Katelyn Berry has some good advice for future SJO students.
"Enjoy every moment, do not take anything for granted, and to live every moment to the fullest," said the senior, who thinks SJO is simply a great place to be.
"The coronavirus pandemic has made me realize that I shouldn’t ever take anything for granted. I realized that you don’t really know what you have until it’s gone, " she explained. "This will definitely make me feel more grateful for everything I have."
Berry, a four-year veteran in the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball program, was involved in a number of organizations in high school. She was a member of NHS, the Advisory Mentoring Program, the Future Spartans Mentoring Program, Spanish Club and the Maroon Platoon. She was also on Student Council and played basketball for one season.
"Going to SJO was special for me because I made incredible friendships and memories through volleyball," she said. "I had some of the best teachers throughout my years at SJO, and I had some of the most memorable experiences in all of the activities I was involved in at SJO."
Her favorite classes over the years were Advanced Spanish III with Sr. Zak Sutton and Civics and Economics with Mr. Marshall Schacht, who she notes is one of her favorite high school teachers. She added that Mrs. Stone and Mr. Risley were her two favorite teachers at St. Joseph Middle School.
In addition to speaking Spanish, the St. Joseph native said she would also like to learn French, German and Italian some day.
This fall, Berry will join the student body at the University of Missouri to major in health sciences. Her career goal will be focused on o becoming a licensed physical therapist, something she decided on almost two years ago after suffering a sports injury.
"I realized I wanted to be a physical therapist when I tore my ACL sophomore year during club volleyball season," she said. "I had to spend seven months going to physical therapy and being in that atmosphere made me realize that I could see myself doing that as a career one day.
"A lot of people don’t enjoy going to physical therapy, but I noticed that I actually liked being there," she added.
Berry was a key figure in the Spartan volleyball team's 37-5 record and third-place state finish back in November. She finished her final season with SJO with over 250 kills, 169 digs and 18 service aces in 2019.
She loves the atmosphere of big games, the one's where there is so much energy in the air you can reach out an touch it.
"Even though we were hours away from home, our fans showed up and made the place have so much energy that really helped us through that game," Berry said, describing the 'incredible atmosphere' during SJO's thrilling supersectional match against Chicago Christian. Another game she will remember is the Spartans' road match at St. Thomas More game her junior year. "We beat them in three sets. Once again, our student section showed up and they really made it even more enjoyable to play."
Poised with a high level of mental toughness, Berry is the player you on the floor with you in a match when your team is the underdog facing overwhelming odds. In crucial moments during a game, she might bend but can't be broken. The higher the stakes, the tougher, more focused she becomes. Giving up nor giving in, neither don't appear to be an option her book.
"I always try telling myself to stay calm. It’s a lot easier to play when you’re up on the scoreboard," she said. "So whenever we were down I would just remind myself to think about what you’re playing for. We were playing for a trophy all season long and I was constantly reminding myself of that."
On Friday nights during football season Berry was on the sidelines responsible for keeping offensive stats. Following in the footsteps of her older sister who was a statistician when she was in high school, she became a stat girl after Lindsey Aden, a really good friend was a stat girl her sophomore year, recruited her the fall of their junior year.
"To be a stat girl, you have to really focus on the game the entire time," she said. "A lot is happening really quickly and you have to get it all down."
In her free time, she likes to hang out with her family, which consist of her parents and two siblings - an older sister and an older brother - as well as friends.
When she's chilling with family and friends she likes to go to Marble Slab for ice cream, play monopoly, and watch movies.
Volleyball team fought to the end in loss to Champaign Central
![]() (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
St. Joseph-Ogden Jenna Albrecht goes up for a block against visiting Champaign Central. The Spartans suffered their second loss of the season in straight sets to visiting Champaign Central, 25-22, 25-20. See more match photos here . . .
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SJO led for the first 13 points in set one. After breaking a tie at 8-all, the senior led squad started to pull away stretching their lead to as many as three points over the course of next several exchanges.
However, Central would not let their host, with an enrollment one-third of their own, bully them for long.
"They had an offense that we were not necessarily prepared for. We keyed on some big kids we thought would swing aggressively against us," said SJO head coach Abby McDonald. "They picked our defense apart. They swung aggressively and they tipped well."
After yet another lead change, senior Katelyn Berry and the Spartans fought back valiantly once again to tie the score for the final time in the set. The Maroons buckled down to squeak out the win, 25-22.
SJO mostly trailed the start of the second set and finally clawed their way to their first and only lead at 13-12. The lead change was short-lived as the Maroons rallied back to 16-15 and continued to hit through the Spartans' blocks to a 25-20 finish.
"As a team they played excellent," McDonald said, complimenting the Maroons' aggressive play. "They really got us out of system and kept us out the majority of the night."
While the height disadvantage was evident, Berry said the team needs to find other ways to score.
"I think once we got down we kind of stayed down rather than getting (back) up," she said. "In future when we get down, we have to keep pushing."
Seniors Payton Vallee, Lacey Kaiser and Kennedi Burnett contributed four kills. Kaiser and Burnett tallied 10 digs in the loss. Another senior, Emily Bigger, had 23 assists.
"I commend all of our kids. I thought they fought to the end," McDonald added. "We just didn't capitalize on some of the things that we really needed to be successful."
The loss, when weighed against the level of competition so far, drops SJO's record to a quite respectable at 5-2.
"Its not time for us to peak yet. Let's peak when it counts," McDonald said with her eyes on a deep postseason run. "Our biggest thing right now is what can we learn from every match. Now we have to start making sure we are gaining some kind of knowledge no matter if we win or lose."
SJO volleyball rebound from loss, knock off Oakwood 2-0
![]() Spartans' Katelyn Berry celebrates a point during the second set in her team's home non-conference contest against Oakwood. After falling 2-0 to visiting Champaign Central just 24 hours earlier, Berry led SJO to a decisive 25-8, 25-10 win on Wednesday. The senior hammered a team-high 10 kills and pummeled the Comets with a pair of aces. St. Joseph-Ogden will play its next set of matches at this weekend's Mahomet-Seymour Varsity Volleyball Tournament. SJO opens pool play at 8:30 a.m. and will play again at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
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Varsity soccer falls 2-0, Berry leads volleyball in loss to Maroons
Sports Book: September 10
SJO falls at home to Central
The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team picked up their second loss of the season after a 2-0 loss to visiting Champaign Central.
Katelyn Berry led the Spartans with seven kills and four digs in the non-conference match up. Jenna Albrecht contributed another five as the program's record moves to 4-2 on the season. Lacey Kaiser buoyed the team at the net with three blocks.
The Spartans host the Oakwood Comets tonight for another non-conference match before heading to the Mahomet-Seymour tournament this weekend.
Second half slide nips soccer team
Freshman keeper Hunter Ketchum had six saves in the Spartans' 2-0 loss to Fisher-GCMS at home last night. Bunnies Ethan Kasper scored the only two goals in the non-conference contest. His second came on a penalty kick less than ten yards from the posts.
SJO had a plethora of runs that could have resulted in scores, but could not put the ball in the net on their new field at the Sports Complex.
"I feel like we just lacking one part," said senior Kolton Batty. He is optimistic about the rest of the season and the current record is part of the process of maturing as a team. "Its just mental. I know we are a better team than we are."
The Spartans drop to 1-5-1 and play Oakwood at the Cornjerker Classic in Hoopeston on Friday. Match time is set for 4pm.
Blackburn first at Oakwood Invite
Ethan Blackburn ran a 12:53.66 at Kickapoo to finish first in the Oakwood-Salt Fork triangle meet. Tad Pettit finished the two-mile course, shorten from three-miles due to the extreme heat on Tuesday, at 12:56.66. Brandon Mattsey and Eric Poe cross the line six-seven to round out the top four SJO runners.
UPDATE: This article was updated 9/12/19 with boys cross country team results.
Two dimensional Eagles will test SJO tenacity
The Spartans take their ground pounding touchdown scoring machine to Rantoul tomorrow for their week 2 of IHSA football.
The Eagles have yet to beat a St. Joseph-Ogden football team. If the pigskin rolls their way, and they are hoping to do so, it will make their homecoming weekend hootenanny just a bit merrier.
In their Illini Prairie Conference opener last Friday, the Eagles fell 42-20 on the road at Prairie Central. The Hawks pulled away in the third quarter, scoring three times to hand Rantoul their first loss of the season.
The Spartans, who put up 278 all-purposes yards on St. Thomas More on their way to a 36-8 win, will have their strength and conditioning tested, both in the trenches and in the secondary with the Eagles.
Rantoul Township amassed 213 yards, a healthy number, against by some accounts a postseason ready Prairie Central squad.
Up front on defense, Jaden Miller led the Spartans with nine tackles, one for a loss, against the Sabers. Brayden Weaver and Sam Wesley had nine tackles apiece to assist in holding the St. Thomas More total offense to less than 120 yards.
No doubt the trio will have their work cut out for themselves. Their leadership on the field and on the sidelines with the less experienced players could be a pivotal factor in the outcome.
The Eagles' primary receivers who include Colin Wilkerson, Bryant Shaw and Terhune, combined for six catches for 137 yards against the Hawks. Wilkerson, the number one passing threat, had four catches for 68 yards. Terhune caught two passes, one for a touchdown, and finished the opener with 25 yard. The receiving corps was good for 140 yards.
Utilizing their passing game sparingly last week, in comparison St. Joseph-Ogden passed for just 29 yards.
"Our assessment is we have to be better," said SJO head coach Shawn Skinner after their home game against STM. "The offensive line has to block better. Receivers have to run better routes."
He added: "Crayton (Burnett) is a good quarterback and we have to utilize him."
Burnett knows there are some details he needs to work on to put the ball in the hands of his receivers.
"Me personally I need to make better decision with the passing game," he said. "Once that happens everything will be fine. I'm going to work hard and work had on my reads."
Weaver isn't letting Burnett or the offensive line shoulder all of the blame for their passing game against the Sabers. In his mind it is a team effort to bring the passing game up to its potential, especially when you have a quarterback of Burnett's caliber calling for the snap.
"Obviously, we can clean up some things on the passing game but that's on the backs, too. That's on everybody," he said in his postgame interview. "That's not on the line. You can't really blame them for anything. They did a great job responding to everything that came their way."
In their previous five meetings, the Spartans have outscored the Eagles, 176-52. As members of both the Okaw Valley Conference and now the Illini Prairie, Rantoul has never posted more than 20 points against a St. Joseph-Ogden football squad.
SJO has averaged 35.2 points per game against RTHS.
Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at Rantoul Township High School.
The Eagles have yet to beat a St. Joseph-Ogden football team. If the pigskin rolls their way, and they are hoping to do so, it will make their homecoming weekend hootenanny just a bit merrier.
In their Illini Prairie Conference opener last Friday, the Eagles fell 42-20 on the road at Prairie Central. The Hawks pulled away in the third quarter, scoring three times to hand Rantoul their first loss of the season.

The Spartan defense held St. Thomas More under 125 yards in their Illini Prairie Conference opener. SJO will likely face a much more physical group as they look for win number 2 this season. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
The Spartans, who put up 278 all-purposes yards on St. Thomas More on their way to a 36-8 win, will have their strength and conditioning tested, both in the trenches and in the secondary with the Eagles.
Rantoul Township amassed 213 yards, a healthy number, against by some accounts a postseason ready Prairie Central squad.
Up front on defense, Jaden Miller led the Spartans with nine tackles, one for a loss, against the Sabers. Brayden Weaver and Sam Wesley had nine tackles apiece to assist in holding the St. Thomas More total offense to less than 120 yards.
No doubt the trio will have their work cut out for themselves. Their leadership on the field and on the sidelines with the less experienced players could be a pivotal factor in the outcome.
The Eagles' primary receivers who include Colin Wilkerson, Bryant Shaw and Terhune, combined for six catches for 137 yards against the Hawks. Wilkerson, the number one passing threat, had four catches for 68 yards. Terhune caught two passes, one for a touchdown, and finished the opener with 25 yard. The receiving corps was good for 140 yards.
Utilizing their passing game sparingly last week, in comparison St. Joseph-Ogden passed for just 29 yards.
"Our assessment is we have to be better," said SJO head coach Shawn Skinner after their home game against STM. "The offensive line has to block better. Receivers have to run better routes."
He added: "Crayton (Burnett) is a good quarterback and we have to utilize him."
Burnett knows there are some details he needs to work on to put the ball in the hands of his receivers.
"Me personally I need to make better decision with the passing game," he said. "Once that happens everything will be fine. I'm going to work hard and work had on my reads."
Weaver isn't letting Burnett or the offensive line shoulder all of the blame for their passing game against the Sabers. In his mind it is a team effort to bring the passing game up to its potential, especially when you have a quarterback of Burnett's caliber calling for the snap.
"Obviously, we can clean up some things on the passing game but that's on the backs, too. That's on everybody," he said in his postgame interview. "That's not on the line. You can't really blame them for anything. They did a great job responding to everything that came their way."
In their previous five meetings, the Spartans have outscored the Eagles, 176-52. As members of both the Okaw Valley Conference and now the Illini Prairie, Rantoul has never posted more than 20 points against a St. Joseph-Ogden football squad.
SJO has averaged 35.2 points per game against RTHS.
Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at Rantoul Township High School.
Spartan work ethic pays dividends
![]() Running back Jarrett Stevenson carries the ball during first half action. The senior ran for 173 yards and scored four touchdowns against St. Thomas More. See more photo from the game here ... (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
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"We have a new group of guys and new chemistry," he said days ahead of the team public scrimmage. "We are all willing to put in the work."
After St. Thomas More's Eivory Shellman scored on a short 5-yard run for the first six points of the contest and a successful two-point conversion on a pass play, the score shock quickly wore off for the Spartans.
"I thought the defense responded so well after not preparing for that style of offense. Coach Watson has never really ran that offense before anywhere," explained fourth year head coach Shawn Skinner talking about early defensive miscues. "(We) hadn't prepare for that style of offense. Yet you saw, once coach (Bob) Glazier was able to rally them on the sidelines while offense had the ball, (he) corrected some of the missed assignments and it really wasn't an issue the rest of the night."
Skinner found some comfort in how well many of his players, especially a good portion of them with little varsity experience, buckled down without so much as a blink. Their response led to an 8-all tie before the first quarter ended.
"They just ran it. Down. The. Field," Skinner said, with a hint of pride as he recounted how team quickly fell into doing the jobs they had been trained to do. "They just went back to work. That's the response we wanted."
St. Thomas More's main issue was the response from Jarrett Stevenson.
The senior, who found his way on the field toward the end of the 2018 season, averaged an impressive 8.6 yards per carry against them. After his four-yard plunge and two-point conversion in the first quarter to tie up the score, Stevenson would entered the end zone three more times by the game's end. He wouldn't take all the credit himself.
"My line was incredible. My fullbacks were incredible," he said praising their efforts. "It was insane. It was the best blocking I've ever seen."
Thanks to the strong pushes in the trenches by the offensive line, Stevenson finished the night with 173 rushing yards. Four touchdowns and almost 200 yards isn't a bad way to start a last year of your prep career on the gridiron. It was a huge payout of dividends from his hard work to prepare for the season this past summer.
"He is the strongest kid on team. He works extremely hard," Skinner said while commenting on Stevenson establishing himself as the go-to guy this season. "He has an incredible desire to be successful. We need him to be that guy."
And there was the rest of the Spartan running corp that the Sabers could not contain easily as well on Friday. SJO averaged 7.5 yards per carry as a team and not with just the help of veteran seniors. Sophomores Coby Miller and Keaton Nolan saw varsity action combining 65 yards between the two of them on eight attempts.
And despite his number being called only three times during the 48 minute contest, Brayden Weaver finished the night with smaller numbers. His modest 38 yards and touchdown were equally impressive.
He said without Stevenson he wouldn't have been able to score on his 34-yard run on the north side of the field into the west end zone. After shedding tacklers on his way to the goal line on the play, Weaver dove the last two yards into the end zone with a St. Thomas More defender hanging on.
"Jarrett Stevenson will be in the headlines for his touchdowns and however many yards he had," Weaver said while talking about his scoring run. "He made the best block on the night on that play. If that didn't happen I wouldn't have got in, even with all the broken tackles."
Weaver also recovered one of two STM's fumbles while playing on the defensive side of the ball.
Seeley finds varsity soccer's first goal
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St. Joseph-Ogden senior Zach Seeley makes a pass during first half action against visiting University High on Thursday. The veteran soccer player scored the team's first goal of the season. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
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Spartan Tyler Sullivan shields the ball from a pair of University High players in the first half. The junior say 38 minutes of playing time in the non-conference match. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Seeley, who scored with 11 minutes and 16 seconds left in the game, took advantage of a late game substitution. When the Illinek keeper made a short pass to the newly entered teammate in front of the box, he sprung into action.
"He (the Uni defender) had a mis-touch on the ball so I stole it," Seeley said. "I saw the goal wide open and took the shot."
Seeley knows there is work to be done by the team before the postseason starts.
"We are really young. We are really stacked on juniors," he said. "We have a lot of you talent and have a bit of growing to do."
14 earn softball varsity letters, dynamic duo share MVP
Fourteen members from the St. Joseph-Ogden softball program were awarded varsity letters for their contribution to this season's 22-10 record and 11th consecutive regional title.
"We graduated four seniors who made a lot contributions for the Spartans over the past four years," said first-year head coach Larry Sparks.
Ashtyn Cromwell winds up for a pitch on April 8 against visiting Rantoul at Randy Wolken Field. Cromwell, who was awarded the Brittany Rodgers Award at the end of the season, pitched 57.2 innings this season and finished her final prep season 8-3 from the circle. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
This season's seniors earning varsity letters were Ashtyn Cromwell, Hannah Lewis, Katie Poulter and Savannah Smith.
Cromwell pitched 57.2 innings and closed out her final year high school softball with an 8-3 record from the circle. She was also awarded the Brittany Rogers Award.
Lewis, also a pitcher, appeared in eight games. She struck out five batters in role this spring and was winner of the Jennifer Esworthy Award.
In her 95 trips to the plate, Poulter batted a respectable .326. She was a large contributor to SJO's success recording 31 hits and scoring 28 of the team's combined 288 runs this year. She also chipped in six homers to help break the program record for home runs in a season.
The Spartan program used to be well-known for its ability to take extra bases, almost at will, to run up game scores. In this new era of SJO softball, it is players' ability to put the ball over the fence that is becoming the new trademark. The team pummeled 58 home runs this spring surpassing the previous school mark of 52 in a single season.
Smith finished her final prep season with 40 hits and knocked in 34 runs. She scored 25 runs in the 32 games she played.
Look for the Spartans to be just as sharp offensively in the 2020 season.
"We are extremely happy to be returning most of our lineup for next season," Sparks said. "We will be returning nine players who lettered and got a lot of game experience this past season."
Returning letter winners next spring will include freshmen Kennedy Hudson and Jacey Lewis, both who earned Rookie-of-the-Year recognition from the teammates. Sophomores Raegan Crippen, Sophia Martlage, Audrey Short, Lauren Trankina, and Kaylee Ward are also expected to return as juniors to make a huge impact and support the star-studded senior class.
Alabama commit Bailey Dowling, two-sport standout Hannah Dukeman and veteran pitcher Zoey Witruk, who will be seniors in just a few short months, round out the letters recipients for the season. Expectations are high that the trio will lead the Spartans to the state finals in East Peoria next June.
Dowling, who owns healthy set of IHSA home run records, and Dukeman, an explosive hitter at the plate as well, shared this year's Most-Valuable-Player Award.
"Yes, we have co-MVP’s this season," said Sparks. "Bailey Dowling had another monster offensive season while also fielding at .960. The other winner was Hannah Dukeman, who like Dowling had a monster year offensively and defensively as well."
Dukeman led the team offense putting 50 runs across the plate, scoring 52 times herself all while hitting .545 across 32 games this season. She also hit 13 home runs this spring.
Dowling is well on her way to becoming a legend in Illinois high school softball.
With her junior year in the books, Dowling has a state record and program best 65 career home runs to her credit. She has hit 21 or more home runs in a single season three consecutive times. A member of the USA Junior National Olympic team this summer, she was walked 31 times this season tying slugger Elizabeth Everingham with the same number in the St. Joseph-Ogden record book.
"They were both First Team All-State and All-Area," Sparks said, listing the duo's 2019 accolades. "They were unanimous First Team All-IPC Conference. Both were picked MVP by the players and coaches."
Dowling and Dukeman shared another award along with Savannah Smith. All three were recipients of the team's Gold Glove Award. Smith also won Most-Improved-Player recognition from her teammates and coaches.
"We graduated four seniors who made a lot contributions for the Spartans over the past four years," said first-year head coach Larry Sparks.

This season's seniors earning varsity letters were Ashtyn Cromwell, Hannah Lewis, Katie Poulter and Savannah Smith.
Cromwell pitched 57.2 innings and closed out her final year high school softball with an 8-3 record from the circle. She was also awarded the Brittany Rogers Award.
Lewis, also a pitcher, appeared in eight games. She struck out five batters in role this spring and was winner of the Jennifer Esworthy Award.
In her 95 trips to the plate, Poulter batted a respectable .326. She was a large contributor to SJO's success recording 31 hits and scoring 28 of the team's combined 288 runs this year. She also chipped in six homers to help break the program record for home runs in a season.
The Spartan program used to be well-known for its ability to take extra bases, almost at will, to run up game scores. In this new era of SJO softball, it is players' ability to put the ball over the fence that is becoming the new trademark. The team pummeled 58 home runs this spring surpassing the previous school mark of 52 in a single season.
Smith finished her final prep season with 40 hits and knocked in 34 runs. She scored 25 runs in the 32 games she played.
Look for the Spartans to be just as sharp offensively in the 2020 season.
"We are extremely happy to be returning most of our lineup for next season," Sparks said. "We will be returning nine players who lettered and got a lot of game experience this past season."
Returning letter winners next spring will include freshmen Kennedy Hudson and Jacey Lewis, both who earned Rookie-of-the-Year recognition from the teammates. Sophomores Raegan Crippen, Sophia Martlage, Audrey Short, Lauren Trankina, and Kaylee Ward are also expected to return as juniors to make a huge impact and support the star-studded senior class.
Alabama commit Bailey Dowling, two-sport standout Hannah Dukeman and veteran pitcher Zoey Witruk, who will be seniors in just a few short months, round out the letters recipients for the season. Expectations are high that the trio will lead the Spartans to the state finals in East Peoria next June.
Dowling, who owns healthy set of IHSA home run records, and Dukeman, an explosive hitter at the plate as well, shared this year's Most-Valuable-Player Award.
"Yes, we have co-MVP’s this season," said Sparks. "Bailey Dowling had another monster offensive season while also fielding at .960. The other winner was Hannah Dukeman, who like Dowling had a monster year offensively and defensively as well."
Dukeman led the team offense putting 50 runs across the plate, scoring 52 times herself all while hitting .545 across 32 games this season. She also hit 13 home runs this spring.
Dowling is well on her way to becoming a legend in Illinois high school softball.
With her junior year in the books, Dowling has a state record and program best 65 career home runs to her credit. She has hit 21 or more home runs in a single season three consecutive times. A member of the USA Junior National Olympic team this summer, she was walked 31 times this season tying slugger Elizabeth Everingham with the same number in the St. Joseph-Ogden record book.
"They were both First Team All-State and All-Area," Sparks said, listing the duo's 2019 accolades. "They were unanimous First Team All-IPC Conference. Both were picked MVP by the players and coaches."
Dowling and Dukeman shared another award along with Savannah Smith. All three were recipients of the team's Gold Glove Award. Smith also won Most-Improved-Player recognition from her teammates and coaches.
Taylor, Hamilton earn track MVP recognition
Next spring, without Maclayne Taylor sporting the maroon and Columbia Blue, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls track team has some pretty fast shoes to fill.
The senior who was named the program's Most-Valuable-Player earlier this month was instrumental in the program finishing in the top three of all Class 1A schools the past three season. Back in the middle of last month, Taylor added four more state medals to her collection of seven earned in three seasons.
During her three state appearances only once, and that was this past May competing in the four-by-one, did Taylor and her running mates cross the finish line lower than in second place in an IHSA state final event.
Like Taylor, Atleigh Hamilton is building quite a collection of her own. The sophomore received the team's nod as the Field Events MVP after winning her second IHSA state long jump title.
In addition to her gold medal in the long jump at last month's state meet in Charleston, Hamilton won a second in the 4x200 meter relay. She also picked up a medal for a 5th place finish in the four-by-one and a silver medal in the Class 1A 4x400 meter relay.
The track team bestowed Most-Improved-Player honors to junior Jillian Plotner. Senior Rylee Sjuts earned the Spartan Award.
This year's seniors earning varsity letters are Cassidy Bagby, Rylee Sjuts, Brianna Suits and Maclayne Taylor.
Junior letter winners are Lindsey Aden, Jenna Albrecht, Mimi Allen, Hailey Birt, Danie Kelso, Ally Monk, Jillian Plotner, Hannah Rajlich and Anna Wentzloff.
Ten underclassmen, two sophomores and eight freshman also awarded varsity letters.
Sophomores Atleigh Hamilton and Payton Vallee along with future SJO track stars Addie Allen, Abby Behrens, Angie Chahine, Kailyn Ingram, Ava Knap, Ashlyn Lannert, Hope Rajlich and Grace Schmitz won varsity letters this season.
The senior who was named the program's Most-Valuable-Player earlier this month was instrumental in the program finishing in the top three of all Class 1A schools the past three season. Back in the middle of last month, Taylor added four more state medals to her collection of seven earned in three seasons.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Maclayne Taylor runs to the finish line in the Class 1A 4x400-Meter Relay prelims at the Illinois High School Association's State track & field meet on Thursday, May 16. The senior was named the track team's MVP earlier this month. The SJO relay squad finished first in their heat with a time of 4:07.42 and went on to win the silver medal in Saturday's finals. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark BrooksDuring her three state appearances only once, and that was this past May competing in the four-by-one, did Taylor and her running mates cross the finish line lower than in second place in an IHSA state final event.
Like Taylor, Atleigh Hamilton is building quite a collection of her own. The sophomore received the team's nod as the Field Events MVP after winning her second IHSA state long jump title.
In addition to her gold medal in the long jump at last month's state meet in Charleston, Hamilton won a second in the 4x200 meter relay. She also picked up a medal for a 5th place finish in the four-by-one and a silver medal in the Class 1A 4x400 meter relay.
The track team bestowed Most-Improved-Player honors to junior Jillian Plotner. Senior Rylee Sjuts earned the Spartan Award.
This year's seniors earning varsity letters are Cassidy Bagby, Rylee Sjuts, Brianna Suits and Maclayne Taylor.
Junior letter winners are Lindsey Aden, Jenna Albrecht, Mimi Allen, Hailey Birt, Danie Kelso, Ally Monk, Jillian Plotner, Hannah Rajlich and Anna Wentzloff.
Ten underclassmen, two sophomores and eight freshman also awarded varsity letters.
Sophomores Atleigh Hamilton and Payton Vallee along with future SJO track stars Addie Allen, Abby Behrens, Angie Chahine, Kailyn Ingram, Ava Knap, Ashlyn Lannert, Hope Rajlich and Grace Schmitz won varsity letters this season.
20 earn varsity track letters this season
It was a good season to be a Spartan for Hayden Knott. Earlier in the month he was named as the SJO's boys track team's Most-Valuable Player. He was also honored as field event MVP in addition to earning his second varsity track letter.
Knott, whose best marks in the shot put at 49 feet-3.25 inches and 145 feet-11 inches in the discus, set new personal records in both events this season. The sophomore won three meet event titles at two different events this season. He brought home two gold medals from the Rantoul Invite and one from a multi-school meet with Urbana, Monticello, Danville and Rantoul.
St. Joseph-Ogden's Lane Gaskin runs anchor leg in their preliminary race in the 4x200-meter relay at the Illinois High School Association's State track & field meet on Thursday. Despite their best effort the Spartans ran a 1:31.7 failing to qualify for Saturday's state finals. Gaskin was one of nine seniors who earned varsity track letters this season. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Ethan Vanliew was named the fresh/soph MVP. Vanliew competed in the 60-Meter, 100-Meter and 400-Meter dashes. In addition to competing in the high jump his first season in the Spartan uniform, he was also a member of 100, 200 and 400 relay squads
Earlier this week, senior Aiden Meyers signed his National Letter of Intent to run track at Eastern Illinois University. Meyer, who was named Most-Improved Player, will join SJO alumni Riley Baker and Austin Earp on the Panther roster next fall.
Meyer was a top three finisher in seven of the five outdoor meets he competed in this season. In his first meet of the year, he PR his 100-Meter Dash time at 11.11.
Twenty members of the track team, which includes four freshman athletes, earned varsity letters.
Senior letter winners include Joel Branson, Dwight Colvin, Nathan Emmert, Lane Gaskin, Kaleb Harshbarger, Isiah McCune, Aiden Meyer, Hanson Rieches and Keanen Swanson. Juniors earning a varsity letter was Max Chatterton, Brayden Grimsey, Nolan Peacock and Eric Poe. Three sophomores, Brady Buss, Hayden Knott and Brandon Mattsey along with frosh runners Elijah Mock, Jonny Poulter, Luke Stegall and Ethan Vanliew.
Knott, whose best marks in the shot put at 49 feet-3.25 inches and 145 feet-11 inches in the discus, set new personal records in both events this season. The sophomore won three meet event titles at two different events this season. He brought home two gold medals from the Rantoul Invite and one from a multi-school meet with Urbana, Monticello, Danville and Rantoul.

Ethan Vanliew was named the fresh/soph MVP. Vanliew competed in the 60-Meter, 100-Meter and 400-Meter dashes. In addition to competing in the high jump his first season in the Spartan uniform, he was also a member of 100, 200 and 400 relay squads
Earlier this week, senior Aiden Meyers signed his National Letter of Intent to run track at Eastern Illinois University. Meyer, who was named Most-Improved Player, will join SJO alumni Riley Baker and Austin Earp on the Panther roster next fall.
Meyer was a top three finisher in seven of the five outdoor meets he competed in this season. In his first meet of the year, he PR his 100-Meter Dash time at 11.11.
Twenty members of the track team, which includes four freshman athletes, earned varsity letters.
Senior letter winners include Joel Branson, Dwight Colvin, Nathan Emmert, Lane Gaskin, Kaleb Harshbarger, Isiah McCune, Aiden Meyer, Hanson Rieches and Keanen Swanson. Juniors earning a varsity letter was Max Chatterton, Brayden Grimsey, Nolan Peacock and Eric Poe. Three sophomores, Brady Buss, Hayden Knott and Brandon Mattsey along with frosh runners Elijah Mock, Jonny Poulter, Luke Stegall and Ethan Vanliew.
Three SJO relay squads advance to boys state meet
Three St. Joseph-Ogden athletes and as many relay squads from the team qualified for this weekend's Illinois High School Association boys state meet in Charleston.
Nolan Peacock and Hayden Knott were the only two Spartans to advance to the state meet in the field events.
Peacock will compete against a talented group of 34 high flying vaulters in the Class 1A pole vault. The junior cleared 11 feet-9 inches, good for a second place sectional finish, to qualify for a spot in Thursday's preliminary round.
St. Joseph-Ogden's Aiden Meyer looks for running room after snagging a pass in the Spartans' first-round, road playoff game against Monticello in October last fall. Meyer, who suffered an injury during the meet, will continue his athletic career after high school electing to play football at St. Ambrose University. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
The competition for Peacock will be stacked pretty high at state. The top sectional qualifier, Kyle Kruhtoff from Erie-Prophetstown, has raised the bar even before he and his competitors has laid eyes on the Eastern Illinois University campus. After winning last year's state pole vault title at 15 feet-6 inches, he leads all entrants state-wide in the event at 16 feet-even.
This will be Knott's second consecutive trip to O'Brien Stadium to state. As a freshman he qualified for state in the discus throw, a feat he was unable to duplicate this season. Instead, he will be throwing the metal ball down range as far as he can with the hopes of making the cut into Saturday's shot put finals.
Knott earn fourth place finishes in both the shot and discus at the sectional meet hosted by the Spartans on Friday. He sent the discus 132 feet and 1 inch and chucked the shot 49 feet-3.25 inches for his best meet marks.
Lane Gaskin hopes end his SJO track career on a high note. The senior will run in Thursday's 200-Meter Dash and in possibly two of the three relay prelims on Thursday. He ran a 23 second-flat sectional time, which is the 19th best in the state, and will need to lop off about a half second to make the cut into Saturday's championship race.
With Gaskin in the mix, SJO turned the sixth best sectional 4x100-Meter Relay time at 43.39. Joined by Brady Buss, Aiden Meyer and Dwight Colvin, Gaskin & Co. will face speedy quartets from Pana, DuQuoin and Rushville-Industry and should medal in the event.
The relay to watch will be the 4x200. The speedy foursome of Colvin, Brady Buss, Kaleb Harshbarger and Gaskin from the four-by-one will have a bulleye on their backs and are one of two squads, coincidentally from the same area of the state, to beat. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley enter the event sharing the top sectional time of 1:31 heading into the Thursday prelims.
Later, Buss, Meyer, Ethan Vanliew, Keanen Swanson and Harshbarger combined for a time of 3:31.58 in the 4x400-Meter Relay. The group finished sixth in their sectional and will have to shave at least four seconds off their time to find a spot in the championship race on Saturday.
Despite finishing third in the 4x800-Meter Relay with Swanson, Eric Poe, Isiah McCune and Brandon Mattsey, the Spartans' 8:37.97 missed the cut.
SJO finished fourth in the team competition last Friday with 55 points behind Urbana University High School (3rd, 58 points), Maroa-Forsyth (2nd, 87 points) and meet champions Salt Fork. The Storm clearly dominated the day with 111 points.
Admission to this year's state meet is $10.00 per day and parking near the stadium is $5.00 per day. Tickets for Thursday's preliminary round go on sale at 9am at the O'Brien Stadium box office. Tickets for Saturday's finals will be available starting at 8am.
Correction: According to the results submitted to the IHSA, Gaskin, Meyer, Kaleb Harshbarger and Ethan Vanliew ran 3:31.58 in the 4x400-Meter Relay. The time was actually turned in by Brady Buss, Ethan Vanliew, Keanen Swanson and Kaleb Harshbarger. The 4x200 squad that ran the state qualifying time was made up of Dwight Colvin, Buss, Harshbarger and Lane Gaskin. Head coach Jason Retz confirmed that Aiden Meyer was injured and did not run in either race.
Nolan Peacock and Hayden Knott were the only two Spartans to advance to the state meet in the field events.
Peacock will compete against a talented group of 34 high flying vaulters in the Class 1A pole vault. The junior cleared 11 feet-9 inches, good for a second place sectional finish, to qualify for a spot in Thursday's preliminary round.

The competition for Peacock will be stacked pretty high at state. The top sectional qualifier, Kyle Kruhtoff from Erie-Prophetstown, has raised the bar even before he and his competitors has laid eyes on the Eastern Illinois University campus. After winning last year's state pole vault title at 15 feet-6 inches, he leads all entrants state-wide in the event at 16 feet-even.
This will be Knott's second consecutive trip to O'Brien Stadium to state. As a freshman he qualified for state in the discus throw, a feat he was unable to duplicate this season. Instead, he will be throwing the metal ball down range as far as he can with the hopes of making the cut into Saturday's shot put finals.
Knott earn fourth place finishes in both the shot and discus at the sectional meet hosted by the Spartans on Friday. He sent the discus 132 feet and 1 inch and chucked the shot 49 feet-3.25 inches for his best meet marks.
Lane Gaskin hopes end his SJO track career on a high note. The senior will run in Thursday's 200-Meter Dash and in possibly two of the three relay prelims on Thursday. He ran a 23 second-flat sectional time, which is the 19th best in the state, and will need to lop off about a half second to make the cut into Saturday's championship race.
With Gaskin in the mix, SJO turned the sixth best sectional 4x100-Meter Relay time at 43.39. Joined by Brady Buss, Aiden Meyer and Dwight Colvin, Gaskin & Co. will face speedy quartets from Pana, DuQuoin and Rushville-Industry and should medal in the event.
The relay to watch will be the 4x200. The speedy foursome of Colvin, Brady Buss, Kaleb Harshbarger and Gaskin from the four-by-one will have a bulleye on their backs and are one of two squads, coincidentally from the same area of the state, to beat. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley enter the event sharing the top sectional time of 1:31 heading into the Thursday prelims.
Later, Buss, Meyer, Ethan Vanliew, Keanen Swanson and Harshbarger combined for a time of 3:31.58 in the 4x400-Meter Relay. The group finished sixth in their sectional and will have to shave at least four seconds off their time to find a spot in the championship race on Saturday.
Despite finishing third in the 4x800-Meter Relay with Swanson, Eric Poe, Isiah McCune and Brandon Mattsey, the Spartans' 8:37.97 missed the cut.
SJO finished fourth in the team competition last Friday with 55 points behind Urbana University High School (3rd, 58 points), Maroa-Forsyth (2nd, 87 points) and meet champions Salt Fork. The Storm clearly dominated the day with 111 points.
Admission to this year's state meet is $10.00 per day and parking near the stadium is $5.00 per day. Tickets for Thursday's preliminary round go on sale at 9am at the O'Brien Stadium box office. Tickets for Saturday's finals will be available starting at 8am.
Correction: According to the results submitted to the IHSA, Gaskin, Meyer, Kaleb Harshbarger and Ethan Vanliew ran 3:31.58 in the 4x400-Meter Relay. The time was actually turned in by Brady Buss, Ethan Vanliew, Keanen Swanson and Kaleb Harshbarger. The 4x200 squad that ran the state qualifying time was made up of Dwight Colvin, Buss, Harshbarger and Lane Gaskin. Head coach Jason Retz confirmed that Aiden Meyer was injured and did not run in either race.
Dowling breaks IHSA record
It was bound to happen this season and it finally did. Yesterday, St. Joseph-Ogden shortstop Bailey Dowling became Illinois' most prolific softball home run hitter in IHSA history.
After tying the record of 60 set by Benet Academy's Stephanie Abello in 2015 on Thursday, Dowling hit a pair of dingers to raise the career home run bar to 62.
In her first trip to the plate against visiting Charleston, the Alabama commit crushed the ball over the right field fence. The second shot, her 19th home run of the season, soared over the left field fence pushing the all-time record to 62 by the future Olympic junior national player.
She is now one home run shy from being the first Illinois prep softball player to hit 20 home runs in three consecutive seasons. She pummeled 22 her freshman season at SJO and 21 last spring as a sophomore. Heading into the postseason semifinal against Monticello later today, chances are she will add at least one or more to the total she now commands.
With another season left in her prep career, Dowling could very well hold the career record for ... well, like former Spartan head coach Randy Wolken's career 1,043 win total, ... forever.
Despite her historic, record-making performance, the Spartans (20-9) fell 15-4 to the Trojans in their last regular season contest on the 2019 season.
Hannah Dukeman, also a junior, contributed two RBI in the non-conference loss.
After tying the record of 60 set by Benet Academy's Stephanie Abello in 2015 on Thursday, Dowling hit a pair of dingers to raise the career home run bar to 62.
In her first trip to the plate against visiting Charleston, the Alabama commit crushed the ball over the right field fence. The second shot, her 19th home run of the season, soared over the left field fence pushing the all-time record to 62 by the future Olympic junior national player.
She is now one home run shy from being the first Illinois prep softball player to hit 20 home runs in three consecutive seasons. She pummeled 22 her freshman season at SJO and 21 last spring as a sophomore. Heading into the postseason semifinal against Monticello later today, chances are she will add at least one or more to the total she now commands.
With another season left in her prep career, Dowling could very well hold the career record for ... well, like former Spartan head coach Randy Wolken's career 1,043 win total, ... forever.
Despite her historic, record-making performance, the Spartans (20-9) fell 15-4 to the Trojans in their last regular season contest on the 2019 season.
Hannah Dukeman, also a junior, contributed two RBI in the non-conference loss.
McCarty pitches shutout, SJO wins Invite
Spartans open with decisive whooping
Keegan McCarty brought the heat to the hill securing St. Joseph-Ogden's opening win at the annual SJO Baseball Invitational. The junior hurler collected 17 strikeouts in a complete game no-hitter letting the Spartans roll to a 9-0 victory this morning.
The win halted a two-game slide after the Spartans dropped a conference game earlier this week to Olympia and non-conference 2-1 walk-off heartbreaker to Charleston.
SJO tallied eight hits thanks to Zach Martini and Brayden Weaver who had two apiece. Martini led the team with three RBI.
Blake Primmer added insult to injury with a solo home run in the game.
Hayden Sheehan absorbed the loss for the Bulldogs.
Box Score
St. Teresa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0-0-2
SJO . . . . 1 1 0 1 3 3 x 9-8-0
Opening momentum carries SJO to title
The Spartans moved just one game away from a 20-win season after defeating Tri-Valley in the title game for the four-team tournament, 7-1.
Out of the chute, SJO put four runs on the board in the first inning against the Vikings and never looked back.
Drew Coursey and Kaden Jacobs tallied two hits to cap Senior Day with the win.
The Spartans will play five games in the seven days starting Monday before heading into their regional semifinal game against Heritage on Wednesday, May 15, at Unity.
The full house schedule includes road games at Danville this Monday and Mattoon on Thursday. On Wednesday, SJO will host a make-up date with the Monticello Sages. The team then finishes out the regular season schedule with home contests against Salt Fork on Saturday and Olympia on Monday.
Box Score
Tri-Valley 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1- 2-2
SJO . . . . 4 0 0 2 0 1 x 7-10-2
Three home games to test SJO softball this week
If you haven't been to a St. Joseph-Ogden softball game yet this season, you really need to get over to Randy Wolken Field this week. The Spartans, now 13-1 after defeating Sacred Heart Griffin 19-8 and Mattoon at their invitational last Friday, play three back-to-back home games starting today at 4:30p, at 5p tomorrow and again Wednesday at 4:30p.
The top-ranked Spartans start their three-day home stand today against Unity, who will enter the contest with 15-3 record. Ranked at #10 in the April 8 Class 2A Illinois Coaches Association poll, the Rockets have a lot to prove against the #4 ranked Spartans.
Both teams have defeated four common opponents so far this season. Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin, Villa Grove, Mattoon and Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley have all fallen prey to the two members of Illini Prairie Conference.
The Rockets shut out two of the four, Mattoon and BHRA, and allowed 13 runs against the other two teams. While SJO has allowed 17 runs against those teams, they put a combined 44 runs, five more than Unity, on the scoreboard against the same four teams.
With less than 24 hours of rest, SJO will be back on the field for a rematch against Mattoon on Tuesday. The Spartans, led by junior Hannah Dukeman defeated the Green Wave 15-5 to win this year's Mattoon Invitational title.
SJO tallied more the 17 hits during the game and freshman Kennedy Hudson pounded her first home run of the 2019 season.
In what could be the most challenging of the three games this week, the ladies will close out the homestand against Mt. Zion. The one-loss Braves have nine wins and a tie as of last Friday, and are ranked 20th in the ICA Class 3A poll. In addition to putting SJO's batting and fielding skills to the test, the game will surely probe the softball team's mental toughness and competitive spirit.
Here are five really good reasons to come out and cheer on the Lady Spartans this week:
32
The number of home runs hit in the 14 games by the Spartans so far this season. Hannah Dukeman leads the team with 10, Bailey Dowling has pummeled nine and Kaylee Ward has four so far. You don't want to miss one of these ladies clearing the bases with a game-winning grand slam sailing over Grand Ave this week.
95
With an ERA 1.288, number one pitcher Zoey Witruk (6 wins-1 loss) has collected this many strikeouts so far this season. It will be a treat to watch her frustrate batters as the junior pads her stats with more Ks to her already impressive record.
30
Estimated average attendance of the last three home games by fans. First year head coach Larry Sparks has the program playing an exciting brand of softball. Admission is free and cheering is always appreciated by the players. As always, SJO softball is worth watching.
4
The number of seniors on this season's roster. Hannah Lewis, Katy Poulter, Savannah Smith and Ashytn Cromwell together give the team the depth needed to make a deep post season run.
1
The number of losses The Sentinel expects the Spartans to have after this week of action at The Joe. You won't want to miss one or all three games starting today with friends and neighbors.
The top-ranked Spartans start their three-day home stand today against Unity, who will enter the contest with 15-3 record. Ranked at #10 in the April 8 Class 2A Illinois Coaches Association poll, the Rockets have a lot to prove against the #4 ranked Spartans.
Both teams have defeated four common opponents so far this season. Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin, Villa Grove, Mattoon and Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley have all fallen prey to the two members of Illini Prairie Conference.
The Rockets shut out two of the four, Mattoon and BHRA, and allowed 13 runs against the other two teams. While SJO has allowed 17 runs against those teams, they put a combined 44 runs, five more than Unity, on the scoreboard against the same four teams.
With less than 24 hours of rest, SJO will be back on the field for a rematch against Mattoon on Tuesday. The Spartans, led by junior Hannah Dukeman defeated the Green Wave 15-5 to win this year's Mattoon Invitational title.
SJO tallied more the 17 hits during the game and freshman Kennedy Hudson pounded her first home run of the 2019 season.
In what could be the most challenging of the three games this week, the ladies will close out the homestand against Mt. Zion. The one-loss Braves have nine wins and a tie as of last Friday, and are ranked 20th in the ICA Class 3A poll. In addition to putting SJO's batting and fielding skills to the test, the game will surely probe the softball team's mental toughness and competitive spirit.
Here are five really good reasons to come out and cheer on the Lady Spartans this week:
32
The number of home runs hit in the 14 games by the Spartans so far this season. Hannah Dukeman leads the team with 10, Bailey Dowling has pummeled nine and Kaylee Ward has four so far. You don't want to miss one of these ladies clearing the bases with a game-winning grand slam sailing over Grand Ave this week.
95
With an ERA 1.288, number one pitcher Zoey Witruk (6 wins-1 loss) has collected this many strikeouts so far this season. It will be a treat to watch her frustrate batters as the junior pads her stats with more Ks to her already impressive record.
30
Estimated average attendance of the last three home games by fans. First year head coach Larry Sparks has the program playing an exciting brand of softball. Admission is free and cheering is always appreciated by the players. As always, SJO softball is worth watching.
4
The number of seniors on this season's roster. Hannah Lewis, Katy Poulter, Savannah Smith and Ashytn Cromwell together give the team the depth needed to make a deep post season run.
1
The number of losses The Sentinel expects the Spartans to have after this week of action at The Joe. You won't want to miss one or all three games starting today with friends and neighbors.
Knott, Mattsey lead SJO at Rantoul Invite
Running against a solid field of competitors from Bloom Township, Herscher, Kankakee and 11 other schools, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys track team finished seventh out of a field of 15 schools at the 2019 Rantoul Invite on Saturday. Earning 55 points, SJO finished two points behind Mahomet-Seymour (57 points, 6th place) and a mere three below Urbana(5th place) in fifth place.
St. Joseph-Ogden's Isiah McCune runs to the finish line at the 2018 Illinois High School Association Cross Country State Finals on Saturday, November 3, 2018. The senior finished second in last Saturday's 3200 Meter run at the Rantoul Invite. He finished the Class 1A state race last fall in 44th place overall with a time of 15:50.19.
(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks) (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Earning 20 points for the Spartans, Hayden Knott placed first in both the junior varsity discus and shot put competition.
Throws from Rantoul's Brandon Lord and Danville's Joseph Irons were nowhere near Knott's best throw of the day in the shot competition. The 2018 state-qualifier sent the heavy ball 44-6 3/4, which surpassed the meet record of 40-7 1/2 and his personal best going into the meet by 10 inches. He was the only underclassman to exceed 40 feet.
Knott also recorded a new personal record in the discus, launching it 152-4. His previous personal best was 139-1. The toss broke the old fresh/soph record of 108-04 established by St. Joseph-Ogden's Max Chaterton in 2017.
Brandon Mattsey won the Freshman/Sophomore 1600m Run with a time of 5:00.61. He clocked in three seconds ahead of Monticello's Ed Mitchell (5:03.43) and beat Nathan Rotundo, from McHenry, who finished third at 5:04.22. His time was just a little more than five seconds off his career best of 4:55.40.
Running with Lukas Hutcherson, Elijah Mock and Luke Stegall in the fresh/soph 4x800 race, Mattsey helped the team to four team points by way of a fourth place finish with a time of 09:23.81.
Other top performances included a great effort by senior Isiah McCune, who finished second in the 3200 Meter Run. Nolan Peacock cleared 12'6" to place fourth in the pole vault competition and Lane Gaskin took third in 200 Meter Dash.

Earning 20 points for the Spartans, Hayden Knott placed first in both the junior varsity discus and shot put competition.
Throws from Rantoul's Brandon Lord and Danville's Joseph Irons were nowhere near Knott's best throw of the day in the shot competition. The 2018 state-qualifier sent the heavy ball 44-6 3/4, which surpassed the meet record of 40-7 1/2 and his personal best going into the meet by 10 inches. He was the only underclassman to exceed 40 feet.
Knott also recorded a new personal record in the discus, launching it 152-4. His previous personal best was 139-1. The toss broke the old fresh/soph record of 108-04 established by St. Joseph-Ogden's Max Chaterton in 2017.
Brandon Mattsey won the Freshman/Sophomore 1600m Run with a time of 5:00.61. He clocked in three seconds ahead of Monticello's Ed Mitchell (5:03.43) and beat Nathan Rotundo, from McHenry, who finished third at 5:04.22. His time was just a little more than five seconds off his career best of 4:55.40.
Running with Lukas Hutcherson, Elijah Mock and Luke Stegall in the fresh/soph 4x800 race, Mattsey helped the team to four team points by way of a fourth place finish with a time of 09:23.81.
Other top performances included a great effort by senior Isiah McCune, who finished second in the 3200 Meter Run. Nolan Peacock cleared 12'6" to place fourth in the pole vault competition and Lane Gaskin took third in 200 Meter Dash.
Memory Monday: Spartans face Central on the road
Fifteen years ago today, the Spartans traveled to Champaign to face the Maroons in a non-conference game on a beautiful spring afternoon. It the PhotoNews' first season covering SJO baseball for the now defunct Ogden Leader. The Leader may be gone, but the PhotoNews is still covering as many games as possible making high-quality photographs and capturing memories of the Spartan baseball program for athletes and fans to enjoy just like this decades later.
While we remember the names and most of the faces, we couldn't find the results or box scores for this game in our files. If you remember the final score let us know via Twitter.
See more photos from this game in the PhotoNews Media archives: SJO vs Champaign Central.
Jason Johnson (Class of 2005) unwinds during a pitch against the Maroons. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
After getting on base, senior Chad Dilley,a two-sport athlete, rounds second base early on in the game against Central. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Cody Mast takes a swing at a Maroon pitch. Mast also played football for the Spartans his senior year. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Center fielder Nick Sibbing makes a long throw to the cutoff man at second base. Like all three players above, Sibbing also played football for the Spartans. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
While we remember the names and most of the faces, we couldn't find the results or box scores for this game in our files. If you remember the final score let us know via Twitter.
See more photos from this game in the PhotoNews Media archives: SJO vs Champaign Central.




Undefeated, top-rated SJO softball team finish the week, 4-0
In the first seven days of April and just nine games into the 2019 season, the legacy built by former St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Randy Wolken absolutely shows no sign of fading any time soon. Under first-year head coach Larry Sparks, the St. Joseph-Ogden softball team undoubtedly are once again sporting one of the largest bullseyes in Class 2A on their backs.
Zoey Witruk winds up for a pitch against Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley. The junior picked up three pitching wins in SJO's last four games. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
The 9-0 Spartans are chewing up opponents with the intensity of Category 4 storm. In their wake this week alone, SJO has tallied nine home runs and outscored their opponents 36-5 in four games.
Only three other teams in their division can boast a 9-game or better win streak this season.
Tuscola, on a collision course with the Spartans in less than a month on May 6, is also undefeated with 12 wins this season. The Warriors, placed in the southern quad by the IHSA, will be playing through the Johnson City super-sectional for their shot at a state appearance along with 9-0 Edwards County.
The Beecher Bobcats, who will be playing for the Joliet College super-sectional title, is also undefeated at 10-0.
The Spartans will play in the Olympia sectional with teams from Argenta-Oreana, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin, Oakwood, Georgetown-Ridge Farm, Maroa-Forsyth, Monticello, Unity, Warrensburg-Latham, and Westville.
Here's a brief recap of this past week's action:
Dowling plasters two homer runs
Alabama commit and USA junior national team member Baily Dowling wasn't joking around on April Fool's Day. The senior started the four-game week off with two home runs for SJO. Meanwhile, junior Hannah Dukeman sent a ball yard herself in the 9-0 shutout on Monday.
Adding another win to her record this season, Zoey Witruk gave up one hit and fanned 13 in the six-inning affair.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 0 2 0 5 1 - 9 - -
Maroa-Forysth __  0 0 0 0 0 - - 0 - -
Witruk records 13 K's on Villa Grove
Junior Zoey Witruk struck out 13 Blue Devil batters for SJO in their 7-2 win over Villa Grove on Tuesday, April 2.
St. Joseph-Ogden seniors Savannah Smith, Katie Poulter and Bailey Dowling logged two hits apiece. Freshman Kennedy Hudson also had pair of hits to help extend the team's undefeated streak to seven games.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 1 2 0 3 0 - 2 - -
Villa Grove _____  1 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 - -
SJO scores 11, in one inning
Hosting Lincoln High School on April 3, St. Joseph-Ogden needed just five innings to blast the Railsplitters, 17-2. The Spartans tallied 18 hits in the non-conference victory.
SJO pounded a stunning four home runs with bombs from Hannah Dukeman, Kaylee Ward, Katie Poulter and Lauren Trankina.
Dukeman, who delivered four RBI, and Poulter tallied three hits apiece.
Ashtyn Cromwell threw a complete game for the win.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 1 11 5 - - - 17 - -
Lincoln ______      0 0  1 1 - - -   2 - -
Spartans score three runs on Tri-Valley
In a complete game from Zoey Witruk the Spartans knocked off the Vikings, 3-1. Witruk, who gave up four hits, struck out 14 batters in the road victory. Katie Poulter put the ball out of the park for the ninth Spartan home run for the week. Catcher Hannah Dukeman notched two hits on Saturday.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3 - -
Tri-Valley ____      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 - -

The 9-0 Spartans are chewing up opponents with the intensity of Category 4 storm. In their wake this week alone, SJO has tallied nine home runs and outscored their opponents 36-5 in four games.
Only three other teams in their division can boast a 9-game or better win streak this season.
Tuscola, on a collision course with the Spartans in less than a month on May 6, is also undefeated with 12 wins this season. The Warriors, placed in the southern quad by the IHSA, will be playing through the Johnson City super-sectional for their shot at a state appearance along with 9-0 Edwards County.
The Beecher Bobcats, who will be playing for the Joliet College super-sectional title, is also undefeated at 10-0.
The Spartans will play in the Olympia sectional with teams from Argenta-Oreana, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin, Oakwood, Georgetown-Ridge Farm, Maroa-Forsyth, Monticello, Unity, Warrensburg-Latham, and Westville.
Here's a brief recap of this past week's action:
Dowling plasters two homer runs
Alabama commit and USA junior national team member Baily Dowling wasn't joking around on April Fool's Day. The senior started the four-game week off with two home runs for SJO. Meanwhile, junior Hannah Dukeman sent a ball yard herself in the 9-0 shutout on Monday.
Adding another win to her record this season, Zoey Witruk gave up one hit and fanned 13 in the six-inning affair.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 0 2 0 5 1 - 9 - -
Maroa-Forysth __  0 0 0 0 0 - - 0 - -
Witruk records 13 K's on Villa Grove
Junior Zoey Witruk struck out 13 Blue Devil batters for SJO in their 7-2 win over Villa Grove on Tuesday, April 2.
St. Joseph-Ogden seniors Savannah Smith, Katie Poulter and Bailey Dowling logged two hits apiece. Freshman Kennedy Hudson also had pair of hits to help extend the team's undefeated streak to seven games.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 1 2 0 3 0 - 2 - -
Villa Grove _____  1 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 - -
SJO scores 11, in one inning
Hosting Lincoln High School on April 3, St. Joseph-Ogden needed just five innings to blast the Railsplitters, 17-2. The Spartans tallied 18 hits in the non-conference victory.
SJO pounded a stunning four home runs with bombs from Hannah Dukeman, Kaylee Ward, Katie Poulter and Lauren Trankina.
Dukeman, who delivered four RBI, and Poulter tallied three hits apiece.
Ashtyn Cromwell threw a complete game for the win.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 1 1 11 5 - - - 17 - -
Lincoln ______      0 0  1 1 - - -   2 - -
Spartans score three runs on Tri-Valley
In a complete game from Zoey Witruk the Spartans knocked off the Vikings, 3-1. Witruk, who gave up four hits, struck out 14 batters in the road victory. Katie Poulter put the ball out of the park for the ninth Spartan home run for the week. Catcher Hannah Dukeman notched two hits on Saturday.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3 - -
Tri-Valley ____      0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 - -
Spartans defeat Westville in non-conference game
Keegan McCarty, Adam Frerichs and Drew Coursey delivered a pair of RBI each to lead the St. Joseph-Ogden baseball team in a 9-4 victory over Westville on Thursday, March 29. The win improves the Spartans' record to a modest 6 wins with 4 losses.
Replaced by Caleb Johnson, frosh hurler Joe Acton faced seven batters before being retired after two innings. Johnson battled ferociously during his tenure on the hill, however a sloppy defensive effort from the guys behind him allowed the Tigers to quickly tally three runs in the top of fourth frame.
Drew Coursey throws a pitch in the top of the seventh inning in SJO's home game against Westville. The Spartans unleash a 4-run rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to win, 9-4. Coursey struck out two of the 11 batters he faced to earn the win on the mound. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
"I thought we were pretty sloppy today," Spartan head coach Josh Haley said focusing on the errors in that inning. "We didn't run the bases very good and was over-swinging at the plate. As far as what we need to do to get better we didn't do very well today."
SJO answered Westville's rally meekly with a go-ahead run in the bottom the frame to break the 4-all tie.
Haley then dialed Drew Coursey's number to climb the hill.
Bringing the heat with laser intensity on every pitch, Coursey effectively shut down Westville's offensive momentum for a scoreless fifth inning.
The junior struck out two of the ll batters he faced on his way to earn the win.
Following Coursey's lead, the Spartans refocused their efforts posting a four-run rally in the bottom of the inning to sealed the victory.
"We had three pitchers that did a nice job throwing strikes," Haley said. "At the end of the day, they took care of business in the win column."
McCarty, who led the Spartans with 3 hits, was all business for the Spartans. He scored twice and junior Sam Wesley added three runs of own on a pair of hits.
The Tigers were led by junior Cyrus Doughtery, who hit a solo home run and finished the game with two hits. Dalton Rolinitis was credited with two hits, one a home run and three RBI.
"With our schedule there are no days off," Haley added. "You gotta take care of business in the small areas and that's where I thought we were a little sloppy."
Even after a less than stellar day, Haley's confidence in the SJO pitching corps and this season legion of talented players is unflappable.
"We have four arms that can give us a chance to win every time they are out there. We just have to try and continue to get better."
Box Score
Westville  1 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 7 1
SJO . . . . 3 0 1 1 4 0 X 9 8 1
Replaced by Caleb Johnson, frosh hurler Joe Acton faced seven batters before being retired after two innings. Johnson battled ferociously during his tenure on the hill, however a sloppy defensive effort from the guys behind him allowed the Tigers to quickly tally three runs in the top of fourth frame.

"I thought we were pretty sloppy today," Spartan head coach Josh Haley said focusing on the errors in that inning. "We didn't run the bases very good and was over-swinging at the plate. As far as what we need to do to get better we didn't do very well today."
SJO answered Westville's rally meekly with a go-ahead run in the bottom the frame to break the 4-all tie.
Haley then dialed Drew Coursey's number to climb the hill.
Bringing the heat with laser intensity on every pitch, Coursey effectively shut down Westville's offensive momentum for a scoreless fifth inning.
The junior struck out two of the ll batters he faced on his way to earn the win.
Following Coursey's lead, the Spartans refocused their efforts posting a four-run rally in the bottom of the inning to sealed the victory.
"We had three pitchers that did a nice job throwing strikes," Haley said. "At the end of the day, they took care of business in the win column."
McCarty, who led the Spartans with 3 hits, was all business for the Spartans. He scored twice and junior Sam Wesley added three runs of own on a pair of hits.

The Tigers were led by junior Cyrus Doughtery, who hit a solo home run and finished the game with two hits. Dalton Rolinitis was credited with two hits, one a home run and three RBI.
"With our schedule there are no days off," Haley added. "You gotta take care of business in the small areas and that's where I thought we were a little sloppy."
Even after a less than stellar day, Haley's confidence in the SJO pitching corps and this season legion of talented players is unflappable.
"We have four arms that can give us a chance to win every time they are out there. We just have to try and continue to get better."
Box Score
Westville  1 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 7 1
SJO . . . . 3 0 1 1 4 0 X 9 8 1
Spartan dynamic duo blast BHRA
Lighting fast swings thundered in St. Joseph earlier today producing a magnificent storm of Spartan home runs against Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin. SJO batters homered seven times in the 18-8 five inning affair.
Kennedy Hudson takes a swing at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley pitch in the Spartans' home season opener. Nine days later, the freshman slugger pounds a home run in SJO's home game against Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
The junior dynamic duo of Hannah Dukeman and Bailey Dowling hit two home runs apiece in the slaughter. Dukeman enjoyed a five RBI day, four courtesy of her base clearing grand slam.
Both were one away from joining 63 other players in the IHSA all-time records who have hit three or more home runs in a single softball game.
Home run hitting today was not limited to just the junior class. Freshman Kennedy Hudson as well as sophomore Kaylee Ward made sure the underclassmen were representing in the slugfest with one home run each. Meanwhile Savannah Smith stepped up to pummel a long ball for the senior class.
Raegan Crippen had four hits as the Spartans notch their fifth win to continue their undefeated season.
SJO is scheduled to play their next home game on March 8 against Illini Prairie Central foe Rantoul after a five-plus game road campaign against Maroa-Forsyth, Tri-Valley, Lincoln, Villa Grove and a run for the tournament title at the annual Rantoul Invitational.
Ashtyn Cromwell earned the four-inning win for the Spartans adding four strikeouts to her season total.
Box Score
Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin   0 5   0 3 0 - -   8 - -
St. Joseph-Ogden . . . . . . . . . . .      1 4 10 1 2 - - 18 - -

The junior dynamic duo of Hannah Dukeman and Bailey Dowling hit two home runs apiece in the slaughter. Dukeman enjoyed a five RBI day, four courtesy of her base clearing grand slam.
Both were one away from joining 63 other players in the IHSA all-time records who have hit three or more home runs in a single softball game.
Home run hitting today was not limited to just the junior class. Freshman Kennedy Hudson as well as sophomore Kaylee Ward made sure the underclassmen were representing in the slugfest with one home run each. Meanwhile Savannah Smith stepped up to pummel a long ball for the senior class.
Raegan Crippen had four hits as the Spartans notch their fifth win to continue their undefeated season.
SJO is scheduled to play their next home game on March 8 against Illini Prairie Central foe Rantoul after a five-plus game road campaign against Maroa-Forsyth, Tri-Valley, Lincoln, Villa Grove and a run for the tournament title at the annual Rantoul Invitational.
Ashtyn Cromwell earned the four-inning win for the Spartans adding four strikeouts to her season total.
Box Score
Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin   0 5   0 3 0 - -   8 - -
St. Joseph-Ogden . . . . . . . . . . .      1 4 10 1 2 - - 18 - -
Spartan softball notches first conference win
St. Joseph-Ogden's Zoey Witruk struck out nine batters in a complete game shutout performance over Illinois Valley Central in their first conference softball contest of the season. Scoring two runs at the top of the seventh inning, SJO defeated IVC, 4-0.
Spartans got two hits from junior Hannah Dukeman. Kaylee Ward was credited with 2 RBI to aid the Spartans to an undefeated 4-0 early season record.
IVC's Cassie Kirman had a pair of hits for the Ghosts.
Next up, the Spartans will face Bismarck-Henning at home on Wednesday, March 27.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden . .   1 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 7 0
Illinois Valley Central   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Spartans got two hits from junior Hannah Dukeman. Kaylee Ward was credited with 2 RBI to aid the Spartans to an undefeated 4-0 early season record.
IVC's Cassie Kirman had a pair of hits for the Ghosts.
Next up, the Spartans will face Bismarck-Henning at home on Wednesday, March 27.
Box Score
St. Joseph-Ogden . .   1 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 7 0
Illinois Valley Central   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
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