April 21, 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

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...

Pence helps SJO boys’ basketball win opener; Toyota of Danville Classic up this week

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

All eyes will be on Ty Pence this basketball season. Understandably so. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior boys’ basketball...

5 questions with SJO football team captain Owen Birt

November 5, 2022

November 5, 2022

Why is being a team captain important to you?Being a team captain is important to me because it is important...

Armstrong leads balanced offense in win against Pontiac

February 25, 2021

February 25, 2021

Recovering from a tough home loss with a road win is always a good sign.Especially with multiple road games on...

Get to know SJO volleyball player Taylyn Lockhart

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? Our work ethic and how well we are able to play...

Relays shine for SJO track and field

March 25, 2019

March 25, 2019

A St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and field relay team won a title at a prestigious indoor meet, the...

SJO girls’ basketball wins long-awaited season opener

February 8, 2021

February 8, 2021

The last time St. Joseph-Ogden hosted a girls’ basketball game before Thursday night, it had a good ending for the...

‘I’m just glad to be playing my final year with my friends’

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2021

Looking forward.  The St. Joseph-Ogden football team is embracing the unique opportunity of playing football in March and April due...

SJO football back in the playoffs, meets Williamsville in first round

October 26, 2019

October 26, 2019

The last time St. Joseph-Ogden High School football met Williamsville in a playoff game, the Spartans ended up playing for...

Witruk, Ward help SJO softball win regional title; Olympia awaits in sectional semifinal

May 22, 2019

May 22, 2019

Add another regional title to the growing collection for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. The Spartans earned their...

Pence looks to the future with scholarship offers

July 6, 2021

July 6, 2021

By Jim Cotter Growing up in the shadows of the University of Illinois, it was always a dream for Ty...

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...

Burnett leads SJO baseball to regional title; BCC awaits in sectional semifinal

May 22, 2019

May 22, 2019

Crayton Burnett has put up eye-catching pitching performances throughout the season for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team. Last...

Dukeman, Martlage help SJO softball get back to winning streak

April 29, 2019

April 29, 2019

Challenging road games await the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team at the start of this week. But the Spartans...

She’s Back! Dukeman set to get another shot at softball this summer

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Hannah Dukeman is getting a chance to play softball despite COVID-19 stealing her senior season at St. Joseph-Ogden High School....

Comments
Leave a Reply