St. Joseph-Ogden Girls Claim Victory at Chrisman Cow Chip XC Invite

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Grace Bressner and Abby Bello shine as St. Joseph-Ogden wins the Cow Chip XC Invite.

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CHRISMAN - A year after finishing outside the top six at the Chrisman Cow Chip XC Invite, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ cross country team returned with a vengeance, claiming the team title in front of bright skies and temperatures that made running three miles ideal.

The Cow Chip, a race first conceived in 1981 by Roger Beals, is known for its flighted competition and open-pasture course, dotted with the occasional pasture pie, adding a quirky twist to the classic cross country challenge. On Saturday, Mother Nature provided near-perfect conditions for east-central Illinois runners with sunny skies and a comfortable 74 degrees.

For St. Joseph-Ogden, the difference this year was clear. Sophomores Grace Bressner and Abby Bello emerged as stars, showing the results of a summer of dedicated training. For Bressner, Bello, and their teammates, the hard work over the summer paid off in measurable improvements and team success.

Bressner, who last year finished the race in 20:23.9, cut her time down to 18:57.45, placing sixth overall. Bello, improving more than a minute and a half from her previous 22:16 finish, crossed in 20:02.52 to claim seventh place. Their performances set the tone for the team, complemented by Taylor Vaughn (21:16.28), Allie Bott (21:16.71), and Tessa Walker (21:30.05), leading St. Joseph-Ogden to a winning team score of 85.

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St. Joseph-Ogden Sports | Unity Sports | Uni-High Sports

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Last year, Unity won the girls title thanks to seniors Emily Decker and Ashlyn Denney, who have since graduated. This season, the Rockets’ top performers were senior Mackenzie Pound and juniors Grace Wherley and Galina Fairbanks. Pound blazed a trail early and finished fifth overall in 18:51.43. Wherley and Fairbanks also made their mark, crossing in 21:55.46 and 21:58.25 respectively, helping Unity secure third place as a team with 108 points.

Urbana University High showcased depth and consistency, placing second as a team with 98 points. Clara Knutson led the way with a 20:04.10 finish, followed by Cadence Scheunemann in 20:38.27. Janny Knutson added an 8th-place finish in 20:47.41, solidifying Urbana’s position near the top.

The top five individual finishers reflected the competitive field across the area: Isabella Keller of St. Anthony dominated with a 16:24.89 finish, followed by teammate Aubrey Denning (17:38.28). Marshall High’s Madeleine Fox (18:42.85) and Molly Farrell (18:49.97) earned third and fourth, respectively, before Pound’s fifth-place effort.

Top Ten Individual Finishers — Chrisman Cow Chip XC Invite

1. Isabella Keller, St. Anthony — 16:24.89
2. Aubrey Denning, St. Anthony — 17:38.28
3. Madeleine Fox, Marshall — 18:42.85
4. Molly Farrell, Marshall — 18:49.97
5. Mackenzie Pound, Unity High School — 18:51.43
6. Grace Bressner, St. Joseph-Ogden — 18:57.45
7. Abby Bello, St. Joseph-Ogden — 20:02.52
8. Taylor Mabry, Monticello — 19:06.14
9. Macie Owen, Monticello — 19:30.80
10. Grace Thompson, Marshall — 19:48.97

Team Results (Top Four)

1. St. Joseph-Ogden — 85
2. Urbana University High — 98
3. Unity — 108
4. Monticello — 115

St. Joseph-Ogden Finishers

1. Grace Bressner — 18:57.45
2. Abby Bello — 20:02.52
3. Taylor Vaughn — 21:16.28
4. Allie Bott — 21:16.71
5. Tessa Walker — 21:30.05
6. Charlene Barbee — 22:02.85
7. Sydney Steinbach — 23:14.68

Unity Finishers

1. Mackenzie Pound — 18:51.43
2. Brooklyn Mumm — 21:05.50
3. Mia Reifsteck — 21:52.65
4. Grace Wherley — 21:55.46
5. Galina Fairbanks — 21:58.25
6. Carolina Popovics — 22:11.82
7. Giulietta Dibello — 25:04.00

Urbana University High Finishers

1. Clara Knutson — 20:04.10
2. Cadence Scheunemann — 20:38.27
3. Janny Knutson — 20:47.41
4. Shriya Nagarag — 21:32.65
5. Sophia MacDonald — 21:55.05
6. Ella Ylagan — 22:22.56
7. Julia Smith — 24:50.12

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St Joseph-Ogden cross country, Chrisman Cow Chip XC Invite, Illinois girls cross country, high school sports results, east-central Illinois running

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St. Joseph-Ogden girls capture Acklin Cross Country Meet title

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Big finish in Paris: SJO girls XC secures team crown at Acklin Meet with two top-10 runners.

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PARIS - The St. Joseph-Ogden girls cross country team continued its strong fall campaign on Saturday, claiming the team title at the Acklin Cross Country Meet hosted by Paris High School. The Spartans outpaced a 19-school field with a team score of 38 points, placing two runners in the top 10 overall.

Sophomore Grace Bressner led the way for SJO with a third-place finish, clocking 19 minutes, 49.4 seconds. Freshman Charlene Barbee joined her in the top tier, crossing the line in seventh at 20:28.6.

Freshman Allie Bott added a 14th-place finish in 21:12.1, followed closely by junior Kyla Franckey in 15th at 21:24.7. Rounding out the Spartans’ scoring lineup were freshman Taylor Vaughn (25th, 23:03.4) and senior Sydney Steinbach (28th, 23:22.1).

Heritage sophomore Reaghan Stierwalt was the Hawks’ top finisher, placing 21st in 22:25.4.

Marshall senior Molly Farrell won the individual title in 18:54.07, edging teammate Madeleine Fox, who placed second in 19:33.40.

SJO’s balance carried the Spartans to the team crown, holding off Newton (62 points) and Effingham (78) to secure the top spot on the podium.

Top 10 Individual Finishers

1. Molly Farrell, Marshall (Sr.) — 18:54.07
2. Madeleine Fox, Marshall (Jr.) — 19:33.40
3. Grace Bressner, St. Joseph-Ogden (So.) — 19:49.44
4. Grace Thompson, Marshall (Fr.) — 20:08.41
5. Kayla Clark, Casey-Westfield (Sr.) — 20:14.01
6. Aleah Potter, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin (Sr.) — 20:16.66
7. Charlene Barbee, St. Joseph-Ogden (Fr.) — 20:28.68
8. Layna Marshall, Newton (Sr.) — 20:34.81
9. Leah Phipps, Chrisman (Sr.) — 20:38.25
10. Heather Bergbower, Newton (Fr.) — 20:50.44

Final Team Standings

1. St. Joseph-Ogden — 38
2. Newton — 62
3. Effingham — 78
4. Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin — 127
5. Charleston — 143
6. Robinson — 152
7. Dieterich — 185
8. Hoopeston Area — 210
9. Tuscola — 215
10. Neoga — 221
11. Teutopolis — 268

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Tags: Acklin Cross Country Meet 2025 results, St. Joseph-Ogden girls cross country highlights Illinois high school cross country team standings, Paris High School cross country invitational winners, Grace Bressner St. Joseph-Ogden runner profile

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Attention coaches: Want to see more coverage of your cross country program? Send meet results to sports@oursentinel.com.

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Dominant Performance, Unity girls' claim IPC cross country title, SJO second

RANTOUL - The Unity Rockets lived up to their reputation at the Illini Prairie Conference Cross Country meet, capturing the team title with a commanding score of 31 points on Tuesday at Brookhill Golf Course. Unity placed five runners in the top ten, showcasing their depth and consistency on the 3-mile course.

Emily Decker led the charge for Unity, winning the individual title in 17 minutes, 24.8 seconds. Running a tenacious race up front, the remaining Rockets packed in behind her for a strong team finish. Decker, who has posted faster times this season, including a 16:55.2 at the Spartan Classic, comfortably outpaced the competition, setting the tone for the Rockets’ conference title.

The Spartans finished second with 63 points, led by senior standout Savanna Franzen. Franzen finished just 10 seconds behind Decker, clocking in at 17:34.2, which was a personal best. Franzen’s performance was a significant improvement over her previous 17:54 showing at the Spartan Classic, where she finished eighth.

Freshman Grace Bressner continued her rapid rise with a third-place finish, shaving nearly a minute off her previous best time to cross the line in 18:10.9. Tessa Walker, another freshman, rounded out St. Joseph-Ogden's top-three with a ninth-place finish in 19:50.8. Having two freshmen in the top 10 is indicator of great things to come for the Spartan running program.

In the end, despite strong individual showing from SJO's top three, Unity’s team depth proved too much to overcome.

Junior Mackenzie Pound finished fourth in 18:36.1, and seniors Josie Cler and Camryn Reedy finished fifth and tenth, respectively, to help secure the Rockets’ conference title. Unity’s fifth scorer, sophomore Grace Wherley, finished just outside the top ten in 11th with a time of 20:25.1, further cementing their dominance.

Behind Unity and St. Joseph-Ogden, Paxton-Buckley-Loda placed third with 81 points, followed by Monticello (108) and St. Thomas More (134).

Top 10 Individual Finishers:
1. Emily Decker, Unity – 17:24.8
2. Savanna Franzen, St. Joseph-Ogden – 17:34.2
3. Grace Bressner, St. Joseph-Ogden – 18:10.9
4. Mackenzie Pound, Unity – 18:36.1
5. Josie Cler, Unity – 19:08.4
6. Taylor Mabry, Monticello – 19:17.3
7. Audrey McCoy, Paxton-Buckley-Loda – 19:31.3
8. Kyla Franckey, Paxton-Buckley-Loda – 19:46.7
9. Tessa Walker, St. Joseph-Ogden – 19:50.8
10. Camryn Reedy, Unity – 19:51.6

The final team standings for the meet were:
1. Tolono Unity - 31
2. St. Joseph-Ogden - 63
3. Paxton-Buckley-Loda - 81
4. Monticello - 108
5. St. Thomas More - 134
6. Illinois Valley Central - 151
7. Central Catholic - 160
8. Pontiac - 171
9. Rantoul - 206

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St. Joseph-Ogden fall sports award winners

The fall of 2025 was one to remember for St. Joseph-Ogden athletics. Varsity letters were awarded to 129 student-athletes across sports and activities.

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ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden High School didn’t just wrap up a fall sports season. It closed the book on one of the most memorable stretches of athletic success the program has seen in years.

Last week, the Spartans announced 129 varsity letter winners from fall sports and activities, a number that speaks not only to wins and trophies, but to depth, commitment and consistency across the athletic department. From packed Friday nights on the football field to championship-caliber finishes on the cross country course and the soccer pitch, St. Joseph-Ogden athletes left their mark throughout the fall of 2025.

Football set the tone early.

After absorbing injuries to key players at the start of the season, the Spartans could have folded. Instead, they regrouped, leaned on grit and tenacity, and found their rhythm when it mattered most. St. Joseph-Ogden finished 8-5 and authored an impressive postseason run that reminded opponents the Spartans are rarely an easy out in November.

It was the kind of season that doesn’t show up fully in a record book. It showed up in long practices, next-man-up performances and a squad that stayed connected through adversity. For the players who earned letters, it was a season built on determination as much as talent.

Distance running brought statewide recognition.

Both the boys and girls cross country teams delivered top-10 finishes at the IHSA state meet in Peoria, continuing SJO's place among Illinois’ elite programs. The boys finished seventh overall, while the girls claimed sixth, a testament to months of disciplined training and steady progression.

Cross country success rarely comes overnight. It is built mile by mile, often before sunrise and long after the school day ends on the roads through and around town. The state finishes reflected not only strong front runners but complete teams that could pack together and score when it mattered most.

Soccer might have been the headline act.

Behind the combined scoring punch of senior Zach Harper and junior Tyler Hess, the Spartans rolled through much of their schedule, overwhelming opponents with pace, precision and confidence. St. Joseph-Ogden finished the season 24-2-2, with the only blemish coming in a hard-fought sectional championship loss to Williamsville.

Under head coach Chris Stevens, the Spartans put together a program-best 22-match unbeaten run, winning 20 matches and tying two. It was the kind of stretch that defines a season and leaves a lasting standard for what Spartan soccer can be.

While championships and records grab attention, the heart of the announcement rested with the 129 student-athletes who earned varsity letters. Those letters represent early mornings, late nights, and the willingness to balance academics with the demands of high-level competition. They also represent teammates who may not always appear in box scores but are essential to a program’s success.

Below is the complete list of award winners and varsity letter recipients at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Each fall sport and activity contributed to that total, reinforcing the idea that St. Joseph-Ogden athletics is not built on one team or one season, but on a culture of excellence.

FOOTBALL

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartan running back Wyatt Wertz celebrates as he lands in the end zone for a touchdown against Pontiac. The senior shared this season's team Offensive Award with Kaden Wedig.

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Team Awards

MVP – Kodey McKinney
MIP – Jonathon Moore
Defensive Award – Coy Hayes
Offensive Award – Wyatt Wertz & Kaden Wedig
Scout Team Award – Holden Hausle
Special Teams Award – Lucas Smith
Lineman Award – Brennan Oleynichak
Spartan Team Player Award – Tim Blackburn-Kelley

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Letterwinners

Matt Alexander, Sr.
Tim Blackburn-Kelley, Sr.
Will Franklin, Sr.
Charlie Hale, Sr.
Coy Hayes, Sr.
Ryker Lockhart, Sr.
Kodey McKinney, Jr.
Jackson Mohr, Sr.
Jonathon Moore, Sr.
Brennan Oleynichak, Sr.
Colton Overstreet, Sr.
Logan Rosenthal, Sr.
Landon Smith, Sr.
Lucas Smith, Sr.
Hunter Van Meenen, Sr.
Wyatt Wertz, Sr.
Willis Canamore, Jr.
Jameson Ennis, Jr.
Paityn Mann, Jr.
Maddux Musselman, Jr.
Cameron Wagner, Jr.
Brayden Waller, Jr.
Kaden Wedig, Jr.
Liam Carter, So.
Caleb Courter, So.
Landon May, So.
Lane McKinney, So.
Mason Osterbur, So.
Logan Umbarger, So.
Ryder Van Meenen, So.
Owen Wall, So.
Lucas Waters, So.

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VOLLEYBALL

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Emma McKinney, Emerson Williams, Hadley McDonald and members of the SJO volleyball celebrate a point during set one of their regional semifinal match against Unity. Emerson received the team's Offensive Award this fall.

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Team Awards

MIP – Ally Schmitz
Defensive Award – Katie Ericksen
Offensive Award – Emma McKinney
Varsity Spartan Award – Emma Wells
JV Spartan Award – Greta Goldenstein
Freshman Spartan Award – Ella Buhs

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Letterwinners

Addi Childers, Sr.
Katie Ericksen, Sr.
Emma McKinney, Sr.
Ally Schmitz, Sr.
Emma Wells, Sr.
Lily Ahart, Jr.
Brynn Ikemire, Jr.
Alivia Learned, Jr.
Hadley McDonald, Jr.
Addi Stevens, Jr.
Emerson Williams, Jr.
Ava Alexander, So.
Megan Kearney, So.
Atleigh Miller, So.
Vivian Smith, So.
Raegan Wheatley, So.

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TENNIS

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Maddie Wells makes solid contact while play doubles in SJO's road match at Urbana in September. Starting wrestling season last month, look for the senior to qualify for the IHSA girls' state tournament this February.

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Team Awards

MVP – Sami Kelso
MIP – Shelby Warns
Mental Attitude Award – Madison Farber

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Letterwinners

Claire Hartman, Sr.
Samantha Kelso, Sr.
Ava Midkiff, Sr.
Ainsely Rhoton, Sr.
Lily Rice, Sr.
Karleigh Spain, Sr.
Maddie Wells, Sr.
Madison Farber, Jr.
Audrie Helfrich, Jr.
Sophie Schmitz, Jr.
Shelby Warns, Jr.
Avarie Dietiker, So.
Kenley Ray, So.
Nora Buckley, Fr.

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SOCCER

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Junior Yadie Acosta-Reyes dribbles the ball down the field in the Spartans home playoff match against Unity. Look for the midfielder to return next fall to help SJO duplicate their 2025 season greatness.

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Team Awards

MVP – Zach Harper
Offensive Award – Tyler Hess
Defensive Award – Steven Newman
Freshman MIP – Luke Dunn
Coaches Award – Quinn Stahl

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Letterwinners

Rudra Chaudhary, Sr.
Zach Harper, Sr.
Michael McDaniel, Sr.
Branson Pearman, Sr.
Quinn Stahl, Sr.
Hadley Sweet, Sr.
Yadiel Acosta-Reyes, Jr.
Lizzie Clark, Jr.
Jaxson Colvin, Jr.
Skyler Graham, Jr.
Nicholas Harris, Jr.
Tyler Hess, Jr.
Waylon Jones, Jr.
Steven Newman, Jr.
Jaxon Potts, Jr.
Miles Atwood, So.
Hunter Cler, So.
Luke Dunn, Fr.
Lucas Stevens, Fr.
Caleb Taylor, Fr.

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MARCHING BAND

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Emily Bird plays clarinet while performing with the SJO Marchng Band during the halftime show during the football team's home game against Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

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Band Awards

MVP – Sara Bytnar
Up and Comer Award – Ramsay Arnold
Spirit Award – Delaney Nekolny
Leadership Award – Sydney Steinbach
Spinner Award – Arianna Pecchenino
Heartbeat of the Band Award – Gregory Wells

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Letterwinners

Emily Bird, Sr.
Sara Bytnar, Sr.
Claire Hartman, Sr.
Cooper Kietzman, Sr.
Michael McDaniel, Sr.
Patrick McMahon, Sr.
Delaney Nekolny, Sr.
Kaleb Peoples, Sr.
Sydney Steinbach, Sr.
Carlee Taylor, Sr.
Zain Bialeschki-Hua, Jr.
Isabella Turner, Jr.
Cole Beckett, So.
Tyler Bonny, So.
Patrick Clark, So.
Aubrey Matheny, So.
Connor McMahon, So.
Alyssa Robinson, So.
Nayeli Steele, So.
Ramsay Arnold, Fr.
Reid Bewley, Fr.
Bailey Blakley, Fr.
Brady Blunier, Fr.
Jade Gains, Fr.
Arianna Pecchenino, Fr.
August Rosser, Fr.
Ryan Schmitz, Fr.
Taylor Vaughn, Fr.
Greg Wells, Fr.
Gwen Welsh, Fr.

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GOLF

Team Awards

MVP – Asher Pruemer
MIP – Trevor Ames

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Letterwinners

Trevor Ames, Sr.
Wade Clark, Sr.
Nathan Daly, Sr.
Asher Pruemer, Sr.
Graham Ray, Sr.
Devan Swisher, Sr.
Garrett Loschen, Jr.
Finn Miller, Jr.

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SIDELINE CHEERLEADING

Team Awards

MIP – Addison Wright
Spirit Award – Abby Reynolds
Lexi Barbour Award – Addison Walsh

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Letterwinners

Iris Davis, Jr.
Leah Gaines, Jr.
Faith Jackson, Jr.
Peighton Riem, Jr.
Ava Smoot, Jr.
Abby Reynolds, So.
Samantha Ryan, So.
Addison Walsh, So.
Sorena Welsh, So.
Presley Ideus, Fr.
Addison Wright, Fr.

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CROSS COUNTRY

Team Awards

Boys MVP – Colin Burnett & Lance Retz
Girls MVP – Grace Bressner
Boys MIP – Sam Zadeh
Girls MIP – Grace Bressner
Tim Mies Effort Award – Nate Farney
Ashley Wright Effort Award – Allie Bott
Rick Walden Most Consistent Award – Colin Burnett

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Letterwinners

Lance Retz, Sr.
Sydney Steinbach, Sr.
Cyrus Zadeh, Sr.
Abby Bello, Jr.
Colin Burnett, Jr.v Nate Farney, Jr.
Kyla Franckey, Jr.
Mark Harbourt, Jr.
Aiden Hundley, Jr.
Kiah Riesel, Jr.
Grace Bressner, So.
Hunter Dilley, So.
Eli Franklin, So.
Nathan Hinkel, So.
Tessa Walker, So.
Sam Zadeh, So.
Ramsay Arnold, Fr.
Charlene Barbee, Fr.
Adam Bello, Fr.
Allie Bott, Fr.
Brady Johnson, Fr.
Caylah Roberts, Fr.
Taylor Vaughn, Fr.

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St Joseph Ogden varsity letter winners 2025, St Joseph Ogden fall sports awards list, SJO football cross country soccer 2025 season, IHSA state cross country St Joseph Ogden results, St Joseph Ogden High School athletics feature

Franzen leads Spartan girls at regional cross country meet, next stop sectionals for SJO

TUSCOLA - St. Joseph-Ogden’s girls’ cross-country team secured a second-place finish at the Tuscola Regional on Saturday at Wimple Park, earning a spot in the upcoming sectional meet at Lakeland College. Senior standout Savanna Franzen led the Spartans, placing fourth overall with a time of 18:11.90. Her strong performance continued a season that saw her receive an offer to run at Eastern Illinois University.

Franzen was supported by two standout freshmen, Grace Bressner and Tessa Walker, who both ran career-best times. Bressner finished sixth with a time of 18:29.91, while Walker placed eighth, clocking in at 19:09.89. Their impressive performances highlight the team's youthful depth, which has bolstered St. Joseph-Ogden’s success this season.

Sophomore Abigail Bello also set a personal record, finishing 19th with a time of 20:19.70, further helping the Spartans secure their second-place team finish. Senior Sydney Steinbach rounded out the team’s scoring, placing 42nd with a time of 22:22.94.

Unity High School claimed the team title with 40 points, led by individual champion Kate Foltz, who dominated the race with a time of 16:02.82. Unity’s Emily Decker and Mackenzie Pound finished second and third, respectively, helping secure the top spot. St. Joseph-Ogden followed in second with 70 points, while Paxton-Buckley-Loda came in third with 94 points.

Franzen’s leadership, combined with the rapid development of Bressner and Walker, has provided St. Joseph-Ogden with a strong mix of experience and youth. Heading into the Cumberland Sectional next weekend, the Spartans will rely on this balance to compete for a state meet berth.

The competition at Lakeland College will be fierce, with Unity once again looking like the team to beat. However, if Franzen continues her strong season and the team’s younger runners build on their regional performances, St. Joseph-Ogden is well-positioned for success.

