Giving it his all

ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden's Davin Alvarez gives his all to try and roll Clifton Central's Giona Panozzo on his back in the second period of the 150-pound match on Tuesday at St. Joseph-Odgen High School. Alvarez battled valiantly in an exciting match but lost via pin halfway through the third period. The Spartans went on to win the dual meet, 40-35. Alvarez was back on the mat almost an hour later in another fiece battle with Oakwood's Grant Brewer. Brewer's experience proved too much for the Spartan junior, who lost by technical fall, 16-1. More Spartan wrestling photos and news are coming soon.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Throwback Thursday | SJO makes first basketball final four appearance

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
PEORIA - Sophomore Tyler Harms dribbles the ball away from Winnebago's Dalton Langholf during St. Joseph-Ogden's third-place 2A game at Carver Arena a decade ago. SJO finished the season 29-6 at the state tournament after falling 67-54 to the Indians in the program's first final four appearance in school history. Three years later, the Spartans would return to Peoria to take home the Class 2A title.
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Photo of the Day | December 17, 2022

Big step forward
St. Joseph - SJO's Kaytlyn Baker makes a huge effort to dribble past Mahomet-Seymour's Savannah Orgeron down the baseline during their 2nd Annual Toyota of Danville Turkey Tournament game on November 17. The three-sport senior for the Spartans was held scoreless as St. Joseph-Ogden fell to the 34-29 to the Bulldogs on the final day of the tournament.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Prep Sports Notebook: SJO golf wins, Unity volleyball wins barn burner

SJO volleyball drops another match

The Spartan volleyball team falls after three sets to Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 14-25, 25-21, 18-25.

SJO's junior varsity and freshmen squads cruised by the Lady Blue Devil underclass with 2-0 victories.

The varsity squad will attempt to move back toward .500 on Monday when they host the St. Teresa Bulldogs.

Unity prevails in volleyball win over Mattoon

The Rockets notch a 2-1 victory after securing wins in the first and third set of their non-conference match against the Green Wave. Unity won the first set by five points, 25-20 but could not string together enough offense in the second, which ended in an 18-25 loss. In a thrilling finish, the team battled to take the final set, 25-23.

Next in their sight, Unity (1-2) travels to Champaign to take on the Central Maroons on Tuesday.

SJO soccer loose on the road

Aiden Cromwell scored St. Joseph-Ogden's only goal in the first half during his team's non-conference road match against Urbana University High School. Spencer Wilson tallied the assist in the Spartans' 3-1 loss.

With 11 minutes to-go in the first half, Uni senior Teo Chemia tied up the score 1-all. Playing a physical second half, the Illineks then tacked on two more goals courtesy of Arya Thirodira and another later from sophomore Leor Gal.

Goalie Hunter Ketchum successfully repelled 21 attacks on his goal.

The Spartans travel to Danville on Monday in search of a second win of the season. Meanwhile, Uni High will host Champaign Central on Tuesday for their next match.

Spartan golf team rise to the top

The St. Joseph-Ogden (6-0) golf team hit the links at Willow Pond in Rantoul against a team from Fisher and Hoopeston on Thursday. The Spartans carded 172 strokes on the front nine of the course to win the tri-match.

Fisher took second with a 203, while Hoopeston Area's top six players finished with a 237.

The Spartans were led by Ashten Cafarelli's 38 and Jacob Kern's 43 strokes. McGwire Atwood finished one more behind Kern with 44.

The St. Joseph-Ogden (6-0) golf team hit the links at Willow Pond in Rantoul against a team from Fisher and Hoopeston on Thursday. The Spartans carded 172 strokes on the front nine of the course to win the tri-match.

Fisher took second with a 203, while Hoopeston Area's top six players finished with a 237.

The Spartans were led by Ashten Cafarelli's 38 and Jacob Kern's 43 strokes. McGwire Atwood finished one more behind Kern with 44.

Attention area high school coaches

If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, send us your box scores, statistical leaders for each game, and other info via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.

