The Journal-News

With 80 campers, 15 adult volunteers and 15 student Huddle Leaders, the first Fellowship of Christian Athletes Power Camp at Litchfield since the pandemic was a glowing success. Students from all over the area were able to hone their skills at this free camp organized by Rob and Patrice Corso, who started the first FCA Power Camp in Litchfield in 2016.

After Two Year Absence, FCA Powers Through Return To Camp

In Zechariah 1:3 of the Bible, God says return to me and I will return to you. This past week, 80 young athletes met this challenge and returned to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Power … more

6/30/22

Hillsboro motocross racer Huntley Durbin earned his spot for the AMA Amateur National Motorcross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in August by virtue of his fifth place finish at the regional qualifier in Tigerton, WI on June 17.

Durbin, Wright Earn Bids To Loretta Lynn’s

Thirty-three young racers were vying for just six spots in the event of a lifetime, the AMA Amateur National Motorcross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. Three motos later, Hillsboro … more

6/30/22

Anthony McCoy of Greenville takes a shot in the Bone Stock Full Size class at the Montgomery County Fair demolition derby on Saturday, June 25, at the fairgrounds in Butler. McCoy’s vehicle survived the hit, and he went on to finish third in the event.

Demo Derby A Smash At County Fair

It was another smashing success at the fair on Saturday, June 25, with the annual demolition derby taking center stage at the Montgomery County Fair grandstand in Butler. Montgomery County … more

6/30/22

Shawn Murray of Irving was the top finisher in the Hot Stock class at the Montgomery County Fair truck pulls on June 26. Murray's 1990 Chevrolet pulled 325.44 feet good enough for third in the nine-truck field.

Rain Can't Halt County Fair Pulls

Fifty-eight entries in the 2022 Montgomery County Fair truck and tractor pulls made it successfully down the track on June 26, as volunteers made sure rain the night before didn’t swamp this … more

6/30/22

Ty White (#360) works his way through traffic on the opening lap of the 250 B motocross race at the Montgomery County Fair on Friday, June 24. The Taylor Springs racer went on to finish sixth in the race.

Local Racers Take Top Spots At Fair Motocross

One hundred twenty-five entries dotted 14 classes at the Montgomery County Fair motocross event on Friday, June 24, in Butler, with competitors ranging from seasoned professionals to little rippers … more

6/30/22

Hillsboro racer Chase Saathoff (right) gave his dad Mike (left) an early Father’s Day present on Saturday, June 11, as the younger Saathoff picked up his first podium finish in the Progressive American Flat Track series with a third place result at the Laconia Short Track race in Laconia, NH.

Saathoff Earns First AFT Podium Finish

This year is all about progression for Chase Saathoff and on Saturday, June 11, the Hillsboro 16-year-old took a big step in the Progressive American Flat Track series. Racing in the Parts … more

6/23/22

With friend Cooper Duff (#201) just behind him, Walshville’s Travis Lentz jumps out to an early lead at the Fox Valley Off Road grand prix on Saturday, June 18. Lentz won the first of the two motos in the 85cc Jr. class, but was injured later in the day. Duff took second in the first moto and first in moto number two.

Fox Valley Races Feature Podium Spots, Bad Breaks

A couple solid performances and a bad break followed the area riders to Fox Valley Off Road grand prix in Wedron on Saturday, June 18. Donnellson racer Cooper Duff and his dad, Ryan Duff, both … more

6/23/22

It was a muddy mess, but a successful run for Travis Lentz at round five of the IXCR off-road motorcycle series in Canaan, IN, as the young Walshville racer finished second in the 85cc Jr. class.

Lentz Doubles Up As Runner Up

Walshville racer Travis Lentz picked up a pair of runner-up finishes in the fourth and fifth rounds of the IXCR off-road motorcycle series on May 15 and June 12 in Canaan, IN. At King of the … more

6/23/22

SCC Standings Hopefully A Sign Of Things To Come For HHS

Steve Moore, Staunton’s South Central Conference savant, made his SCC all-sport standings available once again this year and for the sixth year in a row, Hillsboro finds themselves in the upper … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/23/22

Team Owens members Ross and Marie Owens, owners of The Holiday Shop in downtown Hillsboro, will travel to San Diego this July where he will competitively compete in the Transplant Games of America at age 70.

Owens Hopes To Win At Transplant Games

Only one percent of organ transplant patients no longer need immunosuppressive medications to prevent their body from rejecting the foreign organs. Local business owner Ross Owens is one of the … more

by Barb Boston | 6/23/22

Hillsboro High School grad Alex White will be making the transition from junior college to NCAA Division II this fall after making the decision to attend Lindenwood University following two years at Parkland College.

