Taylorville High School graduate Ella Hohenstein is taking her cheerleading career to the next level. After a competitive audition process, Hohenstein has earned a spot on the varsity cheerleading team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Hohenstein recently spoke with us about the pressure of auditions, the emotions of earning a roster spot, and what the opportunity means moving forward.

Hohenstein started off with tumbling and from their love of being in the air grew. When Hohenstein was in middle school, she was in basketball, but in junior high she saw a try out for cheerleading for high school and she made the JV Squad. While there she got All American.

As a varsity captain, Hohenstein knew that she wanted to keep doing it and started going to clinics. While many athletes finish their careers after high school graduation, Hohenstein said cheering at the collegiate level had been a goal for years. She started thinking about what she wanted to do whether it came to major and cheer program.

The audition process was complex and took many many steps.  In the process for getting into U of I, she saw the tryout for Round 1 and said she knew she had to do it. 

For the second round, Ella said the waiting was nervewracking. 

Than the moment came where she got the email and it didn’t seem real.

She says that the support from her coaches and family have been huge.

Hohennstein says the biggest advice is to not be scared.

Hohenstein starts classes in the fall.  Find out more about Illinois cheerleading at https://fightingillini.com/sports/cheerleading. 

The Central A&M Raiders took a brief lead in the top of the 5th against #1 seed Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond but couldn't hold it after giving up 9 runs in the bottom of the fifth as the Raiders fell 13-3 in six innings in their playoff game on Wednesday afternoon in Neoga. The Raiders took advantage early on a couple base hits against starting ALAH pitcher Maxton Boddy but couldn't take advantage until the second inning, when Chaz Brundmeier reached on an error and Jamesley Jesse got a base hit on a chopper to third.  The throw home went over the head of catcher Donovan Vanausdell and Brundmeier scored but Jesse got gunned down trying to score. Central led 1-0 midway through 2, but that lead would be short as ALAH 1st baseman Lucas Butcher would hit a two run homer giving the Knights a 2-1 lead. 

That lead would hold until the 5th inning when Marshall Minott would crush a homerun to give the Raiders the lead again 3-2 going into the middle of the 5th inning, but things would fall apart as starting pitcher Zach Snow would not be able to get out of the 5th inning giving up several runs before being chased from the game for Minott. When the dust cleared the Raiders had surrendered 9 runs and the Raiders trailed 11-3 at the end of the 5th.

Going into the sixth the Raiders couldn't do much and the Knights got another homerun from 3rd Baseman Jansen Burnett and walked it off on a bases loaded base hit from Will Hillingoss to win 13-3 in six innings to end the Raiders season. Central A&M Finished their season 6-16. The Knights will wait to find out whether they face Neoga or Arcola who play tomorrow. 

The Seitz Funeral Home Player of the Game was Marshall Minott who hit a homer in the 5th and pitched in relief for starting pitcher Zack Snow.  

Final Score:

Triad: 5

Taylorville: 0

Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player Of The Game: CARTER CAPPELLIN

The Central A&M baseball season lives on after a 6-5 extra-inning win at home to Villa Grove on Memorial Day.  Errors stole the show at both ends of the Class 1A regional quarterfinal. 

The Raiders led 3-2 after the first inning, as both teams took advantage of fielding errors to bring runners across the plate.  Neither side scored thereafter through the top of the fifth, and the away side did not conjure up a hit in that time.  Villa Grove's fielders made some amends with skillful catches.  In the second inning with one out, Max Wilson ran quickly to catch a deep fly-ball over his shoulder in right field to dismiss Marshall Minott.  With the Raiders' two runners expecting the ball to drop, they had progressed down the basepaths too much to return in time as Logan Kelly saw himself thrown out at second. 

A&M stretched the lead in the fifth inning when Rhett McLain singled home Parker Elliott, who himself reached on an error.  Kadyn Higgins's sac fly on the next plate appearance scored Marshall Minott.  The increased lead proved enough to see Zane Hosler's start on the mound for the Blue Devils conclude after that inning. 

