April 18, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Jones named SJO student-athlete of the month

Helene Jones likes a challenge.


Jones, the October St. Joseph-Ogden student-athlete of the month, enjoys math because it challenges her.


Her can-do attitude can also be seen on the cross country course.


“Helene is among the top freshman in 1A cross country,” said Head Coach Jason Retz. “She was our number one runner at the Spartan Classic.”


Jones finished with a time of 20:46 at the Spartan Classic and bested that time at the IHSA Regionals with a time of 19:36.


Jones said being a member of the SJO cross country team is rewarding and enjoyable.


“The best thing about being a student-athlete at SJO is all the fun that me and my team have,” she said.


Her positive attitude expands to even the part of cross country she doesn’t love—early morning practice.


“The most difficult thing about being a student-athlete at SJO would be having morning practice,” she said. “But that isn’t even that bad. I love being an SJO athlete.”


The SJO Freshman dreams of going to the University of Tennessee and majoring in business of some sort.


She said she was surprised and appreciated being named student-athlete of the month.


“It makes me very happy and honored,” she said. “I would not have thought that I would have got this but I am so glad I did.”

Photo provided by Carrie Mattsey

Banner
Related Posts

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...

Knap, Jones lead balanced SJO girls’ cross-country effort in Monticello

October 24, 2020

October 24, 2020

Consistent running is key for any cross-country team. Not having one runner separate themselves too far from their teammates or...

Showdown at BHRA on tap for SJO boys’ basketball

December 16, 2024

December 16, 2024

The St. Joseph-Ogden and Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin boys’ basketball teams are familiar with each other. That’s because the two tradition-rich programs typically...

Spartans fall to T-Town

February 23, 2019

February 23, 2019

NORMAL— All basketball teams have an off-night shooting occasionally. It’s just too bad that the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans picked the...

Get to know SJO volleyball player Shayne Immke

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? We all have such amazing talent and team chemistry and we...

SJO baseball letter and award winners

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Tyler Altenbaumer, Sr.Andrew Beyers, Sr.Hayden Brazelton, Sr.Austin Cotter, Sr.Avian Gerdes, Sr.Nolan Grindley, Sr.Coby Miller, Sr.Ramsey Primmer, Sr.Griffin Roesch, Sr.Maddux Carter,...

SJO Softball letter and award winners

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Kennedy Hudson, Sr.Jacey Lewis, Sr.Jessica Palmer, Sr.Taylor Wells, Sr.Alyssa Acton, Jr.Shayne Immke, Jr.Peyton Jones, Jr.Ava Northen, Jr.Kat Short, Jr.Halle Brazelton,...

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...

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...

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...

Brazelton, SJO wrestling off to solid start

December 14, 2023

December 14, 2023

A relatively young St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling team is faring well through the first two weeks of the season. The Spartans...

SJO soccer to have new home in 2023, while issues arise about current field maintenance

July 14, 2022

July 14, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team is set to have a new home field for the 2023 season. SJO...

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...

SJO boys’ basketball to host 14-team Christie Clinic Shootout on Saturday

January 6, 2024

January 6, 2024

An annual staple on the high school boys’ basketball calendar is back in St. Joseph again this year.The Christie Clinic...

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,...

Comments
Leave a Reply