Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs recognized these leaders in their fields for their accomplishments and service to community.

Manteno's softball season began with two different innings of double-digit runs in Thursday's Daily Journal roundup.

Seneca defeated Geneseo 4-1 on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Seneca High School.

Every March brings a little madness. As the Kaneland Knights boys basketball team looks to cap an undefeated season at state finals, district officials announced all classes are canceled on Friday.

Plainfield District 202 is sending two basketball teams and five high school student athletes to the Special Olympics games at Illinois State University.

Before the prep baseball season begins Monday, check out some notable names from the Daily Journal area to keep an eye on.

Check out preview capsules for the Daily Journal area's softball teams for the 2026 season.

The winningest season in Bishop McNamara boys basketball history came to a gut-wrenching end Monday with a 77-70 loss to Tolono Unity in the Class 2A Pontiac Supersectional.

Johnsburg season ends with loss to Peoria Manual in boys IHSA Class 2A Supersectional basketball game on Monday, Mar. 9, 2026, at Sterling High School in Sterling.

After overcoming a pair of two-run deficits earlier in the game, Wilmington took an 8-7 opening-day loss to Homewood-Flossmoor in walk-off fashion Monday.

Jacobs travels to Marengo for a nonconference softball game on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Marengo High School.

As the prep softball season begins Monday, here are five storylines from the Daily Journal area to keep an eye on.

The Slammers season will begin on Friday, May 8 against the Washington Wild Things and the first of the season’s Fireworks Friday series. Gates open at 5:35 p.m., with first pitch at 6:35 p.m.

Nazareth defeated Loyola 52-31 to win the Class 4A State girls basketball championship on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

Byron couldn't overcome a cold shooting day and couldn't recover from slow starts to the second and third quarters, losing to Breese Central 44-28 in the Class 2A state championship game at Illinois State's CEFCU Arena. It's Byron's fifth state trophy.

Breese Central defeated Byron 44-28 during the Class 2A State championship on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at CEFCU Arena in Normal.

Stillman Valley High School senior Cale Kleinschmidt has earned a spot on the IHSA All-State Academic Team as an honorable mention. Less than 100 student athletes in the state are selected for the award.

Bishop McNamara pulled off an improbable comeback win in Friday's IHSA Class 2A Seneca Sectional championship against Yorkville Christian, outscoring the Mustangs 37-10 down the stretch to erase a 14-point deficit and win 69-56 in overtime.

Kankakee, which entered the postseason as the top-ranked team in Class 3A, was shocked by Morton in Friday's Class 3A Ottawa Sectional championship.

Johnsburg played Rockford Christian in the Class 2A Sectional final on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Mendota High School. The Skyhawks will play Peoria Manual in the Supersectional on Monday at 7p.m. at Sterling High School.

Indian Creek defeated Marquette 44-46 in the Class 1A Sectional final game on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Amboy High School. The Timberwolves will play Chicago Marshall in the Supersectional on Monday at 6p.m. at Joliet Central High School.

With a pair of 2,000-point scorers in Addison Lucht and Dierks Neukomm, and a pair of 1,000-point scorers in Lauryn Hamrick and Seth Walder, the Cissna Park basketball class of 2026 made their way into school record books.

NFL free agency is set to start next week, and the Chicago Bears have different roster needs to address. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down what those needs are and whether they can address them next week

During a ceremony at Oswego East High School on Wednesday, Oswego East High School junior Danielle Stone was recognized as a Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star.

The Glen Ellyn Park District, in partnership with Go Green Glen Ellyn, is hosting a SportSwap event on Sunday, March 22, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 22 at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road

Kankakee erased a late 10-point deficit to beat East Peoria 59-53 in Wednesday's IHSA Class 3A Ottawa Sectional semifinal, advancing to the championship game against Morton on Friday.

Johnsburg defeated Aurora Christian 51-47 in the Class 2A Sectional semifinals on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Mendota High School.

Crystal Lake South defeats Sycamore in an IHSA Class 3A Woodstock North Sectional semifinal boys basketball game on Wednesday, March 4, 2025, at Woodstock North High School.

Indian Creek defeated Woodland 58- 43 during the Class 1A Sectional semifinals on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Amboy High School. The Timberwolves will face Marquette for the Sectional title on Friday at 7p.m.

Stillman Valley High School sophomore student Casey McCleary has been appointed to the Illinois High School Association Student Advisory Committee.

Dixon Public Schools administrators have pitched a $3.2 million, multi-year plan to upgrade the high school's outdoor athletic facilities.

Bishop McNamara's boys basketball team held Wilmington to a season-low 24 points and turned 17 offensive rebounds into 18 second-chance points in Tuesday's Class 2A Seneca Sectional semifinal win.

Morton defeated L-P 69-48 during the Class 3A Sectional semifinal game on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at Ottawa High School. The Cavs finish their season with a record of 20-11.

An entire lineup of nine standouts return to the diamond from last year's Daily Journal All-Area softball team.

Here are the 2025-26 All-Interstate 8 Conference boys wrestlers, as voted on by I-8 coaches.

Here is the 2025-26 All-Interstate 8 girls wrestling team, as voted on by I-8 coaches.

Meet this week's Daily Journal Athlete of the Week, Coal City wrestler Aidan Kenney.

Geneva faces St. Viator in the IHSA Class 3A Woodstock North Supersectional girls basketball game on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Woodstock North High School.

After sending 14 wrestlers to last weekend's individual state tournament, Coal City's boys wrestling team capped off a perfect dual season when the Coalers repeated as Class 1A State champions on Saturday.

Newman's Blair Grenann won four straight matches to take third Saturday at the state championship, including beating the wrestler who beat her in the quarterfinals. Erie's Michelle Naftzger took fourth.

Glenbard East's Nadiia Shymkiv won in overtime to claim the 105-pound championship during the IHSA state girls wrestling finals at the Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Defending Hinsdale South champion Callie Carr medaled in third at 155.

In her third straight trip to the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Finals, Clifton Central junior Payton Temple became the school's first state champion on Saturday, winning the 170-pound title.

St. Anne nearly overcame an 18-point deficit to Fenger in the second half of Friday's Class 1A St. Anne Regional championship game, ultimately falling just three points short.

The Fightin' Irish got a 17-0 run in the first half and saw Callaghan O'Connor score their last dozen points in a 66-52 win over El Paso-Gridley in the Class 2A Herscher Regional championship.

Cary-Grove faces Crystal Lake South in the IHSA Class 3A Crystal Lake South Regional boys basketball championship game on Friday, February, 27, 2026, at Crystal Lake South High School.

Kankakee erupted for a season-high 93 points in Friday's IHSA Class 3A Geneseo Regional championship game against Plano, winning 93-41 to claim its third straight regional title.

Woodland defeated Newark 57-38 to win the Class 1A Regional title game on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at Woodland High School. This is the first time since 1989 that Woodland has won a Regional title. Check out photos from the game by Tom Sistak.

L-P wins its third consecutive regional title with a 57-53 victory over Ottawa on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 in Sellett Gymnasium at L-P High School.

Johnsburg faces Richmond-Burton in the IHSA Class 2A Johnsburg Regional Championship boys basketball game on Friday, February, 27, 2026, at Johnsburg High School.

The Sycamore boys basketball team defeated Woodstock Friday night in the IHSA Class 3A boys basketball regional championship game at Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford.