November 27, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Orcutt named Student Athlete of the Month

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Joel Orcutt isn’t just a standout basketball player.
He is also an artist.


“I enjoy doing art a lot,” he said. “I take pride in my work.”


Orcutt, who was named SJO’s male Student Athlete of the Month for January, had 18 points against Prairie Central on Jan. 25 and 12 points against Monticello on Tuesday night, and was nominated by SJO boys’ basketball coach Kiel Duval for the honor.


Duval said Orcutt has been the most consistent player for the Spartans for the past month.


“He’s getting better every day,” Duval said.


Orcutt was honored to be nominated.


“It feels good knowing that my hard work and performance is being noticed,” he said.


Orcutt said balancing athletics and academics is a tough concept, but one he thrives at.


“The most difficult part is keeping up with grades and still performing well,” Orcutt said. “And being an athlete almost year-round.”


Orcutt, who is going to attend St. Ambrose University to play football and plans on majoring in either biology or business, said he loves playing sports at SJO.


“The best part is the bonds that you create between you and your teammates,” he said. “Also, just playing the sports that I love at the school that I love is awesome.”

Banner
Related Posts

Going the Distance: Smetzer excels at Western

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Ross Smetzer has goals. The 2016 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate runs cross country and track for Western Illinois University...

‘Genuine excitement’ for SJO football heading into 2019 season

August 29, 2019

August 29, 2019

Lofty expectations are attached to the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team every year. This season is no different for...

Ingram shines, but SJO football still seeking first win

September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021

Six wins are needed to automatically qualify a high school football team into the playoffs in Illinois. For St. Joseph-Ogden...

Cafarelli, Kern help SJO golf start strong

August 31, 2022

August 31, 2022

The sport to begin during the fall season, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School golf team is off to a rousing...

Frick, Hug and Martinie excel as SJO girls’ basketball opens new year with win

January 9, 2023

January 9, 2023

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team has shown flashes of its potential thisseason. Just not enough on a...

Rose throws shutout

April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

In baseball After last weekend’s games at Teutopolis were rained out, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team lost to...

Scholarship honors, remembers Dick Duval: ‘His legend will live on in St. Joe’

October 5, 2021

October 5, 2021

If you want to know who Dick Duval truly was, all you have to do is ask St. Joseph-Ogden Superintendent...

Martinie, Brooks lead SJO girls’ basketball past Rantoul

February 1, 2024

February 1, 2024

When the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team is making three-pointers at a high rate, watch out.The latest example of the...

Wells, Armstrong help balanced Spartans to strong showing in Illini Prairie

March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

Performing well in conference games is about the best outcome a high school basketball team can consider during this pandemic-abbreviated...

Armstrong, Spartans start off Arteaga Era with unbeaten opening week

November 23, 2021

November 23, 2021

What a way to start the season. And the Drew Arteaga Era. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team...

SJO announces winter sport letter and award winners

March 27, 2019

March 27, 2019

Basketball CheerleadingBrooke Butorac, Sr.Keely McCorkle, Sr.Megan Mitchell, Sr.Alyssa Whitlock, Sr.Kaylee Blackburn, Jr.Faith Dahman, Jr.Eliza Lewis, Jr.Lexi Ribbe, Jr.Makenzie Barron, So.Raegan...

Martinie, Frick propel SJO girls’ basketball in two straight wins

January 23, 2023

January 23, 2023

More losses than wins have unfolded so far this season for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team.But the...

SJO volleyball shines in first week

August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023

High expectations surround the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball program every fall. That’s what happens when regular-season success and postseason success seem...

Full day of basketball on tap at SJO as Christie Clinic Shootout returns Saturday

January 7, 2022

January 7, 2022

The Christie Clinic Shootout is back at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. The 14-team, seven-game boys’ basketball event starts at 11...

Groundbreaking takes place at new baseball field

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

A ground breaking ceremony took place this week at the new home of the Royal Giants and the St. Joseph-Ogden...

Comments
Leave a Reply