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

St. Joseph-Ogden beats St. Thomas More in IPC game, Altenbaumer picks up the win

Jared Altenbaumer throws smoke for SJO — **CHAMPAIGN** - St. Joseph-Ogden closer Jared Altenbaumer stretches out to unload a pitch during the Spartans' road game at St. Thomas More on Thursday. The senior threw 40 strikes, taking down six batters and giving up no runs in his 58-pitch command on the bump. At the plate, Altenbaumer collected one RBI and scored twice for SJO. The team heads to Jacksonville on Saturday after the 17-5 victory for back-to-back games at the Future Champions Jamboree. SJO takes on Winnebago at 3 PM and Tinley Park Andrews at 5:30 PM.

Johnson working his way back, St. Joseph-Ogden rolls over St. Thomas More

Kenrick Johnson pitching for SJO — CHAMPAIGN - St. Joseph-Ogden's Kendrick Johnson unloads a pitch in the first inning of the Spartans' road game at St. Thomas More on Thursday. Returning to the mound in his first appearance in 18 months, the senior toss 20 strikes in his one-inning 36-pitch debut. Later, the SJO bats were on fire in the fourth inning, leading to a seven-run romp on the way to a 17-5 Illini Prairie Conference win. St. Joseph-Ogden returns to action on Saturday in Jacksonville at the Future Champions Jamboree.

Setting the bar higher, this year's SJO competitive cheer season sets the foundation for future success

St. Joseph-Ogden Competitive Cheer Team — Members of the St. Joseph-Ogden competitive cheerleading team pose for a group photo after competiting at the Mascoutah section in January.

ST. JOSEPH - Precision, teamwork, and dedication defined the St. Joseph-Ogden High School cheerleading squad’s 2024-25 season as the team made an impact in sideline spirit and competition.

"This year’s team received numerous compliments at regular-season games and competitions from coaches and squads alike as they showcased their abilities," said four-year head coach Emily Spisok. "I’m very proud of the team’s progress this year and their coachability. I look forward to building on this year’s success."

Under Spisok and assistant Savannah Woods, the Spartans began training in May 2024 for their 10-month season. Balancing regular practices with performances at football games in the fall and basketball contests in winter, the team also added two home soccer games to its schedule while refining its routine for the competitive cheer season.

The St. Joseph-Ogden varsity cheer competition season ran from Dec. 7, 2024, to Feb. 1, 2025, culminating at the IHSA sectionals. The squad's hard work paid off early as SJO placed third in its first competition against a field of 21 teams, earning a spot at the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association (ICCA) State Championships.

In one of the state's toughest sectionals, the Spartans delivered a strong performance. SJO finished 11th in the small school division behind St. Thomas More and South Fork at the Mascoutah sectional, where the top three teams finished sixth or higher at the state finals in Bloomington a week later.

"The biggest challenge was illnesses and injuries. The team really pushed through and worked hard on all necessary changes to improve the routine each week," Spisok said, reflecting on the Spartans' season.

Led by seniors Addison Funk, Samantha Uden, Ava Worley, and Charley Wright, St. Joseph-Ogden's roster also featured returning sophomores Iris Davis, Leah Gaines, Faith Jackson, Peighton Reim, and Ava Smoot. Freshmen Aubrey Matheny, Abby Reynolds, Alysson Robinson, Samantha Ryan, Addison Walsh, and Sorena Welsh brought new energy to the program.

Seven area players earn basketball all-conference recognition

URBANA - The Illini Prairie Conference presented its boys' basketball all-conference team this week. Teams members are selected by coaches from each of the member teams. St. Joseph-Ogden center Tanner Siems and Coleton Langendorf from the conference champion Unity Rockets received votes to earn First-Team status.

See the complete list below of this year's all-conference players.

Illini Prairie Conference Final Standings

1. Tolono Unity 8-1 / Overall: 23-9
2. Bloomington Central Catholic 8-1 / Overall: 22-12
3. St. Joseph-Ogden 7-2 / Overall: 21-9
4. Monticello 5-4 / Overall: 18-14
5. Pontiac 5-4 / Overall: 11-18
6. Illinois Valley Central 4-5 / Overall: 13-19
7. Rantoul 4-5 / Overall: 13-19
8. Paxton-Buckley-Loda 3-6 / Overall: 14-15
9. Prairie Central 1-8 / Overall: 8-24
10. St. Thomas More 0-9 / Overall: 11-20

First Team

Kayshaun Manney, Central Catholic, So
Ike Young, Monticello, Sr
DJ Davis, Rantoul, Sr
Tanner Siems, St. Joseph Ogden, Sr
Coleton Langendorf, Unity, Jr
Tyler Cole, PBL, Jr

Second Team

Trey Eller, Central Catholic, Sr
Coy Taylor, St. Joseph Ogden, Sr
Brady Ward, IVC, Jr
Cayden Masching, Pontiac, Jr
Dane Eisenmenger, Unity, Jr
Brayden Henry, Unity, Jr

Honorable Mention

Will Vogel, Central Catholic, Sr
Cole Yates, IVC, Sr
Simon Zimmerman, Prairie Central, Sr
Jayden Rice, Rantoul, Sr
Parker Fitch, St. Joseph Ogden, Jr
Owen Yeager, St. Thomas More, Jr
Johnson, Pontiac, Sr

Illini Prairie announces girls' all-conference basketball team

SJO's Addison Brooks earned a spot on the IPC Second Team her junior year.

URBANA - The Illini Prairie Conference presented its girls' basketball all-conference team this week. Teams members are selected by coaches from each of the ten teams. This year's IPC First Team is comprised of two outstanding freshman players. Two players from Central Catholic and two from IVC were named to the top team this season.

Bloomington Central Catholic won the league title, finishing with a perfect 9-0 record.

See the complete list below of this year's all-conference players.

Illini Prairie Conference Final Standings

1. Bloomington Central Catholic 9-0 / Overall: 24-9
2. Illinois Valley Central 8-1 / Overall: 20-11
3. Pontiac 6-3 / Overall: 15-17
4. Monticello 6-3 / Overall: 20-11
5. St. Joseph-Ogden 5-4 / Overall: 12-17
6. Tolono Unity 5-4 / Overall: 14-17
7. Prairie Central 3-6 / Overall: 12-21
8. Paxton-Buckley-Loda 2-7 / Overall: 4-27
9. Rantoul 1-8 / Overall: 4-26
10. St. Thomas More 0-9 / Overall: 5-24

First Team

Karissa Cook, Central Catholic, 9
Emme Hurie, Central Catholic, 11
Anna Foster, IVC, 10
Alayah Nelton, IVC, 9
Megan Allen, Monticello, 12
Trinity Miller, Pontiac, 11

Second Team

Logan Shanks, Central Catholic, 12
Kayt Miller, IVC, 10
Tanner Graham, PBL, 12
Jayla Hammond, Prairie Central, 10
Addie Brooks, SJO, 11
Emily Decker, Unity, 12

Honorable Mention

Kate Stolfa, Central Catholic, 10
Meg Uhren, Central Catholic, 12
Sarah Cresap, Monticello, 10
Ali Weidner, Monticello, 10
Grace Lanning, Pontiac, 11
Araceli Serna, Pontiac, 9
Josie Roseman, Rantoul, 11
Sara Kearney, SJO, 12
Ashley Wells, STM, 12
Claire Meharry, Unity, 11