Mendota senior quarterback Aden Tillman's improvement was "off the charts" during the summer under new coach Jim Eustice.

The boys and girls golf seasons kicked off on Thursday as the Rock Falls boys edged Newman 181-185 at Emerald Hills. Amboy beat West Carroll, Oregon picked up two wins and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

The L-P boys golf team open the season with a win and more golf results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

In a league that is down to just four teams, but three reached the playoffs last season, Seneca looks to be the favorite again in the Chicagoland Prairie Conference. But the Irish will have tons of fight from Dwight, Marquette and St. Bede this fall.

High school boys soccer practices opened up across Illinois this week. Here are five storylines we’ll be watching in 2025 across The Times coverage area.

With lots of young players gaining valuable experience last season, the Forreston Cardinals look to return to their high standards this fall.

Two-time Times All-Area Softball first-teamer RayElle Brennan has committed to continue her education at Olivet Nazarene University and her softball career with the Tigers.

High school girls volleyball practices opened up across Illinois this week. Here are five storylines we’ll be watching in 2025 across The Times coverage area.

Streator's Mya Zavada has signed on to continue her education and volleyball career at Illinois Valley Community College.

After running for 742 yards and six touchdowns last year as a sophomore, St. Bede's Landon Marquez is again expected to be a key piece of the Bruins offense as Jack Brady takes over as head coach.

Times All-Area Golf honoree Keegan Murphy has committed to continue his education at Illinois Valley Community Collegeand his golf career with the Eagles.

After snapping a 6-year playoff drought with back-to-back playoff berths, the Oregon Hawks are hoping to take the next step this fall in the postseason.

Ottawa's new varsity volleyball coach Kristina Kore was pleased with Pirates' offseason and is excited to see what her squad can accomplish this fall.

With football teams around the state opening official practices for the 2025 season Monday, here are five storylines to watch in the NewsTribune/BCR area this fall.

Carol Bauer has retired after more than three decades coaching cross country, track and field and volleyball at the high school and junior high levels at Fieldcrest.

Just 39 games into his minor league baseball career, Newman graduate Brendan Tunink is currently the 20th-ranked prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

Seneca's Jeremy Gagnon has committed to continue his education at McKendree University and his wrestling career at the NCAA Division II level with the Bearcats.

Serena graduate and Times All-Area Softball first-teamer Maddie Glade has committed to continue her education at Illinois Valley Community College and her softball career with the Eagles.

Emerald Hill won the Rock River Classic golf tournament this past weekend behind individual medalist Jarred Hippen.

First-year Mendota coach Jim Eustice said Trojans had a 'very productive' summer. Mendota and teams around the state open official practices Aug. 11.

Joey Puetz has signed on to continue her education at Benedictine University and her soccer career at the NCAA Division III level with the Eagles.

The Seneca football program announced it will play Sangamon Valley in Week 2 this season, filling the void left when Lisle went to a junior varsity schedule only.

La Salle-Peru boys soccer coach David Spudic and L-P players Alex Rax, Ismael Mejia and Noah Escobedo went to Spain through Super Clubs National Team and Coaches Voice Tours. They went through training sessions, played games and toured soccer stadiums.

Natalie Misener has committed to continue her education at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais and both her track and cross country careers at the NAIA level with the Tigers.

Ottawa head football coach Chad Gross said he’s encouraged with the progress his group has made in the offseason and is looking forward to seeing what the Pirates can accomplish in 2025.

The St. Bede football team got to face former coach Jim Eustice and his new Mendota team in a joint practice Thursday that also included Sandwich.

Seneca's Travis Barr has signed on to continue his education and track career at Joliet Junior College.

Seneca senior and pitching ace Tessa Krull recently announced her verbal commitment to continue her education and softball career at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

Beau Raikes has signed on to continue his education at Danville Area Community College and his baseball career at the NJCAA Division II level with the Jaguars.

Sterling's Mason Hubbard saved his best round for last on Tuesday, shooting a 70 at Trump National Doral to finish tied for 24th at the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in Miami.

The Seneca football squad is motivated in a number of different ways to record another in a string of solid seasons and is working hard to make that happen.

Here is a look at the top finishers from this past weekend's Emerald Hill Golf Association Club Championships.

Alyssa Zellers has chosen to continue her education at Rock Valley College in Rockford and her softball career at the NJCAA Division II level with the Golden Eagles.

Bella Duncan’s statistics were eye-popping, while her energy and enthusiasm were infectious for a Morrison team that reached its first Sweet 16 since 2017. Duncan is the SVM Softball Player of the Year for 2025.

Here is a look at the top softball players from the Sauk Valley area for the 2025 season.

Sterling graduate Mason Hubbard is set to compete at the 2025 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at Trump National Doral in Miami this Sunday. 'This is another great spot to see where my game sits amongst players all over the world.'

Here is a look at the results from three more divisions during the second day of the 35th Annual Emma Hubbs Tennis Classic.

The Dixon Minor girls 4th grade fast pitch softball team won the Rock River championship on July 14 in Byron.

Prairieview won a sixth straight Lincoln Highway golf tournament on Sunday as Ryan Jahn took first, while Jason Wombacher and Andrew Canfield tied for second with Emerald Hill's Jarred Hippen. Sunset's Brian Weidman was also inducted into the tournament's Hall of Fame.

Leadership and accountability have been a main focus for the Marquette football program summer workouts under first-year head coach Ken Carlson.

Streator's Makenna Ondrey has chosen to continue her education at Lake Land College and her softball career at the NJCAA Division I level with the Lakers.

La Salle-Peru and St. Bede held a joint practice at Howard Fellows Stadium on Monday as the teams continued their summer work under first-year head coaches.

The 35th Annual Emma Hubbs Tennis Classic kicked off on Monday with four different age divisions competing. Brooklyn Arjes and Joel Rhodes won the 18 and under mixed doubles division over Jenna Mustapha and Aron Rivera.

Marquette's Ashton Grady has signed on to continue his education at North Central College and his golfing career with the Cardinals.

Serena graduate Nicollette Walsh has signed on to continue her education at Knox College in Galesburg and her volleyball career at the NCAA Division III level with the Prairie Fire.

Streator graduate and Times All-Area Boys Soccer first-teamer David Paton has signed on to continue his education and soccer career at Governors State University.

First-year St. Bede football coach Jack Brady is making some changes to the Bruins offensive scheme this season.

A look at the top games to watch in the NewsTribune/BCR area for the 2025 football season.

Under new head coach Ken Carlson, the Marquette football program competed well in its 7-on-7 against La Salle-Peru on Tuesday and will look to continue improving throughout the rest of the offseason.

New La Salle-Peru football coach JJ Raffelson said he's "putting a focus back on those little things in the game" during summer workouts