Running over obstacles, Swanson finishes season at state meet

SJO's Kyler Swanson clears a hurdle at state track meet — **CHARLESTON** - Ignoring the plight of Prairie Central's Tage Fehr next to him, St. Joseph-Ogden's Kyler Swanson clears a hurdle while running in 110 High Hurdle prelims on Friday at the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Finals. Swanson, a senior, turn in a time of 15.84, finishing sixth in his heat and 24th overall at O'Brien Field to cap his track & field career for the Spartans.

.::. More IHSA state track photos and stories .::.

Tagged: IHSA track & field, state track, IHSA boys state track meet 2025, 2025 state qualifier, High School Sports, SJO Track and Field, St. Joseph-Ogden track, State track qualifier

Fitch, Houchens lead SJO to 23rd straight win

St. Joseph-Ogden baseball team answers Galesburg’s early strike and never looks back in a 5-1 victory at home. The Spartans improve to 29-2.

ST. JOSEPH — St. Joseph-Ogden found itself trailing early for the first time in several games, but the Spartans quickly erased the deficit and went on to secure a 5-1 win over Galesburg on Saturday, completing a two-game sweep in their annual round-robin doubleheader.

With the victory, SJO extended its winning streak to 23 games and improved to 29-2 on the season. Earlier in the day, the Spartans held off Reed-Custer 9-5 behind timely hitting and strong bullpen work. The back-to-back wins also marked their 12th consecutive triumph on home turf.

Galesburg (12-17) briefly took control by capitalizing on a passed ball in the top of the first inning to score its lone run. Jameson Dickerson, who led the Silver Streaks with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, crossed home to give his team a short-lived 1-0 advantage.

St. Joseph-Ogden wasted no time responding. In the bottom half of the inning, the Spartans tied the game when Galesburg committed an error, and then took the lead on a Bryson Houchens RBI double to center field. SJO added another run in the third after Kodey McKinney worked a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Spartans padded the score with two more runs in the later innings, while their defense remained steady behind starting pitcher Parker Fitch. The right-hander delivered a complete-game performance, striking out four and walking none over seven innings while scattering five hits.

SJO tallied nine hits in total, with Trevor Ames and Logan Rosenthal each collecting a pair. Ames, Houchens, and Jared Altenbaumer each drove in a run. Rosenthal added two stolen bases to his stat line, while Ames swiped one and scored once.

Galesburg starter Noah Nalley took the loss, surrendering three unearned runs on four hits over 2.1 innings. He walked two and was unable to record a strikeout.

St. Joseph-Ogden will return to action on Tuesday when it hosts Tri-Valley at 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Galesburg looks to regroup against Rock Island on Monday, hoping to capitalize on a Rocks team currently in the midst of a three-game skid.

Spartans shut out Unity, finish Illini Prairie season undefeated

SJO defeats Unity 10-0 on the road to clinch the Illini Prairie Conference title behind Pruemer’s shutout and Houchens’ 3-run homer.

TOLONO — St. Joseph-Ogden wrapped up a dominant Illini Prairie Conference season with an emphatic 10-0 shutout victory over rival Unity on Thursday, capping off a perfect run through league play.

SJO pitcher Asher Pruemer

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartan pitcher winds up for a pitch against Westville on April 30. The junior hurler picked the win against Unity on Thursday.

The Spartans (27-2) controlled the game from the opening inning and never let up, scoring in four of six innings and leaning on a sharp pitching performance from Asher Pruemer to keep the Rockets (14-10) scoreless on their home field. The win clinched the conference title outright and extended SJO’s winning streak with just days remaining in the regular season.

Pruemer was in command throughout, scattering just two hits while striking out four in a six-inning complete game. The right-hander walked one and faced minimal traffic, thanks in part to clean defense and early run support.

SJO got on the board quickly in the first. After Will Haley drew a walk in his opening at-bat, he scored the game’s first run on Trevor Ames’ two-out single to center. That opened the floodgates — Logan Rosenthal, Ames, and Nolan Earley also came around in the inning to give the Spartans a 4-0 lead.

Unity’s Brady Parr struggled with command, allowing six hits, nine total runs — four earned — and issuing six walks in just 2 2/3 innings.

The Spartans added two more runs in the second behind Kodey McKinney’s sharp single down the right field line, extending the lead to 6-0. But the big blow came in the bottom of the third, when Bryson Houchens crushed a three-run homer to left, scoring Rosenthal and Pruemer to put SJO up 9-0.

McKinney, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, drove in the final run in the sixth, plating pinch runner Dalton York to end the game via run rule.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Bryson Houchens loads for swing on Normal U-High pitch last month. He has hit home runs in last three outtings for SJO.

Houchens finished with three RBIs on the homer, and also scored twice. Rosenthal and Ames also crossed the plate twice apiece as the Spartans combined for nine hits and seven walks in the contest.

Unity’s lone offensive highlights came from Nolan Remole and Coleton Langendorf, who each recorded one hit, but the Rockets couldn’t generate sustained pressure against Pruemer.

St. Joseph-Ogden now turns its attention to a nonconference home matchup against Reed-Custer on Saturday as the Spartans continue to build momentum for the postseason.

Spartans continue flying high, securing win #24 against visiting Trojans

April 29 |
On this day from the Sentinel

Here is a digest of some of the OurSentinel.com stories we published on this day in the past.

Keegan McCarty: "Everyone has a special meaning"

Going into this baseball season, Keegan McCarty had a long list of personal goals he was set on accomplishing this season.

That dream was interrupted by what appeared to be a temporary postponement to the season, and then weeks later the inevitable cancellation of the entire 2020 season, courtesy of the Coronavirus pandemic.

With Arms Open Wide benefit concert at the Rose Bowl

The Slavic Reference Service at the University of Illinois will be hosting a benefit concert on Saturday at the Rose Bowl Tavern in downtown Urbana.

Starting at 1pm, the concert will feature local bands from a wide range of styles and genres for three and a half hours. Admission is free.

SJO senior spotlights with Josh Sexton, Isaac Walden & Jackson Wooten

Advice from three departing St. Joseph-Ogden seniors in 2020:

Work hard, and to keep plugging away to be successful.
~ Jackson Wooten

Do not underestimate yourself.
~ Josh Sexton

Get all of your homework finished.
~ Isaac Walden

Mediterranean-style diet shown to reduce risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy

Photo: Edgar Castrejon/Unsplash

Following a Mediterranean-style diet during pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of developing preeclampsia, and Black women appeared to have the greatest reduction of risk, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

How much are life and freedom worth?

Most of us have wondered about life beyond the grave. Many today are in search of life before the grave. Given what many people traditionally believe about heaven, eternity and life beyond, it would certainly seem very valuable to think about a life beyond. However, what about life here?

Over 2,000 runners compete in Illinois half marathon

URBANA - LoriKay Paden, from Fletcher, NC, and Urbana's Brenda Hixson stop to pose for a photo while running along McHenry Avenue during the half marathon race at this year's Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon.

April 26 |
On this day from the Sentinel

Here is a digest of some of the OurSentinel.com stories we published on this day in the past.

Knoll's 5th inning triple seals Rocket opening win

Unity's Damian Knoll is tagged out on a play at second base by a Hoopeston Area player during the Rockets' first game of the season. Later, the junior smacked a 3-RBI triple in the bottom of the 5th innning to make the score 11-1 and secured his team's first victory of the season.

Delicious veggies and more, FFA plant sale starts on Monday

Looking flowers or vegetables for your garden this spring?

Tomorrow at 9am the next round of the St. Joseph-Ogden FFA Chapter will be open for business. Orders for available plants must be done online after it goes live tomorrow at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/st-joseph-ogden-ffa-chapter-greenhouse. Buyers can set a pick-up time to collect their purchase.

When it comes to your health ask questions

You don’t have to stay in the nursing home if you don’t want to. If you can manage to get out and have a place to go then it’s your life. Even if you want to spend your remaining days crawling in the floor to the kitchen or the bathroom then it’s your God given right to live out your days in such a way.

6 reason to consider a career in home healthcare

Photo:RODNAE Productions/Pexels

Over the past 13 months unemployment rates nearly doubled their pre-pandemic levels reported in February 2020, the prospect of starting a new career after age 50 may seem unrealistic. However, industry experts say that it’s actually a great time for those in this age bracket to consider making the leap.

Are you ready for when your power goes out?

Photo: Artem Podrez/Pexels

More Americans suffered extended power outages in 2020 than any year since Superstorm Sandy struck the New York area in 2012, according to Generac, owners of Power Outage Central, a real-time outage tracking service that monitors outages throughout the United States.

Back in November of last year, power was out for about three hours in the south part of Champaign and another area covering Campustown.

Baker sets hurdles PR, SJO girls snag 9 first at home meet

The St. Joseph-Ogden girls track team took first place in nine events in a home dual meet against Eureka last Thursday.

Haleigh Maddock turned in a 31.10 in the 200m Dash. She was followed over the finish line by teammates Yamilka Casanova (32.32) and Jayci Hayes (32.48) to secure the top three spots on the podium.

Joining the tech workforce is easier than you might think

More than 12 million people are currently employed in tech-related occupations in the U.S., either as information technology (IT) professionals or employees of technology companies. Yet employer demand for tech workers is still strong in many markets and industries, including technology, financial services, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, government and education.

Tech jobs in Champaign County are plentiful at the moment. Technology Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is currently accepting applications for three positions on their Managed IT Services teams. Four days ago, Revature was seeking software developers and Niemann Foods advertised an opening for a Network Administrator with a starting pay at $40K annually.

St. Joseph-Ogden third quarter High Honor Roll

ST. JOSEPH - At the end of March, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the recipients of the third quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll. To be recognized on the Honor Roll at SJO, students must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Those with a GPA exceeding 3.74 are honored as High Honor Roll students.

Freshman High Honor Roll

Kira Aase
Ava Alexander
Tyler Bonny
Ava Bronowski
Patrick Clark
Carly Coffey
Tessa Cox
Avarie Dietiker
Ainsley Dirksmeyer
Trey Divan
Connor Eaton
Olivia Edington
Eli Franklin
Isabella Frerichs
Ava Gallo
Conlan Gill
Brandon Grindley
Holden Hausle
Colton Heidel
Averie Helfrich
Nathan Hinkel
Kellyn Irwin
Ashlee Jannusch
Lilyah Jones
Isabel Kates
Megan Kearney
Lillyan Kelley
Addison Knight
Avery Lappin
Royce Loschen
Charles Martin
Landon May
Henry McCannon
Lane McKinney
Connor McMahon
Michaela Morrison
Mason Osterbur
Cameron Palmisano
Mara Perkins
Marissa Perkins
Miranda Perkins
Hailey Phillips
Evan Potter
Airin Rash
Kenley Ray
Abigail Reynolds
Roisin Rice
Alyssa Robinson
Jaylin Seal
Alexis Smith
Vivian Smith
Nayeli Steele
Brooklyn Stevens
Ethan Suchor
Mataya Thaman
Korinne Travis
Evelyn Valentine
Viviene Vliet
Owen Wall
Lucas Waters
Ian Wolken
Samson Zadeh

Sophomore High Honor Roll

Lillian Ahart
Zhou Barbee
Abigail Bello
Zachary Benoit
Olivia Berlatsky
Colin Burnett
Brenda Castro
Elizabeth Clark
Abigail Crider
Hayden Dahl
Iris Davis
Madison Farber
Nathaniel Farney
Nolan Franzen
Leah Gaines
Skyler Graham
Anna Hammond
Mark Harbourt
Nicholas Harris
Tyler Hess
Maggie Hewkin
Brynn Ikemire
Mia Jones
Alivia Learned
Avrianna Lyttle
Chase Mabry
Adam Marschke
Hadley McDonald
Finnegan Miller
Maddux Musselman
Steven Newman
Mason Ramm
Kiah Riesel
Dennis Rineberg
Sophie Schmitz
Ava Smoot
Adeline Stevens
Ani Stine
Isabella Turner
Brayden Waller
Jack Wear
Emerson Williams
Declan Yohnka
Dalton York

Junior High Honor Roll

Kylie Barrowman
Lexie Barrowman
Adalyn Bell
Kaitlyn Beyers
Emily Bird
Tim Blackburn-Kelley
Aiden Bonny
Addison Brooks
Sara Bytnar
William Carlson
Rudra Chaudhary
Adelyn Childers
Christopher Coffey
Katherine Ericksen
Abigail Getty
Camden Getty
Charles Hale
William Haley
Erica Hardimon
Zachary Harper
Claire Hartman
Lydia Huckstadt
Adalyn Jannusch
Kaelyn Jolley
Sophia Kasper
Madilyn Kelley
Samantha Kelso
Cooper Kietzman
Alexis Lackey
Ryker Lockhart
Mackenzie Loschen
Michael McDaniel
Danny McGinnis
Kodey McKinney
Patrick McMahon
Ava Midkiff
Ashlyn Miller
Hannah Mock
Delaney Nekolny
Allison Ochs
Brennan Oleynichak
Kayla Osterbur
Colton Overstreet
Branson Pearman
Kaleb Peoples
Grace Preston
Asher Pruemer
Ainsley Rhoton
Lily Rice
Landon Roberts
Logan Rosenthal
Amber Ruppel
Trevor Sexton
Cameron Schluter
Allison Schmitz
Gracyn Sjoken
Tao Smith
Karleigh Spain
Sydney Steinbach
Hadley Sweet
Carlee Taylor
Hunter Van Meenen
Sophia Vliet
Madeline Wells
Wyatt Wertz
Logan Xiao
Cyrus Zadeh

Senior High Honor Roll

EJ Beckett
Miles Birt
Landon Brown
Arely Castro
Richi Chimal
Preslee Christians
Ella Dietiker
Luke Ditchfield
Andrea Dominguez
Jackson Ennis
Savanna Franzen
Addison Funk
Kaiden Gaines
Tayton Gerdes
Olivia Getty
Makennah Hamilton
Lauren Harris
Haley Hesterberg
Maebree Houston
Tinley Ideus
Paige Johnson
Sara Kearney
Amilliya Kindle
Owen Knap
Jeffrey Kuchenbrod
Logan Lackey
Logan Mills
Gabriel Mortlock
Grace Osterbur
Chayse Palmer
Sonia Patel
Nathan Phillips
Sydney Reitmeier
Audrey Ruppel
Charles Schmitz
Tanner Siems
Kyler Swanson
Coy Taylor
Samantha Uden
Charley Wright
Fiona Xiao