SJO seeking new head basketball coach

St. Joseph-Ogden High School is currently searching for a new head coach for the girls' basket program.

Early last month, head coach Kevin Taylor, who led the Spartans to a third-place state finish during the 2018-2019 season and secured four regional titles during his tenure, announced his retirement from the position. His five years at the helm resulted in 86 wins and 25 losses.

The successful candidate and subsequent staff will inherit a battle-tested, talented senior class with the potential to carry the program to another state final appearance.

The official position announcement is listed below.

Notice of Position Opening

School Name: St. Joseph-Ogden CHSD 305
Building Name: St. Joseph-Ogden High School

Job Title: Varsity Head Girls Basketball Coach

Job Description: To fulfill the duties of high school head varsity girls basketball coach as related to the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Girls Basketball Program.

Qualifications: A valid Illinois Professional Educators License or valid ASEP Certification

Job Posted: 5/5/2021
End Date: Until filled

Starting Date: Upon Hire

To Apply: Please send letter of interest, resume, references, and a copy of your teaching license or ASEP Certification to:

Gary Page Principal
St. Joseph Ogden High School 301 N Main
St. Joseph, IL 61873
Phone: 217-469-7321
Email: pageg@sjo.k12.il.us

Hamilton dashes by competition, SJO wins track sectional

Amassing 139 points, just five more than runner-up Salt Fork, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls track program earned their first post-pandemic sectional championship title last Wednesday.

It was a spectacular evening for two-time state Long Jump champion Atleigh Hamilton, who led the Spartans with three individual titles. The senior gave gold medal performances in both the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Later, she broke a long-standing school record of 59.2 in the 400-meter dash.

Hamilton also qualified for this week's state meet on Thursday in her signature event the long jump. The Illinois State University signee finished in second place behind Salt Fork's Gracie Jessup with her best attempt at 5.25 meters.

Meanwhile, Abby Behrens cleared 1.52 meters to win the High Jump competition. Teammate Macy Reed-Thompson finished third to help SJO rise to the top in the 14-team meet.

The Spartans also swept all three relay events.

Kailyn Ingram, Helene Jones, Malorie Sarnecki and Ashlyn Lannert combined for a time of 10:27.70 in the 4x800 Meter Relay besting squads from Urbana University High School (2nd), Clifton Central (3rd) and Milford.

The Spartans faced stiffer competition from Bismarck-Henning-Rossville and Uni High in the 4x200 Meter Relay. The SJO foursome of Payton Carter, Raegan Crippen, Grace Schmitz, and Hope Rajlich finished less than a second ahead of the Blue Devils with their time of 1:51.47. Uni High finished third at 1:55.59.

To close out the meet, Lannert, Ingram and Jones from the four-by-eight, along with Rajlich from the 200-Meter Relay squad punched their ticket to state with a 4:15.17 finishing ahead of Uni High and BHR.

Also turning in top-three finishes were Raegan Crippen, who finished third in the Triple Jump, Ava Knap clocked in at second place in the 1600 meter run

Grace Schmitz and Payton Carter finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively in the Pole Vault