Short-Handed Lady Aces Track Team Finishes Strong In Season Opener

The MCHS Lady Aces track team opened their season Wednesday at Lawrenceville. Despite being short handed, the Lady Aces placed a strong 3rd in the 5 team meet.

 

Olney - 131.67

Fairfield - 91

Mt. Carmel - 76

Flora - 28.33

Lawrenceville - 18

 

The Lady Aces were led by several first place finishes.

 

Sarah McCorkle - 100 m (12.9)

Sarah McCorkle - High Jump (4’11”)

Madi Stevens - Triple Jump (29’3.5”)

Ashlin Trail - Shot Put (27’3”)

4x400 Relay - Danni Fisher, Madeline Mann, Chandler Cusick, Tenley Davis (5:06.9)

 

The Lady Aces next meet is April 2nd at Robinson.

Darkness Ends Golden Aces Comeback

A Golden Aces comeback was halted after 6 innings as darkness prevailed on Dee White Field this evening.

From Coach Tyler Browning: Golden Aces lose a tough 4-3 ballgame in 6 innings to Newton in a game shortened due to darkness. Got off to a slow start but we battled back and fell just short. The home crowd was awesome and we appreciate the support!

We are back in action this Saturday as we travel to Fairfield to take on the Mules. The varsity game begins at 11:00 a.m. with a JV game to follow.

Lady Aces Boot Mt. Vernon In Soccer Season Opener

From Coach Ed Berberich:

The Lady Aces soccer team started off the season with a hard fought 4-3 win at Mt Vernon Illinois Tuesday night. The Aces took an early lead in the 15th minute when Chandler Cusick stole the ball from a Ram’s defender and finished off the opportunity with a goal. The Rams tied the game up 5 minutes later when they scored on a free kick from 30 yards out. The Aces regained the lead in the 27th minute on a goal from Jayla Smith, who beat a couple Rams defenders to get the shot off. The Aces then took a 3-1 lead when Emma Mayhue battled a Rams defender for a loose ball in front of the goal and was able to knock it in. The score stayed 3-1 Aces until the Rams were able to score again in the 57th minute to cut the Aces lead to 1 goal. Mt Vernon then tied the game with 8 minutes left on another long free kick attempt that hit the top of the goal frame and bounced down and into the net. The Aces regained the lead at 4-3 with 6 minutes left when Cusick got her 2nd goal of the evening on an assist from Smith. The Rams applied a lot of pressure trying to tie the game up again but the Aces were able to hold on for the victory.

 

For the game, the Aces took 8 shots on goal, 7 of those on frame; they had 3 additional chances created and had 11 interceptions. The Rams took 11 shots on goal, 7 on frame. Katelyn Kline had 6 saves in goal in contribution to the win. Defensively, Miley Peach had 4 interceptions, Hazel Earnest had 3, Smith had 2, and Shelby Mayhue and Dani Fisher had 1 apiece.

We’re a pretty inexperienced team, working in a lot of new players that haven’t played much or any soccer before, so it was big for us to get the early lead in this one. Our defense has 2 brand new players to the team, and to the game of soccer, and the 2 returning players are both playing new positions so for those 4 to do as well as they did really says a lot for them. We still have a lot to work on in the back but they showed promise tonight, and Katelyn’s experience behind them will be helpful as we work through some things moving forward this season. Offensively we’re a little inconsistent still but the midfielders did a good job of keeping their shape, working to control the middle of the field, and looking for attacking passes up to the forwards. The forwards did a good job of attacking the goal when they got their opportunities, with only 1 shot that was off frame. The Rams goalie was good, and since she was aggressive coming out of the box she was able to deny us some opportunities that may have led to goals if she’d played more conservatively. Overall, the coaches were really proud of the team. It being the first game for us, and with a lot of inexperience in the lineup, it was impressive how the girls didn’t drop their heads after giving up the lead late to a good team. It would’ve been easy for any team to be down mentally at that point, but the girls fought through that and pulled out the win.

The Lady aces record stands at 1-0. Their next match is Monday March 18th at Olney, who are usually strong, with Varsity playing first at 4:30 pm, followed by JV after.

Yellow Jackets Cheer Banquet

Back Row L-R: Vivian Doerr- Outstanding Leadership, Amelia Crummley- Best Jumps, McKinlee Grimes- Optimism Award, Kelsey Morgan- Yellow Jacket Award, Tessa White- Best Voice, Amelia Hamm- Personality Award

 Front Row L-R: Elly Hayes- Attitude Award, Lola Bray- Most Improved, Keirsten Malone- Most Energetic, Zoey Headrick- Most Encouraging, Norah Meeks- Courageous Award, Sophia Breen- Best Smile 

 Not Pictured: Olivia Phelps- Determination Award

Lady Rockets 8th Grade Night

From Bob Bowser: It’s no secret that we are blessed with some of the most amazing families at SMS and AJH. Tonight we were able to celebrate 4 young ladies who make our schools just that much better. Congratulations to these outstanding volleyball players as we recognize them for 8th grade night!

Finish this season strong, ladies! You will be missed next year by the Lady Rockets! 🚀🏐

Addison Tennis - pictured with parents, Carrie + Jason 

Tiffany Westlake - pictured with mother, Heather Westlake 

Gabby Schneider - pictured with parents, Brian + Cassie 

Emma Ford - pictured with parents, Codie + Brent 

Two Mt. Carmel Wrestlers Qualify For IKWF State

Aces Wrestling Club had two wrestlers qualifier for state at Highland South Sectionals this weekend. 275 lb Senior Carter Pyatt finished 3rd and will wrestle in Rockford 3/8-3/9. Also advancing was 49 lb Bantam Sectional Champion Vincent Dean. Dean will wrestle in Decatur 3/16-3/17. Great job to all wrestlers who participated at Sectionals!



IKWF South Sectional Results for Aces WC
Boys Bantam 49

Vincent Dean's place is 1st and has scored 24.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Vincent Dean (Aces WC) received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal - Vincent Dean (Aces WC) won by fall over Waylon Wellinghoff (Highland Bulldog Jr. WC) (Fall 0:11)
Semifinal - Vincent Dean (Aces WC) won by decision over Rhett White (Roxana WC) (Dec 10-8)
1st Place Match - Vincent Dean (Aces WC) won by decision over Elijah Fay (Bulls WC) (Dec 6-5)

Boys Bantam 76

Tysen Gourley's place is 4th and has scored 12.5 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Tysen Gourley (Aces WC) won by tech fall over Cole Higgerson (Collinsville WC) (TF 16-0)
Quarterfinal - Tysen Gourley (Aces WC) won by fall over Dean Bennett (Alton Little Redbirds WC) (Fall 1:59)
Semifinal - NyKel DeLoach (Lion`s Den Wrestling Academy) won by decision over Tysen Gourley (Aces WC) (Dec 7-3)
Cons. Semi - Tysen Gourley (Aces WC) won in sudden victory - 1 over Vance Hare (Collinsville WC) (SV-1 7-5)
3rd Place Match - Jake Meeks (Lawrence County Knights WC) won by fall over Tysen Gourley (Aces WC) (Fall 0:56)

Boys Bantam 84

Wyatt Cheesman's place is unknown and has scored 8.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Wyatt Cheesman (Aces WC) received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal - Wyatt Cheesman (Aces WC) won by fall over Landon Pippins (Edwardsville WC) (Fall 0:42)
Semifinal - Crosby Michaelis (Carlinville WC) won by fall over Wyatt Cheesman (Aces WC) (Fall 0:52)
Cons. Semi - Kayden Sicka (Southern Illinois Bulldogs WC) won by fall over Wyatt Cheesman (Aces WC) (Fall 0:09)

Boys Novice 125

Jack Keepes's place is unknown and has scored 7.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Jack Keepes (Aces WC) won by fall over Oakley Harmon (Crawford County WC) (Fall 4:21)
Quarterfinal - Max Brown (Lawrence County Knights WC) won in sudden victory - 1 over Jack Keepes (Aces WC) (SV-1 6-4)
Cons. Round 2 - Jack Keepes (Aces WC) won by fall over Mason Wilkerson (Vandalia Jr WC) (Fall 1:03)
Cons. Round 3 - Gabriel Thomas (Edwardsville WC) won by decision over Jack Keepes (Aces WC) (Dec 7-1)

Boys Novice 134

Zane Swinson's place is unknown and has scored 4.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Zane Swinson (Aces WC) won by fall over Aiden Roberts (Team Piasa WC) (Fall 1:05)
Quarterfinal - Henry Walter (Southern Illinois Bulldogs WC) won by decision over Zane Swinson (Aces WC) (Dec 4-1)
Cons. Round 2 - Zane Swinson (Aces WC) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 - David Pointer Jr (East St. Louis WC) won by decision over Zane Swinson (Aces WC) (Dec 3-0)

Boys Novice 178

Mason Allen's place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Skylar Brummer (Vandalia Jr WC) won by fall over Mason Allen (Aces WC) (Fall 1:55)
Cons. Round 1 - Mason Allen (Aces WC) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Ryan Burney (Roughnecks WC) won by fall over Mason Allen (Aces WC) (Fall 2:54)

