Aces Tennis Shut Out By Flora

Mt. Carmel - 0, Flora - 9,

Singles:
No. 1 - Kyler Dennis, Flora def. Isaiah Courter, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-0 , -;
No. 2 - Luke Powless, Flora def. Rhett Andrews, Mt. Carmel, 6-1 , 6-1 , -;
No. 3 - Dulaney Bullard, Flora def. Will Hudson, Mt. Carmel, 6-1 , 6-0 , -;
No. 4 - Mikolai Strzala, Flora def. Ty Hipsher, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-4 , -;
No. 5 - Gabriel Calheiros, Flora def. Ronnie Berberich, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-3 , -;
No. 6 - Matei Iuhasz, Flora def. Grant Lane, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-2 , -;

Doubles:
No. 1 - Kyler Dennis, Flora - Luke Powless, Flora def. Isaiah Courter, Mt. Carmel - Will Hudson, Mt. Carmel, 6-0 , 6-0 , -;
No. 2 - Dulaney Bullard, Flora - Matei Iuhasz, Flora def. Rhett Andrews, Mt. Carmel - Ty Hipsher, Mt. Carmel, 6-1 , 6-0 , -;
No. 3 - Mikolai Strzala, Flora - Carson Hackney, Flora def. Grant Lane, Mt. Carmel - Ronnie Berberich, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-2 , -;

All-LIC Girls Basketball Team Released

1st Team

Lucy Moore- Casey Westfield

Addeline Sanders- Lawrenceville

Riley Hershey- Mt. Carmel

Maycee Randall- Mt Carmel

Alani Bergbower- Newton

Aliyah Flittner- Olney

Kelysse Weiler- Olney

Macy Bicknell- Paris

Kailey Young- Paris

Leah Correll- Robinson

Zoe Tuttle- Robinson

2nd Team

Marlee Heighton- Marshall

Lynn Welborn- Marshall

Tensley Dunlap- Mt. Carmel

Allie Hermann- Newton

Pailynne Camp- Paris

Honorable Mention

Julia Eckerty- Casey

Reagan Ivers- Lawrenceville

Harper Richardson- Marshall

Alivia Peach- Mt Carmel

Izzy Meinhart- Newton

Kaiya Seessengood- Olney

Paedyn Keys- Paris

Lillie McDonald- Robinson

Lady Aces Coach Matt McCarty Previews Sectional Showdown With T-Town

Lady Aces coach Matt McCarty joined us on today’s Morning Show to preview tonight’s Class 2A Sectional semi-final against T-Town. Tipoff in Olney is approximately 7:30pm on WSJD-FM 100.5 & wsjd.fm

MORNING SHOW MATT MCCARTY 2 24 26

Lady Aces coach Matt McCarty brought the Class 2A Regional trophy with him to the Morning Show today and posed for a photo for co-hosts Chandler Madden and Kevin Madden.

Flora High School’s Gage Dugan named IHSA nominee for NFHS Spirit of Sport Award

Flora High School junior Gage Dugan is the IHSA nominee for the NFHS Spirit of Sport Award. Read more about the award here, and read Gage’s story below:

From the time he was three months old, Gage Dugan has faced challenges few can imagine. Diagnosed with bone cancer throughout his lower legs as a child, Gage spent much of his earliest years in and out of hospitals, enduring treatment, remission, and then a second battle with cancer that lasted from ages four through eight. Along the way, he was also diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition that required ongoing medical care, including shots that are intended to essentially replace his immune system.

 Much of his treatment occurred at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, and he can still recall the trip home to Flora, Illinois when his mom received the phone call that he was cancer-free. The other memory that was etched on his eight-year-old brain was how important his community and sports were to his recovery. Those life lessons helped shape Gage into a young man who practices gratitude, empathy, and service in the same ways that he now practices football, basketball, and baseball at Flora High School. 

 “I was just starting to find my love for sports when I was diagnosed (with cancer) for the second time,” said Gage. “My summer baseball coach, Phil Britton, had a huge impact on me then. He had some connections with the St. Louis Cardinals and I got to meet Adam Wainwright and some other Cardinals players though him. It was a special experience and reinforced my passion for wanting to be an athlete.”

 Gage caught the attention of the state this fall when he performed an incredible act of kindness for another high school student in a similar situation. Gage’s Flora High School Wolves were slated to face Maroa-Forsyth High School in the Quarterfinal round of the IHSA Class 2A Football Playoffs in mid-November. That week, Gage’s mom saw a Facebook post about a Maroa-Forsyth student who was battling leukemia. Gage and his mom put together a care basket for the young man, Matthew Clary. The basket included simple things like the game Uno, a deck of cards, coloring books, a blanket, and socks, things that Gage remembered enjoying during his own treatments.

 “Going though treatments was a big part of my life, so it was just a situation where I could relate and thought I might be able to help a little,” said Gage. “Maybe just give him (Matthew) a little bit of advice and share some things that helped me when I was going through treatment and recovery.”

 Clary serves as the Maroa-Forsyth school mascot during games, while his older brother Michael (pictured right with Dugan after the game) was on the gridiron facing off against Dugan. Flora ultimately lost the football game, but despite the outcome, Gage collected himself post-game to go present the basket, talk, encourage, and pray with Clary and his family. As word spread of Gage's selfless act, other schools pitched in as well. Wilmington High School, who eventually faced Maroa-Forsyth in the state championship, collected over a $1,000 for the Clary family.

 “The kindness showed by Gage brought tears to our eyes,” said Matthew’s mom, Charity Sullins. “Gage sought out my oldest son Michael after the game to let him know that he was praying for Matthew. Matthew appreciated the gift basket; it was so heartfelt. It is hard to find the right words to convey our gratitude and appreciation. This act of kindness means so much to our family.”

 Gage’s mission to give back is not limited to a single day or student. He has fully embraced the concept through helping organize canned food drives, community events, and participating in service-based initiatives such as a “Paint a Game” fundraiser conducted in conjunction with a regular-season Flora football game this year. The Flora community has been there for him and their support has stayed with him.

 “When I was eight years old, I remember my mom getting the call that I was cancer free,” said Gage. “When we got home, there were all these people at the house, kind of an impromptu party to celebrate. I was overwhelmed. It was a big deal and it just showed me that the community was behind me. I took that to heart and tried to carry it with me as I got older.”

 Gage’s impact continues to grow through his leadership and example. Whether mentoring younger athletes, displaying acts of sportsmanship, or simply showing kindness to those in need, he embodies what it means to be a role model. As an older brother to two younger siblings, he is deeply motivated to “help the kids after me,” ensuring others feel the same support that carried him through his toughest days.

 “I want do everything in my power to help,” said Gage. “Going through what I went through at such a young age made me realize how many people were behind me. It gave me the mindset to put others before myself.”

 Gage Dugan’s journey is a powerful reminder that the true spirit of sport extends far beyond competition. Through resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to serving others, Gage has transformed personal adversity into a force for good — making him a truly deserving recipient of the NFHS Spirit of Sport Award.

Jr. Lady Aces Dominate At Albion

On Valentine’s Day the JV and Varsity Mt. Carmel Junior High Volleyball Teams participated in the Albion Grade School Tournament. Both teams came away with first place in each division finishing undefeated.

In pool play JV beat Fairfield 25-16, 25-15 and Red Hill 25-11, 25-8. In the championship game they played Albion beating them 25-21, 25-14.

In the Varsity portion of the tournament Mt. Carmel beat Red Hill 27-25, 25-14 and Fairfield 25-13, 25-16. In the Championship Game they played Albion beating them 25-15, 25-13.

Varsity Stats for the day:
Harper Warnken 13 Digs, 5 Aces, 18 Assists
Ava Alka 1 Ace, 1 Dig, 1 Kill, 14 Assists
Caroline Blake 13 Digs, 7 Aces, 6 Kills
Quinn Rooney 5 Digs, 6 Aces, 9 Kills
Mia Dickerson 2 Digs, 12 Kills
Destiny Dongu 5 Aces, 2 Kills, 1 Block
Matalei Greer 5 Kills, 1 Dig
Addison Carmickel 2 Aces, 9 Digs
Kylan McIntire 2 Digs
Annie Hagarty 5 Aces, 6 Digs
Taelynn Wade 2 Kills

JV stats for the day:
Emily Vaught 17 Aces, 1 Dig, 4 Kills, 3 Assists
Anna Hefner 4 Aces, 5 Digs, 8 Assists
Keely Drone 11 Aces, 11 Digs, 11 Kills
Aveah Miller 7 Aces, 10 Digs, 4 Kills
Olivia Wall 1 Kill
Alivia Toutlouf 10 Aces, 1 Dig, 2 Kills
Kyla Tillotson 1 Ace, 3 Digs
Harper Prosise 2 Aces, 2 Digs
Jayden Spencer 1 Kill
Aubrey Stevenson 1 Dig


IHSA Football Proposal Passes, 2026 Practice to Begin August 5

Following the conclusion of voting at midnight on February 12, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced on February 13 that member schools voted to approve a special by-law proposal impacting the start date of the 2026 football season and the number of practices required per player to compete in the first contest.

The proposal passed by a margin of 290 in favor, 245 opposed, and 67 with no opinion. Voting opened on January 29 and seventy-five percent (602) of the IHSA membership cast a ballot in the special election.

As a result of the vote, the first practice date of the 2026 IHSA football season will move forward to Wednesday, August 5, 2026. In addition, each player will be required to complete 12 days of on-field practices (excluding Sundays; 1 ½ hours per player per practice required) before they are eligible to compete in their first contest. 

IHSA member schools voted in December to expand the IHSA Football Playoffs by one week, and as a result, it reduced the required number of practices prior to the first contest to nine practices. Following that vote, the IHSA conducted extensive discussions with the IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and other state and national leaders on player safety, which ultimately led the IHSA Board of Directors to initiate the process of a special vote to address both.

“Despite the cumbersome nature of the process, I am confident this outcome is in the best interest of student-athlete safety,” said Craig Anderson. “We recognize that our member schools may bring forward ideas to alter the 2027 football season schedule as a result, and we welcome that. However, given that we are less than six months from the season, we believe this is a positive result that provides scheduling clarity for teams, coaches, and student-athletes ahead of the 2026 season, while prioritizing safety.” 

IHSA 1A Boys Regional @ Robinson Results for Mt. Carmel

Two MCHS wrestlers advanced: Isaiah Hall, So. 22-13 (150), got 2nd place, and Carter Pyatt, So. 30-5 (285), was the Regional Champion. 

They wrestle in two weeks (Feb 13th and 14th) at the Vandalia Boys Individual Sectional.

Also, Miley Peach Sr. (130lbs) will be competing at the IHSA Girls Individual Regionals at Mt. Zion on Feb 7th. 

106

Xane Simpson (6-18) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Quarterfinal - Kason Cramer (Westville) 17-17 won by fall over Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) 6-18 (Fall 0:56)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) 6-18 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Semi - Carter Poole (Fairfield) 24-9 won by fall over Xane Simpson (Mt. Carmel) 6-18 (Fall 1:08)

113

Mason Morris (11-16) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) 11-16 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Hayden Hazel (Olney (Richland County)) 24-7 won by fall over Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) 11-16 (Fall 0:24)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) 11-16 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Round 3 - Brendan Stewart (Effingham (H.S.)) 26-14 won by fall over Mason Morris (Mt. Carmel) 11-16 (Fall 0:51)

120

Ezekiel Meier (9-18) place is unknown and scored 2.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 9-18 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Weston Frazier (Fithian (Oakwood)) 33-3 won by fall over Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 9-18 (Fall 1:52)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 9-18 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Round 3 - Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 9-18 won by decision over Morgan Banning (Effingham (H.S.)) 13-24 (Dec 15-11)

  • Cons. Semi - Gracen Elliott (Robinson) 32-11 won by fall over Ezekiel Meier (Mt. Carmel) 9-18 (Fall 1:34)

132

Kadin Melahn (15-18) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Jude Shick (Lawrenceville) 19-19 won by decision over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) 15-18 (Dec 13-11)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) 15-18 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Cole Henderson (Dulumback) (Effingham (H.S.)) 25-18 won by fall over Kadin Melahn (Mt. Carmel) 15-18 (Fall 0:45)

138

Emmitt Cooley (26-10) place is unknown and scored 8.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) 26-10 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) 26-10 won by fall over Levi Ochs (Olney (Richland County)) 9-7 (Fall 2:39)

  • Semifinal - Broady Kelly (Robinson) 40-3 won by tech fall over Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) 26-10 (TF-1.5 5:01 (19-2))

  • Cons. Semi - Owen Griffin (Oblong) 22-10 won by decision over Emmitt Cooley (Mt. Carmel) 26-10 (Dec 8-6)

144

Carson Sloss (12-14) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 12-14 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Jude Wirey (Oblong) 25-5 won by tech fall over Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 12-14 (TF-1.5 3:27 (19-3))

  • Cons. Round 2 - Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 12-14 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Round 3 - Conner Mahaffey (Westville) 20-15 won by fall over Carson Sloss (Mt. Carmel) 12-14 (Fall 3:06)

150

Isaiah Hall (21-14) placed 2nd and scored 17.5 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) 21-14 won by tech fall over Declan Cooper (Paris) 4-20 (TF-1.5 0:53 (15-0))

  • Quarterfinal - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) 21-14 won by decision over Connor Schrader (Robinson) 25-8 (Dec 6-4)

  • Semifinal - Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) 21-14 won by decision over Jaxson Dukeman (Toledo (Cumberland)) 29-14 (Dec 8-3)

  • 1st Place Match - Cale Seitzinger (Lawrenceville) 33-6 won by major decision over Isaiah Hall (Mt. Carmel) 21-14 (MD 9-0)

157

Cole Carmickle (6-16) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) 6-16 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Owen mcginnis (Toledo (Cumberland)) 33-7 won by fall over Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) 6-16 (Fall 0:55)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) 6-16 won by fall over Dalton Kilpatrick (Robinson) 3-18 (Fall 1:29)

  • Cons. Round 3 - Tevin Cribelar (Marshall) 10-17 won by decision over Cole Carmickle (Mt. Carmel) 6-16 (Dec 7-1)

165

Dakota Woods (11-19) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Daniel Nichols (Toledo (Cumberland)) 32-11 won by fall over Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 11-19 (Fall 2:41)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 11-19 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 11-19 won by fall over Braxton Kirk (Fairfield) 4-24 (Fall 3:55)

  • Cons. Round 3 - Ben McDowell (Effingham (H.S.)) 19-24 won by fall over Dakota Woods (Mt. Carmel) 11-19 (Fall 5:41)

175

Braxton Brown (10-22) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Rocco Giannavola (Marshall) 16-16 won by fall over Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) 10-22 (Fall 4:53)

  • Cons. Round 1 - Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) 10-22 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Brandon Beucherie (Oblong) 10-7 won by fall over Braxton Brown (Mt. Carmel) 10-22 (Fall 1:19)

190

Paul-Ray Garrett (11-8) place is unknown and scored 10.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) 11-8 won by fall over Bryar Shields (Oblong) 8-10 (Fall 1:37)

  • Quarterfinal - Jamison Chambliss (Fithian (Oakwood)) 31-2 won by fall over Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) 11-8 (Fall 2:21)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) 11-8 won by fall over Jaime Bernaldo (Olney (Richland County)) 10-16 (Fall 5:25)

  • Cons. Round 3 - Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) 11-8 won by fall over Levi Bartley (Paris) 9-16 (Fall 1:13)

  • Cons. Semi - Malikye Williams (Lawrenceville) 29-7 won by decision over Paul-Ray Garrett (Mt. Carmel) 11-8 (Dec 7-0)

215

Jackson Kling (16-16) place is unknown and scored 10.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 16-16 won by fall over Braxton Marshall (Fairfield) 6-15 (Fall 3:35)

  • Quarterfinal - Zander Schrader (Olney (Richland County)) 28-3 won by decision over Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 16-16 (Dec 3-2)

  • Cons. Round 2 - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 16-16 won by fall over Fisher Bishop (Marshall) 6-13 (Fall 1:08)

  • Cons. Round 3 - Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 16-16 won by fall over Emmett Grimm (Fithian (Oakwood)) 16-18 (Fall 2:49)

  • Cons. Semi - Bleighten Irelan (Westville) 16-7 won by fall over Jackson Kling (Mt. Carmel) 16-16 (Fall 0:43)

285

Carter Pyatt (30-6) placed 1st and scored 28.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 30-6 received a bye () (Bye)

  • Quarterfinal - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 30-6 won by fall over Hayden Felowitz (Fairfield) 16-16 (Fall 1:55)

  • Semifinal - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 30-6 won by fall over Gentry Michels (Olney (Richland County)) 23-11 (Fall 1:44)

  • 1st Place Match - Carter Pyatt (Mt. Carmel) 30-6 won by fall over Jeremiah Lorton (Effingham (H.S.)) 34-6 (Fall 0:44)


Aces Wrestlers Down Mt. Vernon

Mt. Carmel (MTCARMEL) 53.0 Mt. Vernon (H.S.) (MTVERNON) 28.0

106: Declan Stewart (MTVERNON) over Xane Simpson (MTCARMEL) (TF 19-4 0:00)
113: Mason Morris (MTCARMEL) over Ernest Dunklin (MTVERNON) (Fall 3:47)
120: Dalton St Angelo (MTVERNON) over Ezekiel Meier (MTCARMEL) (Fall 2:12)
126: Jack Clark (MTVERNON) over   (MTCARMEL) (For.)
132: Kyler Reisner (MTVERNON) over Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) (TF 18-3 0:00)
138: Emmitt Cooley (MTCARMEL) over Caleb Hicks (MTVERNON) (TF 18-2 0:00)
144: Gavin Pedigo (MTVERNON) over Carson Sloss (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:38)
150: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over   (MTVERNON) (For.)
157: Cole Carmickle (MTCARMEL) over   (MTVERNON) (For.)
165: Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) over Carson Smith (MTVERNON) (Fall 4:33)
175: Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) over   (MTVERNON) (For.)
190: Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) over Jaron Holmes (MTVERNON) (Fall 1:36)
215: Jackson Kling (MTCARMEL) over Bryson Upton (MTVERNON) (Fall 1:39)
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over Jack Banes (MTVERNON) (Fall 0:43)

Coaching Changes Approved By District #348 School Board

At this week’s District #348 school board meeting, the board hired long time local tennis coach Patty Bramlet to coach the Aces boys tennis team. That came on the heels of the board accepting the resignation of Elise Bramlet as boys and girls head tennis coach. Also, the board accepted the resignation of Cody Skees as junior high boys track coach.