STATE BOUND–The St. John’s Lutheran School softball team is headed to the Class S state tournament for the third year in a row. On Sept. 29, the girls moved their record to 12-5 by avenging a regular season loss to Steeleville by beating them 11 to 6. Behind a solid pitching performance by Emma Guebert and Layla Meyer, they put in a well balanced team effort at the plate compiling 12 hits and 3 walks. The Lady Cougars will now play in the first round of state competition on Saturday morning, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. in Marion against Summersville out of Mt. Vernon. Pictured are team members: in front: Kenedee Crafton, Layla Kilpatrick, Sophia Zeiger, Peyton Liefer, Aubrey Kiefer and Maybre Falkenhain; in back: Coach Val Crafton, Cassidy Palm, Sophia Voss, Alexa Cheek, Layla Meyer, Lucy Kuehn, Brinley Wolter, Maggie Kuehn, Mckinly Florreich, Emma Guebert and Coach Jenn Falkenhain.