Villa Grove responded equally, though, forcing two runners to cross on a two-RBI single by Tucker McGarigle in the sixth inning.  The hit came on Minott's first batter faced in relief, with the starter McLain withdrawn after conceding two walks.

In the seventh, Thomas Vandeventer's RBI single brought home Max Wilson.  Later at second and with two outs, a balk sent Wilson a base closer to giving his side the lead.  In that plate appearance, the fourth ball to Jesse Gire escaped his eponymous catcher counterpart Jamesly Jesse.  Wilson began to break for home but retreated when the Raiders' catcher quickly fielded the ball off the backstop.  His sharp and in-line throw to Parker Elliott beat the runner's slide to third to end the half-inning.  Central A&M went three-up-three-down in the bottom half as the game advanced into extra innings. 

Villa Grove had runners at first and second with two outs in the extra inning when Jackson Gire grounded out to first.  With one out to the Raiders in the bottom half, Kadyn Higgins drew a walk.  After Eli Ferguson struck out, Chaz Braundmeier came to the plate.  Higgins took off for a steal of second, and the catcher's throw went astray.  Higgins then got up and ran towards third.  Blue Devils' center fielder Will Schweighart scooped the ball and hurled it towards third base in an attempt to put out Higgins.  That throw missed its intended fielder, as well, and hopped into the dugout.  The umpires ruled the ball had gone out of bounds, meaning the runner would be entitled to cross home for the winning run. 

Marshall Minott was named the Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  On the mound, he took the win and gave up one earned run on four hits and two walks and struck out two hitters.  He hit a single and a double out of four at-bats, scored after each of the hits, and stole a base.  Villa Grove's pitchers combined for eleven strikeouts, with Minott and Higgins the only Raider batters not to experience that outcome. 

With the win, Central A&M moves on to the regional semifinals.  They will travel to Neoga to face Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond.  First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.  Villa Grove's season ends with their record at 8-12.

The Taylorville Tornadoes boys track and field season came to a close Saturday at the sectional meet in Troy, but several athletes punched their tickets to the IHSA State Finals in Charleston next weekend.

According to head coach Jake Koniak, the Tornadoes turned in a strong overall performance with multiple personal records, standout efforts, and several close calls throughout the meet. In the end, five Taylorville athletes qualified for the state meet.

Liam Bettis earned a pair of state qualifying performances, taking second place in the 3200 meter run with a time of 9 minutes, 11.49 seconds, while also finishing second in the 1600 meter run in 4 minutes, 19.74 seconds.

Colt Perkins qualified in the 3200 meter run with a third-place finish and a time of 9 minutes, 33.82 seconds.

Alex Davis advanced to state in the 1600 meter run after placing fifth in 4 minutes, 29.63 seconds.

In field events, Chase Rincker qualified in the pole vault with a second-place effort of 12 feet, 8-and-three-quarter inches.

Connor Hunsley also qualified for state in two throwing events, placing seventh in discus with a throw of 148 feet even and sixth in the shot put with a mark of 50 feet, 1-and-one-quarter inches.

Coach Koniak also wished good luck to Elayna Harker and Elsie Williamson, who will compete at the girls state meet Friday and Saturday.

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

The Central A&M softball team lost its Class 1A regional semifinal 5-2 against Altamont on Wednesday night.  Altamont served as the administrative away team due to having the worse seed of the two teams, despite playing on their home turf. 

The Raiders' one run in the first made up the only scoring across the first three innings as both teams largely struggled to take advantage of key scoring opportunities.  Altamont drew level in the fourth when a throwing error with two outs allowed Avery Fleehardy to score from third.  They went in front in the fifth when Sophia Long's sacrifice allowed Cecilia "Spike" Pearcy to cross the plate. 

Altamont's defensive displays frustrated the Raiders.  The bottom of the third inning saw three flyouts, each with either quick reactions or high skill from the respective fielders.  In the fifth inning, with a runner at third and one out, Pearcy caught a quick line drive on the full and beat Riley Hazelwonder to the bag to complete an unassisted double play. 

The sixth inning is when the game decisively swung in the regional hosts' favor.  Four of their first five hitters reached base, scoring two runs, and Riley Hazelwonder's start on the circle reached its conclusion.  Callie Robertson conceded two runners and another run - for which Hazelwonder was responsible - but struck out Kennedi Schultz to end the inning.  She then pitched a perfect seventh.

A&M put up one run in the sixth and set themselves up well to score further in that inning and the following one but could not convert.  In the case of the final inning, senior Kylee Snearly came to the plate with runners on first and second and two outs, but struck out. 

Despite taking the loss, Riley Hazelwonder was named the Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  She struck out nine batters in her outing, adding to her impressive performance throughout the season in that category.  Hazelwonder also hit a double, scored a run, and stole two bases. 

For Altamont, Sophia Long pitched the complete game, giving up two earned runs and six walks, to go with seven strikeouts.  Pearcy excelled at the plate, going 2-3 including a triple and two runs, on top of the aforementioned defensive play. 

Altamont returns to the field on Thursday to face Casey-Westfield in the regional final.  As for Central A&M, their season is over.  Snearly is the only departing senior, but with only nine other players, head coach Wayne Jordan will look to heavily revamp the squad in the offseason in hopes of future success. 

Peyton DeMichael went 3-4 and plated two but the Tornadoes couldn't overcome the pitching of Raelyn Cox as Taylorville fell to Charleston 6-3 on an overcast Tuesday evening in Chatham.  Taylorville had the first chance in the top of the second with a Kenzley Heimsness double and a walk to Hope Kietzman, but despite both runners advancing to scoring position, consecutive strikeouts stranded the runners and Taylorville couldn't score the runners. 

In the bottom of the second, Charleston's Meg Ritchey walked and Brooklyn Barges was hit by pitch.  Riley Lewis hit a triple to right center that scored two runs.  Avery Beals than scored Lewis and Lainie Keefer scored Beals on a double scoring four total in the inning. Taylorville quickly responded with a Carsen Corzine double and a Peyton DeMichael base hit that scored Corzine. With the score 4-1,Taylorville scored a couple more in the top of the fifth as Corzine walked and DeMichael once again scored her with a base hit.  Grace Rodgers got into the fun as well wiht a base hit and Taylorville trailed by one, 4-3. 

In the sixth inning Raelyn Cox hit a homer that scored her and Lanie Keefer extending the lead to 6-3.  That would be all Charleston would need.  Taylorville would go 1-2-3 quietly in the seventh.  Peyton DeMichael was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game.  Charleston will face off against Glenwood at 4:30 on Friday. 

Colton Gatton homered and scored a run on a heads up base running play as the Taylorville Tornadoes picked up a huge Apollo Conference win on Thursday evening as they beat the Mt. Zion Braves 11-5 in Taylorville. Isaac Repscher took the mound for the Tornadoes and after getting two quick outs gave up a couple walks, but got Davis Venters to fly out to end the inning.  

In the bottom of the first, the Tornadoes quickly went 1-2-3. In the top of the second, AJ Miller got a base hit for the Braves followed by a base hit from Landon Workman.  A sacrifice fly from Keegan Durbin followed by a fielders choice from Creighton Weigler scored a run and Mt. Zion led 1-0 heading into the bottom of the first. 

The Tornadoes quicly responded in the bottom of the second with a double from Kason Pembroke and a walk from Zaydyn Donaldson.  A base hit from Drew Morgan led to Pembroke scoring, and a walk from Fallon Turner scored Nollen Polley who was running for Donaldson.  Taylorville led at the end of 2 2-1. 

The lead would be short lived, as the Braves would get a triple from KWeellen Bolhorst on a shot that would ricochet off the right field fence followed by a hit by pitch on Davis Venters.  Landon Workman would get a huge base hit out to right field but would get tagged trying to extend the hit into a double but not before scoring two runs. The Braves would lead 3-2 going into the bottom of the 3rd. 

Taylorville would have a huge bottom of the third, scoring six runs courtesy of a error by Connor Fox on a Maxx Grieme hit.  Colton Gatton would homer scoring both of them.   Kason Pembroke and Zaydn Donaldson would both get base hits, Fallon Turner would double, and Carter Hennings would get a base hit.  Repscher would add a base hit as well and when the dust cleared, Taylorville led 8-3.  They wouldn't give up the lead the rest of the day. 

The Braves would add two more runs in the fourth courtesy of back to back doubles from Keegan Durbin and Creighton Weigler.  Both would score on a base hit from Connor Fox. This would cut the lead to 8-5.  Taylorville would add three more runs in the bottom of the fifth with a base hit from Carter Cappelin, Maxx Grieme and a double from Colton Gatton.  Gatton would score on a bang bang play from a base hit from Drew Morgan that saw a ground ball that went up the middle and allowed Gatton to score just behind the throw in.  The Tornadoes would head into the 7th with a 11-5 lead. 

In the top of the 7th, with Carter Cappellin on the mound, Kellen Bollhorst struck out, Davis Venters got a base hit, and AJ Miller struck out looking.  Landon Workman came up to the plate and hit a line drive base hit out to left center but a throw home from Fallon Turner nailed a sliding Venters to end the game with the tag being made at the plate giving the Taylorville Tornadoes the 11-5 win.  Taylorville improves to 11-12 and 4-6 in conference. They will take on Williamsville on the 19th. Colton Gatton was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game. 

Gatton spoke with Taylorville broadcaster Leroy Kleimola a bit after the game about his home run and about picking up the Apollo Conference win on Thursday evening.

The Taylorville Tornadoes took a 9-0 lead at the end of the first inning but couldn't hold it, but somehow survived a furious comeback by the visiting Auburn Trojans to put up an 11-10 win on Senior Night on a windy Thursday evening in Taylorville. 

After honoring, Peyton DeMichael, Mia Lyons, and Ella Reiss, the Tornadoes went to work.  DeMichael took the circle and got a quick 1-2-3 inning as the offense poured on the runs as batters 1-7 scored including Carsen Corzine, DeMichael, Grace Rogers, Macey Richardson, Olivia Gray, Hope Kietzman, and Ella Reiss all scored.  Corzine and DeMichael would score again and the Tornadoes would take a 9-0 lead going into the second inning against the Auburn defense and pitcher Emmie Womble.  

The Trojans would fight back with with runs scored by Madison Hackett, Womble and Torii Thomas to cut into the deficit 9-3. The Tornadoes added a run in the 2nd with a run from Olivia Gray to extend the lead back to 10-3. The bats from Taylorville would stay silent until the 6th. Auburn would tighten things up with two more in the 5th and three more in the 6th to cut the lead 10-8.

In the bottom of the sixth, Neveah Wiley would get a base hit.  Carsen Corzine would add on a base hit.  Peyton DeMichael would fly out to third.  Grace Rogers would fly out to left field which would bring up Kenzley Heimsness.  Pticher Jenna Arenz would throw a pitch that would go through the legs of catcher Addi Jones allowing Nevaeh Wiley to score putting Taylorville up 11-8.  This would prove to be the difference. 

In the 7th, Auburn's Kendall Lynch walked, Hadley Root got a base hit, Amelia Hayes got a base hit scoring Lynch, and Root which made it 11-10.  Jones got hit by a pitch sending the tying run to second and her the go ahead run at first.  Carsen Corzine shut the door though striking out Jenna Arenz, Skylar Meats flew out to left, and Madison Hackett flew out to Olivia Levault out in center to end the game and give the Tornadoes the win improving their record to 14-9. Taylorville will take on Mt. Zion on Friday on the road. 

Taylorville Senior Colton Gatton signed his letter of intent to play baseball at college for John Wood Community College in Quincy, Illinois on Wednesday evening.  The Senior pitcher plays several different positions and swings the bat quite well also. He says baseball has been his life and says that John Wood has a great program but also has trades which is what Gatton wants to do. 

