The Journal-News

In the foreground, Josh Sander returns a shot during mixed doubles play with partner Tara Mata against Lynn Hanson and Christopher Shultz at the Central Park pickleball courts in Hillsboro. Hanson and Shultz would go on to take first in the 4.5 mixed doubles bracket, beating the team of Shelley Tischkau and Rod Robbins 17-15 in the final game.

Pickleball Action Heats Up At MoCo Summer Classic

With 109-plus entries from five different states, the third annual MoCo Pickleball Summer Classic was bigger than ever and proved that the time and money spent on the courts at Central Park was well … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 7/26/21

Phil Bryant (left) made it to the winner's circle at Muncie Dragway in Indiana on July 24, a week after his son Dustin (right) did the same at the Central Illinois Dragway in Havana on July 17.

Like Father, Like Son As Bryants Earn Two Trips To Victory Lane

Some sons try to emulate their fathers, but the last two weekends, that role was reversed for the father and son drag racing tandem of Phil and Dustin Bryant. On July 17, Dustin (below) beat out … more

7/26/21

Dane Bondurant of Witt, pictured with daughter Mabry, took third in the Strike King Co-Angler group at the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Illini Division tournament on July 17, at Rend Lake.

Bondurant 3rd At Rend Lake, 2nd In Standings

It was another good day on the lake for Dane Bondurant on Saturday, July 17, as the Witt angler finished third at the Phoenix Bass Fishing League event on Rend Lake. Competing in the Strike King … more

7/26/21

Litchfield racer Ryan Komor won his fourth WFO hare scramble of the year on Sunday, July 18, beating out 32 other riders to take the top spot in the 201-Open C class.

Komor First Again At WFO Race In Byron

It was the biggest class of the day, but that didn’t matter much to Litchfield’s Ryan Komor, who won his fourth WFO series race of the year on Sunday, July 18. Racing in the Greg Moss … more

7/26/21

Hemken Sixth At Taylorville In Return To Hornet Racing

After a lengthy layoff, the sport compacts came calling for Eldon Hemken once again as the Sorento racer hit the track on Saturday, July 17. Racing at Federated Auto Parts 1-55 Raceway in Pevely, … more

7/26/21

Local Riders Collect Wins At Belleville Hare Scrambles

The Belleville Enduro Team hosted two days of hare scrambles in June, with a large contingent from the Journal-News Motorsports area competing. On day one, June 12, five racers from Montgomery and … more

7/26/21

Hillsboro's Chase Saathoff (#6) puts some distance between himself and the competition during his heat race at the AMA Flat Track Grand Championships on Monday, July 19. Saathoff would go on to win 12 of the 16 finals he competed in during the week and captured championships in four classes, plus the Nicky Hayden Horizon Award for most promising amateur rider.

Saathoff Shines Bright At Grand Championships

Before the start of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Flat Track Grand Championships in DuQuoin on July 15, the Saathoff family were at peace with whatever happened over the next five … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 7/22/21

Walshville’s Travis Lentz picked up his fifth win in six races in the IXCR cross country racing series on July 18.

Lentz Wins To Increase IXCR Points Advantage

Walshville’s Travis Lentz beat out 20 other riders to win the 65cc (7-12) class at the Oliver Brothers XC race in Russillville, IN on July 18. Part of the IXCR Cross Country Racing series, … more

7/22/21

Dozen From Area Golf At Drysdale Jr. Tourney

Twelve area golfers were among those teeing it up in Springfield last week for the Drysdale Junior Golf Tournament, with still three alive going into the tournament’s final day. The younger … more

7/19/21

Litchfield 10-year-old Bodee Everett got the opportunity to do what most racers dream of, compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on July 2-4 at the USAC quarter midget Battle at the Brickyard.

Everett Races At Brickyard

It was the experience of a lifetime for young Bodee Everett, who spent the Fourth of July weekend at the mecca of motorsports known as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 10-year-old Litchfield … more

7/19/21

Lynch, Reynolds Slip Away With Top 10s At Macon

It was the biggest race of the summer for the Macon Speedway as the track hosted it’s Herald and Review 100 on Thursday, July 8. With more than 100 cars spread through three classes, the event … more

7/19/21

Komor, Lentz, Walker Come Away With Wins

Three of the 19 racers from the Journal-News Motorsports area came away with victories in Atkinson on Sunday, July 4, as the WFO Hare Scramble series continues on. Litchfield’s Ryan Komor, … more

7/19/21

Hillsboro’s Chase Saathoff (#6) tries to work his way around Jeffrey Lowery during the 450 Amateur at the Ohio Flat Track Sport Center on May 16. While Saathoff had to settle for second in this race, the runner-up finish has been the exception rather than the rule for the Hillsboro High School sophomore-to-be, who won 30 times in May and June.

Saathoff Heats Up As Summer Goes On

It’s been a busy but productive summer for Chase Saathoff as he and parents, Mike and Bobbi Saathoff of Hillsboro, have hit races in four different states and more often than not, coming home … more

7/15/21

BRS Museum To Induct Eight In November

The Bottomley-Ruffing-Schalk Baseball Museum will be holding its 2021 Induction Day ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 13, in conjunction with the museum’s 40th anniversary. Plans for the event … more

7/15/21

Case Cruthis Picks Up Second Crossroads Win

Panama’s Case Cruthis would pick up another win in the Crossroads Cross Country Racing Series on June 19, to move into the top five in points in the four stroke class. Cruthis, who missed … more

7/15/21

Duff Boys Racing Pick Up Wins In May, June

May and June were busy months for the Duff Boys Racing team as the family traversed the area with seven events in the two months. The run started with the Tri City Motorcycle Club Grand Prix, held … more

7/15/21

On May 15, Nathan Lynch, Brady Lynch, Justin Reynolds and Evan Lynch carried the flags during the national anthem prior to racing at Macon Speedway in honor of their grandfather, the late Art Lynch. Their cousin, Jason Williamson, helped set up the procession in honor of his uncle, who was a prolific racer at Macon and other area tracks.

Lynch Motorsports Making Waves At Macon

The Lynch Motorsports family provided some early Independence Day fireworks on July 3, as they raced in the Firecracker 40s at Macon Speedway. The 14E of Evan Lynch and the 14N of Nathan Lynch, … more

7/12/21

Litchfield's Maurice Radtke recently wrapped up his throwing career at Greenville University, with a sixth place finish in the shot at the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association finals among the honors on his resume.

College Report: Radtke Career Marked By Improvement

Maurice J. Radtke, a Litchfield graduate, has one goal every time he enters the ring to throw an implement: throw better than he threw the time before. That attitude and desire to … more

by Dan Chamness | 7/12/21

From a spic and span start on the asphalt to a muddy mess after a trip through the bogs, Travis Lentz weathered all kinds of conditions at the Snowshoe Mountain stop of the Grand National Cross Country Series on June 26-27 in West Virginia. Facing one of the series’ most challenging course, Lentz emerged with a fifth place finish and the points lead overall after nine GNCC races.

Lentz, Walker Conquer Snowshoe GNCC Stop

It’s been labeled the toughest, most spectacular and most unique race on the Grand National Cross Country Series schedule, but for Walshville’s Travis Lentz and … more

7/12/21

Gonulsen's Legacy Goes Beyond Soccer

He helped bring modern day soccer to Central Illinois, thus impacting the way hundreds of future players all over the area, including Montgomery County, looked at the game. Coaching legend Aydin … more

7/8/21