The Beardstown Junior High Track team hit the road to Rushville on a beautiful morning last Saturday and had a very successful day in an eight-team meet. The boys placed fifth in the seventh grade meet and fourth in the eighth grade meet for a fourth-place combined finish. The girls took fourth in the seventh-grade competition and fifth in the eighth grade for a fifth-place combined finish.
Looking to prove who is queen of the area girls’ soccer jungle, the Beardstown Tigers took on two different Panther teams last week, getting a win and a tie. On Friday, the girls were on the road to Virden to take on the Panthers of North Mac. The Lady Tigers doubled them up two to one in both halves to bring home a nice 4-2 win. Xixi Marquez had two goals and an assist to lead Beardstown. Brandy Mendoza and Ashley Gil each had a goal and an assist of their own in the victory.
Despite the weather playing havoc with the schedule, the Beardstown Lady Tiger Soccer Team is off to a strong start to the 2024 season.
The Beardstown High School Track teams opened their season last Thursday, March 14, by competing at the Spoon River Indoor Invitational at Illinois College. The Tigers got off to a great start in both running and field events. Several athletes brought home their first medals of the season, while others set new personal records. Some athletes went to the starting line for the first time.
The 2024 season got off to a rough start for a young Beardstown Lady Tiger softball team as they lost on the road in their opener 18 to 3 to PORTA-AC Central in a run rule shortened four-inning game.
Following a tough loss to Illini West on the road to open the season, the Triopia-Meredosia-Virginia softball team picked up a nice win over an always tough Havana team at their place.
It was a hot start to the season for the PORTA-AC Central softball team as they won a thrilling nine-inning battle on the road at Lincoln and trounced Beardstown at home to start the season with two wins.
The Jays made a huge, late comeback to win the opener over the Railers scoring four runs in the top of the seventh to tie the score at eight and send it to extra innings. After neither team scored in the eighth the Bluejays got two in the ninth and Gabbie Branson closed the door on Lincoln in the bottom half to preserve a 10 to 8 victory. Control was the key on the mound for Branson as she walked no one in nine innings, scattering 16 hits and striking out seven. She also got it done at the plate going four for five with two RBIs. Megan Miller had three hits and two RBIs, Greta Butler had two hits and two RBIs, Karlie Hoke had two hits and one RBI and Hailey Brown had one hit and one RBI for the Jays. Bailey Dahmer added a hit and scored, and Aubrey Vogel drew a walk and scored.
In their first year in the West Central Conference, the Beardstown Tigers were well represented on the winter sports’ All Conference Teams. A total of eleven Tigers received All Conference honors in girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, and wrestling.
Earning a First Team selection in girls’ basketball was sophomore Camila Salazar. Her sister, senior Delma Salazar, was named Honorable Mention.
Congratulations go out to three members of the PORTA-AC Central Lady Bluejay basketball team for receiving statewide recognition of their efforts following their outstanding 30-2 season.
Congratulations to the AC Central 6th grade girls volleyball team on winning the Virginia Tournament held February 17th. - Congratulations to the AC Central 7th Grade girls volleyball team on their 1A Regional Championship victory over Springfield Calvary.