Tri-County Conference (Illinois)

Last updated
Tri-County Conference
Conference IHSA
Founded1927
No. of teams10
RegionNorth Central Illinois (LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Putnam, and Woodford counties)

The Tri-County Conference is a high school conference in north central Illinois. The conference participates in athletics and activities in the Illinois High School Association. The conference incorporates 8 small public and 2 small private high schools, with enrollments between 82-428 students in LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Putnam, and Woodford counties.

Contents

History

The first year of competition for the Tri-County was 1927 with ten charter schools: Hennepin, Henry, Hopkins Township in Granville, Lacon, Lostant, Magnolia, Senachwine Township in Putnam, McNabb Swaney, Tonica, and Varna. During the lifetime of the conference, most of these ten very small rural schools have remained in the league in one form or another. Some have left and returned and many of them have consolidated to become new entities. Regardless, the conference has changed many times over the years.

The first two schools to consolidate were Henry and Senachwine Township High Schools. The new high school became known as Henry-Senachwine Consolidated High School beginning in the fall of 1947 and would be located in Putnam, Illinois. The following year, Magnolia High School merged into Swaney High School near the town of McNabb, ceasing the existence of the Magnolia Pirates. In 1949, Varna High School consolidated with Lacon High School to create Mid-County High School, located in Varna. Sparland, a team that was part of the Tri-County but left for the Little 6 Conference in 1958, consolidated with Mid-County High School to form Midland High School in 1995. [1]

Rutland joined the Tri-County in the early 1930's, however, they would leave for the Mid State Conference during a consolidation with the Minonk-Dana School District in 1956. This new high school would be known as Minonk-Dana-Rutland. Toluca and Wenona High Schools joined the Tri-County in the early 1930's, however, in 1992 they consolidated with Minonk-Dana-Rutland to create Fieldcrest High School located in Minonk, Illinois. Fieldcrest remained in the Mid State Conference.

Some small schools would cease operations during the course of time. Original member, Lostant High School in Lostant, Illinois, remained a member of the conference until 1958 when it would join the Little 6 Conference. They would return to the Tri-County in 1961, however, in 1993 the school closed due to financial constraints. Students from Lostant were given options to attend one of four nearby schools; Fieldcrest, Putnam County, Streator, or LaSalle-Peru.

During the 1950s and 60s, there was a push in the state to consolidate rural districts. Several schools in the Tri-County followed the initiative and either merged or consolidated. In 1956, the high schools of Roanoke and Benson, long-time rivals, consolidated to form Roanoke-Benson High School and continue to be a member of the conference. Washburn High School, located in Washburn, Illinois was a school that had existed in the league since 1929, however, it would consolidate with the high school from Lowpoint to create Lowpoint-Washburn High School in 1952. In 1966, two charter schools, Hennepin and Hopkins Township, would consolidate with previously consolidated Magnolia-Swaney High School to form Putnam County High School. [2]

During the tenure of the Tri-County, schools like Eureka, Bureau Valley, and Peoria Christian joined and left. Another example of a school that would join the league and leave is DePue High School. DePue would leave the Indian Valley Conference in 1994, join the Tri-County, only to leave in 2020 to join the Little Ten Conference. Bradford High School, who joined the league in 1994, was deactivated in 2001 based on low enrollment. Students from Bradford were given the choice of attending Bureau Valley, Henry-Senachwine, or Stark County High Schools.

For nearly a century, the Tri-County has remained in operation with at least six high schools. Currently the league consists of six full members and four partial members, the full members are; Putnam County, Henry-Senachwine, Roanoke-Benson, Streator Woodland, Varna Midland, and Lowpoint-Washburn. Beginning in 2023-24 school year, Peru St. Bede, Dwight and Ottawa Marquette will compete in the Tri-County for all sports except football, which will compete in the newly formed Chicago Prairie Football League. [3] Seneca, also a partial member of the Tri-County, plays in the Vermilion Valley (South) Conference for football.

Tri-County Conference (Illinois)
[Interactive fullscreen map + nearby articles]
Locations of Tri-County Conference Schools

Member schools

SchoolLocationCountyMascotColorsJoinedPrevious ConferenceEnrollment [4] IHSA Classes 1/2/3/4 [4] IHSA Football Class [4] IHSA Football
Type [5]
Dwight High School [6] Dwight, IL Livingston Trojans  
Green, White		2021 [7] Sangamon Valley 264.44A/1A/1A2A/3A11-man
Coop
Henry-Senachwine High School Henry, IL Marshall Mallards  
Red, Black		1947—136.83A/1A/1A—None
Lowpoint-Washburn High School Washburn, IL Woodford Wildcats  
Maroon, Gold		1952—82.335A/1A/1A—None
Marquette Academy [8] Ottawa, IL LaSalle Crusaders  
Navy, Vegas Gold		1994 Big Northern 154A/1A/1A1A11-man
Midland High School Varna, IL Marshall Timberwolves   
Dark Green, Silver, Black		1995—206.085A/1A/1A—None
Putnam County High School Granville, IL Putnam Panthers  
Black, Gold		1966—258.35A/1A/1A4A11-man
Coop
Roanoke-Benson High School Roanoke, IL Woodford Rockets  
Black, White		1956—160A/1A/1A—None
Seneca High School [9] Seneca, IL LaSalle Fighting Irish
Lady Irish		  
Green, White		2018 Interstate Eight 428.51A/2A2A/3A11-man
St. Bede Academy [10] Peru, IL LaSalle Bruins  
Green, White		2023 [11] Three Rivers 282A/1A/1A1A11-man
Woodland High School [12] Streator, IL Livingston Warriors   
Red, Black, White		2006 Mid-State 157A/1A/1A1A11-man
Coop

Previous Members

SchoolLocationMascotColorsYear
Joined		Year
Exited		School
In Use		ConsolidatedCurrent
District
Hennepin High School [13] Hennepin, IL Mallards  
Red, White		19271966YesYesPutnam County [14]
Henry Township High School [15] Henry, IL Mallards  
Crimson, Black		19271947NoYesHenry-Senachwine [16]
Hopkins Township High School [17] Granville, IL Hornets  
Green, White		19271966NoYesPutnam County
Lacon Community High School [18] Lacon, IL Lions  
Maroon, White		19271949YesYesMid-County
Lostant High School [19] Lostant, IL Rams  
Orange, Blue		1927, 19611958, 1993YesNoSchool Closed
Magnolia High School [20] Magnolia, IL Pirates  
Maroon, Gold		19271948NoYesMagnolia-Swaney
Senachwine Township High School [21] Putnam,IL BravesUnknown19271947NoYesHenry-Senachwine
Swaney High School [22] McNabb, IL Pirates  
Blue, Gold		19271948YesYesMagnolia-Swaney
Tonica High School [23] Tonica, IL Warriors  
Blue, White		19271990YesNoSchool Closed
Varna High School [24] Varna, IL Green Dragons  
Green, White		19271990NoYesMid-County
Washburn High School [25] Washburn, IL UnknownUnknown19291952YesYesLowpoint-Washburn [26]
Roanoke High School [27] Roanoke, IL UnknownUnknown19301956YesYesRoanoke-Benson [28]
Rutland High School [29] Rutland, IL Rangers  
Maroon, White		19321956NoYesMinonk-Dana-Rutland [30]
Toluca High School [31] Toluca, IL Wildcats   
Purple, Gold, White		19321992YesYesFieldcrest [32]
Wenona High School [33] Wenona, IL Mustangs  
Black, Orange		19321992YesYesFieldcrest
Benson High School [34] Benson, IL Broncos  
Black, Orange		19391956YesYesRoanoke-Benson
Sparland High School [35] Sparland, IL Hilltoppers  
Red, White		19391958YesYesMidland [36]
Magnolia-Swaney High School McNabb, IL Pirates  
Blue, Gold		19481966YesYesPutnam County
Mid-County High School [37] Varna, IL Bulldogs  
Black, White		19491995YesYesMidland
Bradford High School [38] Bradford, IL Panthers  
Black, Orange		19942001NoNoSchool Closed
DePue High School DePue, IL Little Giants  
Blue, Orange		19942020YesNoDCUSD #103 [39]
Eureka High School Eureka, IL Hornets  
Green, White		19952006YesNoECUD #140 [40]
Bureau Valley High School Manlius, IL Storm  
Navy, Columbia		19972006YesNoBVCUSD #340 [41]
Peoria Christian High School Peoria, IL Chargers   
Purple, Gold, White		19972021YesNoPeoria Christian Schools [42]

Sources:IHSA Conferences, [43] and IHSA Member Schools Directory [44]

Membership timeline

Tri-County Conference (Illinois)

Full membersSources:Illinois High School Glory Days, [45] [46]

Boys Basketball Tournament Championships

YearWinning TeamScoreLosing TeamScoreRegular Season Champions
2024Seneca68Marquette54
2023Marquette59Seneca54Marquette
2022Midland49Seneca40Midland
2021Not held due to COVID-19Roanoke-Benson
2020Roanoke-Benson55Peoria Christian51Roanoke-Benson
2019Marquette48Seneca39Marquette
2018DePue51Roanoke-Benson25DePue
2017Marquette59Roanoke-Benson37Marquette
2016Marquette45Putnam County43Marquette, Putnam County
2015Peoria Christian75Marquette69Marquette
2014Putnam County70Henry-Senachwine46Henry-Senachwine
2013Putnam County55Hall54Putnam County
2012Peoria Christian59Putnam County49Putnam County, Peoria Christian
2011Lowpoint-Washburn49Midland45Putnam County
2010Midland64Woodland63Midland
2009Peoria Christian48Putnam County45Peoria Christian
2008Putnam County51Roanoke-Benson40Putnam County
2007Putnam County85Peoria Christian65Putnam County, Peoria Christian, Roanoke-Benson
2006Marquette63Putnam County60Putnam County
2005Putnam County71Marquette64Putnam County
2004Eureka66Peoria Christian50Peoria Christian
2003Putnam County68Eureka61Peoria Christian, Eureka
2002Peoria Christian66Putnam County33Peoria Christian
2001St. Bede62Midland58St. Bede, Eureka
2000Eureka73Putnam County61Eureka
1999Eureka75Midland58Midland, Bureau Valley, Eureka
1998Henry68Bureau Valley49Putnam County, St. Bede
1997Eureka49St. Bede45Eureka
1996Marquette54Henry52Marquette
1995Roanoke-Benson58Marquette55Putnam County
1994Mid-County69Roanoke-Benson68Roanoke-Benson
1993Roanoke-Benson64Mid-County62Roanoke-Benson
1992Mid-County54Putnam County51Mid-County
1991Lostant47Toluca45Lowpoint-Washburn
1990Roanoke-Benson72Lowpoint-Washburn49Roanoke-Benson
1989Mid-County83Lowpoint-Washburn75Mid-County
1988Lowpoint-Washburn58Toluca52Roanoke-Benson
1987Toluca55Mid-County42Putnam County
1986Roanoke-Benson67Lostant62Putnam County, Toluca
1985Roanoke-Benson59Toluca47Roanoke-Benson
1984Toluca55Roanoke-Benson46Toluca
1983Toluca55Putnam County47Mid-County, Toluca, Roanoke-Benson
1982Putnam County69Roanoke-Benson62Putnam County
1981Putnam County72Lostant36Putnam County
1980Mid-County59Wenona57Wenona, Putnam County
1979Roanoke-Benson55Mid-County52Roanoke-Benson
1978Roanoke-Benson73Lowpoint-Washburn62Roanoke-Benson, Mid-County
1977Henry57Lowpoint-Washburn54Henry
1976Henry70Roanoke-Benson59Henry, Roanoke-Benson
1975Roanoke-Benson54Lostant45Roanoke-Benson
1974Putnam County70Roanoke-Benson65Putnam County
1973Wenona68Toluca55Wenona
1972Toluca56Wenona54Henry
1971Wenona56Henry47Toluca
1970Henry78Lowpoint-Washburn52Toluca
1969Toluca70Henry49Toluca
1968Putnam County61Toluca60Putnam County
1967Wenona62Lowpoint-Washburn51Putnam County
1966Wenona75Lowpoint-Washburn58Toluca
1965Wenona67Toluca58Wenona, Mid-County
1964Toluca78Wenona66Toluca
1963Toluca62Mid-County52Toluca
1962Toluca69Henry61Toluca
1961Toluca57Mid-County54Toluca
1960Toluca57Mid-County52Toluca
1959Toluca47Henry37Toluca
1958Toluca74Tonica63Toluca
1957Toluca52Tonica45Toluca, Tonica
1956Benson70Roanoke65Wenona
1955Wenona52Tonica50
1954Wenona55Henry53
1953Wenona62Mid-County60
1952Mid-County46Henry38
1951Wenona40Henry35
1950Wenona59Toluca46
1949Henry37Wenona35
1948Henry51Toluca46
1947Toluca40Wenona39
1946Henry37Hopkins34
1945Toluca50Hopkins23
1944Lostant44Henry33
1943Henry38Toluca22
1942Toluca47Wenona27
1941Hopkins19Henry14
1940Henry21Hopkins18
1939Henry19Wenona16
1938Hopkins20Wenona18
1937Hopkins36Wenona31
1936Hopkins19Wenona13
1935Hopkins25Tonica17
1934Hopkins21Henry14
1933Hopkins25Wenona23
1932Wenona29Varna21
1931Wenona26John Swaney20
1930Wenona18John Swaney17
1929Varna40Lostant18
1928Lostant20Varna10
1927Lostant23Tonica20

