March 8, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Knott named Student Athlete of the Month

Hayden Knott had a stellar track and field season.


The sophomore won the Illini Prairie Conference meet shot put and discus titles.


Knott tossed the discus 145 feet, 2 inches for the best mark and he did the same in the shot put with a throw of 48-5.


At the Clinton Carnival he kept up his exceptional season in the throws by sweeping both the shot put and discus. Knott put forth a toss of 44 feet, 2.25 inches to win the shot put and hurled the discus 143-8 to claim first place.
He also won the Falcon Invitational discus competition with a toss of 138 feet, 3 inches.


At a meet held in Rantoul that included Champaign Central, Clinton and Rantoul, Knott did it again with wins in the shot put with a toss of 42 feet, 1.25 inches and in the discus with a throw of 143-9.


At the sectional meet, Knott had a state-qualifying toss of 49 feet, 3.25 inches in the shot put that landed him a fourth-place finish.


He qualified for the state meet and competed this past Thursday in the preliminaries at O’Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Knott unleashed a throw of 48 feet, 8 inches, but that mark wasn’t good enough to move on to Saturday’s finals in the event.


Head coach Jason Retz said Knott has a lot to be proud of.


“He has improved nearly 7 feet this year,” Retz said.


Knott was recently named St. Joseph-Ogden’s Student Athlete of the Month.
Knott said the best thing about being a student athlete at SJO was the support from the community, his team, coaches and family. That support motivates him even while he balances school work and practice.


Knott said he was honored to be nominated by Retz and recognized as the student athlete of the month.


“I feel proud that he recognized me,” he said.

Banner
Related Posts

SJO Spring track letter and award winners

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Boys TrackBraden Clampitt, Sr.Charlie Mabry, Sr.Elijah Mock, Sr.Jett Morris, Sr.Jonny Poulter, Sr.Luke Stegall, Sr.Owen Birt, Jr.Tyler Burch, Jr.Aidan McCorkle, Jr.Aidan...

They’re going to state! SJO volleyball continues dream season

November 9, 2019

November 9, 2019

All season long, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team has risen to the occasion. The Spartans did so again...

Plotner’s dedication to cross country pays off

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Jillian Plotner works hard every day to be the best she possibly can be. St. Joseph-Ogden Cross Country Head coach...

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...

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...

Total team effort keeps SJO baseball on a roll

May 19, 2021

May 19, 2021

About the only opponent to slow down St. Joseph-Ogden baseball recently is the weather.Persistent rain postponed Tuesday’s home showdown with...

SJO football schedule for 2019 set

July 1, 2019

July 1, 2019

Making the playoffs is always a goal for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team. Having qualified in 27 of...

SJO girls’ basketball vies for sectional title tonight

February 14, 2019

February 14, 2019

Win on Thursday night and the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team achieves a milestone only one other team...

Immke, Martinie help power SJO softball to five-game win streak

April 18, 2022

April 18, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team is finding its rhythm.And picking up plenty of wins in the process.The Spartans...

Postseason quest begins for SJO baseball after strong finish to regular season

May 15, 2019

May 15, 2019

The regular season ended on a positive note for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team. Now, the Spartans hope...

Landrus, Waller help SJO baseball get off to strong start

April 1, 2024

April 1, 2024

Playing a competitive schedule is nothing new for the St. Joseph-Ogden baseball team.Neither is racking up win after win after...

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...

Harper sparks SJO soccer to another win

September 25, 2024

September 25, 2024

The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ soccer team has proven this season it can find the back of theopponent’s net. Frequently. The...

5 Question friday

August 26, 2022

August 26, 2022

Each Friday we will ask some SJO athletes five questions. Up first, junior football player Ethan McElroy. What made you...

Behrens, Vallee help Spartans continue strong start

February 11, 2021

February 11, 2021

So far, so good for the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team. The Spartans made the short drive to Champaign on...

Comments
Leave a Reply