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Winning style; Urbana sweeps SJO in first home match of the season

Alisa Tangmunarunkit plays tennis match for Urbana High School
Urbana's Alisa Tangmunarunkit lines up a shot while playing on the #1 singles court against St. Joseph-Ogden's Abbey Dowell during the team's first home match yesterday. Tangmunarunkit won the protracted battle 6-2, 6-3. After a short rest, she returned to the court at #1 doubles match with partner Luna Morales. The pair defeated Spartans duo Katie McDermott and Lilly Rice, 6-1, 6-1. The Tigers won the non-conference match, 9-0.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Prep Sports Notebook: SJO soccer post shutout on the road, Unity VB drops tough one

Unity soccer team notches first win

Nolan Remole scored Unity's first goal of the season in the first half of the team's road opener at St. Teresa. The sophomore later added an assist to his stats to help the Rockets roll over the host Bulldogs, 7-1.

Junior Gabe Pound followed up with two goals in the half, one with the help of Remole and the second unassisted. He later put the final nail in the Bulldog coffin in the second period on an assist from another sophomore, Nolan Wishall.

Two other Rocket ballers found the net in the second half as well. Brendan Bachert booted in an unassisted goal, and Andrew Mowrer took advantage of a pass from Travis McCarter to give their team a commanding 6-1 lead.

Valencia-Chavez scored St. Teresa's only goal in the second half.

Tigers sweep SJO tennis

The Urbana girls tennis program picked up their first dual match victory of the season via a 9-0 shutout over fledgling St. Joseph-Ogden program late Tuesday afternoon.

The Tigers' top six players - Alisa Tangmunarunkit, Matika Pounginjai, Eisla Madigan, Luna Morales, Halie Thompson, and Lorelie Yau - won both their singles matches and respective double bouts against the Spartans.

On the top court at #1 singles, senior Abbey Dow was the only SJO player to win three games in a set. Despite her strong serving effort and offensive play, she fell 6-2, 6-3 to Urbana's Alisa Tangmunarunkit.

Greer leads SJO in Argenta-Oreana shutout

The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team improved to 1-0-1 on the season after a 3-0 blanking on the road at Argenta-Orena. After a scoreless first half, Jackson Greer put two balls between the posts to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.

Ryker Lockhart booked his second goal of his inaugural season with SJO thanks to a feed from Aiden Cromwell to close out the scoring effort for both teams. Cromwell was also credited with an assist on Greer's first goal and sophomore Logan Mills earned the assist on the second.

Hunter Ketchum made nine saves protecting the Spartan goal.

Rockets' volleyball squad drops non-con at LeRoy

The Unity volleyball team suffered a road loss at LeRoy in a gritty two-setter on Tuesday evening. The Panthers prevailed besting the Rockets 32-30, 25-23.

Attention area high school coaches

We need your help covering your team this fall to help keep fans, college recruiters, and area readers informed. Please send us your game or meet results for our Prep Sports Notebook and weekly stats leaders for our All-Area team selection after the conclusion of the season.

If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, the best way to send us box scores, statistical leaders for each game, and other info via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.

Do you have a player on the verge of breaking a school record, signing an LOI, or have a story idea? Don't hesitate to email us.

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Prep Sports Notebook: SJO soccer, volleyball miss opening victories

SJO Volleyball falls 2-1 to Maroa-Forsyth

After dropping the first set 26-24 to the visiting Trojans from Maroa-Forysth, the host Spartans rallied back to take the second 26-24 in their home opener on Monday. Unfortunately, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team couldn't blast their way past the Trojans dropping the third set, 25-17.

SJO (1-1) will regroup to host Georgetown-Ridge Farm on Wednesday in another early-season non-conference contest.

The Spartan JV team also tallied a 2-0 loss to Maroa-Forysth. Earlier, the SJO freshman squad earned a 2-0 victory in the opening contest.

They had opportunities, SJO soccer records tie

Aiden Cromwell dribbles the ball down the soccer field
SJO senior Aiden Cromwell dribbles the ball down the field in the second half of SJO's first home game of the season. See more photos from the game. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Despite their senior-heavy roster, the St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team was unable to convert a needed second goal to record a win over the visiting Oakwood. The Spartans (0-0-1) had three chances in the last 5 minutes of the home season opener but were unsuccessful in putting the ball between the posts.

