A look at the top softball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

Avah Oertel batted .607 with a school single-season record 17 homers, 59 RBIs, 19 doubles and 55 runs scored. The NewsTribune Softball Player of the Year is already Princeton’s career leader for home runs (35), RBIs (137) and doubles (35).

A look at the top girls soccer players in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

La Salle-Peru senior Vicky Tejada is the 2026 NewsTribune Girls Soccer Player of the Year after scoring an area-best 25 goals and helped the Cavaliers improve by 10 wins.

NewsTribune-area softball players have hit more home runs in each of the last five seasons. This spring, 44 players combined to hit 146 home runs, with four players hitting double-digit homers.

Putnam County's Johnathon Stunkel, Henry's Carson Rowe earn IHSBCA First-Team All State, IVCC is offering basketball and volleyball camps and more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

Putnam County seniors Traxton Mattingly and Johnathon Stunkel left their legacy with the Panthers, leading them to a Class 1A second-place finish. Now, they'll continue their careers together at Illinois Central College.

Princeton Tiger football fans wanting to see their favorite team early this fall will have to get their road maps out. Five of the Tigers’ first seven games will be on the road, including the Aug. 21 opener at Port Byron Riverdale.

After an uncharacteristically quiet performance the night before, Marquette baseball's offense came out swinging Saturday with three runs in the home half of the first inning. It proved to be the difference in Marquette’s 4-1 win over Freeburg in 2A's third-place game.

Putnam County fell to Tremont in the IHSA Class 1A State championship on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team lost 10-0 in five innings to Tremont in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday in Champaign.

Putnam County fought off North Clay for a 4-3 victory in eight innings during the IHSA Class 1A State semifinals on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

The Putnam County baseball team beat North Clay 4-3 in 8 innings on Friday in Champaign to advance to the Class 1A state championship game. The Panthers will play Tremont at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Putnam County Panthers got some preparation for Friday's Class 1A state semifinal, making at stop at the Corn Crib in Normal and Yard Goats indoor facility in Champaign. The Panthers (25-11) will face North Clay (35-4) at 1 p.m. Friday at Illinois Field.

The Tri-County, Three Rivers East and Little Ten announced all-conference teams, plus more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

The Putnam County baseball program has qualified for state in every full decade since the school opened. The 2026 Panthers play North Clay in Friday's semifinals in the school's seventh state appearance.

A look at the four teams competing this weekend in the Class 1A state baseball tournament in Champaign.

A look at the top boys tennis players in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.