St. Joseph-Ogden edges Unity for Illini Prairie XC title

RANTOUL - St. Joseph-Ogden’s depth paid off a week ago today as the Spartans claimed the Illini Prairie Conference boys cross country title with 62 points, narrowly defeating Unity, which finished second with 84 points. The Spartans placed all five of their scoring runners in the top 18, holding off a strong individual performance from Unity’s Camden Fairbanks, who won the race.

Fairbanks, a junior, took the individual title, finished the course in a personal-record 15 minutes, 33.1 seconds. Fairbanks beat his previous best by over 11 seconds, adding another stellar result to his season, which includes a 15:44.7 at the Spartan Classic last month. Unity’s second finisher, junior Eli Crowe, placed seventh with a time of 16:04.3, just shy of his personal best of 15:19.7 from the Spartan Classic.

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While Unity boasted the top individual, St. Joseph-Ogden’s pack running proved the difference. Junior Lance Retz led the SJO, finishing sixth overall with a personal-best 16:03.0, improving his time by 18 seconds from his previous PR. Sophomore Colin Burnett also set a new personal record, finishing 11th in 16:20.2, a substantial improvement from his earlier season performances.

St. Joseph-Ogden’s next three finishers — sophomore Nate Farney (13th, 16:24.3), senior Jack Fisher (14th, 16:26.9), and senior EJ Beckett (18th, 16:37.7) — ensured the team maintained its edge over Unity. Their tightly packed grouping helped secure the team’s first-place finish, with just 34 seconds separating the Spartans’ top five.

Pontiac rounded out the top three in the team standings with 88 points, led by junior Peyton Beebe’s third-place finish (15:53.4).

Unity’s runners, while putting up solid performances, couldn’t overcome the overall depth of St. Joseph-Ogden. Behind Fairbanks and Crowe, UHS’ next finisher was junior Collin Graven, who finished 12th in 16:22.1. But the Rockets’ final two scorers, Carter Tiemann (29th, 17:16.0) and Ryan Akers (35th, 17:33.0), left them with too much ground to make up.

The meet, held at Brookhill Golf Course, saw four runners finish under 16 minutes, with the next four narrowly missing that mark. Unity’s Fairbanks set the pace from the start and maintained a strong lead to claim the victory, but SJO’s ability to keep their top runners close together proved decisive in the team competition.

Team Standings:
1. St. Joseph-Ogden – 62
2. Unity – 84
3. Pontiac – 88
4. Illinois Valley Central – 102
5. Monticello – 120
6. Prairie Central – 161
7. Central Catholic – 169
8. Rantoul – 175
9. St. Thomas More – 213
10. Paxton-Buckley-Loda – 231

Top 10 Individual Finishers:
1. Camden Fairbanks, Unity – 15:33.1
2. River Derby, Monticello – 15:41.6
3. Peyton Beebe, Pontiac – 15:53.4
4. Cam Fenton, Pontiac – 15:57.2
5. Aiden Duhs, Illinois Valley Central – 16:00.5
6. Lance Retz, St. Joseph-Ogden – 16:03.0
7. Eli Crowe, Unity – 16:04.3
8. Tim Sikorski, Monticello – 16:05.8
9. Wade Cloninger, Rantoul – 16:14.0
10. Philip Lee, St. Thomas More – 16:20.0


St. Joe-Ogden Athletics

Running local races? Keep your feet healthy

Runners keep a steady pace while running down McHenry Street during the 2023 Illinois Marathon. From buying new shoes regularly to stretching ankles and toes, foot self-care is key to improving competitive performance.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

StatePoint Media - Whether you’re a novice jogger embarking on a couch-to-5K program or a marathoner serious about racking up finishers’ medals, it’s critical you take great care of your feet.

“Running is an amazing form of cardiovascular exercise, but because it’s a high-impact sport that involves repeated trauma to the feet, everyone from long-distance runners to casual joggers is at risk for developing painful and debilitating foot conditions,” says Bryce A. Paschold, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).

To help you identify signs of some of the more common foot issues associated with running so you can get proper treatment before the condition keeps you from the activity you love, the foot and ankle surgeon members of ACFAS are offering the following insights:

Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is perhaps the most common complaint from runners. Presenting as heel pain, it’s caused by inflammation of the ligament that holds up the arch. At the first sign of heel pain, Dr. Paschold advises runners to stretch the calf, wear sturdier shoes and use arch supports. In some cases, icing and anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, are helpful. Should pain continue, visit a foot and ankle surgeon, who might recommend custom orthotics, injections and physical therapy.

Neuromas: A neuroma is a pinched nerve between the toes that can cause pain, numbness and a burning sensation in the ball of the foot. Overly flexible shoes are often the cause, and padding, orthotics or injections are usually effective treatments.

Tendonitis: Runners can be sidelined with tendonitis if they ignore the warning signs of this overuse condition. There are several forms of tendonitis that affect the Achilles and other areas, and all are treated with rest, icing, strengthening, stretching and anti-inflammatory medications, and sometimes with orthotics and physical therapy. Because overzealous training is usually the cause, especially among beginners, it’s important to ramp up mileage and speed gradually. A running coach can tailor your training plan to your current fitness level.

Broken bones: Don’t assume that because you’re able to run, your foot is not fractured. Signs of a stress fracture can include pain, swelling, redness and possibly bruising. If a fracture is suspected, remember to practice RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). You should also see a foot and ankle surgeon for an X-ray and proper diagnosis. Remember that like with other overuse injuries, stress fractures are often brought on by trying to do too much too soon. A general rule of thumb is to increase mileage by no more than 10 percent week to week.

Lisfranc injuries: One misstep can lead to a sprain, fracture or dislocation of the Lisfranc joint. Consider wearing a headlamp in low lighting for surer footing. It is also a good idea to incorporate exercises into your regimen that will keep ankles and feet mobile and strong.

“While completing a marathon or even longer distance race may seem like the ultimate goal, it’s wise for new runners to start with shorter races first. This conservative approach will keep your feet in good shape so you’re able to run pain-free for years to come,” says Dr. Paschold. “And of course, it’s vital to listen to your body and seek care from a foot and ankle surgeon whenever a foot problem is suspected.”

For more information on foot care or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Read our latest health and medical news

26.2 mile course is back for the Illinois Marathon

URBANA - Ryan Somerfield grabs a quick drink while running down Washington Avenue while running in the Illinois Half Marathon in 2023. The 26.2-mile race was canceled for a second year last April because of the lack of available law enforcement staffing from Champaign and Urbana to provide course security and traffic management. The marathon is back in the race lineup in two weeks, along with the half marathon, 10K, and 5K race on Friday. Somerfield, from San Francisco, finished 29th overall and 8th in his age division with 141 male runners 25-29. He completed the course in 1:18:41.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks


Area runners finished in the top spots at the Mountain Goat race

OAKWOOD - One hundred and thirty-nine runners took part in this year's KRR Mountain Goat trail race last Saturday. The 37th installment of the race featured three separate events. Runners could choose to run a 15K (3 loops), 10K (2 loops), or 5K (1 loop) race.

Daniel Chen runs down Washington Ave in Urbana during the 2023 Illinois Half Marathon. Chen finished in 39th place overall at the Mountain Goat 15K race on Saturday, completing the course at 1:40:48.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Justin Jones of St. Joseph won the 15K run, finishing his three laps in 54 minutes and 21 seconds. The win comes on the heels of a third-place overall finish at Siberian Express held in January Kennukuk State Park.

The Mountain Goat is one of 24 races in the East Central Illinois annual race circuit. The next race in the series is the Clinton Trails Ultra on March 30. Organizers will host two events this year for long-distance runners, a 30-miler, which starts at 7 am, and a 10-miler starts at 8 am.

Our list of area finishers is below.


Men 5K ~

1. Rowan Denmark-Collins (Homer) 0:17:54; 2. Isaias Diaz (Hoopeston) 0:19:19; 4. Jace Jones (Saint Joseph) 0:25:41; 6. Greg Denman (Danville) 0:27:41; 7. Walter Smith (Gifford) 0:29:08; 9. Marshall Quick (Rantoul) 0:29:42; 13. Jason Colwell (Champaign) 0:31:47; 16. Zachary Ruhter (Sidney) 0:33:17; 19. Nick Farmer (Champaign) 0:35:35; 23. Jeremy Ruhter (Sidney) 0:37:11; 26. Stephen Johnson (Sadorus) 0:39:25; 27. Richard Roth (Champaign) 0:39:43; 28. Brian Barto (Philo) 0:39:48; 29. Thiago Lopes (Champaign) 0:40:19; 32. Sean O’Callaghan (Oakwood) 0:42:47; 36. Steven Wayne (Champaign) 0:48:09; and 39. Jason Asaad (Catlin) 0:50:30.

Women 5K ~

8. Samantha Smith (Gifford) 0:29:17; 10. Stacy Wells (Tilton) 0:29:50; 15. Deanna Hines (Danville) 0:32:56; 17. Amy Carley (Danville) 0:33:23; 18. Lorri Howes (Bement) 0:34:54; 22. Abilene Ruhter (Sidney) 0:36:54; 24. Amber Plotner (Fairmount) 0:37:47; 25. Sarah Colwell (Champaign) 0:38:11; 30. Kathy Wicks (Homer) 0:41:02; 38. Sue Wantland (Catlin) 0:50:26; and 40. Ramona Rollins (Danville) 1:00:14.

Mens 10K ~

2. Aaron Miller (Champaign) 0:49:28; 4. Tim Shelton (Danville) 0:53:30; 5. Cody Marsh (Catlin) 0:55:22; 10. Robert Ogden (Sidney) 0:58:59; 12. Jay Hoeflinger (Urbana) 1:01:43; 14. Nathan Parsons (Savoy) 1:04:56; 26. Teresa Cronk (Danville) 1:27:51; and 27. Shane Rowe (Danville) 1:27:52.

Womens 10K ~

6. Paula Tankersley (St. Joseph) 0:56:54; 11. Mara Thacker (Urbana) 1:00:26; 15. Jennifer Russell (Mahomet) 1:05:41; 17. Liz Paunicka (Champaign) 1:07:00; 18. Karen Roth (Danville) 1:07:53; 19. MinJee Lee (Savoy) 1:08:19; 21. Kate Fair (Champaign) 1:12:06; and 24. Nancy Boose (Georgetown) 1:19:14.

Mens 15K ~

1. Justin Jones (St. Joseph) 0:54:21; 2. Charles Fogelman (Champaign) 1:02:23; 3. Luke Morrison (Urbana) 1:03:13; 4. Michael Burk (Champaign) 1:06:17; 5. Justin Seno (Champaign) 1:07:53; 7. Ryan Anderson (St. Joseph) 1:11:39; 8. Timothy Merrell (Bismarck) 1:12:24; 9. Michael Tankersley (St. Joseph) 1:12:36; 10. Paul O’Neil (Urbana) 1:16:23; 12. Richard Mann (Urbana) 1:18:26; 15. Scott Olthoff (Savoy) 1:19:34; 16. Mark Dixon (Urbana) 1:20:05; 20. Patrick Carley (Danville) 1:23:04; 25. Brad Giffel (Urbana) 1:29:51; 28. Jim Fair III (Champaign) 1:31:29; 29. Thomas Corda (Anderson) 1:31:58; 31. Nikita Borisov (Urbana) 1:33:14; 33. Joe Grosso (Fisher) 1:34:39; 35. Brock Gale (Danville) 1:38:09; 36. Devin Rittenhouse (Champaign) 1:39:03; 38. Christopher Korose (Urbana) 1:40:05; 39. Daniel Chen (Champaign) 1:40:48; 46. Steve Darling (Oakwood) 1:43:30; 49. Joe Barnes (Mahomet) 1:46:13; and 51. Jarrod Scheunemann (Champaign) 1:46:28.

Womens 15K ~

17. Jennifer White (Danville) 1:20:22; 19. Nicole Olson (St. Joseph) 1:22:33; 22. Brooke DiBello (Sidney) 1:28:37; 23. Brittany Cain (Danville) 1:28:50; 26. Nicole Lake Olmo (Savoy) 1:30:40; 27. Whitney Patel (Savoy) 1:30:40; 30. Megan Parsons (Savoy) 1:32:46; 34. Sarah Lipps (Champaign) 1:37:41; 37. Brenda Straka (Urbana) 1:39:35; 40. Alison Ball (Champaign) 1:41:24; 44. Lynne Hoveln (Sidney) 1:43:21; 45. Tina Holley (Danville) 1:43:30; 48. Amy Bailey (St. Joseph) 1:46:05; 50. Jessie Scheunemann (Champaign) 1:46:27; 52. Giang Lam (Champaign) 1:49:57; 53. Laura Owen (Sadorus) 1:55:06; 54. Leslie Hammersmith (Sadorus) 1:55:07; 55. Rebecca Reck (Urbana) 1:57:39; 56. Adrianne Thompson (Danville) 1:57:49; 57. Debra Studniarz (Champaign) 1:58:05; 58. Haley Speciale (Champaign) 1:58:55; 59. Alyssa Guzman (Champaign) 1:59:01; 60. Nancy McCarty (Champaign) 1:59:35; 61. Ellen Vore (Urbana) 2:00:02; 64. Caroline Tonozzi (Savoy) 2:01:24; and 65. Nikki Campbell (St. Joseph) 2:06:36.


Tigers run at Peoria Invite, Stori top finisher for the UHS

PEORIA -- The Urbana girls' cross country team finished 23rd in the team standings out of 34 teams at the Peoria Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, October 1.

Senior Maya Stori led the Tigers' squad to the finish line circumventing the course at Detweiller Park in 20 minutes and 6.49 seconds in the Class 1A/2A race. 80th overall, she finished behing Bloomington's Alexandra Noona and ahead of Morton's Cali Fitzgerald.

Later, Stori was followed into the chute by teammate Abby Fairbanks, who stopped the clock at 20:10.80 for best time in the 3-mile distance this season. Prior to Saturday's race, Fairbanks' top finish this season was 21:09.70.

Also scoring points for UHS were Ellie Scully, Noam Kramer, and Kaleigh Bell. Scully finish 158th at 21:50.16, Kramer 180th at 22:34.20, and Kaleigh Bell finished out the top-five runners with a time of 22:37.05, good for 182nd overall.

Lavie Maisha and Brianne Wefel finished the race with times of 22:55.61 and 23:18.61 respectively.

The 1A/2A title was won by Crystal Lake South with 88 points. Dunlap tallied 105 points to take second, and Glenwood finished third in the team standings with 148 points.

The Tigers will run again this Tuesday on the University of Illinois Cross Country Course at the annual Twin City Meet and then again on Saturday for the Big 12 Conference title back at Detweiller Park.

Ankle sprains are not the same as strains, here's how they are different

Photo: PhotoNews Media
StatePoint Media -- As fall sports heat up for kids, so do 5Ks, marathons and golf tournaments for adults, leading to ankle sprains for athletes of all ages.

"Both serious athletes and weekend warriors often underestimate how serious a sprain can be, and they rush back into action without taking time to rehabilitate the injury properly," says Michael J. Cornelison, DPM, FACFAS, foot and ankle surgeon and president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). "While no one enjoys being sidelined from the physical activities they love, quickly diagnosing and treating an ankle injury expedites the healing process. It also reduces the chances of long-term, chronic ankle pain."

To help people manage this painful injury properly, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is sharing some important insights and facts:

What is an ankle sprain? An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments, usually on the outside of the ankle. The severity depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn or completely torn, as well as on the number of ligaments involved. Ankle sprains are not the same as strains, which affect muscles rather than ligaments.

What are the causes of ankle sprains? Sprained ankles often result from a fall, a sudden twist or a blow that forces the ankle joint out of its normal position. Sometimes ankle sprains occur because of congenital conditions or previous injuries.

"I always recommend that those who’ve suffered sprains and injuries in the past get their ankles checked for chronic instability as they start new fitness routines," says Dr. Cornelison.

Do ankle sprains require a doctor’s visit? Those with ankle injuries should see a foot and ankle surgeon any time there is bruising or the inability to bear weight on that foot. Receiving a correct diagnosis is essential as different injuries require different treatment. An examination can determine if there is a fracture — which involves a crack or break in the bones that form the ankle joint. It can also differentiate between a high ankle sprain and a lateral ankle sprain.

Can an athlete play through the pain? Whether training for a 5K or quarterbacking for a high school team, getting back in the game is often a patient’s top concern, and athletes may experience pressure from teammates and coaches to play through pain. But rehabilitation of a sprained ankle needs to begin right away. If rehabilitation is delayed, the injury may be less likely to heal properly, and may lead to chronic ankle instability, which is not only painful, but can increase the risk of additional ankle sprains down the line.

How are ankle sprains treated? Most ankle injuries require no surgical intervention, according to Dr. Cornelison, who stresses that foot and ankle surgeons will always choose the most conservative treatment for the best long-term outcomes. In addition to rest, ice, compression and elevation, (also known as RICE) doctors may also recommend physical therapy to promote healing and range of motion, as well as NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation. In more severe cases, or in cases where the injury was initially neglected, surgery may be required to repair the damaged ligaments. The foot and ankle surgeon will select the procedure best suited to the type and severity of the injury.

For more ankle sprain information and to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Prep Sports Notebook: Stegall leads Spartans in XC victory


SJO boys win 2021 Cow Chip Classic title
Three seniors turned in 3-mile times under 18 minutes at the annual Cow Chip Classic in Chrisman on Saturday to power the St. Joseph-Ogden cross country team to a first-place meet finish.

Luke Stegall finished the course in 17:00.1 and in fourth place in the race's top flight. An SJO runner finished first the remaining six flights. Charlie Mabry clocked 11.6 seconds slower time than his teammate Flight #2 and Elijah Mock crossed the finish line at 17:36.4.

Sophomore Carson Maroon, juniors Ethan Blackburn and Peyton Wendell, and soph Aiden Armstrong placed first in each of their flights.

Behind the Spartans in the team standings, Monticello finished in second place, Tuscola in third and Unity took fourth to round out the top four places.



SJO squad plces third at the Cow Chip
Collecting 145 team points on Saturday, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls cross country squad brought home third-place honors from the Cow Chip Classic at Chrisman.

Newcomer Savanna Franzen, a freshman, led the Spartans' effort finishing her race in the #1 Flight in 19 minutes and 50.5 seconds.

A senior-dominated team, the seven runners' total time added up to 2:29:12.2 at the early season race. Ava Knap (19:55.8), Kailyn Ingram (20:31.4), Chloe Burkhalter (21:49.9), Addie Allen (22:09.9), Taryn Sexton (22:24.6), and Maddison Clampitt (22:29.9) represented SJO at this season's meet.