College Report: Alex White To Golf For Lindenwood University

From National Junior College Athletic Association Division II to NCAA Division II. Alex White, a Hillsboro graduate, will make that exact journey. After helping the Parkland College Cobras place … more

by Daniel Chamness | 6/21/22

Cahokia Creek Dirt Riders To Host Skills Day

The Cahokia Creek Dirt Riders off-road motorcycle club will be having a Kids Day/Riding Skills Day on Sunday, July 10, at 9 a.m. on the club grounds in White City. The event, sponsored by Niehaus … more

6/21/22

Four Reach Top Of Podium At WFO Race

The fourth of 12 events on the WFO Promotions hare scramble schedule took place on Sunday, May 29, in Oakford. Almost two dozen riders from Montgomery and Macoupin counties competed in 16 … more

6/21/22

It was a solid two weeks for Addy Beal of Farmersville, pictured in victory lane at Coles County Dragway in Charleston with her parents, Angie and Andy Beal, on Saturday, June 4. Beal won the consolation title in the junior dragster division in Charleston, then turned around and did it again two weeks later on June 18.

Beal Gets It Done On The Mat And The Track

Farmersville junior drag racer Addy Beal (pictured with her parents, Angie and Andy Beal) picked up the win in the consolation bracket at Coles County Dragway on Saturday, June 4, putting together … more

6/21/22

A group of sharks may be called a shiver, but with temperatures in the mid-80s for their opening meet at the Litchfield Memorial Pool, the water was just fine for the Montgomery County Sharks Swim Team on Saturday, June 11. The club, which has 76 team members this year, hosted the Petersburg Dolphins and Panther Creek Piranhas on Saturday and came away with a win in their first of 12 meets this season.

It’s Shark Season In Montgomery County

The first meet of the season is in the books for the Montgomery County Sharks Swim Team as they hosted the Petersburg Dolphins Swim Team and the Panther Creek Country Club Piranhas Swim Team. With … more

6/16/22

From the left, Deklan Riggs, Dillon Smail and Drake Vogel celebrate at home plate after Vogel's home run in the championship game of the Montgomery County Tournament in Raymond. The trio were three of the four Hillsboro batters who hit over .300 for the year, with sophomore Ketch Mills the outlier with a team-best average of .424.

Toppers Solid In Rain Soaked Season

Just as Hillsboro High’s baseball team rallied from a 3 wins, 7 losses record in the first third of the 2022 season to finish 15-10 overall (6-3 in the South Central Conference), sophomore … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/16/22

Detmers No-Hitter Cards On Sale Saturday At BRS

The Bottomley Ruffing Schalk Baseball Museum in Nokomis is offering baseball fans a chance to own a unique memento celebrating part of baseball history on Saturday, June 18. The Topps … more

6/16/22

Lentz, Walker Pick Up Wins In GNCC Series

Walshville’s Travis Lentz and Morrisonville’s Jhak Walker both picked up wins in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series on Sunday, June 5, as they continue to creep closer to the … more

6/16/22

With all members in constant, harmonious motion, the pit crew for Joey Logano's No. 22 Team Penske Ford completes their work on pit lane during the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday, June 5. Logano would go on to win the inaugural race, which had three lead changes in the final two laps.

St. Louis' Cup Runneth Over

It’s 8 a.m. on the biggest day in the long history of World Wide Technology Raceway. Fifty years ago, this was swampland. Nothing but wasted area until you met East St. Louis and the … more

by Bill Walker | 6/13/22

Twenty-three players from schools stretching from New Berlin to Altamont played in the sixth edition of the Grace Cup All-Star soccer game on Saturday, June 11, at Terry Todt Field in Raymond. In front, from the left, are Ethan Lentz, Connor Stalets, Melissa Rufus, Josh Klenke, Dima Powell, Grace Conner, Charlotte Herschelman, Reece Butcher, Levi Weir, Caleb Stevens, Spencer Hoehl and referee Brock Eddings. In the back row are Coach Travis Matthews, Coach Matt Lentz, Josh Bauman, Joe Mattson, Coach Dave Mattson, Matt Page, Lukas Moore, Devin Speiser, Cameron Crow, Brayton Strawkas, Austin Dohleman, Noah Klimpel, Bryce Suckow, Duncan Scheidenhelm, Adam Anderson, Carson Franks and Kyle and Mary Herschelman. Not pictured are assistant referees C.J. Matthews and Kenny Lauderdale and ball boys Cody Matthews, Connor Billington and Lucas Stewart.

Sixth Grace Cup Was Worth The Wait, Challenges

Almost everything about the Grace Cup was a challenge this year. But at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, two teams took the field and played for the love of the game of soccer and in support of a little … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/13/22