The Journal-News

Despite limited practice time due to COVID-19, Witt’s Hope Speiser had a strong showing at the NCSA National Age Group Championships in Florida this year, posting a time in the 50-yard freestyle that qualified her for next year’s national meet and earned her a spot on Team Illinois at the Zone Championships in August.

If you have ever been through the local Fusion Aquatic Center attached to the Hillsboro Area Hospital any night of the week in the last six years, you may have seen 13-year-old Witt native Hope Speiser training in the pool. more

5/3/21

College Report: White Takes Third At Conference Tourney

In golf, it would have to be considered a clean sweep. Or maybe more than a clean sweep. Hillsboro graduate Alex White was simply part of that sweep. The Parkland College freshman would … more

by Dan Chamness | 5/3/21

College Report: Hillsboro's Hanner Picks Up First College Win

When the St. Louis University-softball playing Billikins earned a 3-2 win over Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, it was truly a team win. Not only did it take the entire Billikin … more

by Dan Chamness | 4/29/21

Lynch Sixth At Macon Opener

While rain has thrown a wrench in the plans of Macon Speedway several times this season, the track was able to host its season opener on Saturday, April 17. Hillsboro racers Nathan Lynch, Kevin … more

4/26/21

Jade Taylor Finishes Big For Greenville

Jade Taylor, a Litchfield graduate, only had one goal and one assist for Greenville University this year. But, it could not have come at a better time. Well, the assist could not have. … more

by Dan Chamness | 4/26/21

College Report: Schaake’s Success Helps Loggers In Win Column

Success breeds success. That is Katie Schaake’s theory. The Hillsboro graduate, now a freshman at Lincoln Land Community College, is not only doing very well, both on the mound and at … more

4/22/21

The Duff brothers of Donnellson each scored a top two finish at the Muddy Waters MX Park on April 18. Zach Duff (left) would finish second in the 85cc class, while Cooper Duff (right) was first in the 65cc class.

Duff Brothers Go 1-2 At Muddy Waters MX Park

The Duff Boys racing team had never been to the Muddy Waters MX Park in Port Byron, but if they keep turning out results like they did on April 18, it may become a frequent stop. Cooper Duff ran … more

4/22/21

Hillsboro’s Chase Saathoff picked up five wins in two days in two different states at events in Pekin and Ashland, VA on April 17-18.

Five Wins In Two States For Hillsboro's Saathoff

Two events in two states resulted in five more wins for Hillsboro flat track motorcycle racer Chase Saathoff on April 17-18, with a little training to go along with the racing on the … more

4/22/21

Travis Lentz and his dad, Jay, talk things over before Travis' run on the Tiger Run course at Big Buck Farm in Union, SC, the fifth round of the Grand National Cross Country series  on April 17-18.

Lentz, Walker Score Top Fives At GNCC Stop

Walshville’s Travis Lentz and Morrisonville’s Jhak Walker were among the 177 riders to hit the Tiger Run course at Big Buck Farm in Union, SC, the fifth round of the Grand National Cross … more

4/22/21

Johnson First At Sand Goblin

Nine local riders were among the 296 to race at the Sand Goblin Enduro in Lake Village, IN on Sunday, April 18, which was sponsored by the Grand Kankakee Trail Riders. more

4/22/21

Get Ready To Crush It For Camden's Crew

The friends and family of Camden Burke will be hosting the third annual Crush for Camden's Crew Golf Scramble on Saturday, May 8, at the Indian Springs Golf Club near Coffeen. Burke is the … more

4/15/21

Camren Neisler may not have been able to be there, but he was with his friends in spirit, and cardboard form, at the memorial golf outing that bears his name. In front, from the left, are Brea Cox, Taylor Lohman, Kayla Stauder, Alyssa Huber and Delaney Clavin. In the back are Hendrix Barnes, Logan Ernst, Hunter Arndt, Isaac Pearse,Andrew Durbin, Bj Chausse, Josh Clymer, Kamden Ransdell and Jake McDonald.

