27 students are recognized for demonstrating Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and/or Empathy
BY JIM BEERS
On Friday October 10, 2025, Chester Grade School presented its 3rd set of “HIVE” awards for the 2025-2026 school year. These awards are presented twice each month throughout the year and students in grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade are eligible to be recognized for demonstrating one or more of the four “HIVE” character traits.
Character traits being recognized include Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and/or Empathy. Throughout the weeks leading up to each set of “HIVE” award presentations, teachers, staff and administration, are observing students that are regularly demonstrating the four “HIVE” good character traits.
Nominations can be made by any CGS employee, but typically are made by teachers or classroom paraprofessionals who are in day-to-day, regular contact with the respective students. All nominations are submitted to the coordinator of the program, Kacey Crook, School Counselor. Crook reviews all of the nominations and selects the bi-monthly award winners.
All award winners are recognized at the bi-monthly school-wide “Morning Meetings” that take place in the CGS gymnasium. All students, teachers and paraprofessionals are in attendance at this bi-monthly gathering of the CGS family.
At the time of the presentation of the bi-monthly “HIVE” awards, the honorees are introduced to the entire student body where they receive a very loud and proud round of applause and are brought down to the gym floor where they are recognized and presented with a certificate to commemorate the honor.
Following the presentations, a group photo is taken of all “HIVE” award recipients with their certificates. These photos are published in various media outlets as well as on various social media platforms.
For the October 10th presentations, there were a total of 27 students that received awards. The areas of recognition included Respect (9); Responsibility (9), and Empathy (9), for a total of 27 awards. Grade levels that received these awards included:
K 3
1st 4
2nd 3
3rd 1
4th 2
5th 2
6th 6
7th 4
8th 2
Total: 27 awards/recipients
Award winners, grade levels, and “HIVE” Characteristics being recognized
Respect (9 students)
Jaymie Dickerson 8th
Mason Howie 7th (Not Pictured)
Audrey Jarrett 4th
Janiyah Logan 2nd
Nicandro Cortes 6th
Hunter Lloyd 2nd
Antonio Aguilar Guijon 1st
Adalyn Caron 6th
Jocelyn Maldonado Hernandez Kindergarten
Responsibility (9 students)
Noah Belton Kindergarten
Jackson Conway 6th
Presley Howell 6th
Wylin Sullivan 6th
Zoe Atchison 3rd
Ivan Lopez Perez 1st
Aracely Hernandez 2nd
Makenzie Rains Kindergarten
Kolin Martinez 8th (Not pictured)
Empathy (9 students)
Xander Hammel 5th
Ines Ixcoy Sica 2nd
Emma Voudrie 7th
Sophia Bryant 7th
Marissa Rosales 7th
Deegan Carter 1st
Savannah Bentem 3rd
Izabella Pender 1st
Ellie VanOtterloo 4th
The next “HIVE” awards will be presented on Thursday October 23, 2025 at the CGS “Morning Meeting” at 8:00 a.m.
📍Paraprofessional
📍Grade School Evening Custodian
📍High School Band/Choir Teacher for the 2026-27 school year
📍Grade School Band/Music Teacher for the 2026-27 school year
📍High School CTE/Business Teacher for the 2026-27 school year
Today, Friday October 10, 2025, Tallen James represents Chester High School at the Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, IHSA State Tournament.
Good Luck Tallen, Go Jackets!
Please note, the Chester High School Homecoming Class Reunion Tour is now starting at 9:00am, NOT 10:00am and stated previously.
We will gather in the Professor Sharp Cafeteria promptly at 9:00am.
USDA “Sun Meals To-Go” program was huge success (2 of 2)
District # 139 provided 9,100 meals per week throughout the summer of 2025
BY JIM BEERS
Superintendent Briggs said, “Since arriving in Chester, I’ve wanted to bring a program like this to our community, because I saw a real need. This year that vision became a reality. After receiving program approval on May 15th, we launched our registration. Within just a few days, we grew from 40 registered children to 695 children. On our very first day of service, we were able to feed 600 kids. It has been a true blessing and an honor to lead this effort.”
Briggs noted that when numbers surged so quickly, she knew that the program would need community support on delivery and distribution days. She then reached out to the school organizations and the broader community for help.
