Passing the Torch: Jacob Walton Becomes Peoria Christian’s All-Time Scoring Leader
The day was just beginning to turn into evening as a Peoria Christian Soccer legend, Jonny Lehman, joined with Charger Nation to honor the school’s new all-time scoring leader, Jacob Walton. Jonny was a member of both the 2009 and 2010 State Finals teams for Peoria Christian. He scored 37 goals in 2010 and a total of 76 career goals during his career. Coach Hynek said of Jonny, “Jonny has been vested to the soccer program from day one. That started as a player who had an incredible care and has continued throughout the years as he has invested his time and expertise in the program” Hynek continued, “it was an honor to have him back here to join us in honoring Jacob.”
A Blessing On The Links
On Monday, September 8th Peoria Chrisitan hosted their annual golf outing at Mt. Hawley Country Club. The beautiful morning was like a gift directly from God with the sun shining brightly to warm the crisp morning air. A sense of optimism gripped the 104 golfers who participated in the best ball competition as teams teed off at 8:30. It was said by many, “There could not have been a more perfect day to golf.”
Each year the outing attracts golfers from all skill levels and is a beautiful representation of Kingdom Community. It is an opportunity for alumni, community leaders and new families alike to connect with the Peoria Christian family. Peoria Christian leadership and Superintendent, Dr. Angie Lyons, do not see this event as a typical fundraiser. It is an opportunity for the Peoria Christian community to come together to connect, fellowship and enjoy the goodness of God.
In addition to the food, fun and fellowship, competition took place on the links. While there were no losers, there were some winners announced! Jordan Meiss, Adam Jelinck, Joshua Lanning, Timothy Smile took 1st place in A Flight shooting 20 under. Jason Gama, Quinn Cox, Jason Miller, Clayton Waller took a close 2nd in A Flight shooting 19 under. JB Flight came down to a scorecard playoff with Jordan Embree, Jimmy Burchett, Evan Dagit, David Lews shooting 11 under while Kevin Brown, Matt Kwasnik, Dave Logan, Jake Beck were awarded 2nd place with the same score.
The incredible event would not have been possible without the numerous volunteers and generous sponsors. Sponsors included: Mike Quine, OSF – Dr. Jordan Meiss, Home Mortgage Specialists, Peoria Mold , Samaritan Ministries, Dan Waibel Design and Build, Jason and Katie Gama, Clark Management, Zobrist Construction, Clark and Meiss Group, Unland Companies, Morton Community Banks, Gordan, Stockman and Waugh, and PHD Cleaners.
A Light on the Links
The Gospel account of Matthew captured what we have come to know as “The Sermon on the Mount.” In that sermon Jesus encouraged his disciples, “You are the light to the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” On Monday, September 8th, the Peoria Christian Varsity Gold team shined.
Before the sun had risen the Chargers were at Mt. Hawley Country Club helping get everything ready for Peoria Christians Annual Golf Outing. The team served before, during and after the event. In addition to completing needed tasks like setting out signs, moving carts, and carrying clubs and coolers the team split into groups and served alongside school representatives on holes 17 and 18. Unable to swing a club due to IHSA rules, the varsity golfers encouraged, gave advice, fetched water and whatever else was needed. Numerous golf participants commented on how helpful the team was. This was all before noon; the team still had a match that evening.
The ministry didn’t stop with the golf outing. The team continued to let their light shine that evening at the match. So much so that one of the opposing coaches sent an email on Tuesday morning to Chargers Athletic Director, Cory Hynek. It shared, “Yesterday, we played against your team. The kindness that Coach Jason Miller and his players displayed towards us was absolutely first class. The kids were so kind to my golfer and so positive with him even though he is a beginner. When we left yesterday and got in the car my player said to me "those guys were really nice to me". It really was great to see this as I hardly ever see this type of class.”
