Seggebruch leads Spartans, SJO falls to St. Thomas More in regional title match

OAKWOOD – The St. Joseph-Ogden (18-19) Spartans faced a formidable opponent in the St. Thomas More Sabers during the Oakwood Regional Championship on Thursday night, ultimately falling in straight sets, 25-18, 25-15. The loss marked the end of the season for the Spartans, whose relentless efforts came up short against a disciplined and polished Sabers team that finished second in the Illini Prairie Conference.

The Sabers (33-4), led by a balanced offense and impenetrable defense, established dominance early in the first set. Despite SJO's strong efforts, which included 13 kills in the opener, they struggled to maintain momentum.

Senior Ava Seggebruch spearheaded the Spartans' offense, tallying six kills and contributing two blocks and five digs. The Spartans aimed to turn the tide after the initial setback, but St. Thomas More's cohesive play kept SJO on the defensive in the second set.

Fellow senior Reese Wheatley joined Seggebruch in leading the defensive efforts, contributing the Spartans’ two blocks, while Ally Schmitz and Tinley Ideus added offensive depth with five and four kills, respectively. Ideus also showcased her defensive agility, totaling 10 digs, while Thea Smith supported with four saves. x

Setter Emma McKinney delivered 16 assists, keeping the offense in motion as SJO fought to stay within striking distance of the Sabers.

This year's St. Joseph-Ogden varsity squad was made up of Katie Ericksen, Kylie Barrowman, Timera Blackburn-Kelley, Tinley Ideus, Ally Schmitz, Amelia Huckstadt, Thea Smith, Addison Brooks, Hadley McDonald, Emma McKinney, Lillian Ahart, Adelyn Childers, Reese Wheatley, Emma Wells, Ava Midkiff, Ava Seggebruch, Vivian Smith, McKenzie Atwood, Adeline Stevens, Alivia Learned, Kayla Osterbur, Lexie Barrowman, and Emerson Williams.

St. Thomas More advances to the Monticello section semifinal on Tuesday against Maroa-Forsyth.

Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball, Oakwood regional championship, high school volleyball playoffs, St. Thomas More volleyball, SJO Spartans volleyball

St. Joseph-Ogden outlast Unity in three-set battle to secure regional title berth

Emma McKinney (left) and Reese Wheatley celebrate a point for the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team in their home match against Maroa-Forsyth. McKinney was credit with 23 assists and led the team in digs in SJO's regional semifinal against Unity on Tuesday.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

OAKWOOD - In a high-stakes, do or stay home, semifinal showdown, St. Joseph-Ogden eked out a three-set win over Unity on Tuesday at the Oakwood Regional, outscoring the Rockets 25-17, 19-25, 25-16 to secure their spot in Thursday’s regional title game against St. Thomas More. Despite Unity's strong season-ending push, the Spartans’ balanced attack and relentless defense proved decisive.

St. Joseph-Ogden (18-18), who came into the match with momentum from a two-game win streak, saw strong play from outside hitter Tinley Ideus leading the offense, forcing Unity’s defense to work overtime. Ideus, a standout for SJO, amassed 10 kills and added 10 digs, demonstrating her versatility and impact on both sides of the ball. Senior Ava Seggebruch complemented Ideus with seven kills and 10 digs.

Unity, however, did not go down easily. After falling in the first set, the Rockets adjusted their defensive strategy. Their efforts paid off in the second set, where they clawed back, winning, 25-19. Capitalizing on their defensive stands and taking advantage of Spartan errors, Unity found its footing to force a third set.

But the Spartans regrouped for the final frame, tightening up defensively and refocusing on their attack. Junior Emma McKinney played a critical role as a setter, tallying 23 assists for the evening and orchestrated an offense that saw contributions from multiple hitters. Ally Schmitz added four kills and nine digs, while Addi Childers and Reese Wheatley, who led in team blocks with two, each chipped in two kills, ensuring that SJO’s attack remained dynamic and unpredictable.

