1. Kate Foltz, Tuscola (16:02.82)
2. Emily Decker, Unity (17:11.44)
3. Mackenzie Pound, Unity (17:51.90)
4. Savanna Franzen, St. Joseph-Ogden (18:11.90)
5. Ellie Emberson, Fisher (18:20.76)
6. Grace Bressner, St. Joseph-Ogden (18:29.91)
7. Callie Richardson, Oakwood (18:37.25)
8. Tessa Walker, St. Joseph-Ogden (19:09.89)
9. Audrey McCoy, Paxton-Buckley-Loda (19:16.19)
10. Josie Cler, Unity (19:21.96)
11. Kyla Franckey, Paxton-Buckley-Loda (19:31.36)
12. Clara Knutson, Urbana University (19:33.73)
13. Ashlyn Denney, Unity (19:49.92)
14. Maddison DeOrnellas, Paxton-Buckley-Loda (19:50.27)
15. Camryn Reedy, Unity (19:50.54)
16. Leah Phipps, Chrisman (19:58.32)
17. Cadence Scheunemann, Urbana University (20:01.33)
18. Ella Ylagan, Urbana University (20:05.78)
19. Abigail Bello, St. Joseph-Ogden (20:19.70)
20. Molly Baxley, Unity (20:20.06)
Uni-High girls finish fourth at Tuscola cross country regional
TUSCOLA - The Urbana University girls cross country team placed fourth at the regional race held at Wimple Park in Tuscola on Saturday.
Despite the crisp fall weather, with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees, the Illineks' top three runners set personal bests in the three-mile race.
Freshman Clara Knutson led the way for Urbana University, finishing 12th overall in 19:33.73, breaking her previous best of 19:54.8.
Cadence Scheunemann, a sophomore, also set a new personal record, placing 17th in 20:01.33, improving upon her previous best of 20:31.2. Junior Ella Ylagan rounded out the top three for the Illineks, finishing 18th overall with a time of 20:05.78, surpassing her previous best of 20:10.7.
Urbana University's other two scoring runners were Shriya Nagaraj (32nd, 21:12.66) and Julia Smith (41st, 22:16.49).
Unity won the team title with a score of 40, followed by St. Joseph-Ogden (70), Paxton-Buckley-Loda (94), and Urbana University (106). The top seven teams advance to next Saturday's sectional race at Cumberland High School, including runners from Oakwood, St.Thomas More, and Tuscola.
Top 20 Finishers
Keywords: Urbana University girls cross country, Regional cross country race, Personal bests, Top 20 runners, Unity High School, St. Joseph-Ogden
Area football playoff schedule
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Running back Garrett Richardson carries the ball in the Unity's home game against IVC. Richardson and the Rockets travel to Roxana to take on the Shells in round one of the 2024 IHSA football playoffs. Below is a list of locations and game times for Sentinel area football programs.
Friday, November 1
@ Cumberland .::. 7 pm (6) Toledo (Cumberland) (7-2)
(11) Tuscola (5-4)
@ Elmwood-Brimfield .::. 7 pm
(4) Elmwood-Brimfield (8-1)
(13) Oakwood (5-4)
@ Mahomet-Seymour .::. 7 pm
(3) Mahomet-Seymour (7-2)
(14) Sacred Heart-Griffin (5-4)
Saturday, November 2
@ Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley .::. 1 pm (3) Gibson City (Melvin-Sibley) (8-1)
(14) Salt Fork (5-4)
@ Monmouth-Roseville .::. 4 pm
(6) Monmouth-Roseville (8-1)
(11) Paxton-Buckley-Loda (6-3)
@ St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 2 pm
(1) St. Joseph-Ogden (9-0)
(16) West Frankfort (5-4)
@ Roxana .::. 2:30 pm
(8) Roxana (7-2)
(9) Unity (6-3)
@ Monticello .::. 2 pm
(6) Monticello (7-2)
(11) DuQuoin (H.S.) (6-3)
Guest Commentary | "I believe she will be much worse"
by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator
This may be the most frightening Halloween of all time. People across America are scared stiff as we are bombarded 24-hours a day with terrifying scenes splashed across television, our telephones and tablets. We can’t get away from the howls, screeches, growls, ghastly facial expressions and horned headed characters spewing menacing rhetoric. All of this has been brought to us by our Democratic and Republican parties.
The scariest part of Halloween is that there will be five more days of political campaigning and political advertisements. But wait, what happens if the election is so close and so tight that a winner is not able to be called next Tuesday night? What happens if the voting is so close that several of the states must recount and recount? We could be in for the longest Halloween in American history.
We are already scared to death. Democrats hate Trump and are terrified he might win. There is no limit on what is being said about him. Any woman who will come forth with a damaging comment about Trump will have the national spotlight. Anyone who can come up with a scenario that would make Trump the illegitimate son or grandson of Hitler will receive airtime on national television. Of course, Republicans will play Kamala’s bloopers, giggles and nonsensical answers time and again. By the way, whatever happened to the Obama slogan, “Whenever they go low, we go high?”
Just hope, and I mean hope and pray that whoever wins this election wins decisively so that when we go to bed either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning that we know for certain who has been elected President of the United States.
Most everyone knows I’ve already voted for Trump. This doesn’t make me hate you if you vote for Kamala Harris. I just think you are making a bad decision. There are probably other people who write for this very good news source who have a differing opinion. What makes a newspaper or news blog good is the ability to print both sides of a viewpoint. Most of us long for the old days when television anchors presented the news and all sides of the story.
Trump is strong on border security. It’s a no-brainer that our country is in trouble with so many millions illegally entering the country. We are losing our country. We are becoming a third world country right before our eyes.
Our military and Veterans were treated well under Trump. We need a strong military. We had achieved worldwide peace under Trump. What is going on between Ukraine and Russia and now North Korea is draining our country financially. The billions of dollars never seem to stop flowing out to Ukraine. The Middle East is now a powder keg that could ignite World War III.
I can’t see Kamala Harris commanding respect from any of the other world leaders in discussions to solve the conflicts. What would she do? Call Oprah, Taylor Swift, or Beyonce?
Trump has promised he will do away with seniors paying tax on their social security benefits. This would save 70 million seniors in this country. Trump’s policy on energy will be a boom to the United States. America drills oil and gas and burns both cleaner than any other nation. China, India and Russia are going to continue with oil and gas. We can do it much cleaner than them and financially save our country. We should also use our own wind, oil, gas and coal. A balanced approach will help our nation as well as our entire planet.
With Kamala we will get four more years of what we’ve had, maybe. She won’t be as good as Joe Biden. I believe she will be much, much worse. Will she be able to take the abortion issue away from the states? It is doubtful. For years, Congress wanted to put this in the hands of the states and it is unlikely it will ever be taken away.
On Wednesday, November 6th, we are still Americans. We need to act like it regardless of the election outcome. We must work for the good of this country and always work to help each other be the best Americans we can be.
On November 6th, let’s end Halloween and begin our season of Thanksgiving.

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.
Tigers exit soccer postseason in a heartbreaking thriller
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
With Mahomet-Seymour defender Ethan Ramirez on his heals, Urbana's Nana Winner fires a shot on the Mahomet-Seymour goal. Winner missed the mark on the second half shot that could have extended the Tigers' season another week.
URBANA - In a thrilling display of skill and determination, the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs clinched their second consecutive regional title in a nail-biting penalty shootout against the Urbana Tigers. The game, played on a chilly day at Randy Blackman Field in Urbana on Friday, was a testament to the grit and tenacity of both teams, with neither able to break the deadlock in regulation time or the two 10-minute overtime periods.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Bulldogs' Travis Hoffman and Tigers' Matthew Bodony leap to win a header during second half action. Despite controlling the tempo and their aggressive attacks on the Mahomet-Seymour goal in the second half, Urbana could not catch a break getting the ball in the net.
Left: Urbana's Isaac Quintas keeps the ball away from a Mahomet-Seymour challenger. Middle: Hayden Litteken makes a diving save for the Bulldogs before Tigers' Fortunel Nana could tap the ball to finish. Right: UHS' Hayden Barton takes possession of the ball in the second half. Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Urbana, 11-9-1 for the season, matched its opponents, kick for kick, in the shootout under the lights until the seventh, a miss that handed the IHSA championship plaque to Mahomet-Seymour (16-7-2). Bulldogs' Kade Smith, a freshman who didn't miss, slipped the ball into the Urbana goal for the win. Mahomet-Seymour, no stranger to postseason drama, had previously won their regional semifinal match against Mt. Zion in overtime earlier in the week, handing the Braves a 3-2 loss via the decisive goal in the first overtime session. With the victory, Mahomet-Seymour advances to the Warrensburg-Latham sectional, where they will face Glenwood High School on Wednesday at 4 pm. The winner of that match will take on the victor of the other sectional semifinal between Champaign Centennial (13-7-2) and Springfield High School (16-7), both of whom finished third in their respective athletic conferences.
Keywords: Mahomet-Seymour soccer, Urbana soccer, Regional title match, Penalty kick shootout, Illinois high school soccer, Hayden Litteken
Despite earlier milestones, Spartans soccer season ends with loss to Pioneers
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Exhausted and heartbroken, junior Zach Harper (standing) and senior Logan Mills take a moment to regain their composure after Spartans' season-ending loss to Normal U-High at the Monticello Sectional on Saturday.
MONTICELLO - St. Joseph-Ogden’s remarkable soccer season came to a close on Saturday as they fell 6-0 to Normal University High School in the sectional semifinal at Monticello’s soccer complex. The Spartans, who had been dominant throughout the season, were held scoreless for the first time all year in a tough matchup against the defending Class 1A state runner-up. The loss marked only the Spartans' third defeat of the season, finishing with a 22-3-1 record. Despite the disappointment, SJO can look back on a historic campaign, having scored 172 goals this season, more than any other team in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history, regardless of class. The Spartans also set a program record with 22 wins, showcasing the team’s growth and offensive prowess. Coming into the sectional semifinal on the back of a five-game winning streak, where they outscored opponents 45-5, the Spartans had every reason to be confident. However, U-High’s precision and disciplined play proved too much to handle. The Pioneers, now 21-5-1, displayed their experience and senior leadership, especially in the first half, where they quickly established control of the match by scoring four goals. U-High’s defense was equally impressive. Known for their tight formations and tactical discipline, the Pioneers managed to stifle SJO’s high-powered offense throughout the game. The Spartans, who had averaged nine goals per match in their previous five games, struggled to create meaningful chances. Normal’s defense consistently denied the Spartans any scoring opportunities, particularly during the first 28 minutes of the second half when SJO was desperately searching for a breakthrough. The Spartans’ best opportunity came late in the match when Zach Harper broke free of U-High’s defensive line with just over five minutes left. Harper’s one-on-one chance against Pioneer goalkeeper Noah Grieshaber could have ended SJO’s scoring drought, but Grieshaber came up with a crucial stop, preserving the shutout and sealing the Pioneers’ victory.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Mills tries to dribble the ball around Normal University's Bryce Nicolas-Penn (right) and Connor Evans during the first half.
Normal U-High’s balanced performance, marked by precise passing and organized teamwork, propelled them into the sectional final. They will face Fisher-GCMS (20-3-1) on Tuesday in what promises to be a highly competitive match. For St. Joseph-Ogden, Saturday’s defeat brought an end to a memorable season. Led by seniors like Alexis Acosta Reyes, Carter Turner, and Logan Mills, the Spartans will be remembered for their record-breaking offensive achievements and their resilience throughout the year. In head coach Chris Stevens’ second term, the Spartans compiled an impressive 36-11-1 record over two seasons, cementing their status as one of the top programs in Class 1A. As the Spartans reflect on a year filled with highlights, including three more wins than any previous team in program history, the foundation is in place for a successful campaign in 2025. With underclassmen like Harper and sophomore goalkeeper Jaxson Colvin set to return next season, the future remains bright for St. Joseph-Ogden soccer. This year's team seniors included Alexis Acosta Reyes, Carson Sharp, Carter Turner, Davin Alvarez, Eli Birt, Logan Mills, Logan Patton, and Will Besson. Juniors on the squad included Branson Pearman, Rudra Chaudhary, Chris Coffey, Cooper Kietzman, Quinn Stahl, and Zach Harper. Jaxson Colvin, Nicholas Harris, Skyler Graham, Steven Newman, Tyler Hess, Waylon Jones, and Yadiel Acosta Reyes made up the sophomore class, with Hunter Cler as the only freshman on this year's varsity squad. Stevens was assisted this season by Dan Ahart and Marcus Harris.
Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer sectional semifinal, SJO vs Normal U-High soccer playoff
Illinois high school soccer Class 1A, Normal University High soccer win over SJO, IHSA soccer playoff results 2023, SJO soccer record-breaking season
It’s time to talk about rural mental health challenges

In farming, you often have to work even when you're not feeling well. There are no options to call off or get substitutes when you need time off. The strong work ethic passed down from fathers to sons (and daughters in many cases) is admirable, but it can lead to medical issues if not managed properly.
Photo: Melissa Mayes/PEXELS

OSF Healthcare

Lea Anne Varble
The issues
Varble says stress and isolation are often experienced by people living in a rural setting, such as a farmer. There’s also a desire to be self-sufficient – a trope associated with farmers and other rural residents for decades.
“People living rurally often are independent. So, when stress comes, they want to handle it on their own,” Varble says.
Varble also knows the issues – stress, anxiety and even depression – of planting and harvest season.
“Hours and hours,” in the field, she says. “You’re expected to keep working even if you don’t feel well. Even if the stress is getting to you. You have to get up and do it again. Or at least that’s what your father before you did and his father before him.”
The work ethic can be admirable, but it can lead to medical issues if left unchecked.
And, the heads of some rural households are caring for two generations: their kids and their parents. School, chronic illnesses and advanced care planning are just more things to add to the to-do list. Varble adds that older adults in a rural setting are more likely to see themselves as a burden and choose to end their life.
Treatment
Varble says getting better starts simply with noticing the problem and talking about it with a trusted adult, like a friend, family member, faith leader or a medical professional.
The good news is that mental health professionals have made strides in this area, such as telemedicine and mobile health services. And society is more willing to talk about mental health. Farming magazines have articles on mental health, for example.
Other ways to help that Varble has picked up over the years:
- Get to know your neighbors and local organizations, like churches and businesses. Then, lean on them for help when the stress gets to be too much.
- Look into resources offered by state or federal agencies. In Illinois, where Varble works, the Family Farm Resource Initiative operates a 24/7 hotline and email.
“Individuals can receive support from trained professionals who understand the unique challenges faced by those in the agricultural sector,” the initiative website states. “The helpline offers specialized assistance, including mental health resources and agriculture-related support, ensuring that farm families have access to the help they need.”
- Health care professionals should encourage people with rural backgrounds to become therapists.



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What da funk? A stinky body can be a sign of a health issue
Death, taxes and body odor.
They’re things we can all expect in life, no matter how clean you are. But health care providers want you to know when body odor is a sign of a more serious health problem.
B.O. basics
Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says sweat and bacteria are the main culprits behind body odor. Warmth and moisture in parts of the body (like your armpits and feet), plus going through puberty and general poor hygiene, can make the smell worse.