February 12, 2026 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

Get to know SJO Volleyball player Peyton Williams

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? I think what makes our team so successful is the determination...

Cain, Pence help SJO boys’ basketball post two wins

January 27, 2020

January 27, 2020

Playing a competitive nonconference schedule is nothing new for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ basketball team. The Spartans face...

McDonald on cusp of 400th win as SJO volleyball continues success

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

A historic night is potentially on tap Monday at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.SJO volleyball coach Abby McDonald, in her 16th...

Plotner and Bagby lead Spartans to second place showing

April 5, 2019

April 5, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and field team began the outdoor season with a runner-up showing at a...

With Illini Prairie title in rearview, Duval and Spartans turn attention to the postseason

February 21, 2024

February 21, 2024

Playing against the likes of Bloomington Central Catholic, Chillicothe IVC, Monticello, Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Pontiac, Prairie Central, Rantoul, St. Thomas More and...

Cramer, Lannert spark SJO girls’ basketball to fifth at State Farm Holiday Classic

January 3, 2020

January 3, 2020

Close games. Again. Clutch moments. Again. The small-school State Farm Holiday Classic had all of these attributes — and more...

Dowling sets home run record, SJO softball reaches 20-win mark

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

Two notable historic accomplishments have happened recently for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. First, Bailey Dowling is now...

GCMS awaits as SJO girls’ basketball continues postseason run

February 11, 2019

February 11, 2019

Four high school girls’ basketball teams, including St. Joseph-Ogden, will descend upon the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley gymnasium on Monday night. By...

Dowling wins Gatorade Player of the Year, SJO softball bows out in sectional semifinals

June 6, 2019

June 6, 2019

Late May provided bittersweet moments for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. Sweet in the sense junior shortstop Bailey...

Crowe named student athlete of the month

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden Senior Peyton Crowe loves science. She loves science so much she plans on majoring in it at Parkland...

Mattsey, Maroon and Mabry help Spartans shine in Monticello

October 24, 2020

October 24, 2020

The final regular season meet saw the St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ cross-country team thrive. So that’s a good sign for the...

Mattsey, Poe highlight SJO boys’ cross-country’s recent success, while Plotner, Rajlich do the same for SJO girls’ cross-country

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

All the miles, all the training and all the preparation will come to a head this Saturday for the St....

SJO girls’ basketball to host inaugural Country Financial Shootout on Saturday

December 14, 2023

December 14, 2023

The Christie Clinic Shootout has become an annual staple on the high school basketball calendar in St. Joseph. Same for...

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...

SJO softball wins Mattoon Tournament, but fall twice in conference play

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Coaches always are eager to see how their teams respond after losses. For St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball coach Larry...

Comments
Leave a Reply