September 23, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Student-Athlete of the Month Rylee Sjuts

Every month in season coaches at St. Joseph-Ogden High School nominate athletes to be the student-athlete of the month. A committee of out of season coaches selects the student-athlete of the month.

We then ask them five questions.

In July, the committee selected Rylee Sjuts.

What is your favorite class at SJO?

My favorite class at SJO was Advanced Spanish 4 with Señor Sutton because he made each class enjoyable. I learned a lot but still managed to laugh and have fun each day.

What are your plans for after high school?
After high school I am attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am not completely decided on my major but think I will study business.

What is the best thing about being a student athlete at SJO?
The best thing about being a student-athlete at SJO is the encouragement and involvement from the community. Everyone is always asking how things went and cheering you on.

What is the most difficult thing about being a student athlete at SJO?
The most difficult thing about being a student-athlete at SJO is leaving it behind. I had so much fun each day and loved the family atmosphere so it is sad to say goodbye after an amazing four years.

How does it make you feel to know your coach nominated you for Athlete of the Month?
I feel honored that Coach Steffen nominated me for Athlete of the Month. I have loved being coached by someone with so much passion, knowledge and personal success. There are so many great athletes so it means a lot that she thought of me.

The Coach Says: Rylee values input from coaches. She always wants to make sure she is doing everything correct in terms of training, taking care of her body and being a good leader- Kelly Steffen

Banner
Related Posts

IPC announces all conference teams

March 5, 2024

March 5, 2024

1 st Team: (U: means Unanimous)PLAYER NAME GRADE WEIGHT CLASSAidan Scholwin (U) (Pontiac) Senior 106Holden Brazelton (U) (SJO) Junior 132Emmitt...

After winning Illini Prairie Conference championship, SJO girls’ basketball to play for regional title

February 18, 2022

February 18, 2022

Postseason accomplishments are significant ways to remember a season.But so are conference championships.And when this chapter is written on the...

SJO softball wins Mattoon Tournament, but fall twice in conference play

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Coaches always are eager to see how their teams respond after losses. For St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball coach Larry...

McKinney, Wedig help SJO football pull away from Prairie Central

September 5, 2025

September 5, 2025

Big offensive plays are bound to happen with the St. Joseph-Ogden football team. The Spartans, simply put, have too many...

Spartans fall to T-Town

February 23, 2019

February 23, 2019

NORMAL— All basketball teams have an off-night shooting occasionally. It’s just too bad that the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans picked the...

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

Hard work key to Gaskin’s success

April 30, 2019

April 30, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior track athlete Lane Gaskin is a hard worker. Boys track coach Jason Retz said Gaskin is willing...

Plotner’s positive attitude key to success

April 30, 2019

April 30, 2019

Jillian Plotner is having an amazing track season. The St. Joseph-Ogden junior helped the 3,200 relay team win first place...

Spartans learn postseason foe, lose close game at Charleston

May 2, 2019

May 2, 2019

Playing for the first time in a week after inclement weather caused multiple postponements, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball...

McCarty throws no-hitter, SJO baseball picks up two wins

May 6, 2019

May 6, 2019

Each time Keegan McCarty takes the mound, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team has to likes its chances of...

Knott named Student Athlete of the Month

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Hayden Knott had a stellar track and field season. The sophomore won the Illini Prairie Conference meet shot put and...

Jacob, Smith help SJO boys’ basketball stay unbeaten

December 15, 2023

December 15, 2023

It doesn’t seem to matter the team. Or the location. All the St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball team is doing through...

Hamilton, relay team place first at conference meet for Spartans

May 2, 2019

May 2, 2019

The intensity of a postseason meet is right around the corner for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and...

Parker looks to succeed at Purdue

June 27, 2019

June 27, 2019

Dalton Parker has seen his share of ups and downs during his baseball career. Parker, a 2016 graduate of St....

Relays shine for SJO track and field

March 25, 2019

March 25, 2019

A St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and field relay team won a title at a prestigious indoor meet, the...

Comments
Leave a Reply