March 9, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Franzen, Knap have SJO girls’ cross-country team in solid position heading to state

Faring well at Detweiller Park in Peoria is a common sight for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School cross-country team.

This year’s version will look to continue the tradition of a program that boasts state championships in 1990, 2014 and 2016, along with a second-place finish in 2017 and third-place finishes in 2010 and 2015.

SJO placed second at the 21-team Class 1A St. Teresa Regional held last Saturday at Hickory Point Golf Club in Forsyth. That was more than good enough to send the entire team to Peoria for this Saturday’s 1A state meet that gets going at 9 a.m.

SJO compiled 90 points, with Unity winning a sectional title by recording 57 points. Monticello (108), Uni High (109) and Robinson (164) rounded out the top five schools.

Freshman Savanna Franzen finished second at the St. Teresa Sectional, clocking in with a time of 18 minutes, 31.30 seconds. Only sectional champion Kate Ahmari of Uni High had a faster time in 18:05.09.

Senior Ava Knap was the next SJO runner to cross the finish line, doing so in 18:56.65 to take fourth and give SJO two runners in the top four.
Senior Kailyn Ingram placed 23rd in 20:25.67, with sophomore Chloe Burkhalter (20:50.38, 34th) and senior Addie Allen (20:50.63, 35th) finishing with nearly identical times.

The top three teams at the state meet will take home trophies, with the first 25 runners to finish earning All-State honors.

Banner
Related Posts

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...

Strong bond motivates Spartans Cross Country

November 9, 2019

November 9, 2019

Ally Monk wants people to know there is more to the St. Joseph-Ogden Cross Country program than trophies.  The SJO...

Izard, SJO boys’ basketball rolls in postseason opener

February 26, 2020

February 26, 2020

It wasn’t even close. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School boys’ basketball team picked the perfect time for its most lopsided...

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...

SJO softball wins Mattoon Tournament, but fall twice in conference play

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Coaches always are eager to see how their teams respond after losses. For St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball coach Larry...

Cook surpasses 1,000 career points

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

Before the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball teams plays Monday night for a shot to reach the state tournament, facing Chicago...

Orcutt named Student Athlete of the Month

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Joel Orcutt isn’t just a standout basketball player. He is also an artist. “I enjoy doing art...

After winning Illini Prairie Conference championship, SJO girls’ basketball to play for regional title

February 18, 2022

February 18, 2022

Postseason accomplishments are significant ways to remember a season.But so are conference championships.And when this chapter is written on the...

SJO to name football field in Duval’s honor

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

Like most people who have ever known Dick Duval, Brian Brooks can remember their first-ever meeting. It happened 17 years...

SJO baseball hits 20-win mark, pushes win streak to four games

May 10, 2019

May 10, 2019

Every year Josh Haley has coached the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team, the Spartans have won at least 20...

SJO girls’ track and field wins eighth straight sectional title, qualifies 13 athletes for state

May 13, 2019

May 13, 2019

Winning sectional titles and sending multiple athletes to the state meet. That’s the standard the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’...

Dowing ties state home run record as SJO softball wins third straight game

May 10, 2019

May 10, 2019

Bailey Dowling is one home run away from cementing her name atop a state record. Add on the fact the...

Brazelton, Roesch combine on no-hitter as SJO baseball wins its first six games

April 23, 2021

April 23, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden baseball team last played in the state tournament in 2017. With the way the Spartans have opened...

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...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply