The Journal-News

Nokomis High School grade Kate (Singler) Malveaux and her husband Chris are in Oklahoma City this week as the University of Tennessee softball team competes in the Women's College World Series. This is the Malveauxs' second year in Knoxville, having coached at the University of Missouri for three years prior to their move east.

Malveauxs Have Front Row Seat For Vols World Series Run

For the first time in eight years the University of Tennessee softball team is playing in the Women’s College World Series and one couple with Montgomery County ties is going along for the … more

6/1/23

HEAT Tumblers Compete At State Meet In April

On April 22-23, 67 athletes from Hilltop Elite Academy of Tumbling and Trampoline, Inc. (HEAT) traveled to Pana, for the Southern Illinois State Competition to compete against other … more

6/1/23

College Report: Catching Up With Montgomery County’s Athletes

Every athlete in the world would like to exit the sport they love on top. Tess Saathoff , a Hillsboro graduate and Blackburn College golfer, knows exactly how that feels. Going out a winner? … more

5/30/23

College Report: Hanner Wins Five To Wrap Up Senior Year

In the 1970s, Yankee slugger Reggie Jackson earned the nickname “Mr. October”. Hillsboro graduate Kaili Hanner might just follow in the legendary slugger’s footsteps in earning … more

by Dan Chamness | 5/22/23

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Rick Zucker of Chesterfield, MO, Carl Riechers of Wentzville, MO and Jeremy Gibbs of St. Peters, MO. In back are Tony Parker of Rochester, Ryan and Jennifer Van Der Karr of Dwight, Chad Kahl of Bloomington, Brian Flaspohler of Chesterfield, MO, Sean Kolodziej of Joliet, Jim Leefers of Coffeen and Bill Pearce of Elmhurst.

Baseball Researchers Meet At BRS

The Bottomley-Ruffing-Schalk Baseball Museum in Nokomis was recently the venue chosen as the meeting site for a joint venture between two chapters of the Society for American Baseball Research, … more

5/22/23

Hillsboro grad Kai Hanner picked up five wins and 50 strikeouts during the regular season for the St. Louis University softball team.

The College Report: Toppers' Hanner Adds Win For Billikens

That’s a Winner! Echoing the words of legendary Cardinal broadcaster Jack Buck might have said while sitting alongside Mike Shannon, who recently passed, if he had seen the effort of St. … more

5/15/23

President Gregory J. Meyer, Blackburn Trustee Jennifer Shelby, Illinois Deputy Governor Andy Manar and Interim Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Mike Neal officially break ground on the site of a new indoor athletic facility with ceremonial hard hats and shovels during an event at Blackburn College.

Blackburn Breaks Ground On New $6.4 Million Indoor Practice Facility

With ceremonial shovels, hard hats and an artistic rendering, Blackburn College students, faculty, staff, alums, trustees and guests assembled on Friday, April 28, to officially break ground on the … more

5/8/23

Litchfield High School grad Jeremy Frazier will be on ESPN3 this Friday, May 5, and ESPN2 on Sunday, May 7, as he and doubles partner Noah Almanza take on Matt and Brett Guy in the finals of the American Cornhole League Pro Shootout Series #3. A win would advance Frazier and Almanza to the 2023 ACL Pro Shootout Championship in July.

Frazier To Throw In Shootout Final On ESPN

Making the trip to Miami from central Illinois by way of Rapid City, SD, isn’t really the most efficient route, but it worked out pretty well for Litchfield High School grad Jeremy … more

5/4/23

Sign-Ups Open For Sharks Swim Team

The Montgomery County Sharks Swim Team will start their season on June 10, but there is still time to register to be on this year’s team. Parents can register their swimmers, ages five to … more

5/4/23

The College Report: Wells Comes Up Big

At the Washington University Mini-Meet, the Augustana College Vikings scored a total of 32.50 points to finish fifth. Magnus Wells, an Augustana freshman thrower and Hillsboro graduate, scored 22 … more

by Dan Chamness | 5/1/23

Engelman, Hendrickson, White Earn IBCA Honors

Three Montgomery County coaches were among those honored as Coach of the Year this year by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Nokomis High School girls basketball coach Brandon … more

4/27/23

After taking second in Texas this past Saturday, April 22, Hillsboro’s Chase Saathoff (pictured during his race in Arizona on April 1) currently sits fifth in the Progressive American Flat Track Singles Series point standings.