Find out more information on John Wood baseball by visiting https://www.johnwoodblazers.com/sports/bsb/index 

The Central A&M softball team produced a dramatic 3-2 win over Warrensburg-Latham after eight innings on a windy Monday night.  The two teams came into the game with similar records and in neighboring positions in the Central Illinois Conference. 

Warrensburg-Latham started strongly, putting up two runs in the first inning.  CAM responded when Riley Hazelwonder led off the bottom half with a home run.  They equalized in the fourth when Broklin Justice singled home Brookelyn Jackson, who herself reached on a one-out double.  Their hits were the Raiders' first in the game from someone not named Riley Hazelwonder. 

In the ensuing normal innings, each team let slip an opportunity to score with the bases loaded and one out.  With the game still deadlocked in the seventh, Shelby Younker singled with one out and then attempted to steal second.  Her hesitancy in doing so meant the throw to second could easily beat her, but an error allowed her to reach safely.  She could not score, though, as Syra Sims' strikeout and Kayla McPeek's flyout sent the game into extra innings.

Riley Hazelwonder - still in the circle having started - dismissed the Cardinals in order in the eighth.  Callie Robertson led off the bottom half with a double.  She advanced to third on the next play with Brookelyn Jackson's fly-ball dropped in between on-rushing outfielders.  Wesleigh Cochran stepped up and hit a grounder to short which skipped past the infielder, allowing Robertson to cross for the winning run. 

Hazelwonder threw 14 strikeouts, including two innings in which every out took that form.  Combined with a two-for-two performance at the plate, she was named the Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  Her counterpart Kelsey Oakley also went the distance, giving up eight hits and no unintentional walks while picking up five strikeouts. 

Central A&M's record now stands at 12-10 overall and 6-2 in the conference; they host Clinton tomorrow.  Warrensburg-Latham drops to 11-12 overall and 3-4 in the conference.  Their roadtrip continues with a game against Sullivan. 

Carter Cappellin struck out 10 batters and Isaac Repscher hit a long solo shot to right field as the Taylorville Tornadoes beat Springfield Southeast Spartans 7-0 on a windy overcast Monday afternoon for Senior Night in Taylorville. 

Austin Dunphy took the loss for the Spartans as he pitched the distance but struggled especially in the second inning giving up four runs. Taylorville took advantage of a miscue in the first inning scoring as Cappellin got walked than reached third on a pickoff attempt throw that went errant.   Maxx Grieme than scored him on a base hit. 

In the second inning, Fallon Turner, Kason Pembroke, and Kade Schimmelpfenning all walked, while Carter Cappellin and Isaac Repscher both reached as well and when the dust settled the Tornadoes had a 5-0 lead. 

The Tornadoes would add more damage in the 4th with a homer from Repscher and another run from Cappellin.  Speaking of Cappellin he would pitch beautifully, only giving up a couple base hits: one to Will Tucker and one to Austin Dunphy, along with a hit by pitch to Aaron Bly.  

Grayden Hughes would come in to pitch the last few innings in relief.  Cappellin was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game for his hitting and his 10 strikeouts. Taylorville will take on Mt. Zion on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30.  

Congratulations to the Taylorville baseball Seniors!!!

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

The Central A&M softball team easily overcame Shelbyville 13-1 in five innings on Friday evening.  The Raiders proved effective on both sides of the ball to complete the regular-season sweep over the Rams. 

Shelbyville got off to a bright start when Alexis Jokisch homered with one out in the first.  A&M responded with a run of their own in the bottom half and scored in each subsequent inning.  That included eight runs in the third inning, with many of them coming with two outs.

Riley Hazelwonder stole the show with 11 strikeouts in five innings of work.  That, plus no walks and four hits, earned her the title of Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game.  Wesleigh Cochran made her own case, though.  She went 3-4 with an RBI and two runs.  For the away side, Kenzie Jones hit 2-2, which included a triple. 

Central A&M is now at 11-10 overall and 5-2 in conference games.  They host Warrensburg-Latham on Monday.  Shelbyville's record now stands at 6-8 overall and 2-3 in the conference ahead of a trip to Teutopolis.