Champaign - Oakwood-Salt Fork's Steven Uden wraps up Canton's Jaxsun Owens in their Class 1A 106-pound first-round match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals on Thursday. Unden won the bout by pin at 4:53. He advanced to the quarterfinals to face Morrison's Cael Wright. The sophomore who improved to 42-5 later Wright to advance to the championship semifinal round. Here are three other photos from his first match on THursday.
Dieterich – State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) says it is time for state leaders to prioritize the needs of Illinois citizens. In Niemerg's opinion, Governor Pritzker's presentation of a "balanced budget" is nothing more than the usual, deceptive schemes.
"It is baffling to me that we cannot have bipartisan support for managing our resources better and preventing these constant gaping budget holes that are a staple for all of these so-called 'balanced' budgets," he stated, criticizing how Illinois budgets are determined. "For years, the state has been using creative accounting gimmicks to create the illusion of a 'balanced' budget."
Niemerg says the state needs to do a better job of managing Illinois finances. Calling for an Illinois version of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he said state budgets usually show increased income and lower spending projections. However, when the bills are presented to the state, the payment cycle "is stretched out longer and longer and, in the end, taxpayers take it on the chin because there is a monthly penalty for delayed state payments."
"High taxes, poor state leadership, and rising crime are the culprits for the outbound migration."
"Not once did the Governor mention property tax relief. Not once did he mention pension reform. Not once did he mention public safety concerns in Chicagoland," Niemerg said in a statement on Wednesday. "He did, however, mention Donald Trump at least six times in his speech. Instead of focusing on President Trump, the Governor should focus on the issues Illinois residents actually care about."
Niemerg stressed that Governor Pritzker's remarks about President Trump during the State of the State Address do nothing to solve the very real problems facing our state.
He points out that Illinois had the second-highest outbound moves in 2024 – second only to New Jersey. He said the combination of high taxes, poor state leadership, and rising crime are the culprits for the outbound migration. He also noted the Governor did not address the issue of illegal immigration and the amount of money being spent on programs and services for people not legally supposed to be here. A recent Pew Research poll showed 59% of Americans approve of President Trump's immigration policies.
"The vast majority of Americans support President Trump's efforts to secure our borders and deport criminals here illegally," Niemerg said, who believes the Governor and the Democratic majority in the House are out of touch with the majority of American people. "Instead of prioritizing the needs of our own citizens, they are continuing to pour money into programs for illegal immigrants. We have a responsibility to address the concerns of our own citizens. It is not the job of the state of Illinois to solve the immigration crisis."
On Valentine’s Day, upstate Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) showed her devotion - not with roses or chocolates, but with a bill to make June 14, Donald J. Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day, a federal holiday. Lucky guy.
Her proposed Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day Holiday Establishment Act would solidify the day as an official national holiday, aligning with Flag Day, which has been observed since 1777 to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. flag. If passed, the holiday would take effect in 2026, just in time for America’s 250th birthday and Trump’s 80th.
A Tribute to Trump’s Legacy
Tenny said: "No modern president has been more pivotal for our country than Donald J. Trump. As both our 45th and 47th President, he is the most consequential President in modern American history, leading our country at a time of great international and domestic turmoil."
She added, "Just as George Washington’s Birthday is codified as a federal holiday, this bill will add Trump’s Birthday to this list, recognizing him as the founder of America’s Golden Age," she said.
Given past rumors about the President, the gentle Congresswoman should probably refrain using the word "golden" and his name in the same sentence.
A Divisive Proposal
As with most things related to Trump, the bill immediately sparked immediate criticism in social media channels.
Critics on X and Reddit questioned whether Congress should prioritize a new federal holiday over more pressing issues like healthcare, inflation, and immigration reform. And then there are others, like comedian Billie Nelson who rolled with it in tweet:
>>> "OK, but hear me out! Let’s also make it ‘Traitor Trash Day!’ Benedict Arnold died on June 14, 1801, as a traitor, in England. Just putting it out there! 145 years later, another traitor was born..."
Ok, but hear me out! Let's also make it "Traitor Trash Day!" Benedict Arnold died on June 14, 1801, as a traitor, in England.
The bill does face an uphill battle in Congress as historically, establishing a federal holiday tends to involve bipartisan negotiations — though not always unanimous support. For example, Juneteenth National Independence Day (2021) passed with overwhelming bipartisan backing, while Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1983) faced strong opposition before eventually becoming law. However, given the current make up of the House and Senate, the proposal isn’t entirely without momentum.
The likelihood of the bill becoming law remains uncertain but ChatGPT confidently said, "Let’s be real: this bill has about as much chance of passing as Trump staying off social media for a full 24 hours. But hey, politics is weird, and stranger things have happened."
June 14 could truly be a holiday for everyone, traitors and patriots alike.
We live in interesting times for sure.
CLINTON - On Sunday morning, three St. Joseph-Ogden wrestlers who qualified for sectionals are grappling with season-ending losses, just one victory away from competing at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals this coming Thursday through Saturday. After two days and 18 matches among the four Spartans, their chance for individual glory will have to wait, at least for two of them.
Freshman Ben Wells rebounded from his quarterfinal loss on Friday, winning his next two matches at the Clinton sectional on Saturday. Facing Olympia's Brandon Gaither (40-9) in the 106-pound consolation semifinal, he struggled and fell 17-1 in the second period, concluding his first season with a 38-13 record. Gaither went on to finish third in the division.
Sophomore Cam Wagner also experienced a tough loss in his consolation semifinal to Peoria Notre Dame's Brady Mullen, who defeated him in just 42 seconds. Wagner, in his debut varsity wrestling season, achieved 37 wins against 15 losses.
Senior Jackson Walsh, finishing his final season with over 40 wins, lost his consolation semifinal to PORTA's Kainin Fillbright, who finished fourth in the 113-pound division. Walsh's prep career ended via pin just 57 seconds into the match.
The fourth SJO wrestler at sectionals, senior Landen Butts, faced a challenging draw and concluded the tournament with a 0-2 record. He wraps up the season with a 35-15 record.
Below is the summary of how all four wrestlers performed at the Clinton sectional tournament:
SJO Sectional Summary
144 - Landen Butts (35-15)
Champ. Round 1 - Hayden Washum, Normal University won by decision over Landen Butts - Dec 10-8
Cons. Round 1 - Landen Butts received a bye
Cons. Round 2 - Austin Kisner, Olympia won by tech fall over Landen Butts TF-1.5 5:05 (17-1)
113 - Jackson Walsh (41-10)
Champ. Round 1 - Jackson Walsh received a bye
Quarterfinal - Briley Carter, Clinton won by decision over Jackson Walsh Dec 13-8
Cons. Round 2 - Jackson Walsh won by fall over Jackson Buehler, Camp Point Central - Fall 3:53
Cons. Round 3 - Jackson Walsh won by fall over Bryan Islas, Beardstown - Fall 4:28
Cons. Semi - Kainin Fillbright, PORTA won by fall over Jackson Walsh - Fall 0:57
285 - Cam Wagner (37-15)
Champ. Round 1 - Cam Wagner won by fall over Liam Dodsworth, Williamsville - Fall 2:33
Quarterfinal - Darian Holloway, Olympia won by fall over Cam Wagner - Fall 0:53
Cons. Round 2 - Cam Wagner won by tech fall over Dawson Thayer, Clinton - TF-1.5 1:44 (15-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Cam Wagner won by fall over Joey Humphries, Dee-Mac - Fall 4:56
Cons. Semi - Brady Mullens, Peoria Notre Dame won by fall over Cam Wagner - Fall 0:42
106 - Ben Wells (38-13)
Champ. Round 1 - Ben Wells won by fall over Cayden Bostic, Clinton - Fall 2:53
Quarterfinal - Jaxsun Owens, Canton won by fall over Ben Wells - Fall 1:43
Cons. Round 2 - Ben Wells won by fall over Jayden Schmider, Farmington -Fall 0:50
Cons. Round 3 - Ben Wells won by fall over Kole Petta, El Paso-Gridley - Fall 3:37
Cons. Semi - Brandon Gaither, Olympia won by tech fall over Ben Wells - TF-1.5 2:37 (17-1)
St. Joseph-Ogden's Maddie Wells (left) wrestles Urbana's Rickasia Ivy in dual meet in December. Wells and Ivy, who took second place, qualified for the IHSA Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals in Bloomington Feb. 28 - Mar. 1.
HIGHLAND - At the beginning of the season in December, when asked what she wanted to accomplish this season, St. Joseph-Ogden's Maddie Wells said, "I'm really hoping to qualify for girls' state for the first time." Mission accomplished.
Wells, a junior who started wrestling three years ago, is a warrior. Yesterday, she became the first St. Joseph-Ogden female athlete to qualify for the IHSA's Girls Wrestling State Finals. Finishing third in the 140-pound division, the junior's grueling path through the bracket to punch her ticket to the state tournament in Bloomington was sealed after six matches at the Highland Sectional.
"I was kind of in disbelief and I was happy for all my friends that I’ve made along the way that also qualified," Wells said after her third-place finish. "I was most excited to eat Chipotle, though."
Except for her quarterfinal loss to Collinsville's Taylor Dawson, who won the sectional title in their division, Wells won four matches by fall and recorded a techfall in her consolation semifinal win over Mt. Vernon's Daniya Musgrave.
Mentally and emotionally, she said her first match of sectionals was the most stressful.
"My qualification match was my toughest," she admitted. "My previous two years I had been knocked out in this round so I was the most nervous."
Wells won her sectional opener, pinning Salem's Alan Finney at 1:44. Her quarterfinal loss to Dawson lasted 42 seconds. She bounced back from the defeat to win her next four bouts.
All the work Wells put in during the off-season paid dividends. She heads to the state tournament at Grossinger Motors Arena with an 18-6 record.
"I do a lot of open gyms," she said. She also attended camps at the University of Illinois during the summer to sharpen her technical skills. "And, I did some off-season girls tournaments."
Now a trailblazer for the Spartan girls' program and one of two girls on this year's squad, she hopes that her success will influence other female athletes to join the sport.
"I feel privileged to be able to pave the path but I feel excited to see the girls that follow," she said. "I hope I inspired girls younger than me to not be afraid of trying new things despite their gender and being able to follow their dreams."
Maddie Wells sectional match results:
Champ. Round 1 - Maddie Wells won by fall over Alana Finney, Salem - Fall 1:44
Quarterfinal - Taylor Dawson, Collinsville 32-3 won by fall over Maddie Wells - Fall 0:42
Cons. Round 2 - Maddie Wells won by fall over Kaisley Shotkoski, Mahomet-Seymour - Fall 1:15
Cons. Round 3 - Maddie Wells won by fall over Jacee Mardirosian, Carterville - Fall 3:34
Cons. Semi - Maddie Wells won by tech fall over Daniya Musgrave, Mt. Vernon - TF-1.5 2:18 18-0
3rd Place Match - Maddie Wells won by fall over Lillien Roughton, Unity Christian - Fall 3:09
ROCKFORD - It’s no great surprise to read that men and women both benefit from working out.
But women may receive greater benefits from regular exercise than men, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Photo provided
Mary O’Meara OSF Cardiovascular Institute
The study centered on the importance of exercise as a way to avoid dying prematurely. The researchers studied data from 400,000 people and found that women who exercised were 24% less likely to die early from any cause. Men who exercised, however, were 15% less likely to die early.
The study also revealed that the women who exercise had a 36% lower risk of dying from a cardiovascular event, compared to men at 14%. That’s important because women have twice the risk of dying from a heart attack than a man.
Mary O’Meara is a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare. She says society still views heart attacks more as a man’s disease. That’s simply not true.
“Usually, a male is feeling this really bad chest pressure, chest pain going in the left arm into the jaw, very pale. Women, very often, will just complain of fatigue, nausea or heartburn. ‘I feel wiped out. I just can't walk across the room. I need to sit down,’” explains O’Meara. “Unfortunately, that can be a sign of a heart attack in a female, and it gets missed quite often.”
While any movement is good, O’Meara stresses the importance of women incorporating strength and/or resistance training, such as lifting weights. Frequency and the amount of weight depend on the person and their situation.
Photo: MovePrivateFitness/Pixabay
“For a long time, women were encouraged to do more aerobics-calisthenics. We were always thought of as the weaker sex, I guess you can say, and we weren't really encouraged to do any weight bearing exercise,” says O’Meara. “A lot of research has come back that states that women should be focusing on weight bearing exercises for several different reasons.”
Strength training can also help women as menopause becomes an issue. According to O’Meara, hormones start changing between the ages of 40 and 50 – a time when women start losing muscle and see an increase in body fat. Strength training can help with that change, along with other health issues.
“We found that weight bearing exercise can reduce our risk of dementia and Alzheimer's, and also reduce our risk of osteoporosis, which is a big one,” says O’Meara.
O’Meara also has a nutrition tip for her patients. Protein, she says, is important for women to prevent muscle loss, especially during menopause. O’Meara recommends 30 milligrams of protein before and 15 milligrams after a workout, to help rebuild muscle that has been naturally broken-down during exercise.
Additionally, O'Meara is a proponent of healthy fats. She encourages patients to incorporate grape seed oils, olive oils, fish oils, flax seed oils, nuts and avocados into their diets. Her philosophy is that good fats battle bad fats, and good fats protect our heart.
O’Meara stresses that it's never too late for women to start exercising. Even a short walk or work around the home, for instance, can go a long way to a healthier future.
“You read many testimonials from people who were couch potatoes and never exercised,” she says. “And then, they go into these exercises and do wonderful things that have really made a difference.”
PEORIA - A Tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in Kansas City, Kansas, has people on edge, with not much public knowledge about the disease or how to prevent it.
The Kansas Department of Health & Environment reported as of January 31, 67 people were infected in the latest outbreak. Two people died and roughly half have finished treatment and are considered cured.
What is Tuberculosis?
Dr. Sharjeel Ahmad OSF Healthcare
“TB is referred to as ‘the great mimicker,’ says Sharjeel Ahmad, MD, a staff physician of infectious disease with OSF HealthCare, meaning the signs and symptoms are like many other viruses and bacterial infections people get.
“Tuberculosis is a very contagious bacterial infection,” Dr. Ahmad says. “It’s caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is spread when people cough, sneeze or spit. So, if you cough, spit or sneeze, you generate tiny particles. When someone else inhales that, you can get infected by TB.”
While active TB disease cases are rare, Dr. Ahmad says it's likely that one in four people worldwide have been exposed to this bacterium. In Peoria, Illinois, OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center treated six TB patients in 2024. The bacteria can be transmitted easily, with the infectious dose being a single live bacterium sufficient to infect people. The infection is transmitted airborne, through droplets and aerosol.
Tuberculosis signs and symptoms
“Warning signs include, but are not limited to, unexplained fever, night sweats and unintentional weight loss,” Dr. Ahmad says. “The infection is spread through inhaling, so the lungs are the primary site for infection”
Lung symptoms include a chronic cough that doesn’t go away, along with vague chest aches and pains. You may have phlegm, which could sometimes have blood in it.
What you should know:
Tuberculosis outbreak was reported in Kansas City, Kansas
The disease is not common in the United States
There is a vaccine, but its efficacy is questionable
Symptoms can be unexplained fevers, night sweats, and weight loss
The disease is spread airborne through respiratory droplets
“The Vampire Effect”
Dr. Ahmad says, "Before the Industrial Revolution, folklore often associated tuberculosis with vampires. When one member of a family died from the disease, the other infected members would lose their health slowly. People believed this was caused by the original person with TB draining the life from the other family members".
"It can be deadly if it's left untreated. It was colloquially referred to as 'the consumption,' way back when because it consumes the body, and the body can get overwhelmed by it."
The youngest and oldest populations are both at high-risk for TB, along with those who have been around an infected person.
"This is a disease of overcrowding and poor hygiene," Dr. Ahmad says. "It's been around in humans forever. It's transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route."
People with a weakened immune system are also at risk of developing the disease if they are exposed to it. This could include people with diabetes or HIV. Patients who take medications that suppress the immune system – including patients with autoimmune diseases, transplants, and cancer patients are also more at risk. Patients with prior history of lung disease/damage are also at risk.
Dr. Ahmad adds that homeless shelters, correctional facilities and those with substance use disorder are also at-risk for becoming infected with TB.
How TB is treated in the hospital
Dr. Ahmad says care teams use "airborne precautions," including rooms with special ventilation systems in the hospital. TB patients are kept in these "negative pressure rooms" away from others to prevent the spread of infection. The entire care team wears personal protective equipment, including gowns, gloves and N95 masks, while in the room with the patient.
The medication regimen for TB patients is intense. Traditionally, four different antibiotics will be used for the first two months. "Once we have the antibiotic susceptibility results, and everything looks good, we can drop the patient down to just two antibiotics until we reach six months’ duration of treatment for lung TB," Dr. Ahmad says. If TB spreads outside the lungs, treatment can be even longer.
While therapy can be initiated at the hospital, the patient does not have to stay in the hospital for the whole duration of treatment. Once a care plan has been formulated, it is coordinated with the local health department to ensure there are no gaps in care during the transition, the patient continues to have access to the medication, and they do not pose a public health risk to others. The aim is to limit the patient's interaction with others inside and outside the hospital until they are deemed non-infectious, meaning they cannot transmit the infection. The hospital infection control/prevention team and county health department also remain vigilant, ensuring any potential exposures are traced and screened.
St. Joseph-Ogden Landen Butts heads back to the bench after his match during the Spartans' home dual against Hoopeston last month. The 144-pounder lost his opening match on Friday. He needs two wins today to advance to the IHSA state wrestling tournament next weekend. Butts and three other sectional qualifiers are still active at the Clinton sectional, hoping to advance to state on the consolation side of their brackets.
CLINTON - Four wrestlers from St. Joseph-Ogden launched their sectional campaigns yesterday at Clinton High School, aiming for a spot in this year's state tournament at State Farm Center on Friday. Here's a recap of their performances:
Jackson Walsh fell 13-8 in his quarterfinal match against Clinton's Briley Carter in the 113-pound weight class. Walsh started strong, leading 4-2 in the first period with a takedown and a penalty point. In the second period, he maintained control, extending his lead to 6-5 despite conceding a reversal. However, Carter turned the tide in the final period, securing a takedown and nearfall to take a decisive 13-6 lead. Walsh fought back with a reversal in the closing seconds but ultimately moved to the consolation bracket, now aiming for a third-place finish. Today, he faces sophomore Jackson Buehler (25-22) from Camp Point Central.
Cam Wagner began his sectional debut with a victory, pinning Williamsville's sophomore Liam Dodsworth in 2:33. He faced a first-period defeat in his second match against Olympia's Darian Holloway. Wagner advances to the consolation round in the 285-pound bracket, where he will meet Clinton senior Dawson Thayer (26-6).
Another Spartan, Ben Wells, also contends for a third-place finish today. He is set to wrestle Farmington freshman Jayden Schmider (19-24) in the consolation bracket. Wells secured his sectional opener with a second-period pin against Clinton's Cayden Bostic. In his subsequent match, he was pinned in the first period by Canton's Jaxsun Owens.
Today, senior Landen Butts (35-14) continues his pursuit through the 144-pound consolation bracket. Butts narrowly lost his opening match to Normal University's Hayden Washum, 10-8. Washum took an early lead with a takedown and near fall in the first period, leading 5-0. Butts responded in the second period with a reversal, closing the gap. Washum earned an escape point, countered by Butts with a takedown, making it a one-point match. In the third period, Butts briefly led 8-6 with a takedown but was outscored by Washum, who secured a reversal and near fall in the final seconds to win 10-8.
Receiving a bye in the second round of the consolation bracket, Butts faces Olympia's Austin Kisner today. He needs two victories to secure a spot in next week's state tournament in Champaign.
For decades, Harvard University was synonymous with academic prestige, but the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has recently surpassed it as the top university in the U.S. MIT’s commitment to intellectual rigor and meritocracy has redefined higher education, while Harvard’s reliance on legacy admissions and non-academic factors has undermined its academic credibility.
Harvard’s admissions policies prioritize legacy status, recruited athletes, and wealthy donors, admitting around 25% of students who lack exceptional academic qualifications. These practices are increasingly seen as unfair, diminishing Harvard’s reputation and aligning it with privilege over merit. Additionally, internal issues like declining applications, financial struggles, and controversies—including its mishandling of antisemitism and the resignation of its first Black president over plagiarism—have damaged its image further.
In contrast, MIT’s meritocratic admissions process ensures that only the most academically accomplished students are admitted, making it the top choice for the highest achieving students. Studies show that 72% of those accepted to both MIT and Harvard choose MIT, reflecting its growing appeal. MIT graduates earn higher starting salaries than those from Harvard, and its focus on technical expertise and problem-solving prepares students for today’s job market.
As Harvard’s legacy admissions continue, its brand is increasingly seen as a liability, especially in industries like tech and finance, where employers favor MIT’s rigorous academic standards. While Harvard’s prestige fades, MIT’s emphasis on innovation, intellectual curiosity, and academic excellence positions it as the future leader in higher education.
John Hoffman, Founder
Oliver Scholars
New York, NY
Discover the headlines published on each of these days from our news and sports coverage from Champaign‑Urbana and the wider community. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
by Peter Olson
Freshman Ben Wells rebounded from his quarterfinal loss on Friday, winning his next two matches at the Clinton sectional on Saturday. Facing Olympia's Brandon Gaither (40-9) in the 106-pound consolation semifinal, he struggled and fell 17-1 in the second period, concluding his first season with a 38-13 record. Gaither went on to finish third in the division.
Sophomore Cam Wagner also experienced a tough loss in his consolation semifinal to Peoria Notre Dame's Brady Mullen, who defeated him in just 42 seconds. Wagner, in his debut varsity wrestling season, achieved 37 wins against 15 losses.
Senior Jackson Walsh, finishing his final season with over 40 wins, lost his consolation semifinal to PORTA's Kainin Fillbright, who finished fourth in the 113-pound division. Walsh's prep career ended via pin just 57 seconds into the match.
The fourth SJO wrestler at sectionals, senior Landen Butts, faced a challenging draw and concluded the tournament with a 0-2 record. He wraps up the season with a 35-15 record.
Below is the summary of how all four wrestlers performed at the Clinton sectional tournament:
