March 7, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Hard work key to Gaskin’s success

St. Joseph-Ogden senior track athlete Lane Gaskin is a hard worker.


Boys track coach Jason Retz said Gaskin is willing to put in the work to be the best.


Gaskin placed fifth in the 200 meter at the indoor state track meet and led the 800 meter relay team to second place at the indoor state track meet.


“He’s a very hard worker,” Retz said.


Gaskin said he would like to continue running in college where he wants to major in criminal justice or athletic training.


At SJO his favorite class is American History with Mr. Beckett because the content of the class is interesting.


“And Mr. Beckett makes the class fun,” he said.


The runner, who was named Athlete of the Month, said the best thing about being a student-athlete at SJO is the support from the town and school.


“The best thing would have to be the congratulations that come in days after a meet,” he said.


Gaskin said it was an honor to be nominated by his coach for the award.


“I feel as if being nominated by my coach means he believes in me, has trust in me and has enough faith in me to nominate me,’ he said.

Banner
Related Posts

SJO soccer ties Comets, plays Danville close

September 2, 2019

September 2, 2019

Four matches in, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team is still searching for its first victory. But the Spartans...

SJO to name football field in Duval’s honor

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

Like most people who have ever known Dick Duval, Brian Brooks can remember their first-ever meeting. It happened 17 years...

Taylor reflects on SJO coaching tenure

August 16, 2021

August 16, 2021

Kevin Taylor realized he needed to make a change. But stepping aside from coaching the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’...

Knott named Student Athlete of the Month

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Hayden Knott had a stellar track and field season. The sophomore won the Illini Prairie Conference meet shot put and...

SJO girls’ basketball embarks upon IHSA postseason play

February 13, 2023

February 13, 2023

Throw the records out the window.Take it one game at a time.Survive and advance.Pick any well-used cliche, and it’s applicable...

Get to know SJO Volleyball player Helene Jones

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? Everyone on the team is so close outside of volleyball, so...

Kaiser’s positivity a plus on court

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Lacey Kaiser is a positive presence on the volleyball court. So much so, that her coach Abby McDonald nominated her...

Strong bond motivates Spartans Cross Country

November 9, 2019

November 9, 2019

Ally Monk wants people to know there is more to the St. Joseph-Ogden Cross Country program than trophies.  The SJO...

Burnett living out dream, signs with Illinois

June 3, 2021

June 3, 2021

Throughout the years, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team has sent multiple players on to the next level. The...

SJO girls’ basketball reaches Sweet 16

February 12, 2019

February 12, 2019

One more win and the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team can celebrate its first sectional championship in 12...

Meyer, Knott shine in Rantoul for Spartans

April 10, 2019

April 10, 2019

Two trips to Rantoul in a three-day span produced some quality performances from the St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track...

Sparks plans on continuing Spartan success

March 14, 2019

March 14, 2019

Replacing a legend is not an easy task. However, when the legend is the all-time winningest softball coach in the...

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...

Five key SJO baseball games to watch for in 2019

March 5, 2019

March 5, 2019

The 2018 baseball season for St. Joseph-Ogden High School was another successful one. Under the leadership of coach Josh Haley,...

Panthers on the prowl for state title

May 18, 2019

May 18, 2019

St. Joseph Middle School Head Track and Field Coach Zachary Steele couldn’t be prouder of his team. “We had a...

Comments
Leave a Reply