More Sports | The Journal-News

Lentz Gets GNCC Title, Walker Takes Second

In 2022, Travis Lentz and Jhak Walker both won national titles in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series. In 2023, they nearly did it again. Lentz, who won the 65cc (10-11) class last … more

1/25/24

Saathoff Top Five In AFT Final Standings

After finishing seventh in his rookie year of 2022 in the Parts Unlimited American Flat Track (AFT) Singles series, Hillsboro’s Chase Saathoff took a big step forward in 2023 with a top five … more

1/25/24

Lincoln Trail Champs Call Hillsboro Home

It was a big year for several young Hillsboro riders who finished near the top of the standings in the 2023 Thor Showdown Series at Lincoln Trail Motorsports in Casey. Siblings Huntley and … more

1/25/24

Poffinbarger Rolls Second 800 Series At Litchfield

It had been seven years since anyone had bowled an 800 series at the Litchfield Bowling Alley when Bobby White rolled an 824 on Nov. 27, in the alley’s Monday night league. The next 800 series … more

1/22/24

Pence Named To SLIAC All-Conference Team

Litchfield graduate Cara Pence , a Blackburn College junior, earned third-team all-conference for her work on the volleyball court. The former Lady Purple Panther not only wants to move up to … more

1/16/24

College Report: Magnus Wells Earns Respect Award

One of the things that has helped Magnus Wells succeed in his athletic career at high school at Hillsboro High School and now Augustana College, has been his attitude. Now he is being … more

by Dan Chamness | 1/2/24

The Litchfield Middle School eighth grade girls basketball team finished with a record of 21 wins and just five losses on the year as the took fourth at the IESA Class 3A state tournament. In front, from the left are Emma Estell, Jada Carroll, Lynzie Reid, Aida Melchert, Sarah Rieke and Kayleigh Morgan. In the back row are Head Coach Drew Logan, Kinley Hemken, Samantha Rieke, Charlotte Reyes, Allison Belusko, McKenna Harmon, Jennah Longwell, Emma Weidner, Manager Halle Rogers and Assistant Coach Jennifer Fleming.

Litchfield Eighth Grade Fourth At State

"It was a season that we didn't want to see come to an end," Coach Drew Logan said. But like all good things, that was the case for the Litchfield Middle School eighth grade girls basketball team, … more

12/21/23

White Rolls 800 Series At Litchfield Bowl

For the first time in seven years, a 800-plus series was rolled at the Litchfield bowling alley. Bobby White of Litchfield, bowled a 258, a 279 and a 287 for an 824-scratch series on lanes five … more

12/21/23

Litchfield High School grad Trevor Geggie

College Report: Geggie Wraps Up Track Career At Knox

If you listed the qualities you wanted in a college athlete, in most cases, passion/intensity would be near the top of most people’s lists. It is for recent Knox College graduate Trevor … more

12/21/23

College Report: Helton, Blueboys Play In DIII Playoffs

Blaze Helton , a Hillsboro graduate, got a football opportunity this year that not many athletes get. The Illinois College football player played in only three games and had three tackles. But, … more

by Dan Chamness | 12/14/23

The Nokomis eighth grade girls basketball team won a regional title on Wednesday, Nov. 22, beating regional host Springfield Blessed Sacrament 36-8. In front from the left are Avery West, Quincee Reibe, Hannah Tarter, Addi Cress, Joelle Jackson and Kennedi Aumann. In the back row are Coach Sean Hendrickson, Kara Beaty, Brooklyn Marley, Kendre Dean, Carsyn Bertolino, Lily Broers, Emily Harston, Paige Suslee, Nina Johnson, McKenna Sanders and Evan Duff.

Lady Braves Take Next Step Toward State

Last year, the Nokomis seventh grade girls basketball team defeated Springfield’s Blessed Sacrament 39-13 in the regional semifinals, the first step on their journey to a fourth place finish at … more

11/27/23

Pictured above, Litchfield graduate Alex Bishop takes a swing at a recent golf tournament. Bishop, who’s collegiate career ended in May, is pursuing a professional golf career.

Bishop’s Swinging For The Big Time

by Isaiah Atkins For many people, the chance to go ‘pro’ in a sport is something one can only dream of. For Litchfield native Alex Bishop, its something he’s chasing. Over this … more

by Isaiah Atkins | 11/13/23

Morrisonville's Hailee Belsher and Tessa Funderburk and Litchfield's Cara Pence have all played a big role for their college clubs this season.

College Report: Belsher, Funderburk, Pence A Hit In College

Former Lincolnwood volleyball player Hailee Belsher is nothing if not efficient. The Morrisonville graduate, who starred for the Lincoln Land Community College Lady Logger volleyball team this … more

by Dan Chamness | 11/9/23

College Report: Atkins, Ulrich Lead Panthers To SLIAC Title

Greenville University is the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Cross Country Champions once again on the men’s and women’s level. And they did it with scores that were close … more

by Dan Chamness | 11/2/23

Wyatt Pence (left) and Doug Graham were the last two standings in this year’s club championship tournament at the Litchfield Country Club, which wrapped up on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Just one hole separated the two friends at the end of the day as Graham won 1-up over Pence to win his first club title.

After 40 Years, Club Title A Sweet Win For ‘Shug’

It took 40 years and four attempts in the final match, but Doug “Shug” Graham finally captured his first Litchfield Country Club club championship on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Graham … more

11/2/23

Doug Taylor (left) defeated John Martin on Oct. 17, to win the inaugural Litchfield Country Club senior club championship. Taylor and Martin were the final two in the 12-player tournament, which began in June.

Taylor Wins Inaugural Senior Club Championship

Doug Taylor took the win in the inaugural Litchfield Country Club senior club championship on Tuesday, Oct. 17, beating out John Martin for the top spot. Taylor and Martin competed in an 18-hole … more

11/2/23

Pictured above, BRS president Lisa Billingsley, Jackie Brock and BRS treasurer Steve Johnson with a framed jersey donated from the Lou Brock Legends Collection.

Mrs. Brock Pays BRS Museum A Visit

A visit many years in the making, Jackie Brock visited the Bottomley Ruffing Schalk Baseball Museum in Nokomis on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Accompanied by friends Duane and Linda Flowers, formerly of … more

10/26/23

Soccer Rocker’s program donated $5,241.12 to the Hillsboro Sports Association for the Hillsboro High School Soccer Programs on Saturday, Oct.13. Pictured above are volunteers from the event. From the left, Brady Stritzel, Sophia Mullen, Elliot Lentz, Hunter Payne, Chloee Kenny, Audrey Evans, Emily Lowe, Kendall Peterson Dave Matton, Bill Christian, Haley Lynch, Mark Mattson, Kyle Holcomb, Noah Andrews, Isaiah Hopley, Jaxon Wittenmyer, Amelia Fuller, Blake Cullison and Mason Currie.

Soccer Rockers The Future Of Topper Soccer

Hillsboro Soccer Rocker’s program donated $5,241.12 to the Hillsboro Sports Association for the Hillsboro High School Soccer Programs last Saturday, October 13, 2023. Soccer Rocker program … more

10/26/23

Bryant Doubles Up At Havana

It was a big day for Dustin Bryant at Central Illinois Dragway on Saturday, Oct. 7, as the Litchfield racer made two trips to the winner’s circle. Bryant, right, entered three classes and only … more

10/24/23

Walker, Johnson Near Top In NEPG

Morrisonville’s Jhak Walker and Gillespie’s Collin Johnson are first and second in their respective classes in the National Enduro Series (NEPG), with eight of the nine rounds in … more

10/24/23