College Notebook | Crowe leads Cobras to 2-0 start



Crowe shines in Parkland season opener

Peyton Crowe opened her sophomore season with the Parkland College with an 18-point performance against Jefferson College last Wednesday. The St. Joseph-Ogden grad now starting a starting five with the Cobras, led the team in steals with three in the 71-62 home win on January 20. Crowe is averaging 14 points per game after the first two wins for the 2-0 Parkland girls squad.




Bree Trimble shoots a free throw her senior year
Bree Trimble shoots a free throw in a home game againt Oakwood in 2018.
Photo by Clark Brooks

Trimble scores 13 at Parkland

Starting along side teammate Peyton Crowe, Bree Trimble went 2-for-2 from the free throw line to finish the night with 13 points in Parkland College's second home contest of the season. She led the Cobra with four of the team's 17 assists in the 71-64 victory on January 23.




Baker captures two firsts

Last Saturday, Riley Baker, a junior on the Eastern Illinois University track team, set a new indoor facility record at the Indiana State John Gartland Invite in Terre Haute. The former Spartan hurdler and sprint specialist took first in the men's 400-meter run with a time of 50.00 in the new the state of the art Indoor Track & Field Facility that opened in 2018.

Later, as a member of the Panthers' 4x400 relay squad, along with teammates Damian Clay, Tadiwa Mhonde and Gregory Downs, he earned another first place award when his foursome led the field with 3:22.52 win the event.

Baker and the EIU men's track team are back in action again on February 12 at the Grand Valley Big Meet in Allendale, Michigan.




Plotner makes college running debut

Freshman Jillian Plotner started her college cross country career with the University of Tennessee at Martin by helping her team to a third place finish at the Redhawks Invite held at Osage Centre Fields on January 23. Plotner, the fifth runner from the Skyhawks to cross the finish line, turned in a time of 20:05.6 in the 2020-21 season opener. UT Martin competed in a field which included regional foes Eastern Illinois, Memphis, SIUE and Southeast Missouri. The women's team finished with 74 points.




Mabry #3 runner for EIU

Former St. Joseph-Ogden distance specialist Sam Mabry was the third runner to finish for the Eastern Illinois University Panthers at the Redhawks Challenge at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO.. EIU finished fifth in the women's 5k race. Mabry, a 2019 grad from SJO, who raced against former teammate Jillian Plotner (SJO '21), now at UT Martin, turned in a time of 20:34.8 to finish 29th overall.



Know a Unity or St. Joseph-Ogden graduate playing at collegiate level? Let us know their name, sport(s) and where they are playing. An email or a link to their social media account for interviews is a big help, too. Send The Sentinel a message to us at sports@oursentinel.com.

Photo of the Day - January 9, 2021

Two to the finish
Running along side his daughter Katie Duval, Doug Weaver keeps a steady pace to a first place finish in the Male 60 and Over division at the 2019 SJO 5K. He finished in 59th place overall with a time of 24:21.30. Just under 200 runners competed at this year's race. Proceeds are donated to the St. Joseph Middle School and St. Joseph-Ogden cross country and track programs. Clocking in second place in the Female 30 to 34 division, Duval finished in 58th place overall with a time of 24:21.10.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Photo of the Day - December 23, 2020

Henry Dust runs at the 2007 cross country sectional

Rockets qualify for state

Unity's Henry Dust [496] runs ahead of Monticello's Josh Clark through a muddy section of the course at the IHSA Cross Country sectional competition at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School on Saturday, October 27, 2007. The senior finished the rain soaked course in 17 minutes, 12 seconds. Dust's 38th place overall finished helped the Rockets' cross country team qualify for the Class 1A state championship race for the first time since the 2000 season after their 5th place team finish.

Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

Third installment of holiday 5K held in St. Joseph goes virtual

While the Coronavirus pandemic has put the kibosh on a lot of events, it is not stopping Brenda Hixson from raising money for the St. Joseph Food Bank. The St. Joe Santa 5K will run on - online that is.

Proceeds from the race in past years was given to help support the local St. Joseph food bank pantry managed by the St. Joseph Methodist Church in partnership with the Eastern Illinois Foodbank.

The race was originally started as collaboration of efforts between Hixson and fellow runner Max Painter to host a local holiday race and raise money for local charities. The event this year will benefit the St. Joe Feed the Need program, which is managed by the First United Methodist Church through the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. Feed the Need provides free food each month to anyone in the community.