Ava Seggebruch pass the ball during SJO's home match against Maroa-Forsyth. The Spartans face a formidable St. Thomas More squad in their regional title match.

Defensively, Katie Erickson anchored the back row for the Spartans, tallying nine digs and serving two aces to keep the Rockets off balance. Ultimately SJO sealed their advance, winning the set with a 25-16 win.

Tuesday’s victory was particularly sweet for St. Joseph-Ogden, as Unity had previously bested them in straight sets, 25-23, 25-18, on September 24. This time, with a title game on the line, the Spartans showed marked improvement in their attack and defensive consistency, areas that had hampered them in the previous encounter. The win sends St. Joseph-Ogden to Thursday's regional final against a formidable opponent in St. Thomas More, who triumphed over Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin in their own semifinal matchup.

The Sabers will present a stiff challenge for SJO, having defeated the Spartans convincingly, 25-10, 25-12, earlier in the season. However, with renewed confidence and a balanced lineup, the Spartans look ready to give St. Thomas More a tougher contest this time around. Thursday’s title game, set for 6 p.m., will likely be an intense matchup as the Spartans seek their first regional title since their 2022 three-set win over BHRA.

Editor's correction: In our original story, we wrote that SJO had not won a regional title since "their 2019 trip to the Class 2A Final Four". That was incorrect. The article has been updated to reflect the Spartans won their most recent title in 2022 at the Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin regional.

Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball, Unity Rockets, Oakwood Regional volleyball, Tinley Ideus, Ava Seggebruch, St. Thomas More volleyball, Illinois high school volleyball playoffs

St. Joseph-Ogden pulls off gutsy come-from-behind win over Oakwood

St. Joseph-Ogden's Peyton Williams and Reese Wheatley celebrate a point during set 1 of the Spartans home match against Oakwood. Down by as many as eight points, the SJO volleyball team showed their true grit with a six-point run, making it a two-point game at 16-18. After regaining the serve at 16-20, senior Chloe Harper served-out the set 25-20 to give SJO a hard-fought win. Still on fire, the Spartans pounded their way to a 17-3 second-set advantage and closed it out for the victory, 25-7.

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO defeats Monticello in Week 1

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Area prep football and volleyball gets underway

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SJO Dance Team finishes the season 16th in the state

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The SJO Dance Team pose for a photo while waiting for Friday's performance results at Grossinger Motors Arena during the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals.

BLOOMINGTON - Going to state is a big deal. Competing against the top 30 teams in the state, the St. Joseph-Ogden dance team finished 16th out of 81 high school dance programs at this year's IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals.

"It was just like the best experience in the world," said senior Olivia Getty before the 12 finalists were announced at Friday's preliminary round at Grossinger Motors Arena. "Regardless of how we finish, I feel really proud of how we danced today. I feel like we did well."

The best part about competing at state for Reese Wheatley, one of two seniors on the squad, was spending the day with her team, giving advice throughout the day, and being there for them.

"It just means so much to be here," she said. "It just shows how hard our whole team worked throughout the entire season."

Getty, the other senior, said making it to state was the result of the Spartans' dedication and work ethic during the season. "It shows all of the hard work it took to get here."

Wheatley said Alyssa Hudson, the team's new head coach, is one of the best coaches she has worked with.

"She loves us so much and has spent so much time with us. She shows that at every single practice."

Getty added, "She pushed us so hard. She saw our potential from day one and did not let us give up on ourselves. She pushed us the whole season."

SJO missed the cut for the finals by four places. Finishing ahead of the SJO Dance Team with a score of 80.88 were Glenbard South (13th, 82.90), Civic Memorial (14th, 82.64), and Elmwood (15th, 81.24).

The 2025 State Championship went to Providence Catholic, who bested the competition with a score of 93.56. Earning a score of 92.34 and finishing in the top three for the third consecutive year since the pandemic, Morris took home another second-place trophy. The reigning J'ettes from Jacksonville, who had hoped to achieve a three-peat, finished third with a score of 91.12 in this season's title run.

