Both Sandwich and Seneca high schools chose this week to leave their current conference homes, the Kishwaukee River and Tri-County, respectively, to become the 9th and 10th members of the Illinois Central Eight Conference.

After serving as an assistant coach for the boys team for the last four years, Brent Thomas has been hired as the head coach for the La Salle-Peru boys and girls swimming teams, replacing long-time coach Rob McNally.

La Salle-Peru's Aubrey Duttlinger and Mendota's Mariyah Elam look to be in the medal hunt at the Class 2A girls state track and field meet.

Glenn Hall, a 2005 La Salle-Peru alumnus, has been hired as L-P's boys basketball coach. He played at L-P under Luke Yaklich and was an assistant coach for the Cavaliers the last three years under John Senica.

Mendota's Sebastian Carlos qualified for state track, the St. Bede and Mendota softball teams advanced to regional finals and more in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Brynna Anderson hit a solo homer to spark the offense and Rachel Eckert was dominant in the circle as Henry-Senachwine beat Putnam County in a regional semifinal.

Today will officially be known as “Virginia Day” when St. Bede hosts Mendota at the Academy ball diamond. It is a tribute to a “Mom, Grandma, friend and all-time super fan.”

Several area teams took part in the Class 2A Rochelle Boys Track Sectional Wednesday including Byron, Dixon, Kaneland, Mendota, Plano, Rochelle, Rock Falls, Sandwich, Sterling and Sycamore, here are photos of the running events at the meet.

Taylor Vescogni struck out 11 in a three-hitter, and Anna Riva homered and turned a diving double play as La Salle-Peru defeated Sterling 4-1 in their Class 3A Sterling Regional opener on Tuesday.