Senior Spotlight of the Day
The boys track team hosted our annual Charger Invite last Thursday, moving the meet up a day due to weather concerns—and it turned out to be a beautiful night for competition. The boys delivered another solid team performance, racking up 281 points—114 points ahead of second place Kewanee Wethersfield. In a fun twist, we swapped out traditional medals for custom champion t-shirts, and Orion athletes rose to the occasion by claiming 1st place in 11 events on the night. It was an outstanding showing across the board. Here is our top performers:
Will Maher
Sophomore Will Maher continues to show increasing consistency in the long jump, an event that is still relatively new to him. He put together a huge performance with a leap of 21’5.25”, surpassing the state qualifying standard of 20’10” by more than six inches. Will becomes the third athlete on the Charger squad this season to hit a state qualifying mark. He didn’t stop there—Will also placed 2nd in the 100m dash with a time of 11.57, finishing just behind teammate Owen Voorhees. In addition, he led off both the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, helping guide each team to 1st place finishes with times of 44.95 and 1:35.40. Will continues to be a key contributor to the sprints and jumps group, and his growth and composure are showing in a big way this season.
Tony Dochterman:
Tony returned to competition for the first time in nearly a month and took on a new challenge in the 300m intermediate hurdles, placing 4th with a time of 49.55 as he continues transitioning from distance events and finding his niche. He was then called on as a last-minute addition to the 4x400 relay—one of the most demanding events of the night—and stepped in without hesitation to help the team secure a 1st place finish with a time of 3:49.20, nearly four seconds ahead of second place Kewanee Wethersfield. Tony’s willingness to embrace unfamiliar roles and compete for the team highlights his selflessness and made a major impact in securing the overall victory.
Will Maher
Sophomore Will Maher continues to show increasing consistency in the long jump, an event that is still relatively new to him. He put together a huge performance with a leap of 21’5.25”, surpassing the state qualifying standard of 20’10” by more than six inches. Will becomes the third athlete on the Charger squad this season to hit a state qualifying mark. He didn’t stop there—Will also placed 2nd in the 100m dash with a time of 11.57, finishing just behind teammate Owen Voorhees. In addition, he led off both the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, helping guide each team to 1st place finishes with times of 44.95 and 1:35.40. Will continues to be a key contributor to the sprints and jumps group, and his growth and composure are showing in a big way this season.
Tony Dochterman:
Tony returned to competition for the first time in nearly a month and took on a new challenge in the 300m intermediate hurdles, placing 4th with a time of 49.55 as he continues transitioning from distance events and finding his niche. He was then called on as a last-minute addition to the 4x400 relay—one of the most demanding events of the night—and stepped in without hesitation to help the team secure a 1st place finish with a time of 3:49.20, nearly four seconds ahead of second place Kewanee Wethersfield. Tony’s willingness to embrace unfamiliar roles and compete for the team highlights his selflessness and made a major impact in securing the overall victory.
Congratulations to this year's 2026 Prom King and Queen - Will Clarke and Autumn Hoftender
Senior Spotlight of the Day
Chef Greenwood's Culinary Arts III class catered the teacher's inservice lunch this afternoon. They prepared a full meal with salads, garlic bread, pastas with various sauces, proteins, and toppings, and desserts. They did a wonderful job working as a team, and the food was outstanding!
Tonight's Baseball and Softball games have been cancelled due to impending weather.
Tonight's track meet turned out amazing and it was such a beautiful night! Thank you all who had a hand into making the Charger Invite run smoothly! Congratulations to the OHS Boys team for taking first place, well done and keep it up!
Senior Spotlight of the Day
Track Meet Parking: Due to extremely soft school grounds, parking will only be permitted in the paved parking lots at OHS for the Orion Invitational Track Meet this evening.
The JV boys track team had the opportunity to compete last night at Rock Island, taking on strong competition from much larger schools. This included Rock Island, Moline, UT, Pleasant Valley, and Alleman. These athletes represent the future of our program, and they made the most of the opportunity. With favorable weather and a great night to compete, the group came away with some well-earned medals. Here are a few highlights:
Freshman Collin Patterson is showing strong potential in the distance events this season. He set a new personal best in the 3200m with a time of 11:39.35, placing 7th overall. Collin was one of the few freshmen to crack the top 8—an impressive accomplishment. He continues to bring a positive attitude and strong work ethic each day, working closely with our volunteer distance coach, Nick Juenger. The transition from 8th grade to high school competition can be challenging, but Collin is handling it well and continues to make steady progress.
Junior Spencer Holst is already making strides in the pole vault. With just two weeks of experience in the event, he has quickly improved, setting multiple personal bests and clearing a new height of 8’6.25”. That mark earned him a 4th place finish—our highest placing medal of the night. Spencer’s rapid development in such a technical event is a great sign, and his contributions will be valuable as the team heads into larger meets later this season. Credit also goes to our new volunteer pole vault coach, Dave Voorhees, whose early impact is already evident as these athletes continue to grow in the event.
Freshman Collin Patterson is showing strong potential in the distance events this season. He set a new personal best in the 3200m with a time of 11:39.35, placing 7th overall. Collin was one of the few freshmen to crack the top 8—an impressive accomplishment. He continues to bring a positive attitude and strong work ethic each day, working closely with our volunteer distance coach, Nick Juenger. The transition from 8th grade to high school competition can be challenging, but Collin is handling it well and continues to make steady progress.
Junior Spencer Holst is already making strides in the pole vault. With just two weeks of experience in the event, he has quickly improved, setting multiple personal bests and clearing a new height of 8’6.25”. That mark earned him a 4th place finish—our highest placing medal of the night. Spencer’s rapid development in such a technical event is a great sign, and his contributions will be valuable as the team heads into larger meets later this season. Credit also goes to our new volunteer pole vault coach, Dave Voorhees, whose early impact is already evident as these athletes continue to grow in the event.
Senior Spotlight of the Day
The boys track team opened the week with their first invitational of the season, stepping into a highly competitive atmosphere at the Titan Invite with a championship on the line. They rose to the challenge in a big way, capturing 1st place out of twelve teams with a dominant 151-point performance—finishing 55 points ahead of second place Mercer County. With a full lineup and contributions across nearly every event, the Chargers showcased their depth and balance, scoring in 17 of 18 events on the night. It was a complete team effort and a strong statement as the season continues to build.
A major factor in that success came from the distance squad, which accounted for 36 points across just four events. In a meet loaded with strong competition, those performances proved to be a difference-maker. Here are a few of those standout efforts:
Junior Noah Belowske led the way, returning to form with a 2nd place finish and a time of 11:41.99. After being a consistent scorer for the team last season, Noah picked up right where he left off, positioning himself among the top contenders once again. As he continues to build his endurance, he’s setting himself up to chase new personal bests and remain a major factor in the distance events this season.
Senior Jordan Dodd is making a strong return after battling through a season-ending injury last year—an especially difficult setback for distance runners, where time and consistency are critical to development. Jordan stayed committed through a challenging cross country season, rebuilding his fitness while also dedicating time in the weight room to improve his overall strength. That work is already paying off, as he’s showing a clear return to form this spring. One of the team’s most selfless competitors, Jordan stepped up to fill a key role by taking on the 3200m—an event he hadn’t competed in for over two years—to support the team behind Noah. He rose to the occasion with a 3rd place finish in 11:59.96, delivering valuable points for the team. He followed that up with a quick turnaround in the 800m, placing 8th. Jordan’s willingness to do whatever is needed highlights his team-first mentality and leadership.
Our final performer is junior Bridger Burnham, who reached a major milestone in the 1600m by breaking the 5:00 barrier—an accomplishment that only a select number of Orion athletes have achieved over the past decade. Bridger’s time of 4:57.57 earned him a 2nd place finish and marks a significant step forward in his development. He also took on a challenging double, placing 6th in the 800m earlier in the evening, bringing his total contribution to 11 points for the team. With one of his season goals now accomplished, Bridger has put himself in position to reset his focus and chase even bigger marks as the season progresses.
A major factor in that success came from the distance squad, which accounted for 36 points across just four events. In a meet loaded with strong competition, those performances proved to be a difference-maker. Here are a few of those standout efforts:
Junior Noah Belowske led the way, returning to form with a 2nd place finish and a time of 11:41.99. After being a consistent scorer for the team last season, Noah picked up right where he left off, positioning himself among the top contenders once again. As he continues to build his endurance, he’s setting himself up to chase new personal bests and remain a major factor in the distance events this season.
Senior Jordan Dodd is making a strong return after battling through a season-ending injury last year—an especially difficult setback for distance runners, where time and consistency are critical to development. Jordan stayed committed through a challenging cross country season, rebuilding his fitness while also dedicating time in the weight room to improve his overall strength. That work is already paying off, as he’s showing a clear return to form this spring. One of the team’s most selfless competitors, Jordan stepped up to fill a key role by taking on the 3200m—an event he hadn’t competed in for over two years—to support the team behind Noah. He rose to the occasion with a 3rd place finish in 11:59.96, delivering valuable points for the team. He followed that up with a quick turnaround in the 800m, placing 8th. Jordan’s willingness to do whatever is needed highlights his team-first mentality and leadership.
Our final performer is junior Bridger Burnham, who reached a major milestone in the 1600m by breaking the 5:00 barrier—an accomplishment that only a select number of Orion athletes have achieved over the past decade. Bridger’s time of 4:57.57 earned him a 2nd place finish and marks a significant step forward in his development. He also took on a challenging double, placing 6th in the 800m earlier in the evening, bringing his total contribution to 11 points for the team. With one of his season goals now accomplished, Bridger has put himself in position to reset his focus and chase even bigger marks as the season progresses.
After a full morning of testing, OHS let off some steam with an afternoon of activities with friends.
Senior Spotlight of the Day
Senior Spotlight of the Day
Tonight's Softball game vs. Mon-Rose has been postponed to a later date. We will be making it up on Wednesday May 13th here at Orion Softball Field. It will be Varsity Only starting at 4:30pm.
Senior Spotlight of the Day
The high school boys track team had an excellent showing at the first outdoor track meet, competing in a quintangular against Rockridge, Riverdale, Mercer County, and Erie-Prophetstown. With so many standout performances, selecting top contributors was no easy task. The boys finished with an impressive 167.5 points, topping second place Mercer County by more than 40 points and taking the overall team victory. Despite battling strong winds early on, the team stayed composed and delivered competitive marks across the board to kick off the outdoor season in a big way. Stay tuned for results from our first home meet on April 10th. In the meantime, here are our top performers:
Chance Reid:
Chance has been putting in the work this season to extend his range in both the shot put and discus, and it paid off in a big way Wednesday night. Competing in the discus, he saved his best for last—delivering a massive throw on his final attempt that shattered his previous personal best by nearly 20 feet. His mark of 37.5 meters (123’) earned him 1st place in the event. Chance is stepping into a key role following the graduation of senior thrower Aiden Fisher, and with ambitious goals ahead, he’s already showing great promise early in the season.
Owen Voorhees:
Owen is carrying strong momentum into the outdoor season after closing out his indoor season with a medal in the 60m at the Illinois Top Times. He wasted no time making an impact Wednesday night, opening his 100m season with a 10.94—breaking the 11-second barrier in his first outdoor race. With his sights set on the 46-year-old school record of 10.80 set by Russ Franks in 1980, Owen continues to focus on refining his start and drive phase to find even more time. He also added a 2nd place finish in the 200m with a time of 23.40.
4x100m Relay – Will Maher, Wyatt Steen, Kaden Cirks, Owen Voorhees
The 4x100m relay squad is off to a strong start this season, opening with an impressive time of 44.97 and taking 1st place. That mark puts them just .64 seconds away from the state qualifying standard of 44.33, an encouraging sign this early in the year. While our sprint group runs deep, this quartet has stood out with their focus and precision—executing clean handoffs despite limited time together in practice. With continued work and attention to detail, this group is well-positioned to keep dropping time and make a strong push to punch a ticket to the state meet.
Pole Vault Crew – Henry DeBaillie, Kamdyn Reynolds, Spencer Holst:
We want to recognize a trio of athletes who stepped up in a big way to help fill key spots in the pole vault this season. With only two practices under their belts in this new event—and competing in challenging wind conditions—Henry, Kamdyn, and Spencer each cleared heights in their first meet of the season. Henry led the group with a 3rd place finish at 8’6”, followed by Kamdyn in 5th at 7’, and Spencer in 6th at 6’. Their combined efforts added 10 valuable points to the team total and highlight the importance of versatility and willingness to take on new challenges.
We also want to give a special shoutout to four athletes who stepped up when Coach Kayser and Coach Schroeder needed extra help at practice on Thursday due to Coach Hohl's absence. Wyatt Steen, Henry DeBaillie, Jon Habel, and Carter Sersland all volunteered additional time to assist with setting up equipment for Friday’s home meet. Hosting meets is a full team effort, and we’re proud to see these athletes demonstrate leadership, character, and a commitment to supporting the program. Thank you, gentlemen.
Let's keep our momentum rolling!
Chance Reid:
Chance has been putting in the work this season to extend his range in both the shot put and discus, and it paid off in a big way Wednesday night. Competing in the discus, he saved his best for last—delivering a massive throw on his final attempt that shattered his previous personal best by nearly 20 feet. His mark of 37.5 meters (123’) earned him 1st place in the event. Chance is stepping into a key role following the graduation of senior thrower Aiden Fisher, and with ambitious goals ahead, he’s already showing great promise early in the season.
Owen Voorhees:
Owen is carrying strong momentum into the outdoor season after closing out his indoor season with a medal in the 60m at the Illinois Top Times. He wasted no time making an impact Wednesday night, opening his 100m season with a 10.94—breaking the 11-second barrier in his first outdoor race. With his sights set on the 46-year-old school record of 10.80 set by Russ Franks in 1980, Owen continues to focus on refining his start and drive phase to find even more time. He also added a 2nd place finish in the 200m with a time of 23.40.
4x100m Relay – Will Maher, Wyatt Steen, Kaden Cirks, Owen Voorhees
The 4x100m relay squad is off to a strong start this season, opening with an impressive time of 44.97 and taking 1st place. That mark puts them just .64 seconds away from the state qualifying standard of 44.33, an encouraging sign this early in the year. While our sprint group runs deep, this quartet has stood out with their focus and precision—executing clean handoffs despite limited time together in practice. With continued work and attention to detail, this group is well-positioned to keep dropping time and make a strong push to punch a ticket to the state meet.
Pole Vault Crew – Henry DeBaillie, Kamdyn Reynolds, Spencer Holst:
We want to recognize a trio of athletes who stepped up in a big way to help fill key spots in the pole vault this season. With only two practices under their belts in this new event—and competing in challenging wind conditions—Henry, Kamdyn, and Spencer each cleared heights in their first meet of the season. Henry led the group with a 3rd place finish at 8’6”, followed by Kamdyn in 5th at 7’, and Spencer in 6th at 6’. Their combined efforts added 10 valuable points to the team total and highlight the importance of versatility and willingness to take on new challenges.
We also want to give a special shoutout to four athletes who stepped up when Coach Kayser and Coach Schroeder needed extra help at practice on Thursday due to Coach Hohl's absence. Wyatt Steen, Henry DeBaillie, Jon Habel, and Carter Sersland all volunteered additional time to assist with setting up equipment for Friday’s home meet. Hosting meets is a full team effort, and we’re proud to see these athletes demonstrate leadership, character, and a commitment to supporting the program. Thank you, gentlemen.
Let's keep our momentum rolling!
Senior Spotlight of the Day
This afternoon, Kale Filler signed his letter of intent to pursue his passion and play football at Monmouth College this fall. Congratulations, Kale!
