•September 11, 2024•
by E. Scott England
After starting the year 0-3, Sullivan volleyball found the determination and motivation necessary to pick up two wins in as many games last week. The first win came against Warrensburg-Latham at home while the second was on the road in Altamont. Read More
Photo by Mikaela Moore
Cooper Christensen (7) tucks the ball for a quarterback keeper. The senior signal caller had 88 rushing yards in addition to his 318 passing yards.
•September 11, 2024•
by E. Scott England
The SOV Redskins continued their winning momentum from week one with their first road win of the season. The team traveled to Arcola to face the struggling Purple Riders. At the end of the game, Sullivan’s offense eclipsed 600 total yards as they proved to be an equal threat on the ground and in the air. “Our run game and pass game were working well for us, and we were able to vary our formations and spread the ball around to different guys that can all be playmakers, which is something we hope we can keep doing this season to keep defenses from being able to lock in on just one or two guys.” The final score was 49-14.
First half
The Purple Riders started the game with the ball. Read More
Photo by Mikaela Moore
•September 4, 2024•
by E. Scott England
A decent crowd—armed with umbrellas, ponchos, and towels—braved a weather delay to watch the Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins cruise to a season-opener win over the Villa Grove Blue Devils. Weather wasn’t the only havoc wrecking variable as cramps kept sidelining players for a couple plays. At one time it looked like a makeshift infirmary on the SOV sideline with players scattered about getting their legs worked on to relieve the cramping muscles.
First Half
SOV received the ball to start the game, and it appeared that Villa Grove’s defense came to take care of business. They held the Redskins to a three and out, forcing a punt that gave the Blue Devils their first possession starting on their own 42 yard line. Read More
•September 4, 2024•
by E. Scott England
It’s not how any team wants to start—and Sullivan volleyball is no exception—but the first three opponents the Redskins have faced have easily handed Sullivan another tally in the loss column.
The team traveled to Macon for their season opener against a tough Meridian Hawks team. Sullivan knew the key would be to get hands up in front of Hawk senior Ella Woolington. Unfortunately, as a team, Sullivan only had one block on the night while Woolington has nine kills. Sullivan also recorded only three aces in the two sets, with senior Emily Miller owning two of them. Senior Mayci Strauf led the team in kills with three. The team had only ten kills to Meridian’s twenty. Sullivan fell in two sets, 13-25; 20-25. Read More
•August 28, 2024•
by E. Scott England
It is inevitable that a team will lose players every year. But it’s a tougher pill to swallow when you lose four of your six starters. That is what Coach Tabitha Centers was facing to start this year. While she could have wallowed about the loss, she decided instead to look to the bright spots of the future. “I have 3 returning starters this year, and we do have a big freshman class with a lot of potential,” says Centers.
Those freshmen add depth to an already solid roster that features regulars from last year such as seniors Addison Stollard, Emily Miller, Mayci Strauff, Addison Brush, and Kendall Penberthy. Junior Aeralyn Thrasher returns and looks to continue to dominate the net. Eiley Poe and Mae Dawkins, also juniors, saw playing time last year and adds versatility around the court. They are joined by four other juniors. Read More
•August 21, 2024•
by E. Scott England
Head XC coach Isaiah Plank now has a full year under his belt. And it was a relatively successful year that saw several PRs throughout the season for several runners and even concluded with sending one runner to Peoria for state finals. Now he looks to his sophomore year of coaching as one to continue to build. Read More
•August 21, 2024•
The Sullivan Blue Dolphin Swim Team will be hosting swim team tryouts for children ages 5 and up on Monday, August 26th at five at the Sullivan Civic Center, 600 N Washington Street. There will be an information and check-in table set up in the lobby. Each swimmer trying out will need to be checked for the ability to make it across the pool in less than a minute in any form, do a forward flip into the water, no fear of water, put face in water and blow bubbles and follow instructions. For more information on tryouts call Kim Drury at (217)728-4541 or email at jaskimdrurey@gmail.com.
•August 21, 2024•
by E. Scott England
Last year, the Sullivan Golf team advanced both a boy golfer and girl golfer to the two-day state golf tournament. Brett Bushue earned 50th place in the tournament. Shae Ellis placed 38th. Bushue has graduated, Ellis is returning for her senior year.
Bushue wasn’t the only senior to vacate a spot on the course. Daniel Downs and Maverick Palmer have also graduated. Hannah Righter, Ava Shriver, and Ruby Haegen did as well. Haegen’s absence will definitely be noticed as she helped the team to several key wins including a conference title and a regional championship.
Despite all that, head coach Andy Wagner is excited. “The SHS Golf Program is getting ready to go for the season, with a great staff in Assistants Nathan Becker and Hannah McMahan,” he says. But both the boys’ and girls’ teams are boasting a healthy lineup this year. Read More
•August 21, 2024•
Aug 30 vs Villa Grove
Sept 6 at Arcola
Sept 13 vs Cumberland OV Homecoming
Sept 20 At Argenta-Oreana
Sept 27 vs Cerro Gordo
Oct 4 vs Sangamon Valley Homecoming
Oct 11 at Nokomis
Oct 18 at Tri-County/Oakland
Oct 25 vs ALAH
•August 21, 2024•
Aug 26 at Meridian
Aug 27 vs Arthur Christian
Aug 29 at Neoga
Sept 3 vs Warrensburg-Latham Read More