Getty's advice to next year's dance team is to work hard.

"Work so hard," she advised. "Every moment pays off. Just put in the time and the effort. It will pay off."

St. Joseph-Ogden Dance Team at IHSA State

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The SJO Dance Team performs their modern dance routine in the preliminary round at Grossinger Motors Arena during the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals.

Wheatley's message to her fellow teammates was, "Remember that you are not alone. Everyone is going through something, so show up every day and do your very best. Keep yourselves and each other proud."

The Spartan Dance Team roster also included Adelyn Childers, Abigail Getty, Gracyn Sjoken, Abigail Bello, Alivia Learned, Hadley McDonald, Lilly Sollars, Ava Gallo, and Lilyah Jones. Hudson was assisted by former dance team member Kaitlyn Hess.

207 SJO students earn High Honor Roll recognition in the second quarter

ST. JOSEPH - At the end of October, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the recipients of the second quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll. To be recognized on the Honor Roll at SJO, students must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Those with a GPA exceeding 3.74 are honored as High Honor Roll students.

Freshman High Honor Roll

Kira Aase
Tyler Bonny
Ava Bronowski
Patrick Clark
Avarie Dietiker
Ainsley Dirksmeyer
Trey Divan
Connor Eaton
Olivia Edington
Eli Franklin
Isabella Frerichs
Ava Gallo
Conlan Gill
Colton Heidel
Nathan Hinkel
Ashlee Jannusch
Lilyah Jones
Megan Kearney
Lillyan Kelley
Gavin Little
Royce Loschen
Charles Martin
Landon May
Henry McCannon
Lane McKinney
Connor McMahon
Hannah Nirider
Mason Osterbur
Mara Perkins
Marissa Perkins
Hailey Phillips
Evan Potter
Airin Rash
Kenley Ray
Abigail Reynolds
Roisin Rice
Alyssa Robinson
Vivian Smith
Nayeli Steele
Brooklyn Stevens
Ethan Suchor
Mataya Thaman
Korinne Travis
Evelyn Valentine
Owen Wall
Lucas Waters
Sorena Welsh
Ian Wolken
Samson Zadeh

Sophomore High Honor Roll

Lillian Ahart
Zhou Barbee
Abigail Bello
Zachary Benoit
Olivia Berlatsky
Colin Burnett
Brenda Castro Gutierrez
Elizabeth Clark
Abigail Crider
Hayden Dahl
Iris Davis
Madison Farber
Nathaniel Farney
Nolan Franzen
Leah Gaines
Skyler Graham
Anna Hammond
Mark Harbourt
Nicholas Harris
Tyler Hess
Maggie Hewkin
Brynn Ikemire
Mia Jones
Alivia Learned
Avrianna Lyttle
Chase Mabry
Hadley McDonald
Finnegan Miller
Maddux Musselman
Mason Ramm
Kiah Riesel
Dennis Rineberg
Sophie Schmitz
Adeline Stevens
Ani Stine
Isabella Turner
Brayden Waller
Jack Wear
Emerson Williams
Declan Yohnka

Junior High Honor Roll

Trevor Ames
Kylie Barrowman
Lexie Barrowman
Adalyn Bell
Kaitlyn Beyers
Emily Bird
Tim Blackburn-Kelley
Aiden Bonny
Addison Brooks
Sara Bytnar
Jacob Carlson
William Carlson
Rudra Chaudhary
Adelyn Childers
Christopher Coffey
Caleb Dwyer
Katherine Ericksen
Abigail Getty
Camden Getty
Charles Hale
William Haley
Erica Hardimon
Zachary Harper
Claire Hartman
Amelia Huckstadt
Lydia Huckstadt
Adalyn Jannusch
Kaelyn Jolley
Sophia Kasper
Madilyn Kelley
Sami Kelso
Cooper Kietzman
Alexis Lackey
Ryker Lockhart
Mackenzie Loschen
Michael McDaniel
Danny McGinnis
Emma McKinney
Kodey McKinney
Patrick McMahon
Ashlyn Miller
Hannah Mock
Delaney Nekolny
Allison Ochs
Brennan Oleynichak
Kayla Osterbur
Colton Overstreet
Garrick Page
Branson Pearman
Kaleb Peoples
Asher Pruemer
Ainsley Rhoton
Lily Rice
Landon Roberts
Logan Rosenthal
Amber Ruppel
Cameron Schlueter
Allison Schmitz
Gracyn Sjoken
Lucas Smith
Tao Smith
Karleigh Spain
Quinn Stahl
Sydney Steinbach
Hadley Sweet
Carlee Taylor
Sophia Vliet
Madeline Wells
Wyatt Wertz
Logan Xiao
Cyrus Zadeh

Senior High Honor Roll

Jared Altenbaumer
EJ Beckett
Audrey Benoit
Macie Blakley
Landon Brown
Arely Castro Gutierrez
Richi Chimal
Preslee Christians
Madison Clampitt
Lauren Dewese
Ella Dietiker
Luke Ditchfield
Andrea Dominguez
Jackson Ennis
Savanna Franzen
Addison Funk
Kaiden Gaines
Tayton Gerdes
Olivia Getty
Makennah Hamilton
Lauren Harris
Haley Hesterberg
Maebree Houston
Paige Johnson
Sara Kearney
Amilliya Kindle
Jeffrey Kuchenbrod
Gabriel Mata
Logan Mills
Gabriel Mortlock
Grace Osterbur
Chayse Palmer
Sonia Patel
Nathan Phillips
Haley Rudolph
Audrey Ruppel
Charles Schmitz
Tanner Siems
Corbin Smith
Kyler Swanson
Coy Taylor
Collin Thomey
Samantha Uden
Reese Wheatley
Madison Wolken
Charley Wright
Fiona Xiao

Here are the recipients from St. Joseph-Ogden's first quarter High Honor and Honor Roll.

Over 270 St. Joseph-Ogden students earn 2nd quarter academic honors

ST. JOSEPH - Last week, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the second-quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll recipients. Just over 270 members of this year's enrollment earned second-quarter Honor Roll recognition.

To receive honor roll recognition at SJO, students must earn a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students whose GPA soared above 3.74 are recognized as High Honor Roll students.

Freshman High Honor Roll

Lillian Ahart
Zhou Barbee
Zachary Benoit
Alec Bowlin
Colin Burnett
Elizabeth Clark
Abigail Crider
Hayden Dahl
Iris Davis
Nick Ditchfield
Justin Downs
Madison Farber
Nathaniel Farney
Nolan Franzen
Skyler Graham
Anna Hammond
Mark Harbourt
Nicholas Harris
Tyler Hess
Maggie Hewkin
Mia Jones
Alivia Learned
Hadley McDonald
Finnegan Miller
Maddux Musselman
Mason Ramm
Dennis Rineberg
Isa Santiago
Sophie Schmitz
Adeline Stevens
Ani Stine
Isabella Turner
Brayden Waller
Jack Wear
Emerson Williams

Freshman Honor Roll

Yadiel Acosta-Reyes
Samuel Albrecht
Olivia Berlatsky
Brenda Castro Gutierrez
Leah Gaines
Morgan Huls
Brynn Ikemire
Waylon Jones
Avrianna Lyttle
Chase Mabry
Mason Olinger
Tripp Palmer
Peighton Reim
Kiah Riesel
Ava Smoot
Cameron Wagner
Kaden Wedig
Cameron Wright
William Yeazel
Declan Yohnka

Sophomore High Honor Roll

Caroline Aden
Trevor Ames
Kylie Barrowman
Lexie Barrowman
Kaitlyn Beyers
Emily Bird
Tim Blackburn-Kelley
Aiden Bonny
Addison Brooks
Sara Bytnar
Erica Hardimon
William Carlson
Rudra Chaudhary
Adelyn Childers
Christopher Coffey
Katherine Ericksen
Callie Evans
Abigail Getty
Camden Getty
William Haley
Zachary Harper
Claire Hartman
Lydia Huckstadt
Adalyn Jannusch
Kaelyn Jolley
Sophia Kasper
Madilyn Kelley
Cooper Kietzman
Kylan Kincaid
Alexis Lackey
Ryker Lockhart
Mackenzie Loschen
Michael McDaniel
Danny McGinnis
Emma McKinney
Kodey McKinney
Patrick McMahon
Ava Midkiff
Ashlyn Miller
Hannah Mock
Delaney Nekolny
Allison Ochs
Brennan Oleynichak
Kayla Osterbur
Colton Overstreet
Garrick Page
Branson Pearman
Kaleb Peoples
Asher Pruemer
Ainsley Rhoton
Lily Rice
Landon Roberts
Logan Rosenthal
Amber Ruppel
Cameron Schlueter
Allison Schmitz
Lucas Smith
Tao Smith
Karleigh Spain
Quinn Stahl
Sydney Steinbach
Hadley Sweet
Carlee Taylor
Sophia Vliet
Madeline Wells
Wyatt Wertz
Logan Xiao
Cyrus Zadeh

Sophomore Honor Roll

Adalyn Bell
Shelby Campbell
Jacob Carlson
Caleb Dwyer
Brandon Goodwin
Charles Hale
Bryson Houchens
Amelia Huckstadt
Nick Jackson
Malachy Kates
Sami Kelso
Graham Ray
Lance Retz
Trevor Sexton
Gracyn Sjoken
Landon Smith
Luke Tranel
Hunter Van Meenen

Junior High Honor Roll

EJ Beckett
Audrey Benoit
William Besson
Holden Brazelton
Arely Castro Gutierrez
Richi Chimal
Preslee Christians
Madison Clampitt
Lauren Dewese
Ella Dietiker
Luke Ditchfield
Jackson Ennis
Savanna Franzen
Addison Funk
Kaiden Gaines
Tayton Gerdes
Olivia Getty
Makennah Hamilton
Lauren Harris
Haley Hesterberg
Maebree Houston
Kendrick Johnson
Paige Johnson
Dylan Jones
Sara Kearney
Madison Lankster
Logan Mills
Gabriel Mortlock
Grace Osterbur
Chayse Palmer
Sonia Patel
Haley Rudolph
Audrey Ruppel
Charles Schmitz
Kyler Swanson
Collin Thomey
Samantha Uden
Reese Wheatley
Fiona Xiao

Junior Honor Roll

Jared Altenbaumer
Rylie Barton
Eli Birt
Sul Bonny
Landon Brown
Landen Butts
Hayden Coffey
Joshua Courter
Nolan Earley
Lyla Frerichs
Tinley Ideus
Amilliya Kindle
Owen Knap
Aiden Krall
Jeffrey Kuchenbrod
Logan Lackey
Gabe Mata
Brenden Maury
Logan Patton
Nathan Phillips
Sydney Reitmeier
Tanner Siems
Corbin Smith
Thea Smith
Coy Taylor
Ava Worley
Charley Wright

Senior High Honor Roll

Edward Alewelt
Logan Allen
Luke Allen
Aden Armstrong
Samantha Beetz
Chloe Burkhalter
Payton Carter
Garrett Denhart
Samantha Downs
Sadie Ericksen
Joseph Frasca
Mia Frederick
Alana Frerichs-McCurry
Addison Frick
Grace Getty
Chloe Harper
Rachel Harris
Brody Hausman
Annabelle Hueber
Tanner Jacob
Kya Jolley
Helene Jones
Tori Kibler
Lauren Lannert
Quinn Lewis
Taylyn Lockhart
Addisyn Martinie
Ethan McElroy
Shannon McMahon
Talan Miller
Isaiah Mock
Caleb Ochs
Macy Reed-Thompson
Addison Roesch
Addison Ross
Daniel Santiago
Addison Seggebruch
Lucas Skelton
Aescton Slowikowski
Logan Smith
Dylan Smoot
Drew Thurman
Emma Thurman
Braxton Waller
Elissia Ward
Colin Wayland
Brody Weaver
Corbin Wells
Hayden Williams
Peyton Williams
Spencer Wilson

Senior Honor Roll

Halle Brazelton
Tyler Buss
Maya Chahine
Cameron Dressen
Ashton Fonner
Chloe George
Amaya Gula
Ray Gutierrez
Emmitt Holt
Ella Jones
Luke Landrus
Hayden Lewis
Connor Little
Carson Maroon
Rowan Musselman
Cole Pruitt
Kaydence Reynolds
Madison Stevens
Zoey Sweet
Nicholas Wetzel
Mitchell Wright

Going to state! SJO Dance Team advances to Competitive Dance State Finals

A member of the Spartan Dance Team performs at halftime during St. Joseph-Ogden's home basketball game against Warrensburg-Latham at the Christie Clinic Shootout. The Spartan finished fourth at the St. Anthony Competitive Dance sectional on Saturday. Advancing to the state final prelims on Friday, SJO will perform at 10:39 AM for a spot in Saturday's championship round.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

EFFINGHAM — The Spartan Dance Team secured their third consecutive trip to the Illinois High School Association Competitive State Dance Finals after finishing fourth at the St. Anthony sectional on Saturday.

The eleven-member troupe earned a score of 80.17, placing behind Jacksonville (90.27), the defending Class 1A state champions. Clinton took second place, with St. Anthony finishing third, joining nine other small school programs at Bloomington's Grossinger Motors Arena for the state finals.

Four additional local teams competed at sectionals but did not advance. Villa Grove placed 7th, Unity 9th, and Rantoul 16th at Effingham. Mahomet-Seymour finished 11th in their sectionals, completing the area teams that did not advance.

In Class 2A at Mahomet, Champaign Central finished third behind Bradley-Bourbonnais and Washington. The Maroons are scheduled to perform at 1:49 PM on Friday.

The Spartan Dance Team roster includes Olivia Getty, Reese Wheatley, Adelyn Childers, Abigail Getty, Gracyn Sjoken, Abigail Bello, Alivia Learned, Hadley McDonald, Lilly Sollars, Ava Gallo, and Lilyah Jones. Alyssa Hudson coaches the Spartans, assisted by Kaitlyn Hess.

Tickets for Friday's preliminary competition are $12 at the door and can be purchased in advance online via TicketMaster or by phone at the City Box Office at (309) 434-2777.

Schedule for Friday

SESSION 1 - 1A & 2A Preliminaries

9:15 a.m. Doors open to the State Final venue site
10:00 a.m. Welcome
10:10 a.m. Announcements & National Anthem
10:15 a.m. First Performance (1A & 2A Alternate Performances)
12:15 p.m. Officials Break
2:21 p.m. Last Performance
2:40 p.m. Announcement of 1A Finalists
2:50 p.m. Announcement of 2A Finalists

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Photo Gallery |
SJO dance team competes at state

BLOOMINGTON - The St. Joseph-Ogden Dance Team performed at the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals last Friday. Five dancers gave their all, hoping to advancing to the Class 1A championship round on Saturday. Missing the cut by three places, SJO finished with a first-day score of 78.38, good for 15th place. Performing together, Reese Wheatley, Hadley McDonald, Olivia Getty, Samantha Beetz, and Abby Getty delivered what to be their best performance . Here's a few moments from their routine at this year's state competition.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks