December 12, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Plotner’s dedication to cross country pays off

Jillian Plotner works hard every day to be the best she possibly can be.

St. Joseph-Ogden Cross Country Head coach Jason and Assistant Coach Terri Rein cited Plotner’s dedication to the sport when they nominated Plotner for student-athlete of the month.

“She is very encouraging and displays a positive attitude,” Retz said. “She works hard every day.”

Plotner has had a stellar cross country season thus far.

At the Doc Acklin Memorial Invite she placed third with a time of 18:35.2. At the Cow Chip Classic, Plotner finished sixth in the first flight with a time of 20:07.69. At the Richard Spring Invitational at Detweiller Park Plotner placed 101st in 19:15, which was the best time of all the SJO girls. Plotner also had the best time for the SJO girls at the Spartan Classic, running 18:29:34 and placed seventh overall.

Plotner said being nominated for student-athlete of the month was a honor.

“I am honored that my handwork and dedication are getting attention,” she said.

Plotner said her favorite part of being a student-athlete at SJO is interacting with coaches, staff and other students.

“I love communicating with both faculty and students,” she said.

Plotner said the most challenging part of being a student-athlete is getting her homework done on weekdays.

Plotner, who plans on studying forensic anthropology in college, said her current favorite class is consumer education because it teaches things that are applicable to real life.

“Lots of life learning lessons,” Plotner said.

Banner
Related Posts

Mattsey, Knott leading SJO boys’ track and field this spring

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

Almost a month into its first full outdoor season since 2019 and theSt. Joseph-Ogden boys’ track and field team has...

A field of art

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Call it art in progress. The fans at St. Joseph-Ogden High School always take note of the painted field, endzones,...

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...

First night game in program history in books, SJO soccer looks to continue successful start

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team was scheduled to play Uni High on Thursday, Aug. 24. At a normal time for...

Vogelsang resigns as SJO soccer coach; superintendent expresses frustration over ‘unfortunate’ situation

December 20, 2019

December 20, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden High School will need a new soccer coach for the 2020 season. Dan Vogelsang has resigned from the...

Blackburn soars on Friday nights

September 6, 2019

September 6, 2019

Kaylee Blackburn isn’t afraid of heights. In fact, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School cheerleader is known as a high-flyer. Blackburn,...

SJO cross-country teams eager to start season off and running

August 31, 2019

August 31, 2019

The end goal for every high school cross-country runner in Illinois is to end the season racing at Detweiller Park...

SJO football rolls in season opener

September 2, 2019

September 2, 2019

The season couldn’t have started off on a better note for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team. Paced by...

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...

Weaver, SJO football is a way of life

August 30, 2019

August 30, 2019

With the 2019 St. Joseph-Ogden football season ready to kickoff on Friday evening, we are beginning a new feature called...

SJO Board to discuss basketball at November meeting

November 4, 2020

November 4, 2020

Basketball isn’t a sure thing at St. Joseph-Ogden High School this winter. The district will have to decide whether to...

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...

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...

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...

Ingram, Behrens lead SJO soccer in spring season

April 21, 2021

April 21, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ soccer team experienced a whirlwind of aseason during the 2020-21 school year. A season they’ll likely...

Comments
Leave a Reply