When asked about his team’s willingness to serve and be a light on and off the course Coach Miller said, “This game is so much more than just trying to out play your opponent, and we try to teach that often. It was such a great compliment and encouragement to see our guys showing Christ’s love on the course.” The Chargers under the leadership of Coach Miller are truly being a light on the links.
Cross Country Aims to Run the Race of a Great Season
The Cross-Country team is off and running! Coach Schellenberg returns for his fifth season leading the program. With a young group returning he hopes to build off of last season’s success. The Charger graduated four senior girls Claire Ayoub, Josie Whalen, Tarikua Kellerstrass, and Carrissa Egland. Coach shared, “They helped build our program from the ground up, ran a lot of miles for our team, put in a lot of work for us. Ran some great races and were the first girls’ team to advance as a team since 2013.” When asked about the culture the seniors brough he continued, “They had a love for running and each other which affected the team in a positive way. They brought a lot of personality to practice and always made practice so much fun.”
Despite graduating a great class Coach is excited with the young talent the Chargers have. Micah Stubbs is coming off his freshman year and the squad is excited to see the jump he makes from freshman to sophomore year. Allyn Uhler will be the first boy to run all four years for Coach Schellenberg. Allyn will be the leader of the team and set the tone. The team also added new sophomore David Wilmoth.
The Chargers are young but, the goal is improvement each week. Coach’s goal is to have the team ready for big meets at Elmwood and Metamora late in the season. Above the competition Coach Schellenberg is believing God will us the sport and time together to accomplish more than winning any meets. Citing Psalm 127:1 coach added, “My goal is our team will train our spiritual bodies as much as our physical this year, developing habits for both. We want the Lord to help build it.”
Charger Nation’s Tennis Team is Full of Talent!
The Peoria Christian Girls tennis team returns this season on wave of momentum with high aspirations of a breakout season. Coach Amy Palm, who founded and built the program, returned for her tenth season leading the Chargers. Feeling a calling to coach she began coaching right out of college and has been fulfilling that call for twenty-five years in the Peoria area.
The Chargers return their #1 doubles team from last season, senior, Miah Collings and junior, Kennedi Dewitt. The growth of these two athletes over the last two seasons has been encouraging according to Coach Palm. She continued, “I am excited to see them compete for the Lord and give Him glory on the court.” Also returning is Sophomore, Izzie George. Izzie broke the school record last year for the most varsity tennis wins in singles and doubles. Her doubles partner last year was Ella Crow. The previous record was held by Grace Meister in 2020. When asked about the fire inside Izzie coach shared, “Izzie is a fierce competitor and a great athlete!”
The Chargers have more depth than ever before with eighteen girls on the team. Delaney Segroves returns to the coaching staff along with new assistant Matt George. He brings experience and a wealth of tennis knowledge. All in all the Chargers are planning on having a memorable season.
Coach Palm and the team look to have success on the court, but that is not the sole mission. Coach says, “Our tennis team mission is to help each other find and follow Jesus. We put Jesus first and make sure that we give glory to Him! Our team is focusing on being “All In” for the Lord and to be there for each other with confidence.”
Varsity Volleyball Is Aces With Us
Anticipation is on the horizon as Coach Susan Fox leads the Peoria Christian Chargers into her 40th season as Varsity Coach. Coach Fox is the sole Volleyball Coach in the history of the program. Even with the years of experience, Coach would be the first one to tell you that every season is unique.
The Chargers team will begin the 2025 campaign with some uncertainty as it graduated top players Emily Damerell (top utility), Carson Tilson (attack efficiency) and Molly Hellinga (backrow). Additionally, two starters (Violet Hynek and Emma Persinger) from the 2024 team suffered injuries in the offseason.
Despite some uncertainty, the Chargers have some top players returning. This year’s team includes Seniors Mia Brunson and Audrey Sanders. Mia is an experienced middle player with great athleticism that can block and hit with authority. Audrey is a four-year starter that is closing in on some PCS records. She already holds the school record for the number of serves in. She is approaching school records in both the number of Digs and Aces.
When you add in Junior, Evi Staley, and several other talented underclassmen, this is certainly a team on the rise. Regardless of what happens in the win/loss column, Coach Fox’s goal is that this team will learn to strive together; citing the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 1:27, “I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”
High School Soccer Starts Off Strong
There is excitement in the air as another season of Peoria Christian Soccer is set to kick off! Longtime coach, Cory Hynek, returns for his 19th season at the helm. Hynek has built one of the top soccer programs in the state. That is a standard that has been carried year after year. The Charges have won five consecutive regional Championships that included a 4th place state finish in 2023.
The Chargers did graduate arguably the greatest class in program history. Quinton Hynek (3-time All-State, National Christian School Player of the Year) is continuing his soccer career at Clark University. Four-year starter, Josh Walton (All Time shutout leader in PCS history), graduated along with four-year varsity player, JN Kniep.
When asked about last year’s class Hynek shared, “That senior class was special because they all set a tone for the team to find success. Quinton's leadership and high soccer IQ brought the team to be one of the top 1A schools in the state and he is the only multiyear All State player in soccer history. Josh's confidence helped the team to achieve the goals they had set and that helped grow everyone's confidence in themselves and the team and JN was able to contribute all 4 years at the varsity level, and his work ethic alone helped the team's overall work rate because of the levels and the way he played.
Despite the senior class departure, the cupboard is not bare for the Chargers. The program has another ultra-talented senior class; Colson Below, Trae Brickner, Jacob Walton, Myles Zimmerman and Josiah Kniep. Below is strong competitor and a high-level player that has received All-Sectional recognition multiple times. State Track Champion and multi-sport athlete Trae Brickner and his extreme athleticism has the versatility to play multiple positions at a high level. Jacob Walton set the single season goals scored record in 24 is looking to break the all-time mark in 25. Myles Zimmerman is the vocal leader of the team who raises the competitiveness at practice and will be taking on an advanced role this season. Josiah Kniep is a skilled player who will continue to help shape the midfield and has the skill to score and tackle on the defensive end.
The Chargers are poised to make another deep postseason run under the leadership of Hynek. Despite the lofty goals and expectations on the field, Coach Hynek keeps an eternal perspective. He has set this season’s theme as “Together. Taking encouragement from the writings of the New Testament book, Hebrews; And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Together… the Chargers look to have a special season!
PCS High School Golf
August 29th, 2025
Coach Jason Miller and the Peoria Christian Golf Team are more than ready to tee-off this season. Miller has been at the helm for ten seasons and is just as excited about this group as any that he has ever coached. Coach said, “I expect us to be able to compete with anyone this year. I think we have a couple guys that can place in some big tournaments this season as well. I think if our younger guys will step up, we have the potential to make a run in the post season.”
The squad did graduate three key seniors from last year’s team that advanced to Sectionals. The senior class led by Elijah Ramsey provided great leadership that pushed the entire team to grow. Additionally, they held the 3,4 and 6 spots on varsity.
However, the Chargers return four-year Varsity player, Drew Gama. This will be his third straight year of being the #1. Gama, a multi-sport athlete who played a lot of competitive golf over the summer, will be the leader of this team. Not only did Drew compete, but he also placed in numerous golf tournaments over the summer. Senior Tait Miller will take the number two spot as he has made incredible strides, improving his average by twelve strokes. Ian Durst has made some great strides on the links and will be a big factor for the Chargers.
The expectations are that this group will be able to compete with anyone this year. The roster has many guys that can place in some big tournaments. When you add in the younger guys, this is a complete team that has the potential to make a run in the post season.
Although they compete to win, that is not the sole focus Coach Miller has for this group. He shared, “I want our guys to play golf and carry themselves in a way that looks different to the world and the way others play the game. I want us to play this game in a way that shows Christ in us.”