May 10, 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

SJO to host Toyota of Danville Classic starting on Tuesday

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

The St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball program is no stranger to having tournaments in its own gym.This season is no different....

Wells, Armstrong help balanced Spartans to strong showing in Illini Prairie

March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

Performing well in conference games is about the best outcome a high school basketball team can consider during this pandemic-abbreviated...

All conference basketball teams announced

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

The 2021 Illini Prairie Conference Girls Basketball All Conference Team has been announced. Junior Taylor Wells from St. Joseph-Ogden was...

Price is right: SJO baseball off to solid start

April 12, 2023

April 12, 2023

The spring weather is starting to get nicer outside. And the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team is starting to...

Gilliland coaching legacy strong at PVO

June 1, 2020

June 1, 2020

Coaching legacies can last decades for families. For the Gilliland family of rural Ogden, that notion has resonated for a...

Going the Distance: Smetzer excels at Western

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Ross Smetzer has goals. The 2016 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate runs cross country and track for Western Illinois University...

SJO softball’s senior night set for Monday as Spartans try to end skid

May 6, 2019

May 6, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team will try to end a two-game losing skid and score its first runs...

SJO soccer to play for regional title on Wednesday

October 23, 2024

October 23, 2024

The most successful St. Joseph-Ogden soccer season in program history is trying to addanother chapter of excellence this week. The...

First night game in program history in books, SJO soccer looks to continue successful start

September 11, 2023

September 11, 2023

The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team was scheduled to play Uni High on Thursday, Aug. 24. At a normal time for...

Plotner’s dedication to cross country pays off

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Jillian Plotner works hard every day to be the best she possibly can be. St. Joseph-Ogden Cross Country Head coach...

Get to know SJO Volleyball player Peyton Williams

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? I think what makes our team so successful is the determination...

Brazelton, SJO wrestling off to solid start

December 14, 2023

December 14, 2023

A relatively young St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling team is faring well through the first two weeks of the season. The Spartans...

Panthers on the prowl for state title

May 18, 2019

May 18, 2019

St. Joseph Middle School Head Track and Field Coach Zachary Steele couldn’t be prouder of his team. “We had a...

Way to go, SJO: Spartans’ girls’ basketball heading to state!

February 19, 2019

February 19, 2019

In a season full of signature wins, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team delivered another one on Monday...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply