School	A	4:30
11 April	PBL HS/Villa Grove HS @ PBL (DH-round robin)	A	10:00 AM/12:00 PM
13 April	Champaign Central High School	H	4:30
15 April	Champaign Centennial High School	H	4:30
16 April	Bloomington Central Catholic High School	A	4:30
17 April	LeRoy High School	H	4:30
18 April	Olympia High School (DH)	H	10:00 AM
20 April	Unity High School	H	4:30
21 April	Oakwood High School	H	4:30
22 April	Tri-Valley High School	A	4:30
23 April	Pontiac High School	A	4:30
25 April	Normal Community HS/IVC High School NCHS (DH-round robin)	A	10:00 AM/12:00 PM
27 April	Prairie Central High School	H	4:30
28 April	Rantoul High School	A	4:30
29 April	Oakwood High School	H	4:30
30 April	Charleston High School	H	4:30
4 May	Olympia High School	A	4:30
6 May	TBA	H	4:30
7 May	Monticello High School	H	4:30
8 May	Westville High School	A	4:30
14 May	Mattoon High School	A	4:30
15 May	Champaign Centennial High School	A	4:30
18 May	PBL High School	H	4:30

Five games you won't want miss on the 2020 SJO Softball Schedule

Hopefully, in 21 days time, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls softball team will back on the field.

When the spring sports season finally returns, seniors Zoey Witruk, Hannah Dukeman, Lindsey Aden and IHSA record-holding slugger Bailey Dowling will be a all-star foundation in head coach Larry Sparks' third campaign at the Spartan helm.

Hannah Dukeman takes a swing at a Rantoul pitch during the Spartans home game in 2019. With the threat of Coronavirus infecting much of the US population, high school sports around the nation has been put on hold. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

SJO finished the 2019 season with at 22-10 record logging three regular season shutouts in 2019 including a 4-0 win over Illinois Valley Central, besting Maroa-Forsyth 9-0 and booking a 17-0 victory over another conference rival, St. Thomas More.

As the #2 seed in last year's postseason run, the Spartans gobbled up bases in the quest for a trip to the 2019 state tournament blanking of Illini Prairie Conference foe Monticello 11-0. SJO beat the Sages earlier in regular season play, 13-1.

The Spartans then put the kabash on Maroa-Forsyth's season by way of 5-1 victory win for the regional title. Then came a heartbreaking loss and unexpected halt to their own season after a 4-2 sectional semifinal loss to Olympia.

This season's schedule is brutal, but should have the St. Joseph-Ogden softball team ready for a deep postseason run yet again if the IHSA reinstates the season.

The likelihood unfortunately looking more and more like a long shot after the CDC released a recommendation yesterday limiting mass gatherings for an eight week period. If the state's public health department follows that guideline, that could very well push the season's official start to May 15. With a mandatory 10-day practice period before the first game can be played, that puts the first possible pitch around the 25th of May, just 11 days before the first scheduled state semifinal game at Eastside Centre in East Peoria.

That said, if Illinois spring sports gets the go-ahead as currently planned, there are five regular season contests you don't want to miss. Each should test both players and coach staff.

It will be worth the road trip to Villa Grove, if it can be snuck in on April 7, and to Unity to watch SJO overcome the Rockets on their new turfed softball field.

You won't want to miss the April 16 home game against Bloomington Central Catholic and it would be sinful to skip out on watching what could be an intense rivalry showdown against Olympia at home on May 4.

2020 St. Joseph-Ogden Softball Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home Away	Time
16 March	Mahomet-Seymour High School	H	4:30
17 March	Normal West High School	A	4:30
21 March	TBA @ Casey Westfield (round robin)	A	TBA
23 March	GCMS High School	H	4:30
24 March	Westville High School	H	4:30
25 March	St. Thomas More High School	H	4:30
28 March	Illinois Valley Central High School	H	12:00
1 April	Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin High School	A	4:30
4 April	Rantoul Invite (DH)	A	TBA
6 April	Maroa-Forsyth High School	A	4:30
7 April	Villa Grove High School @ Richman Park	A	4:30
8 April	Heyworth High School	H	4:30
11 April	Tri-Valley High School	H	10:00
13 April	Rantoul High School	A	4:30
15 April	Bishop McNamara High School	H	4:30
16 April	Bloomington Central Catholic High School	H	4:30
17 April	Mattoon High School (DH)	A	4:30
18 April	Herscher High School	H	10:00 AM
20 April	Unity High School	A	4:30
21 April	Mattoon High School	A	4:30
22 April	Mt. Zion High School	A	5:00
23 April	Pontiac High School	H	4:30
25 April	Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School (DH)	H	10:00 AM
27 April	Prairie Central High School	A	4:30
4 May	Olympia High School	H	4:30
6 May	Fisher High School	H	4:30
7 May	Monticello High School	A	4:30
9 May	SJO Softball Triangular (DH)	H	10:00 AM/2:00 PM
11 May	Tuscola High School	A	4:30
12 May	Danville High School	H	4:30
14 May	Clinton High School	A	4:30
15-16 May	Galesburg Tourney (Alexis Fieldhouse: 3 games)	A	TBA
18 May	Charleston High School	A	4:30
19-22 May	IHSA Regionals	A	TBA
23 May	IHSA Regional Championship	A	TBA

2020 JV Softball Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home Away	Time
16 March	Mahomet-Seymour High School @ St. Joseph Community Park	H	4:30
17 March	Normal West High School	A	4:30
23 March	GCMS High School	H	6:00
24 March	Westville High School	H	6:00
26 March	Urbana High School	H	4:30
28 March	Illinois Valley Central High School	H	2:00
1 April	Champaign Centennial High School	H	4:30
6 April	Maroa-Forsyth High School	A	6:00
9 April	OPEN DATE	H	TBA
11 April	Tri-Valley High School	H	12:00
13 April	Rantoul High School	A	4:30
15 April	Bishop McNamara High School	A	5:00
16 April	Bloomington Central Catholic High School	H	6:00
18 April	Herscher High School (DH)	H	12:00
20 April	Unity High School	A	6:00
21 April	Mattoon High School	H	4:30
22 April	Mt. Zion High School	A	5:00
23 April	Pontiac High School	H	6:00
24 April	Champaign Central High School	A	4:30
27 April	Prairie Central High School	A	6:00
4 May	Olympia High School	H	6:00
5 May	Champaign Central High School @ St. Joseph Community Park	H	4:30
6 May	Fisher High School	H	6:00
7 May	Monticello High School	A	6:00
8 May	TBA @ St. Joseph Community Park	H	4:30
11 May	Tuscola High School	A	6:00
14 May	Clinton High School	A	6:00
18 May	Charleston High School	A	6:00

St. Joseph-Ogden soccer schedule set

Champaign - St. Joseph-Ogden's Jackson Greer battles for ball possession in last fall's road soccer game against St. Thomas More. The Spartans, who lost Jackson and 10 seniors in May, will play 11 home games this season at the newly renovated Dick Duval Field this season. SJO finished third in the 2022 Illini Prairie Conference standings with a 4-2 record and 18-5-1 overall.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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2023 SJO Soccer Schedule