Boys Senior 103

Eli Baker's place is unknown and has scored 0.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Cole Dulumback (Effingham Youth WC) won by fall over Eli Baker (Aces WC) (Fall 2:48)
Cons. Round 1 - Eli Baker (Aces WC) received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 - Conner Osborne (Edwardsville WC) won by fall over Eli Baker (Aces WC) (Fall 1:11)

Boys Senior 275

Carter Pyatt's place is 3rd and has scored 12.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Carter Pyatt (Aces WC) received a bye () (Bye)
Semifinal - Donovan Olmstead (Southern Illinois Bulldogs WC) won by decision over Carter Pyatt (Aces WC) (Dec 4-3)
Cons. Semi - Carter Pyatt (Aces WC) won by fall over Anthony Escobedo (Crawford County WC) (Fall 0:32)
3rd Place Match - Carter Pyatt (Aces WC) won by fall over Cy Courtney (Bulls WC) (Fall 0:41)

Conference Champs Lady Aces Put 4 On All-LIC Team


Little Illini Conference
Girls Basketball All-Conference

First Team

Marisa Zane, Robinson

Maycee Randall, Mt. Carmel

Graci Watson, Paris

Camryn Martin, Newton

Elizabeth Shea, Robinson

Lilly Kessler, Newton

Kelysse Weiler, Olney

Taylor Clark, Paris

Riley Hershey, Mt. Carmel

Lucy Moore, Casey-Westfield

 

Second Team

Madi Stevens, Mt. Carmel

Katelyn Jones, Robinson

Lynn Welborn, Marshall

Kyrstin Weiler, Richland County

Alexia Zane, Robinson

 

Honorable Mention

Kamryn Smith, Casey Westfield

Addeline Sanders, Lawrenceville

Libby McFarland, Marshall

Jayla Smith, Mt. Carmel

Elley Bennett, Newton

Kailey Young, Paris

Danielle Brown, Richland County

Taylor Blank, Robinson

Gillihan Lone Ace On All-LIC Boys Team

Little Illini Conference
Boys Basketball All-Conference

First Team 

Ryan Richards, Casey-Westfield

Bryant Jenkins, Lawrenceville

Maddox Pargin, Lawrenceville

Landon Sanders, Lawrenceville

Dylan Gier, Newton

Cadon Nichols, Newton

Parker Wolf, Newton

Rex Hallam, Olney

Ian Winkler, Olney

Noah Gilmore, Robinson

 

Second Team 

Hayden Parcel, Casey-Westfield

Payton McGuire, Marshall

Arjay Keller, Olney

Casey Thomann, Olney

Cole Weber, Robinson

​

Honorable Mention 

Grant Cochonour, Casey-Westfield 
Parker Hardiman, Lawrenceville 
RJ Mattas, Marshall 
Andrew Gillihan, Mt. Carmel 
Jacob Weber Newton 
Jackson Rigdon, Paris 
Colby Redman, Olney 
Owen Schmidt, Robinson 

Yellow Jackets Basketball Banquet

Yellow Jackets Basketball Banquet

Back row - Jaxon Morris, Ryland Houchin, Joel Schneider, TJ Singh, Teagan Polston, Stetson Potts, Isaac Trapp 

Middle row - Austin Bates, Wyatt Buchanan, Karson Bray, Quentyn Blythe, Jayce Weiss, Max Ford, Graham Naas

 Front row - Maddox Ruphard Ikemier, Eston Meeks, and Chandler Bray. 

Not pictured: Bentley Andrews, Easton Ile, Thayer Hocking, Zane Castino, Kole Castino, Kannon Castino

MVP-Jaxon Morris 

Mr. Hustle - Ryland Houchin 

Most improved- Joel Schneider 

Rookie - Eston Meeks

MCJHS 7th & 8th Graders Knock Off Olney

Mt. Carmel Junior High vs. Richland County Middle School


The 6th grade team fell in a close three sets.


The 7th grade team won in a hard fought three sets (25-19), (18-25) and (15-12). Opal Earnest had three aces, five assists, and two digs and Addy White added one assist. Macy Glenn had 14 digs, four aces, and two kills while Peyton King had one ace, 10 digs, and one kill. Josie James added one ace, seven digs, and two kills and Farryn King had two aces and one kill. Peyton Simpson had one kill, Jersey Mounts had two digs, and Annie Kanipe had one dig.


The 8th grade team won in two sets (25-20) and (25-19). Alivia Peach had five aces, eight digs, one kill and one assist. Journey Loudermilk had three aces, five digs, and one kill. Quincy Keepes had one ace, one dig, and five assists while Bayley Andrews added one dig, two kills and five assists. Avery Coston had one ace, one dig and two kills. Gracee Haggard had seven kills while Ella Turner had one dig and one kill. Addison Mobley had five digs and Ryleigh Gill had one dig. Zoie Randall had one dig and three kills, and Chloe Toutloff rounded out the night with one ace, two digs, and one kill.


The Lady Aces play at home against Flora Thursday, February 22nd with the 6th grade game starting at 5:15 PM.

MCHS Officials Taking Wait & See Stance On Girls' Flag Football

Now that it’s an official sport, will Mt. Carmel High School have a girls flag football team? MCHS Athletic Director Kyle Buss told us there’s interest in fielding a team, but it depends on other area schools adding the sport to be able to schedule games. He said travelling to the Chicago-land area to play isn’t an option. An IHSA State Final will be held on October 11th and 12th.

Girls Flag Football To Debut As IHSA Sport In Fall Of 2024

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce that Girls Flag Football will be the latest sport to debut an IHSA State Series, as the IHSA will conduct its inaugural postseason, culminating with an IHSA Girls Flag Football State Champion being crowned, in the fall of 2024.

“The addition of Girls Flag Football furthers the IHSA mission of creating participation opportunities for high school students in Illinois,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “The sport has experienced significant growth in a short amount of time, and our member schools are excited to see it become an IHSA sport. The Chicago Public Schools Athletic Administration and the Chicago Bears both deserve significant praise for their grassroots efforts in shepherding and supporting the growth of girls flag football in Illinois.”

The IHSA Board of Directors approved the Girls Flag Football State Series during their regularly scheduled meeting on February 4, 2024. The IHSA will offer a State Series in 40 total sports and activities in 2024-25, in addition to its Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, Unified games via its partnership with Special Olympics, and Athletes with Disabilities divisions in multiple sports.

“It is important for the IHSA to continue to adapt to the interests of our students and schools,” said Dan Tully, the Principal at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles and President of the IHSA Board of Directors. “Girls Flag Football is somewhat unprecedented in terms of its growth and timeline for achieving an IHSA State Series. We are enthusiastic about how much has been accomplished in such a short amount of time, and expect that participation will continue to increase in the years ahead.”

Girls Flag Football joins a growing list of sports and activities that have recently conducted their inaugural IHSA State Series, including Girls Wrestling (2022), Esports (2022), Boys and Girls Lacrosse (2018), and Competitive Dance (2013). 

The IHSA has commitments from over 100 schools to participate in the inaugural State Series in 2024, while nearly 40 other schools have expressed that they anticipate fielding a team in 2025. 

"The Chicago Public League (CPL) is thrilled that High School Girls Flag Football is now an IHSA-sanctioned sport." said David Rosengard, Executive Director of Sports Administration at Chicago Public Schools." It is amazing to see the rapid growth of the sport across the state, as what started as an inaugural league in partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Bears has now expanded to over 100 participating teams and IHSA sanctioning. We cannot thank the Bears, IHSA and our CPL leagues enough for what they have done to pioneer this sport in the city and state."

The CPL conducted a postseason tourney in 2021, which was won by Back of the Yards High School. The CPL and Chicago Bears then joined together to host a state championship event at Halas Hall in 2022 and 2023, with Willowbrook High School and Lane Tech High School winning state championships, respectively. 

“The official sanctioning of girls’ flag football in the State of Illinois is exciting news. Next year, we will witness a state championship in the sport. By providing opportunities for talented girls and women, we will be able to follow some of the world’s best athletes competing on local, national and international platforms, leading to the 2028 Summer Olympics,” said Chicago Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren. “The Chicago Bears remain committed to aggressively championing the growth of girls’ flag football.  This is the beginning, but access and equity begin with these historical first moments that make the Chicago Bears, and me personally, inspired for the future of girls’ flag football for generations to come."

The IHSA Girls Flag Football Advisory Committee has met twice previously and will look to finalize the rulebook and structure of the State Series at upcoming meetings. The IHSA will also create a Request For Proposals in order to find sites interested in hosting the State Finals at an upcoming Board meeting.

“There is a lot of work to done before we crown the first IHSA Girls Flag Football State Champion,” said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Tracie Henry, who will serve as the IHSA Girls Flag Football administrator.  “We have a group of people who are dedicated to seeing the sport flourish and putting on a first-class state tournament. One area where we know we will need help is with officiating. We hope we can recruit some new officials to the sport, while also having current IHSA officials in other sports, including 11-player and 8-player football, add licenses to referee girls flag football as well.”

Individuals interested in becoming IHSA Girls Flag Football officials can begin licensing on May 1, 2024.

The inaugural IHSA Girls Flag Football State Finals will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 11-12, 2024.