March 31, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Mabry, Stegall pace SJO boys’ cross-country to regional title; sectional meet up Saturday

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ cross-country team has shown the capability it could win a state title all season.

At the start of the postseason, the Spartans haven’t let up, either. SJO convincingly won the 14-team Class 1A Chrisman Regional last Saturday and will send its entire team to the starting line at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Hickory Point Golf Club in Forsyth as part of the St. Teresa Sectional.

Put together another dominant performance on Saturday, and the Spartans will have the same setup in place on Nov. 6 for the 1A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

Needless to say, SJO is peaking at the right time.

The Spartans compiled a team-best 33 points to cruise by runner-up Paxton-Buckley-Loda last Saturday as the Panthers finished with 79 points. Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin (85), La Salette (107) and Uni High (116) rounded out the top five schools.

Senior Charlie Mabry posted the top time for SJO at Chrisman, placing fourth in 16 minutes, 33 seconds. Teammate and fellow senior Luke Stegall was right behind Mabry, placing fifth in 16:34. SJO senior Elijah Mock was the next runner to cross the finish line to give the Spartans three runners in the top six as Mock was sixth in 16:50.4.

Not to be outdone, SJO juniors Payton Wendell (16:56.6, eighth) and Ethan Blackburn (17:03, 10th) also ran well to give SJO a dominating victory.

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ cross-country team has shown the capability it could win a state title all season.

At the start of the postseason, the Spartans haven’t let up, either. SJO convincingly won the 14-team Class 1A Chrisman Regional last Saturday and will send its entire team to the starting line at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Hickory Point Golf Club in Forsyth as part of the St. Teresa Sectional.

Put together another dominant performance on Saturday, and the Spartans will have the same setup in place on Nov. 6 for the 1A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria.

Needless to say, SJO is peaking at the right time.

The Spartans compiled a team-best 33 points to cruise by runner-up Paxton-Buckley-Loda last Saturday as the Panthers finished with 79 points. Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin (85), La Salette (107) and Uni High (116) rounded out the top five schools.

Senior Charlie Mabry posted the top time for SJO at Chrisman, placing fourth in 16 minutes, 33 seconds. Teammate and fellow senior Luke Stegall was right behind Mabry, placing fifth in 16:34. SJO senior Elijah Mock was the next runner to cross the finish line to give the Spartans three runners in the top six as Mock was sixth in 16:50.4.

Not to be outdone, SJO juniors Payton Wendell (16:56.6, eighth) and Ethan Blackburn (17:03, 10th) also ran well to give SJO a dominating victory.

Now, SJO turns its attention to Hickory Point and the course in Forsyth. If the Spartans secure a top-six team finish, the entire team will run at the state meet the first Saturday in November as the program chases its first state championship since 1993.

Banner
Related Posts

McCarty, Burnett sharp on the mound as SJO baseball pads win total

April 14, 2019

April 14, 2019

The wins keep adding up for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team. Much like the solid pitching by the...

How sweet it is: SJO volleyball wins sectional title!

November 7, 2019

November 7, 2019

What a moment. What a feeling. And what an opportunity the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team still has in...

Get to know SJO Volleyball Player Mikyla Haley

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

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

Haley’s lofty vision with SJO baseball has become reality

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Josh Haley didn’t do anything elaborate after he achieved a coaching milestone earlier this month. For the St. Joseph-Ogden High...

Red-hot SJO volleyball faces St. Teresa for regional championship

October 28, 2021

October 28, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team concluded August with an impressive three-set win at St. Teresa. If the Spartans...

Donation could change the face of sports and activities at SJO

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

An anonymous donor has made St. Joseph-Ogden High School an offer they couldn’t refuse. And because of it, SJO athletic...

Commitment pays off for Mattsey

December 10, 2019

December 10, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden Junior Brandon Mattsey is a leader. That is why his cross country coach Jason Retz, nominated him for...

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...

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

Spartans hope to raise the bar

August 27, 2021

August 27, 2021

By Jim Cotter St. Joseph-Ogden football hopes raise the bar this season.Last season, the Spartans finished 2-4. The Spartans are...

Get to know SJO volleyball player Grace Goldenstein

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? our communication What is your favorite thing about volleyball and the...

Hug, Martinie help SJO girls’ basketball win regional title

February 21, 2023

February 21, 2023

Winning regional championships is nothing new for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’basketball program. But earning one during the 2022-23...

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...

Immke ties IHSA single-season home run record as SJO softball gears up for regional play

May 16, 2023

May 16, 2023

Some big home runs.Some big wins.Coincidence? Perhaps not. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team has recovered from a slow...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply