Throwback Thursday: Spartans place at 2012 Unity Invitational

St. Joseph-Ogden's Austin Upton attempts to pin Joliet Catholic's Michael Gruben during their 170-pound championship bracket semifinal at the Unity Invitational on December 15, 2012. Upton won the match by fall at 3:03 and went on to win the title for his weight class. Two months later, the senior finished the 2012-13 season with a record of 45 wins and three losses and well-deserved fourth-place state medal. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks) St. Joseph-Ogden's Jacob Bowman sticks St. Thomas More's Alexandro Griffin during their 220-pound match. Bowman defeated Griffin in the first period by fall at 1:51. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks) St. Thomas More's Collin Kelley tries to escape a hold by St. Joseph-Ogden's David Trewyn during their 126-pound match action at the 43rd installment of the Unity Invitational. Later Terwyn, who finished in 6th place, prevailed with a 15-8 victory. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks) Freshman grappler Wesley Kibler (left) tries to fight off a single-leg takedown by Peotone's Tom Ruffino during their 195-pound match. Ruffino defeated Kibler 9-5 in their semifinal bout on Saturday afternoon. Despite missing the cut for the 2013 state finals, when his prep career ended in 2016, Kibler was the proud owner of one IHSA state title (2015), a runner-up silver medal (2016) and a fourth-place state medal from his efforts his sophomore season in 2014. He finished the 2012 Unity Invite in third place. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks) SJO's Jacob Bowman shoots in on Rochester's Nick Siciliano during their 220-pound consolation quarterfinal match. Bowman, finished 6th after pinning Siciliano in the first period at 1:05. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Wolfersberger, Sarnecki earn cross country Most-Improved recognition

Twenty-eight St. Joseph-Ogden High School student-athletes earned varsity letters in cross country this fall. With the leadership of this year's six seniors, both the girls and boys programs competed at this year's Illinois High School Association state finals in Peoria.

Senior Eric Poe races to the finish line at the 2019 IHSA state cross country meet at Detweiller Park on November 9. In addition to a varsityl letter, Poe was honored with the Rick Walden Most Consistent Award. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

The boys squad finished in 18th place with a score of 421 points. The top five scoring runners were Brandon Mattsey, Eric Poe, Charlie Mabry, Elijah Mock and Luke Stegall.

Earlier in the day at the state finals on November 9, senior Jillian Plotner led the SJO girls' to the program's fifth consecutive top ten team performance since 2014.

Nine members of both running programs received special team recognition at the end of the season.

Brandon Mattsey and Hannah Rajlich earned Most-Valuable-Player for their respective squads. Logan Wolfersberger was named the boys' Most-Improved Player and Malorie Sarnecki earned the same recognition for her efforts on the girls' squad.

Charlie Mabry received the Tim Mies Effort Award. Addie Allen won the Ashley Wright Effort Award. Eric Poe was the recipient of the Rick Walden Most Consistent Award and the Chelsea Blaase Most Consistent Award was given to sophomores Ava Knap & Ashlyn Lannert.

This year's varsity letter winners are seniors Ally Monk, Taddy Pettit, Jillian Plotner, Eric Poe, Hannah Rajlich and Josh Sexton.

Juniors: Hanna Eastin, Lukas Hutcherson, Brandon Mattsey, and Logan Wolfersberger.

Sophomores: Addie Allen, Braden Clampitt, Sidney Davis, Kailyn Ingram, Ava Knap, Ashlyn Lannert, Charlie Mabry, Elijah Mock, Hope Rajlich, Kendra Riddle, Malorie, Sarnecki, Taryn Sexton and Luke Stegall.

Freshmen: Kaytlyn Baker, Ethan Blackburn, Mary Hinrichs, Teagan Miller and Izzy Sexton.