8/18/2023 - 5:30 PM	Fall Kick-Off-INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGE	Home
08/21/2023* - 4:30 AM	@ Oakwood High School	AWAY
8/22/2023 - 4:30 PM	vs. Argenta Oreana High School	Home
08/24/2023* - 4:30 PM	vs. Uni High School	Home
8/25/2023 - 4:30 PM	@ Hoopeston Area High School	AWAY
8/26/2023 - 10:00 AM	vs. Iroquois West High School	Home
8/28/2023 - 4:30 PM	@ Schlarman Academy	AWAY
8/30/2023 - 4:15 PM	@ Meridian High School - A-O Soccer Tourney	AWAY
8/31/2023 - 6:00 PM	@ Argenta Oreana High School - A-O Soccer Tourney	AWAY
9/2/2023 - TBA	@ TBA - A-O Soccer Tourney	AWAY
9/4/2023 - 4:30 PM	vs. Bismarck-Henning High School	Home
09/05/2023* - 4:30 PM	vs. Fisher High School	Home
9/7/2023 - 4:30 PM	vs. St. Thomas More High School	Home
9/11/2023 - 4:30 PM	@ Blue Ridge High School	AWAY
9/14/2023 - 4:30 PM	@ Olympia High School	AWAY
9/16/2023 - 10:00 AM	@ Illinois Valley Central High School	AWAY
9/19/2023 - 4:30 PM	vs. Unity High School	Home
9/20/2023 - 4:30 PM	vs. Georgetown Ridge Farm High School	Home
9/25/2023 - 4:30 PM	vs. Champaign Judah Christian High School	Home
9/26/2023 - 4:30 PM	@ Bloomington Central Catholic High School	AWAY
9/28/2023 - 4:30 PM	vs. Rantoul High School	Home
9/29/2023 - 6:00 PM	@ St. Anne High School	AWAY
10/2/2023 - 4:30 PM	@ Watseka High School	AWAY
10/3/2023 - 4:30 PM	vs. Monticello High School	Home
10/5/2023 - 4:30 PM	@ Arthur Lovington High School	AWAY

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Unity basketball tips off tonight

Unity's Blake Kimball dribbles the ball down the floor during first half action in last year's home game against St. Joseph-Ogden. The Rockets will host the Spartans on February 19.

Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

The Unity varsity boys basketball team open their 2021 season on the road tonight at Maroa-Forsyth.

Under normal circumstances due to the COVID-19 state health department protocols, spectator capacity is limited to just 25 spectators for the away team. However, Rocket fans can catch tonight's game on the NFHS network from the comfort of their home at 7pm. The junior varsity contest at 5:30pm will also be streamed.

The cost to watch NFHS Network streaming events start a monthly subscription cost of $10.99 per month. Fans can save almost half of the year fee by purchasing an annual subscription at $69.99. The NFHS will donate a portion of the annual subscription fee to the school you select when you sign up. Schedule and times for all Unity high school and middle school basketball games can be found here.

The Rockets will host seven opponents on their 13-game schedule this season. Here is the current schedule for the 2021.

2021 Unity Boys Basketball Schedule

02/02/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ Maroa Forsyth High School
02/05/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. Paris High School
02/09/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     vs. IVC High School
02/12/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. Pontiac High School
02/16/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ Prairie Central High School
02/19/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. St. Joseph-Ogden High School
02/20/2021     Sat • 3:30 PM     @ PBL High School
02/23/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ Olympia High School
02/26/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. Monticello High School
03/02/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ St. Thomas More High School
03/05/2021     Fri • 7:00 PM     vs. Rantoul High School
03/06/2021     Sat • 4:30 PM     vs. Tuscola High School
03/09/2021     Tue • 7:00 PM     @ Central Catholic High School

Area runners qualify for IHSA state cross country championship on Saturday

Sixty-eight individual runners qualified for the Illinois High School Association's state meet in Peoria this Saturday.

Urbana High School's Celia Barbieri and University High School's Henry Laufenberg qualified as individual competitors. Laufenberg finished in 15th place with a time of 16:55.85 at the St. Teresa sectional last Saturday. Barbieri, a senior, made the cut running the Class 2A race on the same course in 20 minutes, 12.07 seconds.

The remaining 66 runners made of athletes from both St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity, and Urbana will represent their school programs at Detweiller Park.

Unity cross country runner Malia Fairbanks carries the team 2021 cross country sectional plaque after the team was honored during halftime at Saturday's Unity home playoff game against Newton. "We're super excited about going to state," Fairbanks said. "It's crazy how fast the season has gone by." The Rockets' along with girls teams from St. Joseph-Ogden and Uni-High will race for a possible state title at 9am on Saturday at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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St. Joseph-Ogden finished in second place on the mud-soaked course at Hickory Point golf club with 87 points in the 1A race. University High came in 10th place and Unity rounded out The Sentinel area schools in 11th place with 316 points.

It was nearly a clean sweep of the top three places with the three programs The Sentinel covers. The Unity girls team won the sectional title with four runners finishing under the 19 minutes and 47 seconds. The Rockets secured the title with a 13-point advantage over St. Joseph-Ogden, who finished in second place with 75 points. University High finished fourth in the final standings just one point behind Monticello 108.

In Class 2A action, the Urbana boys' team celebrated a fourth-place finish ahead of 14 other programs. Leading the Tigers' contingent over the finish line was senior Sam Lambert who was ninth overall at 16:35.75 and Park Mitchell 15 seconds later at 16:50.51 in 16th place.

Saturday's championship race schedule starts at 9am with Class A girls running first followed by the boys' race at 10a. The Class 2A race featuring Barbieri starts at 11am and the Urbana boys squad will race for the title at noon. The awards ceremonies will occur one hour after the start of the last race for that class.

Below is a list of our area qualifiers.

Boys 1A Qualifiers

Aiden Armstrong (SJO)
EJ Beckett (SJO)
Ethan Blackburn (SJO)
Braden Clampitt (SJO)
Jack Fisher (SJO)
Joe Griebat (SJO)
Mason Guido (SJO)
Holden Jones (SJO)
Charlie Mabry (SJO)
Carson Maroon (SJO)
Isiah Mock (SJO)
Elijah Mock (SJO)
Luke Stegall (SJO)
Payton Wendell (SJO)
Henry Laufenberg (Uni-High)

Girls 1A Qualifiers

Chloe Allen (SJO)
Addie Allen (SJO)
Kaytlyn Baker (SJO)
Chloe Burkhalter (SJO)
Madison Clampitt (SJO)
Savanna Franzen (SJO)
Kailyn Ingram (SJO)
Ava Knap (SJO)
Malorie Sarnecki (SJO)
Taryn Sexton (SJO)
Josie Cler (Unity)
Krystal Crossin (Unity)
Emily Decker (Unity)
Malia Fairbanks (Unity)
Harper Hancock (Unity)
Annabelle Jokisch (Unity)
Caelyn Kleparski (Unity)
Arianna Pruitt-LeFaivre (Unity)
Camryn Reedy (Unity)
Audrey Remole (Unity)
Olivia Shike (Unity)
Sophia Stierwalt (Unity)
Reagen Stringer (Unity)
Erica Woodard (Unity)
Kate Ahmari (Uni-High )
Marina Bowers-Wong (Uni-High)
Stefania Dzhaman (Uni-High)
Edie Hoganson (Uni-High)
Cadi Hu (Uni-High)
Madeleine Keenan (Uni-High)
Bridget Lu (Uni-High)
Kara Mathias (Uni-High)
Erin Smith (Uni-High)
Jeana To (Uni-High)
Grace To (Uni-High)
Maxine Van der donk (Uni-High)
Bonnie Weaver (Uni-High)
Clara Wood (Uni-High)

Boys 1A Qualifiers

Michael Allison (Urbana)
Brian Allison (Urbana)
Julio Angrave (Urbana)
Christian Berry (Urbana)
Hudson Coady (Urbana)
Feras Hamayel (Urbana)
Dereje Jahiel (Urbana)
Sam Lambert (Urbana)
Emmanuel Lokango (Urbana)
Asaph Lokango (Urbana)
Patrick Lyon (Urbana)
Park Mitchell (Urbana)
Jonathan Sanchez-Huanca (Urbana)
Parker Schroeder (Urbana)

Girls 2A Qualifiers

Celia Barbieri (Urbana)

Area girls wrestling qualifiers

Champaign Central, Oakwood, St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity and Urbana will all be represented at the state meet. Several wrestlers captured titles or placed high to secure advancement.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Urbana's Lily Disanto pins Lockport's Rebekah Ramirez during their first-round 235-pound match on Friday, February 28, 2025, on her way to a fourth-place finish at state her junior year. The senior returns to Grossinger Motors Arena for another shot at a state title.

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VIRDEN - Nine area wrestlers are headed to the state stage after qualifying at sectional competition, earning berths in the Illinois High School Association Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals set for Feb. 27-28 in Bloomington at Grossinger Motors Arena.