Third Camren’s On The Green Celebrates 21 In ‘21

Camren Neisler didn’t make it to his 21st birthday, which would have been March 3, 2021, but thanks to the love and support of his friends and family, Neisler had quite the party … more

4/15/21

It was a busy weekend for Morrisonville High School senior Jhadyn Walker as he rushed for 172 yards for the South Fork 8-man football team on Saturday, April 10, followed by a 12th place finish in the IXCR race in Greencastle, IN on Sunday, April 11.

Area Racers Invade Indiana

Stop number two on the IXCR cross country racing series schedule was on April 10-11, with racers hitting the hills and hollers of Deer Ridge in Greencastle, IN. Morrisonville’s Jhak Walker … more

4/15/21

It was a good start to the season for Litchfield's Bodee Everett as he took second and fourth in his two feature races at the Spring Shootout at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

Everett Scores Two Top Fives In Season Opening Race

Litchfield quarter midget driver Bodee Everett started off his racing season on April 10-11, at Spring Shootout at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Presented by the Christrian County … more

4/15/21

It was the opportunity of a lifetime for Hillsboro's Nathan Lynch, right, pictured with his brother, Evan. Lynch got the opportunity to compete in the Bristol Dirt Nationals, which drew 900 entries to the iconic concrete speedway that was covered in dirt for the March NASCAR race.

Bristol The Opportunity Of A Lifetime For Lynch

While Nathan Lynch is no stranger to racing, the third generation driver’s latest trip was a different kind of experience. In March, Lynch joined 900 other dirt track racers in competing at … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/11/21

Racing truly is a family affair for the Lynch Motorsports crew, with four of Art Lynch’s grandsons racing on the dirt tracks of Macon, Tri-City and Fayette County. Nathan, Evan and Brady Lynch and Justin Reynolds all followed in their grandfather’s footsteps, with cousin Jason Williamson and the Lynch’s father, Artie, helping out in the pits. In front, from the left, are Jason Williamson, Nathan Lynch and Artie Lynch. In the second row are Evan Lynch, Brady Lynch and Justin Reynolds.

Family First For Lynch Motorsports... And Hopefully Second And Third

Like gasoline through a fuel line, racing runs in Nathan Lynch’s blood. From racing go-carts as a kid to late models as a teen at Macon Speedway to piloting the 14N on tracks throughout the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/11/21

Cinderella stories are great during tournament season, unless you're the one on the other end. While Victoria Francis (left) lost her bid to become an Olympian after losing to Kylie Welker (right), the 17-year-old 14th seed, Francis still had a phenomenal tournament at the Olympic Wrestling Trials on April 2-3, finishing in third place and earning a spot on the US National Team.

Francis Earns Spot On US National Team

One of the more intriguing part of sports, especially during tournament time, is the potential for upsets. In March Madness, nothing is more exciting than watching Cinderella upset one of the big … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/8/21

Jon Durbin rides it out after a jump at the Sunoco Race Fuel Spring Shootout Pro-Am at Lincoln Trail Motosports on Sunday, April 4. Durbin would take first in the Throwback class at the event, his first victory in two decades.

Durbin Scores Win At Lincoln Trail Pro-Am

Hillsboro’s Jon Durbin picked up a win in the Throwback class at the Sunoco Race Fuel Spring Shootout Pro-Am at Lincoln Trail Motosports on April 4, one of several area riders to make the trip … more

4/8/21

Zach Duff of Donnellson (left) was one of the of the big winners at the WFO Promotions hare scrambles in Chandlerville on Sunday, April 4, winning the Super Mini class and finishing atop the youth division.

Duff, Lentz, Walker Find Wins At Easter Hare Scrambles

A slew of riders from the area spent Easter in their favorite way possible, navigating the twists and turns of a hare scramble course. Two dozen competitors from the Journal-News Motorsports area … more

4/8/21

Area racers Trenton Kimbro (left) and Ryan Petroski will have to find some space in their trophy cabinet after racing at Midwest Motosports Club in Chandlerville on March 21. Kimbro took first in the Super Mini and 85cc Senior classes, plus second in the Schoolboy class, while Petroski was fifth in the 250 C class.

Kimbro Collects Wins At Chandlerville Moto

Chandlerville was the place to be for area several motocross racers on March 21, as the Midwest Motocross Club hosted the second event of the AMA District 17 schedule. Trenton Kimbro of Taylor … more

4/8/21