February 12, 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

Opportunity for growth is outlook SJO boys’ track and field is taking amid pandemic

April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track and field team had competed in a few indoor meets in February and...

SJO baseball on roll as Haley collects 300th career win

April 10, 2019

April 10, 2019

Some convincing wins have ensued recently for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team. And a historic win happened for...

Three relays, three individuals move on to state for SJO boys’ track and field

May 21, 2019

May 21, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ track and field team will have a solid contingent representing the Spartans at the...

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...

Scholarship honors, remembers Dick Duval: ‘His legend will live on in St. Joe’

October 5, 2021

October 5, 2021

If you want to know who Dick Duval truly was, all you have to do is ask St. Joseph-Ogden Superintendent...

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...

SJO volleyball shines in first week

August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023

High expectations surround the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball program every fall. That’s what happens when regular-season success and postseason success seem...

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...

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...

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...

McCarty throws no-hitter, SJO baseball picks up two wins

May 6, 2019

May 6, 2019

Each time Keegan McCarty takes the mound, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team has to likes its chances of...

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...

Student-Athlete of the Month Rylee Sjuts

September 3, 2019

September 3, 2019

Every month in season coaches at St. Joseph-Ogden High School nominate athletes to be the student-athlete of the month. A...

Bagby picks Indiana State

March 21, 2019

March 21, 2019

Next year, Cassidy Bagby will be a Sycamore. Earlier this month, St. Joseph-Ogden senior Cassidy Bagby signed her letter of...

Cohen, Seeley help guide SJO soccer to win

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

With less than two weeks left in the regular season, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team picked up a...

Comments
Leave a Reply