SJO freshman Ryker Lockhart booted the team's first goal of the season on an assist from Spencer Wilson in the first half. Oakwood responded early in the second half with a goal of their own from Grant Powell. Teammate Reef Pacot was credited with the assist.

The Spartans play their next two matches on the road. Later this afternoon, the Lockhart and the Spartans take on the Bombers from Argenta-Oreana. Then 24 hours later, square off against another orange & blue team in Urbana taking on the Illineks of University High.

Unity varsity volleyball fall toe Blue Devils

Bismarck-Henning handed the Rockets' volleyball team a 2-1 loss at the Rocket Center. Both the JV squad and freshman Unity teams notched decisive 2-0 victories.

The UHS volleyball team will play at home again on Thursday at 6p against Mattoon.

Attention area high school coaches

We need your help covering your team this fall to help keep fans, college recruiters, and area readers informed. Please send us your game or meet results for our Prep Sports Notebook and weekly stats leaders for our All-Area team selection after the conclusion of the season.

If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, the best way to send us box scores, statistical leaders for each game, and other info via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com.

Do you have a player on the verge of breaking a school record, signing an LOI, or have a story idea? Don't hesitate to email us.

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Area softball players earn All-State recognition

Five area players were among over 400 athletes recognized with All-State titles by the Illinois Coaches Association this past spring.

Unity seniors Madeline Reed and Taylor Henry, members of this year's state Class 2A third-place team, and St. Joseph-Ogden junior Shayne Immke were three area players to earn First Team honors out of nearly 600 softball players nominated across the state.

Unity's Ruby Tarr, a sophomore, was named to the second team for her performance as an infielder.

Addy Martinie, from St. Joseph Ogden High School, rounded out this year's area's best also at the infielder position.

Despite exiting early in postseason play, Martinie and Immke helped the Spartans to an impressive 25-9-1 record.

Along with bringing home their second consecutive IHSA softball trophy, the Rockets finished the season with 27 wins against nine losses.

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Photo-of-the-Day: December 6, 2021

Miller Time

Conrad Miller fires off the line of scrimmage while playing on the defensive side of the ball in St. Joseph-Ogden's road game at Paxton-Buckley-Loda on October 22. The Spartans lost their final game of the season 28-0 to the Panthers and finished the regular season with a 5-4 record. Last week, Miller, who played linebacker this season, was honored with a spot on the 2021 2nd Team All-Conference in the Illini Prairie Conference. See more photos from that game here.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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Prep Sports Notebook: SJO, Unity open girls basketball season with victories


SJO wins season opener

St. Joseph-Ogden's Abby Behrens attacks the basket while Urbana's McKenzie Sprague guards her during their Toyota of Danville Turkey Tournament game on Monday. The tournament opener was also the first game of the season for both teams. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


St. Joseph, IL - Ashlyn Lannert scored 11 points to lead the Spartans in their 55-8 win over the Urbana Tigers at the First Annual Toyota of Danville Turkey Tournament at St. Joseph-Ogden High School on Monday. Payton Jacob added another 10 points while Taylor Wells hit three second-quarter field goals and one in the first to start the season off with eight points in the season opener.

The Tigers' leading scorer was junior Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta with four free throws. Destiny Barber, who hit the team's only field goal, finished with two points. Mc Kenzie Sprague and Zineria Edwards each made one free throw to round out Urbana's scoring effort.

St. Joseph-Ogden takes Tri-County on Tuesday, while Urbana will face Big 12 rival Centennial on day 2 of the tournament.


Henry starts 2021-22 season with a double-double

Fisher, IL - Unity cruised to a 52-22 win behind Taylor Henry, who delivered an 18 points, 11 rebound performance in Unity's first game of the season over at the Lady Falcon/Bunnie Tip-Off Classic on Monday. The senior scored all by one of her points in the second and third quarters against Fisher.

Starting at forward, Katey Moore scored nine points in the first quarter and added two more in the third period to finish with 11 points and seven boards.



Unity football players earn All-State recognition

Wide receiver Dillon Rutledge and defensive lineman Austin McDaniel were named to the 2021 IHSFCA Class 3A All-State team.