Tri-County Conference Tournament Championships

SchoolNo. of Titles
Toluca16
Wenona12
Henry11
Putnam County10
Roanoke-Benson9
Hopkins7
Marquette6
Mid-County5
Lostant4
Eureka4
Peoria Christian4
Lowpoint-Washburn2
Midland2
Varna1
St. Bede1
Benson1
DePue1
Seneca1

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References

  1. ↑ Tonozzi, Gil; Ellena, Bill and Massino, Joe (July 21, 2015). "History and development of Putnam County Schools prior to consolidation (part 1)". Putnam County Record . Retrieved March 10, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ Tonozzi, Gil; Ellena, Bill and Massino, Joe (July 21, 2015). "History and development of Putnam County Schools prior to consolidation (part 2)". Putnam County Record . Retrieved March 10, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ Smith, Cody (Nov 2, 2022). "Dwight football joins new Chicago Prairie Football League". Daily-Journal . Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "Numeric Enrollments | Enrollments & Classifications | Schools | IHSA".
  5. ↑ "Football Conference Schedules, Standings & Results".
  6. ↑ Dwight CUSD
  7. ↑ Pedelty, J.T. (July 27, 2020). "Dwight Set to Join Tri-County Conference for Start of 2021-22 School Year". Shaw Local News Network . Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  8. ↑ Marquette Academy
  9. ↑ Seneca High School
  10. ↑ St. Bede Academy
  11. ↑ Staff (Nov 8, 2022). "St. Bede departing Three Rivers Conference". The Mendota Reporter . Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  12. ↑ Woodland CUSD
  13. ↑ Hennepin High School
  14. ↑ Putnam County School District
  15. ↑ Henry Township High School
  16. ↑ Henry-Senachwine School District
  17. ↑ Hopkins Township High School
  18. ↑ Lacon Community High School
  19. ↑ Lostant High School
  20. ↑ Magnolia High School
  21. ↑ Senachwine Township High School
  22. ↑ Swaney High School
  23. ↑ Tonica High School
  24. ↑ Varna High School
  25. ↑ Washburn High School
  26. ↑ Lowpoint-Washburn CUSD
  27. ↑ Roanoke High School
  28. ↑ Roanoke-Benson CUSD
  29. ↑ Rutland High School
  30. ↑ Minonk-Dana-Rutland High School
  31. ↑ Toluca High School
  32. ↑ Fieldcrest CUSD
  33. ↑ Wenona High School
  34. ↑ Benson High School
  35. ↑ Sparland High School
  36. ↑ Midland CUSD
  37. ↑ Mid-County High School
  38. ↑ Bradford High School
  39. ↑ DePue CUSD
  40. ↑ Eureka CUD
  41. ↑ Bureau Valley CUSD
  42. ↑ Peoria Christian School
  43. ↑ "IHSA.org Conferences". www.ihsa.org.
  44. ↑ "Schools - IHSA". www.ihsa.org.
  45. ↑ "The Great Conferences of Illinois".
  46. ↑ "Illinois High School Glory Days".

2015 Championship Game story from Ottawa Times

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