Author Archives: Nick Miller

Girls golf starts strong with wins at multiple events

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The Lady Panthers Golf Team poses with their first place trophy earned at the Goalby/Haas Invitational on August 16. (Submitted Photo)

By Nick Miller

O’FALLON – The Lady Panthers Golf Team has been bringing home the awards and proving that despite having five of six girls leave due to graduation this season, they are still a force to be reckoned with.

On Saturday, August 18, the Lady Panthers participated in the Belleville West Invitational, ultimately taking second and third place out of 13 schools. OTHS entered two teams in the varsity tournament.

Overall, Chloe Davidson won third place with a score of 84, while Kelly Short brought home seventh with an 87. Grace Meade won eighth by shooting an 89 and Briana McMinn tied with Elizabeth Henken for ninth with each shooting a 90.

Rounding out the OTHS entries, Dylan Kirchoff shot 91, Sophie Koesterer scored a 93, Maddie Vanderheyden put up a 94, Christina Favela shot 100, and Kaitlynn Marrs scored 110.

On Thursday the team competed in the Bob Goalby/Jay Haas Invitational at St. Clair Country Club. The Lady Panthers proved to be an unstoppable force, taking first place in the tournament. Additionally, Briana McMinn won first place by shooting an impressive 37.

Christina Favela tied for second by shooting a 44. Kelly Short and Chloe Davidson tied for sixth, while Elizabeth Henken took the eighth place position.

Earlier in the month on August 10, the team took first place in the MetroEast Scramble/Shamble. The team of Briana McMinn and Elizabeth Henken scored 71, while Christina Favela and Kelly Short put up a 73. Chloe Davidson and Sophie Koesterer rounded out the OTHS entries with a 75.

The season started on August 9 at the Illinois Prep Tour Showcase event in northern Illinois, where they finished sixth out of 15 teams. According to Coach Chris Eddy, this event is an invitation only event where five teams from northern Illinois, five teams from central Illinois, and five teams from southern Illinois are invited to compete. 

Briana McMinn led the team scoring an 84, while Chloe Davidson was close behind her with an 87. Elizabeth Henken shot a 91 and Sophie Koesterer scored 92.

An event on Monday at Far Oaks was rained out.

Two Cents Worth: A successful local paper is a team effort

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By Nick Miller

Over the past few weeks I’ve used this space to thank long time writers of mine who have moved on to other endeavors. As of right now, the Weekly has two full time writers, Annabelle and myself. 

With that said, I’m asking for help, specifically from the parents of OTHS athletes.

It never fails that when I attend a sports event, I see parents with nicer cameras than I have taking photos to share on social media. I think its wonderful that parents are so engaged and interested in documenting their child’s accomplishments, but also in sharing photos of other athletes with their parents. 

I’d humbly ask these parents to please consider sending a few photos to the Weekly with a short description of each photo, containing the name of players pictured, what game the photo was taken at, and the final score of the game. Quite honestly, this will help ensure that your athlete’s team is featured in the Weekly, as we currently have no sports writer. 

This issue features photos submitted by parents for both boys golf and soccer, and their help is greatly appreciated.

This is not to say I won’t be on the sidelines taking photos as often as I can, but the reality is that I have yet to perfect cloning technology as much as I’ve tried. This past weekend was a great example, as Annabelle and I were stretched thin covering City Fest as well as the football and soccer scrimmages on Friday and Saturday. While we were able to post a large number of photos to OFallonWeekly.com, unfortunately I was unable to make it to both scrimmages in time to take photos of the freshman teams. Additionally, I had to leave to get back to City Fest before the alumni soccer game could begin. 

I feel bad that I couldn’t get those photos, but I can only do what I can do. 

So folks, I’m putting hat in hand and asking for help covering our community. With your help, we can make sure all of the areas great athletes are given the recognition they deserve. 

Please send photos and submissions to Nick@OFallonWeekly.com. Thank you!

OTHS soccer season begins at Blue & Gold scrimmage

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O’FALLON – The season began Saturday for the O’Fallon High School boys soccer team with their annual Blue & Gold scrimmage. The event began with the freshman team practicing prior to a game between the JV and Varsity squads. Following the conclusion of that game, the OTHS soccer alumni played in a friendly game.
(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

Scenes from Saturday at City Fest

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O’FALLON – The inaugural City Fest continued on Saturday, August 18, with a car show and a biathlon both starting at 8 a.m. Rides, games, and food opened by noon, and a variety of musical acts played through the day. The parade took place at 5 p.m.  

Crowds were larger on the second day, especially following the conclusion of the parade. 
(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos from the first day of City Fest, click HERE

To view photos from Saturday’s parade, click HERE.

Residents line the street for the City Fest Parade

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O’FALLON – Crowds of people lined up along South Lincoln Avenue Saturday evening for the inaugural City Fest’s parade. 

The stream of cars and parade entries began at Old City Hall, located just north of the intersection of North Lincoln and Washington Street, and headed south until it ended at the intersection of South Lincoln and 7th Street.

There were a wide variety of entries, including first responders, marching bands, local politicians, businesses, civic organizations, school groups, and more.

Check out photos from the first day of City Fest by clicking HERE

Check out photos from the second day of City Fest by clicking HERE

Students rally to support teams at Blue & Gold Scrimmage

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The student section at the north end of the OTHS football field was teeming with excitement for the starting season at Friday evening’s Blue & Gold Scrimmage. 

The scrimmage, held on Friday, August 17, featured all of the various levels of area football, from Little Panthers all the way to Varsity. Additionally, the cheerleaders, Golden Girls, and Marching Panthers performed for the crowd.

(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos of the Little Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girls, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girl campers performance, click HERE.

To view photos of the Cheerleaders, click HERE.

To view photos of JV football, click HERE.

To view photos of Varsity football, click HERE.

To view photos of the Marching Panthers, click HERE.

Varsity football ready to begin season at Blue & Gold Scrimmage

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Head Coach Brandon Joggerst’s varsity football team seems prepared to begin their regular season after taking part in the annual Blue & Gold Scrimmage exercises. 

The event, held on Friday, August 17, featured all of the various levels of area football, from Little Panthers all the way to Varsity. Additionally, the cheerleaders, Golden Girls, and Marching Panthers performed for the crowd.

(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos of the Little Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girls, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girl campers performance, click HERE.

To view photos of the Cheerleaders, click HERE.

To view photos of JV football, click HERE.

To view photos of the Marching Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the student section, click HERE.

Marching Panthers give brief glimpse of show at Blue & Gold Scrimmage

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The O’Fallon Marching Panthers took to the field and gave the crowd at the annual Blue & Gold Scrimmage a brief glimpse of the show they plan to perform at competitions this year. The Marching Panthers play at home football games throughout the season.

The Blue & Gold event, held on Friday, August 17, featured all of the various levels of area football, from Little Panthers all the way to Varsity. Additionally, the cheerleaders, Golden Girls, and Marching Panthers performed for the crowd.

(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos of the Little Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girls, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girl campers performance, click HERE.

To view photos of the Cheerleaders, click HERE.

To view photos of JV football, click HERE.

To view photos of Varsity football, click HERE.

To view photos of the student section, click HERE.

JV Football team prepares for season at Blue & Gold Scrimmage

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The O’Fallon High School JV Football team took part in scrimmage games at the annual Blue & Gold Scrimmage. 

The Blue & Gold event, held on Friday, August 17, featured all of the various levels of area football, from Little Panthers all the way to Varsity. Additionally, the cheerleaders, Golden Girls, and Marching Panthers performed for the crowd.

(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos of Little Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the Cheerleaders, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girls, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girl campers performance, click HERE.

To view photos of Varsity football, click HERE.

To view photos of the Marching Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the student section, click HERE.

Little Panthers Football hits the gridiron at Blue & Gold Scrimmage

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The O’Fallon Little Panthers Football teams took part in scrimmage games at the annual Blue & Gold Scrimmage. The 6U and 7U teams first took the field, followed by the 9U and 10U teams. Later the 11U and 12U teams practiced at each end of the field. 

Additionally, the Little Panthers Cheerleaders got the crowd excited for the evening by performing on the sideline.

The Blue & Gold event, held on Friday, August 17, featured all of the various levels of area football, from Little Panthers all the way to Varsity. Additionally, the cheerleaders, Golden Girls, and Marching Panthers performed for the crowd.

(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos of the Cheerleaders, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girls, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girl campers performance, click HERE.

To view photos of JV football, click HERE.

To view photos of Varsity football, click HERE.

To view photos of the Marching Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the student section, click HERE.

Golden Girls take the field at Blue & Gold Scrimmage

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The O’Fallon Township High School Golden Girls, both Varsity and JV, took to the field to perform at the annual kickoff to football season, the Blue & Gold Scrimmage.

The event, held on Friday, August 17, featured all of the various levels of area football, from Little Panthers all the way to Varsity. Additionally, the cheerleaders, Golden Girls, and Marching Panthers performed for the crowd.

(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos of the Little Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the Cheerleaders, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girl campers performance, click HERE.

To view photos of JV football, click HERE.

To view photos of Varsity football, click HERE.

To view photos of the Marching Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the student section, click HERE.

Golden Girls Campers perform at Blue & Gold Scrimmage

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The O’Fallon Township High School Golden Girls performed a variety of dances with the young girls who took part in the team’s summer camp at the annual Blue & Gold Scrimmage.

The event, held on Friday, August 17, featured all of the various levels of area football, from Little Panthers all the way to Varsity. Additionally, the cheerleaders, Golden Girls, and Marching Panthers performed for the crowd.

(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos of the Little Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girls, click HERE.

To view photos of the Cheerleaders, click HERE.

To view photos of JV football, click HERE.

To view photos of Varsity football, click HERE.

To view photos of the Marching Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the student section, click HERE.

OTHS Cheerleaders excite crowd at Blue & Gold Scrimmage

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The O’Fallon Township High School cheerleaders took to the field to perform at the annual kickoff to football season, the Blue & Gold Scrimmage.

The event, held on Friday, August 17, featured all of the various levels of area football, from Little Panthers all the way to Varsity. Additionally, the cheerleaders, Golden Girls, and Marching Panthers performed for the crowd.

(O’Fallon Weekly Photos by Nick Miller)

To view photos of the Little Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girls, click HERE.

To view photos of the Golden Girl campers performance, click HERE.

To view photos of JV football, click HERE.

To view photos of Varsity football, click HERE.

To view photos of the Marching Panthers, click HERE.

To view photos of the student section, click HERE.

What’s happening around O’Fallon this weekend, August 17-19

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There is always a lot going on in and around the O’Fallon area. Check out some of the events you just can’t miss…

For everyone… The big show this weekend is the inaugural O’Fallon City Fest, taking place Friday and Saturday in Community Park. The fun kicks off on Friday at 4 p.m. with rides, games, and wall climbing, along with food and drinks. At 5 p.m., tethered hot air balloon rides will be available, weather permitting. Then from 6-10 p.m. Boulderdash will play on the main stage.

On Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., visitors can embrace their inner gear head and enjoy a car show. Also at 8 a.m., the Biathalon 1 mile run/10 mile bike race will begin. 

Food and drink stands, rides, games, and the wall climb open at noon. From 1-3 p.m., 3rd Floor will take to the main stage.

Starting at 5 p.m., the City Fest parade will being starting on North Lincoln by Old City Hall and ending at 7th and South Lincoln, traveling straight down Lincoln Avenue.

Tethered hot air balloon rides and the Shriners Drum and Bugle Corp performance will both begin at 6 p.m. Finally, Social Remedy will play on the main stage from 7-10 p.m.

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