Saathoff Takes 2nd In Texas

Finishing on the podium isn’t simple in the Progressive American Flat Track Singles Series, but sometimes Chase Saathoff and his Turner Racing teammates make it look as easy as 1-2-3. The … more

4/27/23

Lentz, Duff Finish In Top Five At IXCR

The aptly named “Ice Breaker” kicked off the IXCR off road motorcycle racing series in Attica, IN, on Feb. 26, and a pair of Montgomery County riders finished in the top five of the Youth … more

4/27/23

Butler’s Briar Kuhl placed first in the Super Mini class and first overall in Youth Quads at the Extreme XC Fowl Fiasco in Bloomfield, IN, on April 1, running four laps in 1:04:38.966.

Kuhl, Saathoff Lead At Fowl Fiasco

Montgomery County took over round two of the Extreme XC off-road series on April 1-2, as racers from Butler and Hillsboro took the top spots in the Youth and Adult B divisions overall. After … more

4/27/23

Walshville’s Travis Lentz (left) and Morrisonville’s Jhak Walker (right) have made their home on the podium in the Grand National Cross Country Series this year. Lentz, pictured here with his first place plaque from the Camp Coker Bullet, has five wins in five races in the national series, while Walker, pictured during the Tiger Run podium ceremony, has four straight second place finishes in his class.

Podium The Place To Be For Lentz, Walker

After finishing first and second in their respective classes in round two of the Grand National Cross Country off-road motorcycle series in Florida to start the month of March, Walshville’s … more

4/27/23

Wright Takes Top Spot In Throwback

Round two of the Thor Showdown Series at Lincoln Trail Motosports in Casey took place on April 8, and one Hillsboro racer came home with a first place finish. Hillsboro’s Adam Wright … more

4/26/23

Since 2021, Litchfield High School grad Dusty Atteberry has been testing the limits of his strength by competing in strongman competitions. A former track, football and basketball player for the Panthers, Atteberry will be competing in the United States Strongman Nationals on June 3 in Dallas, TX.

Atteberry To Compete In Strongman Nationals

Sports were a big part of Dusty Atteberry’s life growing up, from track, basketball and football at Litchfield High School to the discus and hammer throw at Greenville University. But … more

4/24/23

College Report: Haley A Major Contributor

Haley Major, a Hillsboro graduate, is one of four at Kaskaskia College. The sophomore outfielder is one of four hitters hitting .500 or better. For her part, Major, who has played in all 19 games, … more

3/30/23

Bishop First At Saginaw Valley Spring Invite

The weather is warming up and so is Litchfield High School graduate Alex Bishop, who had one of his best performances to date at Purdue Northwest University. Bishop took first at the 21-team … more

3/27/23

Students competing in the springfield Taekwondo tournament from Rising Sun Martial Arts in front, from the left are Evan Cobetto, Emberlie Clark, John Reams, Reed Harmon, and Robert Hilt. Middle row, from the left, are Bryson Tarran, Noah Sheridan, Kenton Norman, Liam Tarran, Archer O’Dell, Ruger Sherman and Colton Christian. Back row, from the left, are Jacob Sikorski, Owen Willman, Isaiah Burdell, Skyler Sturgeon and Parker Sullivan. Not present was Koan Schweizer.

Rising Sun Students Bring Home Medals

Rising Sun Martial Arts students competed in a Taekwondo tournament on Saturday, March 11, in Springfield. The students from the Hillsboro-based martial arts school ranged in ages from five to 15 … more

3/23/23