Briggs said, “The outpouring of volunteers was overwhelming and deeply appreciated. We had support from Buena Vista Bank, Dairy Queen, Pepsi Cola, First Baptist Church, teacher groups, our YellowJacket Football team, and our Lady Jacket Volleyball Team. Their willingness to step in and serve has been another powerful reminder of how special our community is and how much people care about supporting local families.”
The Sun Meals To-Go Program is part of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This program supports low-income and underserved communities by ensuring children continue to receive healthy meals when school is not in session. Since its launch in 2023, the program has expanded to cover 30 states, including Illinois.
When asked if the District would do the program again next summer, Briggs said, “We hope to do it again. The parents approved of it and it benefits the community. By bringing the program to the community, we are not only addressing food insecurity, we are also showing families that their children matter, even when school is out. This initiative reflects the heart of our community and the dedication of our staff and volunteers who make it all possible!”
PHOTO 4 Loading Cars
Volunteers load food items into the vehicles at the last stop of the food distribution process. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 5 Briggs and Eggemeyer
District # 139 Superintendent Kimberly Briggs (left) and Carrie Eggemeyer, Program Coordinator/Manager (right), pose for a quick photo in front of the James F. Sharp Cafeteria at Chester High School. That is the location where the 2025 USDA "Sun Meals To-Go" program was housed and implemented throughout the summer of 2025. Briggs was instrumental in finding and creating the program and Eggemeyer was the Summer of 2025 Program Manager. Throughout the summer the program provided 9.100 meals each week to program recipients. Jim Beers Photo
USDA “Sun Meals To-Go” program was huge success (1 of 2)
District # 139 provided 9,100 meals per week throughout the summer of 2025
BY JIM BEERS
District # 139 Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Briggs said, “Our district was proud to participate in the USDA’s Sun Meals To-Go program, a federally funded initiative designed to reduce food insecurity during the summer months. Through this program, we were able to provide free, nutritious, meals to ALL children ages 1-18, with no application or income verification required!”
On top of these amazing facts, children that came for meals did not have to be enrolled in the Chester School District. They could have even been residing anywhere in the State of Illinois.
The program was organized and coordinated at the Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria at Chester High School. Food items were distributed in a smoothly functioning drive through system that brought automobiles in Chester High School’s back parking lot, off of Rt. 150, up to a check-in station at the corner.
From there, cars were directed to the buss driveway along Colbert Memorial Gymnasium in between the pickle ball, tennis, and basketball courts. When they arrived at the CHS kitchen and bus porch area, they were greeted by program volunteers who loaded their vehicles with the food items.
The program was offered each Tuesday and Friday throughout the summer beginning June 10th and ending August 5. Pick-up times were from 11 am till 1:00 p.m. Potential clients could come to the Chester High School Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria Monday mornings from 8 am till 12 p.m. to register and receive a card to hang on their vehicle mirrors verifying that they were part of the program.
Each child registered for the program received 7-days of breakfasts and lunches each week. The following format describes the distribution schedule.
Each Tuesday each child received a half gallon of milk, 3 breakfasts, and 3 lunches
Each Friday each child received a half gallon of milk, 4 breakfasts, and 4 lunches
The Meals To-Go program is a non-congregate option. That means that the meals did not need to be eaten on the program site. In his case, at the James F. Sharp Cafeteria. Meals were picked up Tuesdays and Fridays and taken home or elsewhere. The child registered did not have to be present at pickup time. Parents could even designate another adult to pick up the meals. This fact offered flexibility for working parents and those who live in rural of hard-to-reach areas.
Program Manager, Carrie Eggemeyer said, “The program ran very well throughout the summer. Each delivery day we provided meals for 500 to 650 children. Superintendent Briggs requited volunteers for each session some of which included the CHS Football Team, Volleyball Team, members of the First Baptist Church, the Chester Rotary Club, the Chester Dairy Queen Staff, Chester High School students, Chester Early Childhood Center staff, and 2nd grade teachers at CGS.”
Photo 1 Staff
Pictured are USDA "Sun Meals To-Go" staff inside the James F. Sharp Cafeteria at Chester High School. Food bags were filled and arranged for delivery at that location. (left to right) are Michele McConnell, Carrie Eggemeyer, Program Manager, and Brandie Stefani. Jim Beers Photo
Photo 2 Football Team Volunteers
Members of the Chester High School YellowJacket Football Team volunteered to assist on delivery days during the summer USDA "Sun Meals To-Go" program. With the team is Head Coach, Billy Belton and family members. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 3
Carrie Eggemeyer, Program Manager, checks clients in at the first stop in the delivery process. From her station vehicles were directed to the driveway leading to the CHS kitchen-bus porch area where staff greeted them and loaded their food items in their vehicles. Jim Beers Photo
It was a great day at Rend Lake for Senator Terri Bryant’s Youth Advisory Council! CHS was well represented with some fantastic students. They had the opportunity to meet Senator Bryant, a 1st Judicial Circuit Court judge, an Illinois representative, and to learn a little bit about how legislation works.
We look forward to going to Springfield in the Spring!
Tomorrow, 10/10 is an 11:30 AM dismissal day. Students that take an alternate bus on early dismissal days will be sent home on that bus unless a parent or guardian specifies otherwise. There will be no Jacket Care available after school. Thank you.
Chester High School Homecoming Week Powderpuff Football Game Tonight at 5:15pm
W.O. Smith Field, Gates Open 4:45pm
Families and Community Welcome to Attend! Go Jackets!
42-21 victory improves YellowJackets to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division
BY JIM BEERS
Coach Charles Colvis did a great job with special teams. Karim Landeros is kicking the ball well! He is 12-for-12 kicking extra points the last two weeks. Not only extra points, Karim kicked a 63-yard punt to pin Carlyle to the 5-yard line.”
“Overall it was a great team win! We played extremely well in all three phases of the game. I am so proud of all of the boys. We are now 5-and-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference. Dupo is next. This will be a big game. The Tigers are undefeated and coming off a big win vs Red Bud. We will have to continue to play good on all three phases again this week!”
The Jackets host the Dupo Tigers this Friday October 10 for Homecoming 2025 at W.O. Smith Field at Chester High School.
Photo 3 Jakob Stueve 75
YellowJacket Football offensive & defensive lineman Jakob Stueve (75) a 6'0", 235 Lb. senior, has been praised by Head Coach Billy Belton for his consistent efforts on the defensive line during the 2025 season. Belton acknowledges his blocking abilities as being most helpful in assuring the success of the running backs so far in the first six games of 2025. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 4 Brayden Juenger 53
CHS senior Brayden Juenger (53) a 6'0", 235 Lb. Offensive and Defensive Lineman for the YellowJackets, has been recognized by CHS Head Coach Billy Belton for being a consistent, hardworking lineman for the Jackets. Belton notes that his senior linemen have been exceptional .in helping the offense execute their plays successfully. The blocking of these seniors is dually noted and highly appreciated. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 5 Morgan Miers
Morgan Miers (70), a Chester High School senior football player, has been honored by CHS Head Football Coach Billy Belton, for his excellent work on the CHS Offensive and Defensive lines. Miers, a senior, 6'0", 235 Lb. Offensive and Defensive Lineman for the YellowJackets is recognized for his good work on the line for both offense and defense. Belton notes that the excellent blocking on offense has help to open the doors for YellowJacket running backs all season and much of the running back's success can be attributed to the senior leadership and blocking. Jim Beers Photo
42-21 victory improves YellowJackets to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division
BY JIM BEERS
The Jacket’s had eight receptions. TaShawn Palacio caught two passes for a total of 74 yards. Both of those receptions resulted in touchdowns. Trey McCartney caught three passes for a total of 37 yards. One of those three was for a touchdown. Alex Blechle had three receptions for a total of 46 yards.
Carlyle connected for nine passes for a total of 56 yards. One of those receptions resulted I a touchdown.
The YellowJackets scored a total of six touchdowns in their win, three were from passes and three were from rushing. All six of Chester’s extra points were from Karim Landeros’ perfect kicking outing.
Carlyle scored a total of three touchdowns, one was on a pass and two were rushing. Their extra points came from on extra-point kick and the other two came from a 2-point conversion. Chester defended Carlyle’s first 2-point conversion attempts on their opening touchdown.
The YellowJackets rushed 31 times for a total of 154 yards. Three of those runs resulted in touchdowns for the Jackets. Ethan Colvis had all three of Chester’s rushing touchdowns. He ran three times for a total of 130 of Chester’s 154 yards.
Zane Eggemeyer ran five times for 22 yards, Alex Blechle ran twice for 13 yards, Gage Lynn ran once for 4 yards, and Donnie Worley ran once for 3 yards. Anthony Keeton ran once and fumbled the ball for Chester’s only fumble.
Carlyle ran 52 times for 210 yards. Two of the Indian’s runs resulted in touchdowns. Two of their other runs resulted in fumbles which turned the ball over to Chester.
Once again the YellowJacket defense played well and recorded 35 solo tackles (solos), 62 tackle assists (assists), 1 quarterback sack, and 8 tackles for a loss (TFL).
Ethan Colvis led the attack on Carlyle’s offense with 8 solos, 9 assists, and 3 TFL’s. Morgan Miers had 5 solos, and 4 huge TFL’s. Alex Blechle recorded 4 solos and 3 assists. TaShawn Palacio added 3 solos and 10 assists. Donnie Worley had 3 solos and Derrius Shoemate added 2 solos and 3 assists. Karim Landeros had numbers in all four categories including 1 solo, 5 assists, 1 quarterback sack and 1 TFL.
Numerous other YellowJackets contributed to the win with excellent defensive efforts including Kanon Jany (1 solo & 8 assists), Tray Peters (1 solo & 5 assists), Zane Eggemeyer (1 solo & 4 assists), Trey McCartney (1 solo & 2 assists), and Brayden Juenger (1 solo & 5 assists).
Bently Valleroy, Rhett Creason, Reagan Sims, and Caleb Coffey added one solo apiece while Landen Conder (2), Avery Wittenborn (3), Paxton Beam (2), and Reed Creason (1) each added assists. Gage Lynn intercepted one Carlyle pass while TaShawn Palacio and Trey McCartney each recovered Carlyle fumbles.
Coach Billy Belton said, “The boy played great tonight! The offensive line did a great job. Brayden Juenger, Morgan Miers, and Jakob Stueve have done a great job up front. Those three seniors have really set the tone for all the success we have had offense we have had this year!”
“It was good to see Ethan Colvis get going again tonight. He had a rough time last week. He is such a hard runner. Without the great job the offensive line and the other skilled guys have done blocking for him, it would be hard for him to have such great success.”
Tray Peters and Trey McCartney had another big night too. TaShawn Palacio had a huge night getting the scoring started again. He had the two first touchdowns for us again tonight. TaShawn has had 10 receiving touchdowns on the year. That ties the school record for the most receiving touchdowns in a single season. That record is shared by Jim Howie, Keith Kiner and TaShawn Palacio. Hopefully with three games left, Palacio will break that record and set a new one this season!”
“Coach Belton continued, “Defensively Ethan Colvis, Morgan Miers, Zane Eggemeyer, and Alex Blechle all had big nights. Colvis had eight solo tackles, nine assists and 3 tackles for a loss. Morgan Miers had five solo tackles and four tackles for a loss.”
“Zane Eggemeyer has played great all season at linebacker. He is an unsung hero on both sides of the ball! Zane blocks as hard as any player I have ever had and he plays so sound and smart on defense. Alex Blechle was really flying around and hitting people all over the place and he did a great job on returns.”
42-21 victory improves YellowJackets to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division
BY JIM BEERS
Chester traveled to Carlyle Friday October 3 to battle with the Indians of the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division. It was the third conference game of the season with earlier wins over Sparta, 27-0 and Wesclin, 42-20. The Jackets were successful at Carlyle with a convincing 42-21 win over the Indians.
The Jackets stung first when TaShawn Palacio scored for Chester on a 10-yard pass from CHS quarterback, Tray Peters. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point and Chester led early, 7-0.
Carlyle returned the favor later in the first quarter on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Jacket defense stopped the 2-point conversion attempt and the Jackets had a slim one-point lead, 7-6.
Chester wasn’t finished yet, however, as TaShawn Palacio scored another YellowJacket touchdown on a huge 64-yard pass from Tray Peters. Karim Landeros kicked his second extra point and the YellowJackets ended the first quarter ahead by eight points, 14-6.
The Jackets shut out the Indians in the 2nd quarter, outscoring them, 21-0. Ethan Colvis scored Chester’s first touchdown on a 9-yard run to get things started. Karim Landeros kicked his third extra point and CHS led, 21-6.
Trey McCartney got into the action next with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tray Peters. Karim Landeros remained perfect for the night with his fourth extra points kick. Chester extended its lead to 28-6.
