Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Up and away, Spartans hand visiting Bullets 10-point loss
Former SJO, Unity athletes earn Dean’s List honors at Western Illinois
MACOMB - Two familiar names from area scoreboards and starting lineups resurfaced this fall in a different column of achievement, one measured not by seconds or batting averages, but by sustained academic excellence.
Former St. Joseph-Ogden standout Kaytlyn Baker and Unity High School alum Ruby Tarr were both named to Western Illinois University’s Fall 2025 Dean’s List, recognition reserved for students who post a grade-point average of at least 3.6 while carrying a full academic load. Their inclusion places them among 970 undergraduate students honored universitywide, including 63 at the WIU-Quad Cities campus.
Baker, now a junior from St. Joseph, built her high school reputation as one of the area’s most versatile hurdlers. Competing for St. Joseph-Ogden, she qualified for the IHSA Class 1A state meet in three events, the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the 4x400-meter relay. Her signature race was the 300 hurdles, where she posted a personal-best time of 48.75 seconds.
At Western Illinois, Baker has continued to progress as a member of the Leathernecks track and field program. During the most recent outdoor season, she placed 13th in the Ohio Valley Conference finals in the 400 hurdles. She recorded a collegiate best of 2:36.58 in the 800 meters at the 2025 Kip Janvrin Open and added an indoor personal best of 1:07.40 in the 400 meters at the Bob Teel Invitational. Her season also included a first-place finish in the 400 hurdles at the SLU Alumni Invite, underscoring her continued development at the collegiate level.
Tarr, a sophomore from Sidney, arrived at Western Illinois with an already decorated résumé from Unity High School softball. Over four varsity seasons, she earned a steady stream of conference, area and state honors. Her accolades included multiple All-Conference and All-Area selections, three second-team All-State honors, and recognition as Unity High School’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2024.
That momentum carried seamlessly into her first collegiate season. As a true freshman, Tarr appeared in all 48 games for the Leathernecks, ranking second on the team in hits with 45 and doubles with 13. She posted a .333 batting average and a .424 on-base percentage, performance that earned her a spot on the All-OVC Newcomer Team.
Also earning Dean’s List recognition from Champaign County were senior Grace Miller of Champaign and sophomore Abigail Strack of Mahomet.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must complete at least 12 graded credit hours while maintaining a GPA equivalent to an A average. For Baker and Tarr, the honor reflects a familiar pattern, excelling where preparation meets opportunity, whether on the track, the softball diamond or in the classroom.
To view the complete list of fall 2025 recipients, follow this link.
At Western Illinois, Baker has continued to progress as a member of the Leathernecks track and field program. During the most recent outdoor season, she placed 13th in the Ohio Valley Conference finals in the 400 hurdles. She recorded a collegiate best of 2:36.58 in the 800 meters at the 2025 Kip Janvrin Open and added an indoor personal best of 1:07.40 in the 400 meters at the Bob Teel Invitational. Her season also included a first-place finish in the 400 hurdles at the SLU Alumni Invite, underscoring her continued development at the collegiate level.
Tarr, a sophomore from Sidney, arrived at Western Illinois with an already decorated résumé from Unity High School softball. Over four varsity seasons, she earned a steady stream of conference, area and state honors. Her accolades included multiple All-Conference and All-Area selections, three second-team All-State honors, and recognition as Unity High School’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2024.
That momentum carried seamlessly into her first collegiate season. As a true freshman, Tarr appeared in all 48 games for the Leathernecks, ranking second on the team in hits with 45 and doubles with 13. She posted a .333 batting average and a .424 on-base percentage, performance that earned her a spot on the All-OVC Newcomer Team.
Also earning Dean’s List recognition from Champaign County were senior Grace Miller of Champaign and sophomore Abigail Strack of Mahomet.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must complete at least 12 graded credit hours while maintaining a GPA equivalent to an A average. For Baker and Tarr, the honor reflects a familiar pattern, excelling where preparation meets opportunity, whether on the track, the softball diamond or in the classroom.
To view the complete list of fall 2025 recipients, follow this link.
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