The group represents programs from Champaign Central High School, Oakwood High School, St. Joseph-Ogden High School, Unity High School and Urbana High School, with each wrestler navigating a deep postseason bracket to extend her season.

At Champaign Central, sophomore Iy'Jah Grant advanced at 170 pounds after battling through the consolation side of the bracket. Grant rebounded from a loss to Granite City’s Demi Barnes, pinning Mahomet-Seymour’s Weitekamp at 4:37 to secure her state berth. She later defaulted due to injury during her bid for third place, but her earlier win guaranteed a spot in Bloomington.

Oakwood will be represented by two qualifiers. Freshman Kate Wochner earned a state bid at 115 pounds, while senior Taylor Owens captured the 155-pound sectional title. Owens, the No. 3 seed, defeated Addison Mabry of Benton and Nahima Mateo of Murphysboro before her opponent could not continue in the championship match’s second period.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Maddie Wells, wrestles Mother Mcauley's Maggie Zuber at last year's state championships. Wells is another area grappler hoping to medal at this year's state tournament.

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St. Joseph-Ogden senior Maddie Wells advanced at 155 pounds with a resilient run through the bracket. After a quick first-round win, Wells dropped into the consolation side following a loss to Freeburg’s Grace Stratton. She responded with three consecutive pins — against Champaign Central’s Onisty Murphy, Civic Memorial’s Izabella Darr and Murphysboro’s Mateo — to clinch a state berth before finishing fourth.

Unity will send two wrestlers to Bloomington, led by junior Ava Beldo at 130 pounds. Beldo went 3-1 at sectionals, advancing to the title match with wins by technical fall, major decision and sudden victory before finishing second to Mt. Zion’s Sidney Cannon. Senior Phoenix Molina remained unbeaten at 235 pounds, going 4-0 to claim the sectional championship and secure her fourth trip to the state finals.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Urbana's Rickasia Ivy wrestles Lincoln-Way Central's Ella Giertuga in their state first-round consolation match 2025. Ivy, who recently earned her 100th win, qualified for her third trip to state after earning the 155 pound title at the North Mac sectional tournament on Saturday. Stronger and better technically, Ivy is heavily favored to finish in the top three.

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Urbana, which placed third in the team standings, qualified three wrestlers. Senior Tamya Terry earned a fourth-place finish at 135 pounds, while junior Rickasia Ivy dominated the 140-pound bracket with three falls, including a first-period win over Granite City’s Audrey Barnes. Ivy, now a three-time state qualifier, also surpassed the 100-win mark for her career. She is the first female Tiger to surpass the milestone. At 235 pounds, senior Lilly Disanto finished second after a finals loss to Molina.

Team results underscored the depth of the sectional field. Edwardsville captured the North Mac sectional title with 132 points, followed by Collinsville and Urbana. The state finals later this month mark the fifth installment of the IHSA girls wrestling championship, with the Illinois High School Association continuing to see participation and competitive depth grow across the state. Lincoln-Way Central will send the largest contingent to Bloomington with seven finalists.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Phoenix Molina is declared winner after pinning Moline's Kirsten Kpoto in their 235 pound match in 2025. Molina qualified for her fourth state appearance on Saturday, celebrating the win with the sectional champion title.

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TAGS: IHSA girls wrestling state qualifiers Bloomington Illinois, Champaign Central Oakwood Unity Urbana girls wrestling state, area high school girls wrestling sectional results Illinois, Bloomington Grossinger Motors Arena girls wrestling finals, local girls wrestling state tournament qualifiers Illinois

Unity, St. Joseph-Ogden send 11 wrestlers to Class 1A sectionals

Eleven area qualifiers emerged from Saturday’s regional meet at Ridgeview High School in Colfax. Five Spartans and six Rockets will compete Friday, February 13, at Olympia High School in the hunt for a berth to state.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ben Wells defends himself against a shot from Prairie Central's Andrew Patino during their bout at the Illini Prairie Conference duals last month. Wells won the regional title for his weight class, advancing to sectionals this weekend.

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COLFAX - The mat narrowed and the margins tightened Saturday at Ridgeview High School, where every takedown carried postseason weight and every whistle pushed area wrestlers closer to Olympia. By the end of the Class 1A regional, 11 wrestlers from Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden had done enough to keep their seasons alive, earning advancement to next Friday’s IHSA Individual Sectional at Olympia High School.

St. Joseph-Ogden sent five wrestlers through, highlighted by two regional champions who controlled their brackets. Sophomore Ben Wells (40-6) delivered a composed performance at 113 pounds, defeating Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley’s Ian Rotramel (30-13) by a 10-4 decision to claim the title. At 285, junior Cam Wagner (28-6) imposed his pace early and often, earning a major decision over GCMS’ Carson Sexton (32-12) to secure another championship for the Spartans.

Unity matched that top-end success with a dominant run from Abram Davidson. The senior capped his day as the Rockets’ lone regional titlist, scoring a technical fall at 3:58 against GCMS junior Cooper Miller (37-10) at 165 pounds, finishing with a 22-7 advantage that underscored his control from start to finish.

Depth carried Unity through the rest of the bracket, with five Rockets finishing as regional runners-up. AJ Daly (35-12) placed second at 138, Hayden Smith (36-12) followed at 144, Devin Glik (24-17) earned a runner-up finish at 150, Ben Mullins (33-14) placed second at 157, and senior Josh Heath (36-11) closed the group with a second-place showing at 175.

St. Joseph-Ogden added critical points and sectional qualifiers through grit in the placement rounds. Senior Vance McComas was the Spartans’ lone runner-up finisher, while Nathan Daly at 150 pounds and Coy Hayes at 165 battled back to secure third-place finishes, each doing enough to extend their postseason run.

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley captured the team championship with 309.5 points. Unity finished second with 158 points, and St. Joseph-Ogden placed third with 142.5, placing both area programs firmly in the sectional conversation heading into Friday.

St. Joseph-Ogden competitors at the regional were: (106) Weston Hubbard, freshman (12-6); (113) Ben Wells, sophomore (37-6); (120) George Hale, sophomore (26-17); (126) Camden Getty, senior (35-9); (144) Alec Bowlin, junior (5-18); (150) Nathan Daly, senior (28-11); (157) Alex Vaughn, junior (25-10); (165) Coy Hayes, senior (35-7); (175) Devan Swisher, senior (18-13); (190) Vance McComas, senior (26-16); (215) Liam Carter, sophomore (29-15); (285) Cam Wagner, junior (25-6).

Unity’s regional lineup included: (106) Vincent Abon, sophomore (23-20); (120) Deklyn Thomas, freshman (5-25); (126) Bryson Williams, freshman (7-28); (132) Sam Hollett, freshman (7-21); (138) AJ Daly, freshman (33-11); (144) Hayden Smith, freshman (34-11); (150) Devin Glik, senior (21-16); (157) Ben Mullins, junior (31-13); (165) Abram Davidson, senior (38-6); (175) Josh Heath, senior (34-10); (190) Bradley Smith, sophomore (24-16); (215) Chason Daly, senior (27-17); (285) Cristian Sellers, senior (10-25).

The sectional round at Olympia High School awaits Friday, February 13, where only the top finishers will punch their tickets to state, and the stakes will rise with every bout.

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TAGS: Unity High School wrestling sectional qualifiers, St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling regional results, IHSA Class 1A wrestling Olympia sectional, Ridgeview wrestling regional results, Illinois high school individual wrestling

Former SJO, Unity athletes earn Dean’s List honors at Western Illinois

MACOMB - Two familiar names from area scoreboards and starting lineups resurfaced this fall in a different column of achievement, one measured not by seconds or batting averages, but by sustained academic excellence.

Former St. Joseph-Ogden standout Kaytlyn Baker and Unity High School alum Ruby Tarr were both named to Western Illinois University’s Fall 2025 Dean’s List, recognition reserved for students who post a grade-point average of at least 3.6 while carrying a full academic load. Their inclusion places them among 970 undergraduate students honored universitywide, including 63 at the WIU-Quad Cities campus.

Baker, now a junior from St. Joseph, built her high school reputation as one of the area’s most versatile hurdlers. Competing for St. Joseph-Ogden, she qualified for the IHSA Class 1A state meet in three events, the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the 4x400-meter relay. Her signature race was the 300 hurdles, where she posted a personal-best time of 48.75 seconds.

At Western Illinois, Baker has continued to progress as a member of the Leathernecks track and field program. During the most recent outdoor season, she placed 13th in the Ohio Valley Conference finals in the 400 hurdles. She recorded a collegiate best of 2:36.58 in the 800 meters at the 2025 Kip Janvrin Open and added an indoor personal best of 1:07.40 in the 400 meters at the Bob Teel Invitational. Her season also included a first-place finish in the 400 hurdles at the SLU Alumni Invite, underscoring her continued development at the collegiate level.

Tarr, a sophomore from Sidney, arrived at Western Illinois with an already decorated résumé from Unity High School softball. Over four varsity seasons, she earned a steady stream of conference, area and state honors. Her accolades included multiple All-Conference and All-Area selections, three second-team All-State honors, and recognition as Unity High School’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2024.

That momentum carried seamlessly into her first collegiate season. As a true freshman, Tarr appeared in all 48 games for the Leathernecks, ranking second on the team in hits with 45 and doubles with 13. She posted a .333 batting average and a .424 on-base percentage, performance that earned her a spot on the All-OVC Newcomer Team.

Also earning Dean’s List recognition from Champaign County were senior Grace Miller of Champaign and sophomore Abigail Strack of Mahomet.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must complete at least 12 graded credit hours while maintaining a GPA equivalent to an A average. For Baker and Tarr, the honor reflects a familiar pattern, excelling where preparation meets opportunity, whether on the track, the softball diamond or in the classroom.

To view the complete list of fall 2025 recipients, follow this link.

TAGS: Western Illinois University Dean’s List Fall 2025, Kaytlyn Baker St. Joseph-Ogden track career, Ruby Tarr Unity High School softball achievements, Champaign County student-athlete academic honors, WIU Leathernecks student-athlete success

Photo Gallery | Rivals clash, Spartans defeat Rockets to remain undefeated

Another classic gridiron clash between historic rivals in the books. Here's 30 photos from Friday night's game between Unity and St.Joseph-Ogden.

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Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

by Clark Brooks
Sentinel Sports

TOLONO - With spectators packed nearly two deep along the end zones and temperatures still in the low 80s after sunset, St. Joseph-Ogden gave the capacity crowd something unusual to watch Friday night: a Spartan offensive campaign that barely needed its potent passing game.

SJO scored four touchdowns on the ground and added just one through the air in a 38-23 victory over Unity.

Lane McKinney led the Spartans with 16 carries for 110 yards and added 7 receiving yards on a trick play. Kaden Wedig finished with 56 rushing yards, including 49 on SJO's opening series for a touchdown, and led the receiving corps with 47 yards. Brock Franzen had one catch for 15 yards.

Logan Umbarger provided the workhorse effort, carrying 17 times for 57 yards.

McKinney's only passing touchdown came on a 13-yard completion to Logan Wedig. The Spartans scored three times in the opening quarter, added another touchdown in the second and put the final nail in the coffin with a fourth-quarter score.

Unity's offense struggled to keep pace early. The Spartan defense held the Rockets to a field goal in the first half before Unity finally reached the end zone with 1:42 remaining in the third quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Cheely. The Rockets added two more scores in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough.

Michael Hardin led Unity's ground game with 15 carries for 79 yards, while quarterback Carter Schmid ran 11 times for 47 yards.

Next up for both teams

The victory improved SJO to 4-0. The Spartans return home Friday to face Rantoul in the Homecoming weekend game.

Unity dropped to 2-2 and will travel to Pontiac on Sept. 18.

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TAGGED: St. Joseph-Ogden football vs Unity, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans 38-23 victory, Unity Rockets high school football, St. Joseph-Ogden 4-0 football season, Champaign County high school football scores