To close out the second quarter, as well as the first half, Ethan Colvis scored his second touchdown of the night on a 6-yard run. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point, his fifth, to both remain perfect for the game, extend Chester’s lead to, 35-6 to end the first half.
The third quarter as a draw with both teams scoring touchdowns. Carlyle struck first on a 4-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick was good and the Indians added seven points to their seven point total. The YellowJackets still led by 23 points, 35-13.
Chester struck again when Ethan Colvis had a nice 34-yard touchdown run to add seven more points to the YellowJacket’s total. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point, his sixth of the night, to give Chester a 29-point lead, 42-13, to end the third quarter.
Coach Belton began substituting players in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter. Down the stretch, the only team to score was Carlyle when they scored on a 2-yard run into the end zone for the final touchdown of the game. The Indians added two more points on a 2-point conversion to end the game, down by 21 points, 42-21.
In the win, the YellowJackets ran a total of 48 plays. The Indians ran 74 plays. Chester accumulated a total of 311 yards, 157 passing and 154 rushing. Carlyle recorded 266 yards, 56 passing and 210 rushing.
Chester had a 3rd down efficiency of 44 % (4-for-9) while Carlyle had 50% (7-for-14). The YellowJackets committed two turnovers, 1 fumble and 1 interception. The Indians committed three turnovers, 2 fumbles and 1 interception. Finally, Chester was called for 8 penalties resulting in a loss of 36 yards. Carlyle was called for 6 penalties for a total of 71 yards.
In the win, Chester quarterback, Tray Peters, completed 8-of-12 passes (67%) for a total of 157 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Carlyle threw for 9-of-15 passes (60%) for a total of 56 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
Photo 1 Ehan Colvis
CHS senior running back and linebacker Ethan Colvis (25) scored al three of Chester's running touchdowns Friday October 3 at Carlyle. He scored on a 9-yard run, 6-yard run and 34-yard run in the 42-21 YellowJacket win over the Carlyle Indians. Colvis also led the defensive unit with 8 solo tackles, 9 tackle assists, and 3 tackles for a loss. Jim Beers Photo
Photo 2 TaShawn Palacio
Chester High School wide receiver and defensive back TaShawn Palacio (11) scored Chester's first two touchdowns in the Cahokia Conference game against Carlyle Friday October 3. Palacio scored on a 10-yard pass from Tray Peters and then again in the same quarter on a 64-yard pass from Peters. So far this season Palacio has scored 10 passing touchdowns which ties the current record set by Jim Howie, and Keith Kiner. With three games remaining in the 2025 regular season, Palacio has an opportunity to set a new CHS receiving touchdown record for the school. In addition to being a great offensive player, Palacio also makes a name for himself on defense. In the win over the Carlyle Indians, Palacio 3 solo tackles and 10 tackle assists. Jim Beers Photo
Opt-Out, Work-Force and CCSI Students are required to attend CHS starting at 7:55am on Friday, October 10th for the PBIS Celebration and will be dismissed at 11:30am. Thank you, and Go Jackets!
15 schools converge on Randolph County State Conservation Area course to compete; Chester’s Katelyn Vallet places 8th in Girls’ Division
BY JIM BEERS
BOYS’ DIVISION RESULTS
There were 13 schools represented in the Boys’ Division. Those schools included Pinckneyville, New Athens, Columbia, Okawville, Marissa, Sparta, Gibault Catholic, Blueford0Webber, Nashville, Freeburg, Steeleville, Trico, and Chester.
A total of 78 boys competed. There were five schools that qualified for team scores including Pinckneyville, Sparta, Okawville, Bluford-Webber, and Freeburg.