The pair will be in action again this Saturday in Unity's home semifinal against Mt. Carmel. Kick-off is at 2pm.

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Photo Gallery: Spartans' win streak halted at 5

Keaton Nolan plays defense
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Keaton Nolan bears down on Paxton-Buckley-Loda quarterback Mason Bruns to make a stop behind the line of scrimage. Coming in with a five-game win streak, the Spartans fell to the host Panthers, 28-0.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Spartans' Tyler Burch is wrapped up from behind by Paxton-Buckley-Loda's Hayden Hollen during the first quarter of their final game of the season. See more photos from this game here.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Playing on the offensive line, SJO's Spencer Fitch blocks Panther's Robert Blackburn.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
PBL's Charlie Pound pulls down a short pass to advance the ball down the field.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Isaiah Moore hauls the ball in while playing on punt kick return.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Out for the season due to an injury a week earlier, Coby Miller watches the action on the field from the sideline.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Assistant coaches Ben Gorman and Bob Glazier congratulate players on a job well-done after a play. With Glazier's retirement at the conclusion of the season, Friday night's game was the final regular season football game the two would coach together.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Spartans' Jett Morris blocks Wyatt Hollen during second half action of their Illini Prairie Conference game on Friday. Despite the loss and dropping to 5-4 on the season, Morris and Spartans later learned they had earned a spot in the 2021 postseason. The Panthers also secured a spot in the playoffs hosting Eureka for their first round contest. The Spartans will travel to Mt. Carmel to face the Golden Aces. See more photos from this game here.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
A Spartan pass intended for senior tight end Griffin Roesch misses its mark and nearly intercepted by Panther linebacker Aiden Johnson. The normally potent St. Joseph-Ogden passing game was in short supply this week.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
PBL senior running back Tyler Smith regains his footing as he drives forward for a first down against visiting St. Joseph-Ogden. Having suffered in a scoreless loss to the Unity Rockets a week earlier, the Panther handed out a shutout of their own to the Spartans.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Panther's Carson Rigsby pulls down SJO junior ball carrier Tyler Burch in the fourth quarter.



PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
With less than a minute to go on the game clock, senior Keaton Nolan quietly reflects on the Spartans' performance during his final regular season game. See more photos from this game here.


Looking for photos of a specific player from either team or from this season? Email us at photos@oursentinel.com with the athlete's name and jersey number for details.
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Prep Sports Notebook: Rockets, Spartans sweep volleyball opponents

Unity football celebrates senior night

Unity's unblemished record will be on the line as the Rockets will host 5-2 Paxton-Buckley-Loda at Hicks Field tonight. It is the first time the two teams have met on the gridiron since 2006.

Fourteen senior athletes, who have already clinched a playoff spot for their 7-0 team, will be recognized at the football team's last home game of the season prior to kickoff.

This year's senior players include Nat Nosler, Blake Kimball, Tyler Hensch, Braxton Manuel, Dillon Rutledge, Damian Knoll, Trustan Price, Liam Alt, Oran Varela, Karson Richardson, Austin McDaniel, Cameron Marvin, Colby Loftsgaard, and Chance Ingleman.


Rockets pick up 23rd win

The Unity volleyball team battled past Pontiac in straight sets 27-25, 25-19 improving to 23-3 on the season after the conference match.

Emma Bleecher pounded 12 kills and had nine digs against the Indians. Three-sport star Taylor Henry had 13 digs of her own.

The Rockets also got 14 assists and 8 digs from senior Maddie Reed. Payton Kaiser, also a senior, contributed a pair of kills of her own next to seven digs.

Up next, Unity hosts Urbana on the upcoming Monday evening. A freshman bout will start at 5pm and the varsity main event somewhere around 6pm.


Burnett double-double lifts SJO

Outside hitter Kennedi Burnett posted 10 kills and recorded 10 digs in the St. Joseph-Ogden road match at Olympia last night. Libero Hannah Fox also contributed 10 digs to help SJO cruise past the other Illini Prairie Conference Spartans, 2-0.

Becca Steinbach notched 19 assists while Rachel Divan, who was a wall at the net with three blocks, contributed three kills.

