The Next Level: Graduate athlete roundup (Jan. 30)

Many athletes who spent their high school years in Fayette County have moved on to play for college or professional teams. Below are the athletes who recently made headlines.

Sierah Ruffner • Freshman • Greenville • Track

•Jan. 25 – Ruffner, a Vandalia graduate, placed first in the high jump at the Illinois College Snow Bird Open. She cleared 4 feet, 11 inches for the win. GC placed seventh of 12 teams.

Quenten Austin • Sophomore • Carthage •Track

•Jan. 24 – Austin, a Vandalia graduate, participated in two events at the North Central Cardinal Opener. He placed ninth in the long jump finals, with a leap of 19 feet, 11 3/4 inches, and was 12th in the 60-meter hurdle preliminaries, with a time of 9.08 seconds. Carthage finished fourth, with 66 points.

Marty Johnson • Junior • Illinois College • Basketball

•Jan. 25 – Johnson, a Vandaila graduate, played 10 minutes off of the bench in a 79-62 win against Lake Forest College. He had two points, two rebounds and an assist in the game.
•Jan. 22 – Johnson played five minutes off of the bench in a 98-75 win at Grinnell College. He had two points in one steal in the game.