April 20, 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

Student section brings the enthusiasm versus Olympia

March 10, 2021

March 10, 2021

Over the past year, students at St. Joseph-Ogden High School have endured many different changes in their lives during the...

SJO softball rallies to win season opener

March 20, 2019

March 20, 2019

The spring sports season is a little more than a week old for St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Here’s how the...

SJO to discuss basketball in December

December 3, 2020

December 3, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden Board of Education decided to wait until December to make any final recommendation about basketball. The state...

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 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...

SJO girls’ basketball makes lifetime memories with run to state

February 26, 2019

February 26, 2019

Shortly after the Class 2A girls’ basketball state championship game, the story made its rounds on social media. And it...

Athletic complex to be dedicated tonight

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

 The St. Joseph-Ogden School District will honor Glenn Fisher tonight.The district voted in June 2020 to name the athletic complex...

Ingram shines, but SJO football still seeking first win

September 17, 2021

September 17, 2021

Six wins are needed to automatically qualify a high school football team into the playoffs in Illinois. For St. Joseph-Ogden...

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...

Pence, Ingram lead SJO boys’ basketball off to superb start

February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

After having the season delayed more than two months and then missingthe first week of the condensed season while dealing...

SJO volleyball cruises to three straight road wins

September 3, 2019

September 3, 2019

So far, the road has not produced any bad results for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team. The Spartans...

5 questions with RYKER LOCKHART

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

How would you describe your team? Tight knit and together What is the biggest lesson you have learned this season?Don’t...

Softball bonds Witruk family

April 12, 2019

April 12, 2019

For the Witruk family of St. Joseph softball is a family affair. Every member of the household has played or...

Groundbreaking takes place at new baseball field

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

A ground breaking ceremony took place this week at the new home of the Royal Giants and the St. Joseph-Ogden...

Franzen, Knap pace SJO girls’ cross-country at Spartan Classic

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ cross-country team had a strong showing at the Spartan Classic this past Saturday. SJO...

Comments
Leave a Reply