SJO's Shayne Immke added another four kills and chipped in another seven digs in the conference sweep that ended, 25-8, 25-15.

The Spartans play again at Illinois Valley Central tomorrow at noon.


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Photo gallery: Friday night football is back

Coby Miller (left) and Isaiah Moore lead the St. Joseph-Ogden football team to the field
Coby Miller (left) and Isaiah Moore lead the St. Joseph-Ogden football team to the field before the start of the first home football game of the season. The Spartans opened the season at home against the Monticello Sages. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
SJO coaches
SJO coaches (left to right) Dalton Walsh, Marshall Schacht and Ben Gorman along with head coach Shawn Skinner and longtime assistant Bob Glazier observe a moment of silence in honor of former head coach Dick Duval. Duval, who compiled a record of 251 wins and 75 losses during his 28-year tenure, passed away on August 26. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Griffin Roesch and Evan Ingram
Seniors Griffin Roesch and Evan Ingram run through the team banner during team introduction. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Keaton Nolan slaps hands of students
Keaton Nolan slaps hands of students as he runs through the team tunnel. Nolan, a senior, went on to carry the ball 18 times for 80 yards against the Sages. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
SJO linebacker Bryson Helfrich
SJO linebacker Bryson Helfrich (left) fights his way past Monticello's Ashton Wassom into the Sages backfield during first half action. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Senior Ethan Vanliew flows with the ball
Senior Ethan Vanliew flows with the ball while playing on defense for the Spartans. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Maroon Platoon student fans cheer for the Spartans during first quarter action against Monticello. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Keaton Nolan takes a hit and stopped in his tracks
Driving forward, Spartan Keaton Nolan takes a hit and stopped in his tracks by outside linebacker Blake Mcduffie. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
SJO head coach Shawn Skinner yells instructions
With assistant coach Ben Gorman looking on, SJO head coach Shawn Skinner yells instructions to players on the field between plays. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Taylor Hug tallies stats for the Spartans
Taylor Hug tallies stats for the Spartans during the first half of the game. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Spartan Peyton Sarver goes nose-to-nose in the trench
Mask to mask, Spartan Peyton Sarver goes nose-to-nose in the trench with Sages' Kaleb Reid. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
SJO student fans cheer for their team during the first half. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Running back Isaiah Moore is wrapped up as he crosses the goal line for the first SJO touchdown of the season. Moore also finished his first game of the season with six yards on seven carries. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Jett Morris celebrates SJO's two-point conversion in the first quarter. Unfortunately, it would be the last opportunity the Spartan would get the ball in the end zone. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Finding a lot of open grass, St. Joseph-Ogden quarterback Evan Ingram sprints down the field for a 64-yard run against the Sages. Ingram finished the game with 71 yards rushing and completed six of 14 passes for 35 yards. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Playing on the offensive line, Bryson Helfrich picks up an incoming block during first half action. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Sophomore Braxton Waller comes up to block after snapping the ball. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Members of the 2020 St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame pose for a photo during their recognition ceremony at halftime. The 8th class to be recognized by the school include (left to right) Gary Garrison, Amy Scharlau-Lewis, Greg Knott and Ron White. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Members of the SJO Marching Band perform during halftime. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Austin Cotter (left) and Robbie Huson, a junior, goes over their position assignments before the next play during the second half. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Spartan linebacker Luke Allen slips into the Monticello backfield looking to make a tackle. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Trying to stay hydrated, SJO's Robbie Huson drinks water while on the sidelines. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Five Monticello lineman stuff a hole to prevent Spartan running back Justice Wertz from getting past the line of scrimmage. Wertz finished the night with 33 yards on 11 carries. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
SJO's Peyton Sarver fights to get into the Monticello backfield. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
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Friday Night Lights are back!

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Coby Miller waves to parents and fans at the SJO Kickoff last Friday. Miller and the Spartans will host Monticello to start their campaign for a 2021 football playoff berth. Prior to the opening kick, a service remembering head coach Dick Duval, who passed away Thursday evening after a long battle with cancer, will be held. Also, during halftime, this year's SJO Hall of Fame Class will also be recognized at Dick Duval Field. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
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