Chester Results
40th Ivan Hobbs Senior 20:35.50
57th Jaden Ramirez Sophomore 21:31.20
Team Scores
1st Pinckneyville 19 Average Times: 17:22.36
2nd Sparta 78 Average Times: 19:11.13
3rd Okawville 104 Average Times: 19:42.87
4th Bluford-Webber 124 Average Times: 19:57.23
5th Freeburg 129 Average Times: 20:06.57
Top-20 Medal Winners
1st Landen Boman Sr. Pinckneyville 15:59.86
2nd Pacer Szopinski Fr. Pinckneyville 17:03.91
3rd Jesse Winter Jr. Pinckneyville 17:08.76
4th Cole Dachsteiner Sr. New Athens 17:54.84
5th Hubert Weary So. Columbia 18:02.02
6th Ryker Obermeier Sr. Okawville 18:12.46
7th Cale Schneider Sr. Pinckneyville 18:14.06
8th Marley Hall So. New Athens 18:16.42
9th Ky Portz So. Marissa 18:17.86
10th Zach Teel Jr. Pinckneyville 18:25.20
11th DJ Hayes So. Sparta 18:31.35
12th Josh Gale So. Pinckneyville 18:35.99
13th Nick Holdener So. Gibault Catholic 18:41.71
14th Brennan Tate Sr. Bluford-Webber 18:44.24
15th Ayden Fox Jr. Nashville 18:45.08
16th Chris Moreno Fr. Sparta 18:47.72
17th William Cook So. Freeburg 18:57.44
18th Bryden Dalby So. Bluford-Webber 19:01.86
19th Gabriel Charles Jr. Okawville 19:03.70
20th Connor Withrow Jr. Bluford-Webber 19:09.62
Chester Head Coach, Chris Kern said, “I was pleased with our YellowJacket and Lady Jacket runners today. The Chester 3-Mile course is very challenging and it was a bit humid and very warm today. I thought the overall meet went very smoothly and all 147 runners appeared to enjoy the event. I am pleased with the overall results and reactions to our 2025 invitational. October 25 we will be hosting the IHSA Regional Meet right here at our same course.”
PHOTO 7 Girls Start
IHSA Race Official, Paul Stallman, fires the gun to start the Girls' race at the 35th Annual Chester Cross Country Invitational Thursday October 2. There were 69 young ladies that competed in this event. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 8 Boys Start
IHSA Race Official, Paul Stallman, fires the gun to start the 2025 Chester Invitational Cross Country Invitational. The event was hosted by Chester High School and included a total of 78 young men in the 3-Mle event.
PHOTO 9 Jaden Ramirez
Jaden Ramirez establishes himself in the opening 50-yards of the 2025 Chester Invitational Cross Country Invitatiional Meet. Ramirez finished 57th in the field of 78 runners with a time of 21:31.20. He is a CHS sophomore on the YellowJacket squad. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 10 Vallet
Chester Lady Jacket Cross Country runner, Katelyn Vallet, races to finish the 35th Annual Chester Cross Country Invitational. The 3-Mile event took place Thursday October 2. Vallet finished 8th overall out of 69 girls and had a time of 21:52.47. She earned a medal for her Top-20 finish. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 11 Ramirez finish
Jaden Ramirez sprints to the finish line of the 2025 Chester Invitational Cross Country Meet. The event was a 3-Mile race and Ramirez finished with a time of 21:31.20 and a place of 57th out of the field of 8 runners. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 12 Hargis finish
Caitlyn Hargis, a CHS sophomore runner, approaches the finish line at the 35th Annual Chester Cross Country Invite. Hargis ran the 3-Mile race in a time of 26:43.80. She placed 45th out of 69 runners in the Female Division. Jim Beers Photo
15 schools converge on Randolph County State Conservation Area course to compete; Chester’s Katelyn Vallet places 8th in Girls’ Division
BY JIM BEERS
Thursday October 2 Chester High School hosted the 35th Annual Chester Cross Country Invitational. The event was held at the Randolph County State Conservation Area on a warm, humid afternoon with temperatures in the 80’s to start the race. By the time the competition was in full swing, a nice cloud had covered the sun to provide welcomed shade and coolness for the competitors.
The race was a 3-mile event for both the Girls’ and Boys’ Divisions. There were 15 schools that entered the Girls’ race and 13 schools entered the Boys’ race. A total of 69 lady athletes competed in the Girls’ race while78 boys ran in the Boys’ race.
It takes at least five runners from a school to qualify for a team score. Schools without the required five runners can have their runners compete as individuals. The Girls’ Division had just five schools that qualified for team scores. The Boys’ Division also had a total of five team scores.
Medals were presented to the top-20 finishers in both the Girls’ Division and the Boys’ Division. Plaques were awarded to the teams that finished 1st and 2nd Place.
GIRLS’ DIVISION RESULTS
There were 15 schools represented in the Girls’ Division. Those schools included Okawville, New Athens, Red Bud, Columbia, Marissa, Pinckneyville, Chester, Steeleville, Woodlawn, Freeburg, Nashville, Sparta, Trico, Gibault Catholic, and Bluford-Webber.
A total of 69 girls competed. There were five schools that qualified for team scores including Columbia, Pinckneyville, Okawville, Freeburg, and Red Bud.
Chester Results
8th Katelyn Vallet Freshman 21:52.47
45th Caitlyn Hargis Sophomore 26:43.80
Team Scores
1st Columbia 53 Average times: 22:58.39
2nd Pinckneyville 62 Average Times: 23:25.21
3rd Okawville 71 Average Times: 23:26.64
4th Freeburg 82 Average Times: 24:19.72
5th Red Bud 86 Average Times: 24:29.61
Top-20 Medal Winners
1 Caroline Tepe Sr. Okawville 19:25.65
2 Brooke Deterding so. New Athens 20:58.44
3 Ava Wagner Sr. Red Bud 21:28.93
4 Addyson Piel Sr. Red Bud 21:30.78
5 Kaylee Grandt Fr. Columbia 21:42.32
6 Lillyonna Delrio Fr. Marissa 21:44.74
7 Jessi Baggett So. Pinckneyville 21:49.24
8 Katelyn Vallet Fr. Chester 21:52.47
9 Kaylee Wolf So. Okawville 21:55.06
10 Kadence Bruno So. Pinckneyville 21:59.57
11 Hillari Cowan Fr. Steeleville 22:01.75
12 Carly Chambers Sr. Columbia 22:24.04
13 Katelyn Gogolek So. Okawville 22:34.37
14 Zelena Koch Jr. Woodlawn 23:38.76
15 Ruby Leemon So. Marissa 22:47.22
16 Claira Folden Jr. Pinckneyville 22:49.50
17 AnnMarie Trentman Sr. Freeburg 22:50.24
18 Cecilia Muehl So. Columbia 22:58.97
19 Gabrielle Martin Jr. Columbia 23:30.72
20 Abby Sherman Jr. Freeburg 24:06.58
PHOTO 1 Katelyn Vallet medal
Chester's Katelyn Vallet proudly poses for a picture of her with her medal she won at the 2025 Chester Invitational Cross Country Meet. The event was held Thursday October 2 at the Randolph County State Conservation Area. Vallet finished 8th out of the field of 69 girls in the 3-mile race with her time of 21:52.47. The Top-20 finishers received medals for their efforts. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 2 Tepe
Okawville's Caroline Tepe, a senior, was the overall winner of the 2025 CHS Invitational Girls' Division race. Tepe turned in a time of 19:25.65 for her winning effort. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 3 Boman
Pinckneyville's Landen Boman, a senior, was the overall winner of the 2025 CHS Invitational Cross Country Meet Boys' Division 3-Mile race. Boman's time was 15:59.86. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 4 Hargis
Lady Jacket Cross Country runner Caitlyn Hargis, a sophomore, finished 45th out of 69 girls at the 2025 Chester Invite. Her time was 26:43.80. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 5 Cowan
Hillari Cowan, a freshman Steeleville Lady Warrior, finished 11th overall at the 2025 Chester Invitational Cross Country Meet. Cown is the daughter of Clint and Lindsey Cowan, former Chester High School students and graduates. Her time was 22:01.75. She earned a medal for her performance. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 6 Hobbs
Ivan Hobbs, a senior YellowJacket Cross Country runner, was Chester's top finisher in the 35th Annal Chester Invitational Cross Country Meet Thursday October 2. Hobbs had a time of 20:35.50 and an overall finish of 40th place in the 3-Mile Boys' race. The boys had a field of 78 runners. Jim Beers Photo
CHS HOMECOMING INFORMATION
This coming week, Monday, October 6th through
Saturday, October 11th is CHS Homecoming Week 2025
MONDAY: Pink Out
Show your Support & Wear Pink
TUESDAY: Decades Day
Choose Your Era: From the Roaring 20s to the Neon 80s
WEDNESDAY: Class Color Day
Wear Your Class Colors
Powderpuff Game 5:15pm
THURSDAY: Candy Land Day
Dress Up Your Favorite Candy or Wear Your Homecoming Shirts
FRIDAY: Orange & Black Out
Show Your School Pride and Wear Orange & Black
Homecoming Parade 4:00pm
Homecoming Football Game 7:00pm GO JACKETS!
SATURDAY: Class Reunion Tours 9:00am (Professor Sharp Cafeteria)
Homecoming Dance 7:00pm