Runners start out on the St. Joe Santa 5K course
Runners start their run during the Ho Ho Ho 5k, now called the St. Joe VIRTUAL Santa 5k Run/Walk Race, in 2018. As with thousands of established running events around the country, this year's race will be hosted virtually. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

A virtual race may not be ideal without spectators to cheer you on and fellow runners to push you to a better time, but there is one big advantage to running a virtual race in central Illinois.

This year's race directors point out the big draw to participating this year is that you can run when you want the whole month of December. "You can wait for a day when the weather is favorable!" which makes this option awesome so ensure you are not running on what could be the coldest day of the month.

The directors also hope runners will "get your family or group of friends together and have a fun run with photos along the way!"

The best part is racers will still receive the best holiday race swag of the season. This year's swag bag includes a Santa hat, Santa neck gaiter, a red long-sleeve Santa shirt and a race medal.

Runners can choose their route and take to the streets in their neighborhood, at their favorite park, or at any safe location of their choosing to run/walk/jog to start and finish their course during the month of December.

"You can chose to run anywhere!" said Hixson, who is once again one of the race directors. "Run in Mahomet; on a trail at Allerton or Meadowbrook; in Champaign; in St. Joe or wherever you chose. We want to see [runners in] every town in their Santa race swag all month long!"

She added: "Post your pictures!"

Race registration is now open online at St. Joe Santa 5K. Once registered, race swag can picked up in person or ordered via mail.

If you are interested in being a sponsor for the event and want to help support a wonderful program in the community, business owners or individuals are asked to contact the race directors at 5ksantarun@gmail.com.


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Woodard leads Rockets to regional cross country title, SJO 4th

Unity's Erica Woodard crossed the finish line at the St. Teresa regional at 18:21 good for fourth place overall in a field of 89 runners. The Rockets' rising star was followed in by five teammates all finishing in top 15 places to secure the postseason title at Hickory Point Golf Course on Saturday.

Just 27 seconds over her best time in her short prep career on Saturday, Woodard turned in the best time of her prep career back on September 19 at Darcy Trails for the Shelbyville-Marshall-Unity triangle meet.

Caelyn Kleparski, Taylor Joop and Olivia Shike clocked in within a 16 second period 8-9-10, respectively, for 24 points. Malia Fairbanks rounded out the top five Rocket runners 13th overall at 19:33.9. Unity finished with a meet best of 40 points.

Unity along with St. Joseph-Ogden, who finished in fourth place with 104 points, advance to next Saturday's sectional meet to run on the same course.

The Spartans were led by junior Ava Knap and her season best time of 19.33.3.

Crusing in behind Knap for the Spartans was Helene Jones. A freshman, Jones went out for cross country when the fall volleyball season was put on-hold due to restrictions by the state in the effort to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Setting a new PR of 19:36.0, the first-time harrier shaved nearly three minutes off her initial three-mile time of 22:14.

Later, 22 minutes and 37 seconds after her race started Chloe Burkhalter was followed in by teammates Malorie Sarnecki and Ashlyn Lannert to pick up needed points to extend the Spartans' running season one more week.

Regional Results:
4. Erica Woodard (Unity) 18:21.0
8. Caelyn Kleparski (Unity) 19:13.8
9. Taylor Joop (Unity) 19:15.3
10. Olivia Shike (Unity) 19:29.4
12. Ava Knap (SJO) 19:33.3
13. Malia Fairbanks (Unity) 19:33.9
14. Helene Jones (SJO) 19:36.0
15. Elizabeth Hulick (Unity) 19:43.0
18. Caroline Bachert (Unity) 20:03.8
25. Chloe Burkhalter (SJO) 20:37.6
28. Malorie Sarnecki (SJO) 20:52.3
30. Ashlyn Lannert (SJO) 20:57.5
34. Kailyn Ingram (SJO) 21:02.6
38. Addie Allen (SJO) 21:16.9

Area runners qualify for boys cross country sectional

Sixteen area high school runners qualified to compete at the IHSA St. Teresa cross country section next Saturday.

With no state meet this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, eight members from both Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden will run for a chance to bring home this year's highest award in cross county next week.

Representing the Rockets, who finished in fouth place at the regional meet, are seniors Jarrett Cox, Ben Gavel and Connor O'Donnell along with juniors Nolan Miller, Clayton Jamison and Thomas Cler. The upperclassmen are supported by sophomore Brendan Graven and freshman Bryson Denny.

Finishing above Unity in the final team standings, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys squad was just 7 points away from bringing home the regional title. Helping SJO to a second place finish and advance were Ethan Blackburn, Charlie Mabry, Carson Maroon Brandon Mattsey, Elijah Mock, Luke Stegall, Spencer Wilson and Logan Wolfersberger.

Regional Results:
5. Brandon Mattsey (SJO) 16:00.6
8. Charlie Mabry (SJO) 16:11.6
10. Carson Maroon (SJO) 16:19.9
11. Elijah Mock (SJO) 16:37.6
14. Connor O'Donnell (Unity) 16:39.7
16. Logan Wolfersberger (SJO) 16:40.6
17. Ben Gavel (Unity) 16:44.0
19. Jarrett Cox (Unity) 16:45.8
24. Luke Stegall (SJO) 17:06.0
27. Clayton Jamison (Unity) 17:14.3
29. Spencer Wilson (SJO) 17:19.7
30. Thomas Cler (Unity) 17:21.0
39. Bryson Denny (Unity) 17:54.6
40. Brendan Graven (Unity) 17:58.9

Photo of the Day - September 28, 2020

Sisay Eisenmenger and Savannah Day at the 2014 PBL Invite
Eisenmenger, Day run strong at PBL Invite
Unity's Sisay Eisenmenger runs along side teammate Savannah Day at the 2014 PBL Invite. Day clocked in at 20:29 in 7th place on the course at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School while Eisenmenger finished in 8th place overall with a time of 20:44. The Rockets finished in second in the overall team standings on September 13, 2014.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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Girls XC advances to Effingham sectional meet

Despite cold conditions and wet, rainy conditions, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls cross county team finished in third place behind Monticello (first) and Unity (second) as one of seven teams advancing to next Saturday's Class 1A sectional in Effingham.

Hannah Rajlich running at the Spartan Classic.
Hannah Rajlich runs during the Spartan Classic in September. The all-conference runner did not compete in Saturday's regional race. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
The Spartans finished the meet just two points ahead of St. Thomas More with a score of 85 points in arguably the state's toughest small school sectional qualifier.

Led by senior Jillian Plotner, SJO's scoring runners completed the course at Wimple Park in a strong formation of 9, 16, 19, 20 and 21.

Plotner circumvented the course in 19 minutes and 10 seconds for a ninth place overall finish. Ashlyn Lannert was the next Spartan to cross the finish line 33 seconds later at 19:43. Two runners and five seconds later, Ava Knap locked up 19th place.

Malorie Sarnecki rounded out the top 20 finishers with a time of 19:54 with teammate Ally Monk one second behind her at 19:55.

Sophomores Addie Allen and Kailyn Ingram finished their races under the 21 minute mark.


Allen 2nd, SJO boys share 3rd at Cow Chip Classic

Sports Book: September 7

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ashlyn Lannert runs to a overall 84th place finish helping the Spartans to a Class 1A fifth place finish at the 2018 IHSA state cross country meet last November. Saturday, the sophomore placed sixth in the Number 4 Flight crossing the finish line at 22:15.28.
Allen 2nd in her flight
Addie Allen seized a second place finish in the Open Wave race at last Saturday's Cow Chip Classic. She ran a 21:13.55 crossing the line just 10 seconds behind Unity's Lillian Styan.

Other top 3 SJO finishers at the 38th installment of the girls' side of competition included Kailyn Ingram and Hope Rajlich. Ingram ran a 21:34.64 in the Number 7 Flight race to finish third. Rajlich, who took third place in the Number 6 Flight, finished with a slightly better time at 21:32.93.

The girls team walked away from the meet in 5th place in the team competition with 28 points.

SJO boys finish third at Cow Chip Classic
The St. Joseph-Ogden boys cross country team tied with Paxton-Buckley-Loda with 33 points to finish third at this year's Cow Chip Classic in Chrisman. Last year, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys cross country team finished in sixth place at the Cow Chip Classic.

Both Charlie Mabry and Lukas Hutcherson turned in top 3 performances in their respective flights. Mabry finished the three-mile course at 18:13.80, a little under his career best time of 17:21.0. Hutcherson, a junior, clocked in at 18:47.50.

Monticello, with 13 points, edged out Urbana U-High by one point to win this year's team title.

Next up, the Spartans will run against Oakwood later today in duo competition and travel to First to the Finish Invite on September 14.

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Attention high school and junior high coaches: Please send game scores and stats to us. Send results and weekly stats to sports@oursentinel.com.


Memory Monday: Boys and girls cross country team compete at Cow Chip Classic

Drew Knipfer runs ahead of the lead pack of runners
St. Joseph-Ogden's Drew Knipfer runs ahead of the lead pack of runners as they make their way long the course at the 2011 Cow Chip Classic. Knipfer was the only Spartan male runner to place number one in his flight. He finished the Number 4 race with a time of 17:15. Click here to see 180 photos of SJO runners competing at one of the area's longest prep cross country events in downstate Illinois. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Remy Smetzer runs the last 100 yards Two-sport athlete Corey Thompsen
Left: Remy Smetzer runs the last 100 yards of the Open race back on roasting hot September 3 morning. Due to extreme, unseasonably hot temperatures the three-mile race was cut in half. Right: Competing in temperatures near 90 degrees, two-sport athlete Corey Thompsen keeps a steady stride as he navigates the three-mile course. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Spartan Alex Arteaga represented SJO
Maintaining his position in a pack of runners, Spartan Alex Arteaga represented SJO in the Number 5 Race. He completed the course with a time of 18:39, good for a fifth place award. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Cross country specialist Loren Brooks navigates the three-mile course Tessa Vowels runs her second lap
Left: Cross country specialist Loren Brooks navigates the three-mile course. The Spartan girls won the meet title with a score of 13 points besting Mahomet-Seymour in second and the Monticello Sages, who placed third. Right: With a look of determination and focus on the runners ahead of her, Tessa Vowels runs her second lap around the Cow Chip Classic course. Vowels finished second in the Number 5 Flight with a time of 21:58. See more photos of Vowels and the Spartan cross country team competing at the Cow Chip Classic here: 2011 Cow Chip Classic. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Boys XC wins meet title, volleyball starts win streak

Luke Stegall runs to a sixth place finish in the Male 14 to 18 division at the 2019 SJO 5K. Stegall, a sophomore, finished in seventh place at the Doc Acklin Invite on Saturday to help the SJO boys cross country team win this year's team title. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Sports Book: August 31


Plotner leads SJO at Doc Acklin Invite
Senior Jillian Plotner finished in third place overall at the 4th Annual Doc Acklin Invite in Paris on Saturday. Scoring points toward the team title Plotner, along with teammates Hannah Rajlich, Ava Knap, Ashlyn Lannert and Ally Monk tallied 34 points. SJO finished second behind Marshall, who finished the race with 28 points and ahead of Teutopolis with 98.

Plotner clocked in at 18:35.2 and Monk, the final scoring member, finished 11th overall at 21:11.7.

Other Spartan harriers running in the program's first race of the season were Hope Rajlich, Kailyn Ingram, Kendra Riddle, Hanna Eastin, Addie Allen, Malorie Sarnecki, Sidney Davis, Taryn Sexton, Teagan Miller and Izzy Sexton.



Spartans first at XC Invite
Brandon Mattsey and Eric Poe finished one-two to help the SJO boys cross country team to a first place finish at the Doc Acklin Invite on Saturday, August 31. Elijah Mock, Luke Stegall and Charlie Mabry were rounded out the top five scoring finishers to help the St. Joseph-Ogden place ahead of Marshall (second place), Cumberland (third) and Effinginham, who finished fourth.

Also representing SJO on Saturday in the race was Braden Clampitt, Lukas Hutcherson, Ethan Blackburn, Logan Wolfersberger, Taddy Pettit and Zach Dahman.



Varsity volleyball beats Bulldogs
Kennedi Burnett pounded nine kills and a pair of digs to help the Spartans to a Labor Day weekend win on the road at Mahomet-Seymour on Saturday. Emily Bigger was credited with 21 assist in the 2-1 non-conference victory. SJO rolled over the Bulldogs in straights 25-16, 25-12 largely due Lacey Kaiser, who played a solid defensive game responsible for five of the 20 recorded Spartan digs. After their opening loss to St. Teresa, St. Joseph-Ogden is enjoying a three-game win streak after improving to 3-1 in early season play.





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Attention high school and junior high coaches: Please send game scores and stats to us. Send results and weekly stats to sports@oursentinel.com.

Memory Monday: 2012 SJO 5K

Beau Barber and Dean Meyer race to the finish
Above: With 15 yards to go, Beau Barber (left) and Dean Meyer go all out as they approach the finish line at the 2012 SJO 5K. Barber, who held on to his ultra thin lead, crossed over a split second ahead of Meyer. Barber was 30th, while Meyer finished 31st in their Chariots of Fire like sprint to the finish line. See more than 300 additional photos from the 2012 race here: 2012 SJO 5K photo gallery. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Aiden Meyer       Brenda Hixson runs to a 120th place finish
Left: Aiden Meyer runs to a 90th place finish at the 2012 SJO 5K. Meyer, who graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in May and signed a national letter of intent to play football at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, before that back in February, completed the course that day at 25:06. Right: Brenda Hixson runs to a 120th place finish. She finished the race in 26 minutes, 38 seconds. Below: Sara Wolfersperger heads to finish line to clock in at 26:22, good for a 113th place overall. (Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

ara Wolfersperger heads to finish line



Nix places third at Freedom 5K


Mike Nix runs toward the corner of Lincoln and Florida
Mike Nix, from St. Joseph, runs toward the corner of Lincoln and Florida Avenue during the Freedom 5K on Thursday. Crossing the finish line at 16:58.0, he finished third out of 26 runners in the Male 25 to 29 division. In all more than 400 athletes participated in this year's race. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)



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