Athlete of the Month: Celebrating Excellence in Local Sports Teams

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Tom Lane Female Athlete Of Month: CM Cheerleader Alee Goodman Selected To Perform At 2025 Varsity Spirit Event In Orlando, Fla.

February 24 2025 at 4:00 PM

MEMPHIS, TENN. – Alee Goodman, a cheerleader from Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto,...

Spencer Homes Male Athlete Of The Month: Edwardsville Diver Derek Ruehl Shines In Springboard Competition

February 24 2025 at 3:36 PM

EDWARDSVILLE — Derek Ruehl, a junior diver for the Edwardsville Tigers, won the one-meter springboar...

Midwest Members Male Athlete Of Month: Roxana's Lyndon Thies Secures Second Place At Class 1A State Finals

February 22 2025 at 9:02 PM

CHAMPAIGN — Roxana's Lyndon Thies earned a second-place finish in the Class 1A State...

Tom Lane State Farm Male Athlete Of Month: Civic Memorial High School's Ruckman Secures Second At State Finals

February 22 2025 at 8:54 PM

CHAMPAIGN - Civic Memorial High School wrestler Bradley Ruckman finished second at the Illinois...

Midwest Members Male Athlete Of Month: EAWR Wrestler Drake Champlin Achieves Milestone With State Championship

February 22 2025 at 8:17 PM

CHAMPAIGN — Drake Champlin of EAWR has claimed the title of Class 1A 215-pound IHS...

Sparklight Male Athlete Of Month For Panthers: Freshman Maddox Williams Records His First State Win

February 21 2025 at 11:15 AM

CHAMPAIGN — Maddox Williams, a freshman wrestler from Jersey Community Unit School District...

Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete Of Month: Dedicated Wrestler Tyler Adams Celebrates Four Years of Success

February 21 2025 at 10:51 AM

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

Stillwater Senior Living Female Athletes Of Month: Granite City Basketball Girls Record 12 Wins Under Coach Twitchell

February 18 2025 at 5:47 AM

GRANITE CITY - For the Warriors, the loss to Alton in Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, girls regional at Granit...

Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of Month: Oilers' Kayley Plank's Cheerleading Journey Inspires Peers and Community

February 13 2025 at 11:05 AM

WOOD RIVER - Kayley Plank, a senior at East Alton Wood River High School, has been recognized for...

Auto Butler Athletes of the Month for the Redbirds: All-SWC Alton Cheerleaders Lead Squad To Success

February 12 2025 at 2:50 PM

ALTON - Alton High Head Cheer Coach Megan Hodge had only positive things to say about the contributions...

Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of Month: Kennedy Gieseking Makes Important Contributions To Tigers Girls Basketball Team

February 11 2025 at 4:50 PM

EDWARDSVILLE - Sophomore guard Kennedy Gieseking is perhaps the most important player who comes of...

Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month: Multi-Sports Star Jack Piening Making Waves At Civic Memorial

February 11 2025 at 11:57 AM

BETHALTO - Jack Piening, a 6-foot-1 senior guard at Civic Memorial High School, has established himself...

Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete Of Month For CM: Avery Huddleston Shines In Key Basketball Matchup

February 10 2025 at 3:02 PM

WOOD RIVER — Avery Huddleston demonstrated her skills on the basketball court as the Civic Memorial...

Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athletes Of Month: Shells' Chamberlain, Hart, Both Achieve Cheerleading Excellence

February 10 2025 at 9:55 AM

ROXANA - Lexi Chamberlain and Macy Hart, two senior cheerleaders from Roxana High School, have made...

Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of Month: Guard Sophie Shapiro Plays Key Role In Tigers Success

February 4 2025 at 4:23 PM

EDWARDSVILLE - Although Edwardsville's girls' basketball team lost a close decision to Belleville...

Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athletes Of Month: Roxana Cheer Program Celebrates Tradition of Excellence and Hard Work

February 4 2025 at 9:30 AM

ROXANA - The Roxana Cheer Team has qualified for the IHSA State Championships in Bloomington this...

Auto Butler Male Athlete Of Month: Expectations High For Redbirds' Hank McClaine In 2025 Track Season

January 30 2025 at 4:34 PM

ALTON - Hank McClaine, a middle distances to distance runner at Alton High School, secured first place...

Spencer Homes Female Athlete Of The Month: Mia Semith's All-Around Skills Elevate Tigers' Performance

January 30 2025 at 2:42 PM

EDWARDSVILLE - Mia Semith, who emerged as an important player for Edwardsville's girls basketball...

Sparklight Female Athletes Of The Month: Two Jersey Cheerleaders Also Selected To MVC All-Conference Team

January 30 2025 at 10:34 AM

JERSEYVILLE - Two Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 cheerleaders, Makayla Woolsey...

Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athletes Of Month: Marquette Catholic Dance Team Advances To State Championships Again

January 28 2025 at 11:52 AM

ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School Dance Team has secured a spot at the IHSA State Championship...

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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.

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