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GOTR 5k It’s time for girls to let their spirit shine by joining the Girls on the Run 5k! The Riddle Rockstars won the spirit wear trophy last spring.

•October 26, 2016•

Girls on the Run East Central Illinois will host its 5k event at 9 a.m. Saturday, November 12 at the Mattoon Area Family YMCA. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in third to eighth grade. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season celebratory 5k event.

“Participating in the Girls on the Run 5k gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment. Crossing the finish line is a defining moment when the girls realize that even that seemingly impossible is possible,” says Sarah Dowell, council director for Girls on the Run of East Central Illinois. “We have sites across seven counties this fall and are grateful for the opportunity to have served over 2,100 girls in our 11 seasons!” Read More

•October 19, 2016•

Karlie Bean, seventh grader at Windsor Jr. High School, participated in the first Jr. High All-Star Showcase in Jacksonville October 8-9.

Bean was joined by Grace Bunfill of Okaw Valley and more than 100 additional girls in Illinois to participate in the event. Players from Mattoon, Charleston, and Martinsville joined Bean and Bunfill to form the East Central team.

The 11 member team was coached by Blain Mayhill of Charleston.

The East Central team earned the championship title, finishing the weekend with four wins and one tie.

Bean earned a position on the 2016 All-Tournament Team while also taking home the MVP award.

•October 19, 2016•

Arcola golfers finished their season at a very windy Prairie Vista. Clayton Miller shot an +8 par 80 to tie for ninth place.  Read More

•October 19, 2016•

Kirk Whitaker
NP Sports

The main source of hype in the area this year has been St. Teresa, and mainly their sophomore running back Jacardia Wright who ran over the Redskins in his freshman campaign last season.

The outcome of the game was the same as last year--and the same since 2013--and St. Teresa stood tall 37-7, avenging a loss at Tuscola the week before.

But Wright wasn’t the problem.

Sullivan stuffed St. T’s stud on several occasions and even forced a fumble in the first half before Wright was pulled from the game at halftime with an apparent ankle issue.

The problem, as has been the whole season for the ‘Skins, was the big play.  Read More

•October 19, 2016•

Kirk Whitaker
NP Sports

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Knights (20-6) won more than one way on the court Oct. 17 against the Arthur Okaw Christian Tigers.

The Knights took down the Tigers 25-16, 25-15 on Dig Pink night--the annual event to raise funds in the attempt to find a cure for breast cancer. They also raised more than $1,000 to donate to cancer research.

“The girls did a nice job of selling their shirts and getting people involved,” coach Emily Crossman complimented. “I would like to give a huge thank you to the boosters for all their support with the raffle items and everything. It was great to see the whole gym in pink.”

All feel-good stories aside, it was business as usual for the Knights on the court. Read More