St. Joseph-Ogden will aim to extend their season at the sectional meet, with a potential return to Detweiller Park for the state championships.

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Still running out front: Unity collects sectional title, SJO qualifies for XC state

MATTOON - The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Sectional Cross Country Meet at Lake Land College in Mattoon saw area powerhouse Unity advance to the state meet for the fourth consecutive year, finishing in first place with a score of 79 points. This year’s event, held on Saturday, November 2, took place under cloudy skies and cool conditions, with crip temperatures in the upper-50s at race time.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Ashlyn Denney runs a steady pace on her second lap around Detweiller Park at the 2023 IHSA Girls' Cross Country State Finals. Denny and Rockets will make the trip to Peoria on Saturday looking to bring home more state hardware.

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The Rockets have dominated Illinois Class 1A cross country in recent years, winning the state title in 2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023. A fourth consecutive title would solidify their standing as one of the state’s most successful programs, with five state championships in the past decade. The Rockets, who hold five state titles overall, are currently tied with Yorkville for the fourth-most titles in IHSA history, behind only Winnebago’s 12 titles.

Emily Decker led Unity with an impressive fifth-place finish on the Lake Land College course, crossing the line in 17:41.5. She, along with the incredible depth of talent on this year's squad, has made Unity a formidable force heading into this Saturday's state meet at Detweiller Park to defend their title.

Decker was supported by standout junior Mackenzie Pound, who took ninth in 18:23.3, and senior Ashlyn Denney, who finished 14th with a time of 19:22.4. Other key contributors for Unity included Josie Cler (22nd, 19:58.4) and Grace Wherley (34th, 20:30.3), securing enough points to comfortably claim first place.

St. Joseph-Ogden also delivered a strong performance, placing third with 137 points to secure their place at the state meet. Senior Savanna Franzen was the top runner for the Spartans, finishing seventh in 18:01.0. Freshman Grace Bressner followed closely in 10th place with a time of 18:27.0, showing promise for the team’s future. Freshman Tessa Walker rounded out the top three for the Spartans with a 15th-place finish in 19:26.8, emphasizing the team’s mix of experienced and up-and-coming athletes.

The Illineks from Urbana University High School, led by freshman Clara Knutson, came close to advancing but fell short in the team standings. Knutson, however, secured an individual qualifying spot for state with her 17th-place finish in 19:34.7. Junior Ella Ylagan also delivered a strong performance, finishing 25th with a personal record of 20:03.3, and sophomore Cadence Scheunemann placed 46th at 20:50.7.

Top individual honors went to Isabella Keller of Effingham St. Anthony, who won the race in 16:35.0, followed closely by Kate Foltz of Tuscola with a time of 16:36.7. Shelbyville’s Tessa Bowers claimed third place in 17:21.4, leading her team to a second-place finish and a state meet berth with a score of 126 points.

Other notable local finishers included St. Thomas More’s Alex Anderson, who finished 39th in 20:43.1, and Oakwood’s Callie Richardson, who placed 13th with a time of 19:09.5. Both schools demonstrated strong individual performances but did not advance as teams.

Six advancing teams from the sectional will now prepare this week for the season finale at IHSA Class 1A State Championship meet in Peoria, where once again east central Illinois harriers are poised to make a strong showing on the state’s biggest stage.

In addition the Rockets and Spartans, the other four teams advancing out of the sectional included Shelbyville (2nd, 126), St. Anthony's (4th, 161), Fairfield (5, 176), and Paxton-Buckley-Loda, another Illini Praire Conference program, finished 6th also with 176 points.

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Keywords: Unity Rockets cross country, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans cross country, Urbana University Illineks cross country, Illinois sectional cross country results

Unity claims another cross country regional title, Rockets positioned to make it a four-peat at state

TUSCOLA - The Unity girls' cross country team secured yet another triumph on Saturday, winning the Tuscola Cross Country Regional at Wimple Park. The Rockets, defending three-time Class 1A state champions, extended their dominance with a first-place finish, posting a team score of 40 points, well ahead of second-place St. Joseph-Ogden’s 70. Paxton-Buckley-Loda rounded out the top three with 94 points.

Unity’s success was built on a balanced performance from its top runners, as five Rockets finished in the top 15, showcasing the depth and strength of the team. Senior Emily Decker led the charge for Unity, finishing second overall with a time of 17:11.44, just over a minute behind Tuscola’s Kate Foltz, who claimed first place in 16:02.82. Decker’s commanding performance set the tone for Unity's steady climb toward another potential state championship.

Following Decker, Unity’s junior standout Mackenzie Pound crossed the line in third place, clocking in at 17:51.90. Pound’s continued improvement this season has made her a key asset for the Rockets as they gear up for another postseason run.

Unity’s depth shone through with senior Josie Cler finishing 10th (19:21.96) and fellow seniors Ashlyn Denney (19:49.92) and Camryn Reedy (19:50.54) closely following in 13th and 15th places, respectively. Rounding out Unity’s top seven were Molly Baxley (20:20.06) in 20th and Grace Wherley (20:29.00) in 22nd, further solidifying the Rockets’ dominance in the regional field.

With clear blue skies and a crisp 40-degree temperature, the fall weather created ideal conditions for the athletes at Wimple Park. Unity capitalized on the fast course, maintaining strong positioning throughout the race. Decker’s aggressive start, coupled with Pound’s steady pace in the middle stages, helped Unity quickly take control.

While Unity's runners were focused on team success, Foltz of Tuscola delivered an individual performance for the record books, finishing nearly a minute faster than any other competitor with a time of 16:02.82. Her dominance gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for, even as Tuscola finished seventh overall.

St. Joseph-Ogden, paced by Savanna Franzen’s fourth-place finish (18:11.90) and Grace Bressner in sixth (18:29.91), tried to keep pace with Unity but ultimately couldn’t match the Rockets’ depth. Paxton-Buckley-Loda’s Audrey McCoy (19:16.19) and Urbana University’s Clara Knutson (19:33.73) also finished strong, earning spots in the top 20.

Unity’s team-oriented approach, coupled with standout performances from its top runners, has put the Rockets in prime position for another state title. Having finished first or second in six of the last eight seasons, Unity is once again reloaded to make a deep postseason run.

The state meet is just weeks away, and Unity’s continued dominance at the regional level serves notice the Class 1A programs across the state.

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Keywords: Unity girls cross country, Tuscola regional results, Illinois high school cross country, Class 1A state champions, Unity Rockets cross country, 2024 cross country

Jack Fisher wins SJO 5K by a stride

ST. JOSEPH - Jack Fisher won this year's installment of the SJO 5K by a second and a half, besting Andrew Pilat Saturday morning for the top spot out of a field of 135 runners with a time of 13:32.6. St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Lance Retz, a rising star in the school's well-respected running program, finished third to round out the top 3 male and overall runners.

The top three female finishers were Hazel Atkins in first place, Sam Mabry in second, and Savanna Franzen finishing third out of 64 women from ages eight and 63 years of age. Atkins, from Shelbyville, turned in a 19:47.3 for the women's division top time.

Starting in 2008, the proceeds from the annual race help support the high school and middle school cross country and track teams in St. Joseph with travel expenses and the purchase of new equipment.

