Athlete of the Month: Celebrating Excellence in Local Sports Teams

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Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month: KayLynn Buttry Concludes Sensational Basketball Career

February 23 2026 at 2:42 PM

WOOD RIVER - KayLynn Buttry signed to continue her academic and basketball career at Greenville...

Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Male Athlete Of The Month: Marquette Catholic's Jack Beaber Commits to Wisconsin-Whitewater

February 23 2026 at 1:32 PM

ALTON - Jack Beaber is heading into what he expects to be a strong season in track and field at Marquett...

Tom Lane State Farm Insurance CM Male Athlete Of The Month: Knox Verbais Overcomes Illness to Claim State Wrestling Runner Up

February 21 2026 at 9:18 PM

CHAMPAIGN — Fighting through illness, Knox Verbais put together an impressive run at the IHSA...

Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of Month: Anderson Hits Game-Winning Free Throw With 0.5 Seconds For Tigers' Win Over Quincy

February 20 2026 at 3:55 PM

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville girls basketball freshman guard Journey Anderson proved to be the biggest...

Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete Of the Month: Sophomore Delaney Ortmann Emerges As Key Player For Marquette Catholic

February 20 2026 at 2:16 PM

ALTON — Delaney Ortmann, a 5-foot-10 sophomore for Marquette Catholic’s regional champion...

Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Male Athlete Of Month: Marquette Catholilc's Bauer Signs with Illinois College Baseball

February 18 2026 at 9:51 AM

ALTON – Carson Bauer, an outfielder and pitcher from Marquette Catholic, signed his letter...

Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month: Rayna Raglin Dominates Dr. Conrad Worrill Invitational in Chicago

February 16 2026 at 3:54 PM

CHICAGO - Rayna Raglin of Alton has picked up right where she left off at the end of the 2025 outdoor...

Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete Of Month: Taliyah Sykes Provides Senior Leadership To Granite City Girls Basketball Team

February 16 2026 at 2:19 PM

EDWARDSVILLE - Taliyah Sykes is a senior guard for the girls basketball team at Granite City High...

Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of The Month: Mia Semith Tops 1,000-Point Plateau, Has Had Remarkable Career With Tigers

February 16 2026 at 2:06 PM

EDWARDSVILLE - Mia Semith played her final regular-season home game on Feb. 12, 2026, and went ou...

Sparklight Female Athlete Of Month: Cali Breden Earns All-State Honors

February 16 2026 at 10:00 AM

JERSEYVILLE — Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 announced that Cali Breden has...

Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of Month: Southwestern's Mikayla Means Advances To Girls Wrestling Sectional

February 10 2026 at 5:15 PM

PIASA - Mikayla Means, a wrestler for Southwestern, placed third at the regional on Saturday,...

Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of The Month: Oilers' Ethan Barrett Is Recognized For Commitment To Bowling

February 10 2026 at 4:27 PM

WOOD RIVER - Ethan Barrett, a senior at East Alton-Wood River, is being recognized for bowling after...

Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month: Oilers Senior Aubrey Cathey Excels in High School Cheerleading

February 10 2026 at 4:15 PM

WOOD RIVER - Aubrey Cathey, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for...

Sparklight Male Athlete Of The Month: Panthers' Senior Jude Jones Commits To Greenville University To Play Baseball

February 10 2026 at 3:54 PM

JERSEYVILLE — Jude Jones, a senior multi-sport athlete at Jersey Community Unit School...

Stillwater Senior Living Female Athletes Of The Month: Three Granite City Girls Wrestlers Advance to Sectional Competition

February 10 2026 at 3:31 PM

GRANITE CITY - Granite City Wrestling’s Lady Warriors hosted a girls regional tournament...

Sparklight Female Athlete Of The Month: Jersey Community Freshman Stands Out At IHSA Girls Wrestling Regional

February 10 2026 at 3:17 PM

JACKSONVILLE — It is a rare feat for a freshman to advance high in the ranks o...

Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of Month: Journey Anderson Enjoys A Successful Freshman Season For Edwardsville

February 10 2026 at 1:58 PM

EDWARDSVILLE - Journey Anderson has been enjoying a successful freshman season for the Edwardsville...

Auto Butler Female Athlete Of The Month: Alton Four-Year Starter Kaylea Lacey Is Key Player For Redbirds Again

February 10 2026 at 1:47 PM

EDWARDSVILLE - Kaylea Lacey is a senior forward and a four-year starter for the Alton High girls...

Johnson, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month: Guard Carson Barone Has Made Key Contributions To Father McGivney Catholic's Squad

February 10 2026 at 12:34 PM

GLEN CARBON - Carson Barone is a junior guard who's made many contributions to the most successful...

Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athletes Of The Month: Seven Eagles Advance to Sectional After Close Regional Finish

February 9 2026 at 11:11 AM

JACKSONVILLE - Civic Memorial High School’s girls wrestling team came up one point short...

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At Riverbender.com, the spirit of competition and sportsmanship comes alive as we honor the exceptional achievements of individual athletes across 12 distinguished local high school teams. Our Athlete of the Month feature shines a spotlight on those who have gone above and beyond on the field, displaying excellence, dedication, and a love for the game. From the relentless determination of the Edwardsville Tigers to the unwavering teamwork of the Alton Redbirds, we celebrate these athletes who inspire us all. Join us in recognizing the Athlete of the Month, a tribute to hard work, talent, and the vibrant sports community in our region. Explore profiles, interviews, highlights, and more, as we pay homage to the local heroes of our favorite sports.