SOV suffers playoff loss against Benton; Season concludes at 10-1
•November 13, 2024•
The Benton Rangers are a good team. Even though they were seeded lower than SOV, they ended up ranked higher overall because of their schedule. Of the three teams that beat the Rangers in the regular season, two have already suffered playoff defeats. So it is safe to say that the Redskins had quite the task ahead of them.
Read MoreAnnual alumni golf outing
•September 11, 2024•
Bringing everyone together once again is the 29th Annual Arthur Alumni golf outing on Saturday, September 28th at the Kaskaskia Country Club, 450 E Co Rd 300 N in Arthur. The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond Athletic Boosters announced this years annual outing with the outing of course fundraising for the ALAH student-athletes. With all high school graduates from the participating communities, spouses or parents of graduate and even staff for the athletic students eligible to participate. Tee time starts at nine with a cost of $70 for non-member players and $50 for members, with a meal included in ticket cost. Each team will consist of four players, in a scramble format-teams are also to form themselves, teams will not be picked. Single players can either be put into a group by organizers or will create their own group of single players. All teams need to be signed up with a roster including all team members names, teams must be signed up before September 15th. All team information and roster can be done by contacting shellybrough1973@gmail.com or through calling the clubhouse at (217)268-3001.
What a difference a week makes; Sullivan volleyball picks up wins
•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
SOV football ride to second win over Arcola; Big numbers for offense
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
Only minor hiccups in season opener for SOV; defense stands strong
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
Sullivan volleyball has early season struggles; Drops first three
•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
Sullivan volleyball looks to set tone early despite losing two-thirds of their starters
•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
Big group of freshmen join six returning runners for cross country
•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
Tryouts
•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.
Sullivan golf ready to go despite weather delaying the season opener
•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