Race results by time -
1. Jack Fisher 16:32.6 ; 2. Andrew Pilat 16:34.2 ; 3. Lance Retz 16:42.3 ; 4. Jordan Harpst 17:56.7 ; 5. Patrick Ford 17:57.9 ; 6. Nate Farney 18:05.8 ; 7. Joe Griebat 18:17.3 ; 8. Eli Franklin 18:18.4 ; 9. Elijah Mock 18:34.4 ; 10. Aiden Hundley 18:45.0 ; 11. Colin Burnett 18:47.5 ; 12. Ej Beckett 18:48.9 ; 13. Adam Bello 19:34.0 ; 14. Camden Fisher 19:35.1 ; 15. Hazel Atkins 19:47.3 ; 16. Sam Mabry 19:58.7 ; 17. Colby Duitsman 20:07.7 ; 18. Savanna Franzen 20:17.1 ; 19. Greyson Guevara 20:23.4 ; 20. Tessa Walker 20:29.7 ; 21. Nathan Hinkel 20:36.0 ; 22. Jack Flesner 20:58.6 ; 23. Ryan Anderson 20:59.9 ; 24. Hunter Dilley 21:07.5 ; 25. Grace Bressner 21:15.4 ; 26. Brad Ludwig 21:24.8 ; 27. Bentley Morse 21:27.6 ; 28. Kyle Hammel 21:33.7 ; 29. Matthew Mabry 21:37.7 ; 30. Henry McCannon 21:44.0 ; 31. Andrew Schaefer 21:48.9 ; 32. Michael Tankersley 22:09.4 ; 33. Joshua Ward 22:14.0 ; 34. Elisha Guhl 22:17.8 ; 35. Jason Overman 22:32.2 ; 36. Ryan Fisher 22:33.8 ; 37. Maxwell Collins 22:42.9 ; 38. Rebekah Maxwell 23:11.5 ; 39. Patrick McClure 23:20.6 ; 40. Keegan Combest 23:22.5 ; 41. Brady Johnson 23:52.0 ; 42. Keegan Combest Jr. 23:56.6 ; 43. Mark Harbourt 24:06.8 ; 44. Tabby Brown 24:13.8 ; 45. Michael Healea 24:32.6 ; 46. Carson Coffey 24:36.2 ; 47. Taylor Vaughn 24:49.4 ; 48. Klaire Combest 24:49.6 ; 49. Drew Duden 24:52.7 ; 50. Scott Silverman 24:53.4 ; 51. Addyson Tholl 25:11.6 ; 52. David Ammermann 25:13.4 ; 53. Stephen Johnson 25:18.3 ; 54. Nikita Borisov 25:20.8 ; 55. Abigail Bello 25:37.4 ; 56. Luke Dunn 25:44.3 ; 57. Mark Wertz 26:10.6 ; 58. Maverick Wertz 26:10.7 ; 59. Spencer Krisman 26:27.7 ; 60. Madison Lubinski 26:30.7 ; 61. Whitney Patel 26:32.3 ; 62. Thea Hinkel 26:36.0 ; 63. Hannah Dignan 26:43.0 ; 64. Kendall Lubinski 27:03.0 ; 65. Paula Tankersley 27:04.9 ; 66. Gregory Poe 27:05.3 ; 67. John Lubinski 27:15.8 ; 68. Iris Davis 27:33.9 ; 69. Ethan Burnett 27:45.3 ; 70. Sara Myers 27:46.2 ; 71. Lynn Hardimon 27:48.2 ; 72. Ramsay Arnold 28:07.7 ; 73. Taryn Sexton 28:11.1 ; 74. Griffin Emery-Carlson 28:12.5 ; 75. Matt Layden 29:01.1 ; 76. Vicki Maxwell 29:13.6 ; 77. Alayna Nekolny 29:27.5 ; 78. Susan Osterbur 30:17.3 ; 79. Sara Coffey 30:40.2 ; 80. Xander Hundley 30:42.7 ; 81. Laura Owen 30:43.5 ; 82. Josie Walker 30:48.9 ; 83. Chad Walker 30:49.2 ; 84. Daniel Urban 31:10.5 ; 85. Angela Urban 31:10.8 ; 86. Jill Runck 31:11.5 ; 87. Henry Cluver 31:32.4 ; 88. Tora Borisova 31:33.9 ; 89. Amber Cluver 31:37.6 ; 90. Amy Bailey 31:39.5 ; 91. Theresa Heater 31:59.3 ; 92. Kiah Riesel 32:04.1 ; 93. Cali Argo 33:15.5 ; 94. Elizabeth Farmer 33:25.6 ; 95. Nick Farmer 33:27.9 ; 96. Kasper Zadeh 34:31.2 ; 97. Blake Franklin 34:32.0 ; 98. Amber Tomaska 34:35.2 ; 99. Ally Schmitz 34:40.6 ; 100. Jon Crawford 34:45.3 ; 101. Josie Buchanan 34:49.8 ; 102. Addi Ross 34:55.7 ; 103. Lyla Frerichs 34:56.7 ; 104. Tavi Borisova 35:21.2 ; 105. Demitrius Urban 35:25.3 ; 106. Sofie Urberg-Carlson 35:25.5 ; 107. Melinda Ward 35:42.5 ; 108. Greg Ward 35:44.0 ; 109. Candice Dixon 36:04.3 ; 110. Ellen Vore 36:31.0 ; 111. Roxy Campbell 36:37.1 ; 112. Elsa Cluver 36:37.3 ; 113. Nikki Campbell 37:59.4 ; 114. Michael Weidenburner 38:26.6 ; 115. Caleb Taylor 38:42.4 ; 116. Anne Finfrock 39:02.9 ; 117. Leah Hundley 39:03.0 ; 118. Stu Trumbo 40:13.0 ; 119. Rebecca Reck 40:46.9 ; 120. Kelly Barbour-Conerty 41:01.4 ; 121. John Mcdannald 42:50.4 ; 122. Norma Mcdannald 42:50.6 ; 123. Ashtyn Clark 44:36.8 ; 124. Allison Clark 44:48.9 ; 125. Melinda Ohlsson 47:24.5 ; 126. Amanda Upton 48:07.2 ; 127. Christina Miezio 52:09.6 ; 128. Kimberly Nigg 52:09.7 ; 129. Jeremy Bird 55:26.8 ; 130. Gina Bird 55:27.0 ; 131. Emily Bird 55:27.0 ; 132. Chloe Bird 55:27.8 ; 133. David Cluver 1:02:28 ; 134. Craig Stundahl 1:02:37 ; 135. Sue Stundahl 1:02:37 ;

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