December 26, 2025 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

5 questions with RYKER LOCKHART

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

How would you describe your team? Tight knit and together What is the biggest lesson you have learned this season?Don’t...

‘I’m just glad to be playing my final year with my friends’

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2021

Looking forward.  The St. Joseph-Ogden football team is embracing the unique opportunity of playing football in March and April due...

5 Question Friday with senior Goalie Hunter Ketchum

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

What is the best part about playing soccer for SJO? The environment. Everyone is here to compete and we are...

SJO volleyball cruises to three straight road wins

September 3, 2019

September 3, 2019

So far, the road has not produced any bad results for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team. The Spartans...

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...

McCarty hurls shutout, SJO baseball cruises to win at STM

April 29, 2019

April 29, 2019

Excellent pitching has defined the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team throughout much of its 2019 season. The trend continued...

McDonald on cusp of 400th win as SJO volleyball continues success

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

A historic night is potentially on tap Monday at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.SJO volleyball coach Abby McDonald, in her 16th...

SJO to discuss basketball in December

December 3, 2020

December 3, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden Board of Education decided to wait until December to make any final recommendation about basketball. The state...

Spartans ready to ‘respond better’ in playoff opener at Williamsville

October 28, 2019

October 28, 2019

Jaden Miller is glad he gets another opportunity to play football. Ditto for Blake Dable. And the other St. Joseph-Ogden...

Harper sparks SJO soccer to another win

September 25, 2024

September 25, 2024

The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ soccer team has proven this season it can find the back of theopponent’s net. Frequently. The...

With Illini Prairie title in rearview, Duval and Spartans turn attention to the postseason

February 21, 2024

February 21, 2024

Playing against the likes of Bloomington Central Catholic, Chillicothe IVC, Monticello, Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Pontiac, Prairie Central, Rantoul, St. Thomas More and...

Izard leads SJO boys’ basketball to Classic title

December 13, 2019

December 13, 2019

Defending its home court and winning its own tournament each season is always a main goal for the St. Joseph-Ogden...

Weaver, Miller help SJO football stay unbeaten

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

A close game in the fourth quarter ended the way the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team wanted last Friday...

She’s Back! Dukeman set to get another shot at softball this summer

June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020

Hannah Dukeman is getting a chance to play softball despite COVID-19 stealing her senior season at St. Joseph-Ogden High School....

Softball bonds Witruk family

April 12, 2019

April 12, 2019

For the Witruk family of St. Joseph softball is a family affair. Every member of the household has played or...

Comments
Leave a Reply