Sports | The Journal-News

Dozens of athletes from Montgomery and Macoupin counties grew athletically and spiritually at the FCA Power Camp, which was held June 24-26, in Litchfield. Since 2016, Patrice and Rob Corso have organized the camp, which offers fifth through eighth graders the opportunity to sharpen their skills on the field, while finding out how Jesus plays a role in their lives.

Litchfield FCA Camp A Bright Spot For Area Athletes

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. That was the theme verse from Romans 15:13 for this … more

6/27/24

2019 Hillsboro graduate Isaiah Atkins wrapped up his college career last fall as a member of the Greenville University cross country team. His career was extended by a fifth year of eligibilty due to the pandemic.

THE COLLEGE REPORT • Atkins Makes Strides In Cross Country Career

For a high school soccer player, Hillsboro graduate Isaiah Atkins turned out to be a three-time all-conference college cross-country runner. “I’m pretty proud of my improvement from … more

by Dan Chamness | 6/27/24

Local Riders Stay Busy At Lincoln Trail

It’s been a busy summer already for motocross as several racers from the Journal-News Motorsports area raced in all four rounds of the Thor Showdown Series at Lincoln Trail Motosports in Casey. … more

6/27/24

Irving’s Tanner Mullen (left) and Butler’s Kaleb Keiser (right) were the last two running in the Limited Weld class on Saturday, June 22, at the Montgomery County Fair demolition derby in Butler. Mullen managed to hold on to take the top spot, with Keiser coming in second and Irving’s Kyle Yeske third.

County Cars Go Smashy Smashy

Full stock was full of county winners at the Montgomery County Fair demolition derby on Saturday, June 22, in Butler. Not only did Montgomery County drivers win both the Limited Weld and Full Size … more

6/27/24

Tri-L winners, from the left, were Emma Diveley, Tate Dobrinich, Carly Favre, Alyssa Lohman, Madison Mix, Keehan Powell and Carson Saathoff.

Litchfield Sports Boosters Honor Senior Athletes

On Sunday, May 5, the Litchfield Sports Booster’s hosted the annual Senior Athlete Banquet at the Litchfield Moose Lodge. Dinner was provided to the senior athletes and their parents/guests. … more

6/24/24

Dunlap's Chris O'Kane kept his cool, but his John Deere 700A blew its stack at the Montgomery County Fair tractor pulls on Sunday, June 23. Fortunately for O'Kane, the top didn't pop until after he had already gone 341.25 feet, which was good enough for first in the 12,500+ class.

The Fast and the Fair-ious

The Montgomery County Fair has always been about family and there was plenty for families to see this year, especially if you like a little fun on four wheels (or two). Here are some of our favorite … more

6/24/24

Litchfield’s Rilynn Younker completes her deadlift during the Mad Max Push/Pull powerlifting meet at Unit Strength Training in Lindenhurst on June 15. Younker broke an 11-year-old national record in the 52 kilogram/115 pounds weight class at the meet, lifting 85 kilograms or 187.25 pounds.

Younker Sets New Powerlifting Record

Scientists estimate that the rhinoceroses found in Africa and Asia can lift up to half of their body weight. But for the “Rino” that can be found in Litchfield, that’s just the … more

6/20/24

Lynch Sixth At Macon Speedway

After finishing 10th in the B Main at Highland Speedway on June 8, Hillsboro’s Evan Lynch was back on the track a week later for the DIRTcar Pro Modified race at Macon Speedway on June 15. … more

6/20/24

Litchfield racer Bodee Everett (#3E) works his way around Jagger Wiggs of Benton (#71) during racing action in the Patriot Landscape Restricted Micros class at Coles County Speedway in Mattoon on Saturday, June 15. Everett went on to finish sixth in the 16-car, 20-lap feature.

Everett Sixth In Points At Coles County

It was a busy weekend for Litchfield racer Bodee Everett as he raced at Coles County Speedway in Mattoon on both June 14 and 15. The Saturday race, the Tom Rieck Memorial, was a big one for the … more

6/20/24

Saathoff Stays Hot In AFT Singles

Any thoughts that Chase Saathoff’s success would diminish after his first career American Flat Track Singles victory were quickly dispelled as the Hillsboro motorcycle racer has picked up three … more

6/20/24

The Litchfield trio of Dustin Bryant, Phil Bryant and Corey Wood took three of the top four spots in the Quick 16 at the Midstate Dragway event on June 15, with Dustin Bryant going on to take the win. Bryant also won the Modified class and was second to Wood in the Top E.T. class as the group racked up points in the IHRA points standings at the track.

Bryants, Wood Return To Midstate Winner’s Lane

Litchfield racers Dustin Bryant, Phil Bryant and Corey Wood were at Midstate Dragway in Havana on June 15, for the IHRA points races. Dustin Bryant entered three classes and won both the Quick … more

6/20/24

Donnellson's Cooper Duff was one of several area riders to have a good day at the Johnson Grand Prix in Monmouth on Saturday, June 15, as he took second in the Super Mini class and third in the Open B class.

Monmouth Race A Grand One For Local Riders

Points weren’t on the line when the So. IL Off-Road Racing Series headed to Monmouth on June 16, but pride and cash were, which meant some fierce competition at the Johnson Grand Prix. … more

6/20/24

In front, from the left are Elliot Link and Hudson Jackson. In back are Kelly Ondrey of Steve Schmitt Brubaker, Chad Foss, Paige Foss, Dexter Link, Paine Foss, Memphis Jackson, Stacy Carter and Rhonda Jurgena of Steve Schmitt Brubaker.

Litchfield Baseball Accepts Donation

Steve Schmitt Brubaker in Litchfield is helping local athletes this summer with a donation of $500 and other equipment to Litchfield Baseball, Inc. through the Chevy Youth Baseball and Softball … more

6/20/24

The team members of the first place team, the Poach Pirates, from left, are Will Adkins, Kayla Adkins, Ben Loftus and Kevin Guinn.

Poach Pirates First At Central Park Tourney

The Central Park pickleball courts in Hillsboro hosted a MoCo League pickleball event Saturday, June 15. Four teams came to town to compete in this alternative pickleball format, including the Fried … more

6/20/24

Five members of the Litchfield High School and Litchfield Middle School wrestling programs competed in the Midwest Beach Wrestling Nationals on June 8, in West Peoria. From the left are Rilynn Younker, Vincent Moore, Draven Jones, Nick Adam and Pete Younker.

Panthers In The Sand Means Panthers With Raised Hands

Earlier this month, six members of the Litchfield wrestling program competed in the Midwest Beach Wrestling Nationals on June 8, in West Peoria. The group picked up two championships and seven top … more

6/20/24

Hillsboro grad Eli Atkins saved his best for last when it came to his cross country career at Greenville University. Atkins broke 28 minutes four times in the 8,000 meters in his final year with the Panthers, including a 27:08 at regionals.

THE COLLEGE REPORT • Atkins Makes Strides In Final Year At Greenville

It is not unusual for a male athlete to get bigger, stronger and faster as they age and gain more experience in their sport. But, Eli Atkins, a recently graduated Greenville University runner … more

by Dan Chamness | 6/17/24

Dozens of future Topper cheerleaders participated in this year's Little Topper Cheer Camp in June.

Topper Cheerleaders Host Cheer Camp In June

Members of the Hillsboro High School Topper cheerleading squad and coach Abbyjo Chambers hosted the inaugural Little Topper Cheer Camp at Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro this June. … more

6/17/24

Redskins Hand Out Awards

After going 20-14 overall and 9-1 in the MSM Conference to earn a share of the conference title, the Nokomis High School baseball team celebrated their season with their end-of-the-year banquet on … more

6/17/24

Nokomis Softball Wraps Up 2024 Season

After wrapping up their season with a 10-16 record in the regional championship game, the Nokomis High School softball team celebrated their season with their year-end banquet at the Depot in … more

6/17/24

Walshville racer Travis Lentz has been on quite the roll this year as he has racked up 14 wins in 14 events in the Grand National Cross Country Series, The IXCR Cross Country Series and the Crossroads Cross Country Series this year. Lentz, pictured above with his latest first place plaque from the Pleasant Ridge IXCR race in Canaan, IN, also finished first in youth bikes in all six IXCR and Crossroads races in which he raced.

Lentz Still Unbeaten In GNCC And More

Travis Lentz’s dominance in the Grand National Cross Country Series has continued since J-N Motorsports’ last update in April as the Walshville off-road motorcycle racer is still … more

6/13/24