The top ranked area team, the Columbia Eagles, headed to Sparta and easily defeated the Bulldogs 43-22 Aug. 29 in their opening game. During the game, running back Jarren Galli, 3, eyes up the end zone after breaking a tackle.

Columbia High School cheerleaders root on the Eagles in their opening game against Sparta.

The Browns softball team won the drinking trophy at the Fults Softball Tournament

The ACE Car Club held a car show this summer at Valmeyer’s Borsch Park.   

The Waterloo Football Team burst throw a banner before their opening game against Southwestern Piasa.    

The Valmeyer High School Alumni Volleyball Team.

Toni Whipple serves the ball during the Valmeyer High School Alumni Volleyball Game.

Susie Mueller spikes the ball during the Valmeyer High School Alumni Volleyball Game.

The Bulldog mascot joins the cheerleaders in doing pushups following a WHS football team score.     

The Waterloo High School cheerleaders root on the Bulldog football team.  

WHS running back B.J. Grayson makes a one-handed catch.   

The Valmeyer Lakers finished in second place in the Mon-Clair Baseball League. The team is, left to right, first row, Aaron Floarke, Andrew Fannon, Adam Unterseh, Dustin Esker, Justin Rohlfing, Matt Stuckmeyer and Scott Rohlfing; and second row, Trent Blank, Jake Degener, Andy Skaer, Dakota Schutt, Jeremiah Berherger, Scott Sittle, Chris Rohlfing, Ray Brandt, Brad Schmitt, Tyler Harrison, Coach Cole Proffer and Manager Dennis Pieper.

Justin Rohlfing, #2, gets the glad hand from his Lakers teammates as his touches the plate following a home run against the Millstadt VFW.

Waterloo Legion catcher Ben Thoma looks up to see the umpire call the Belleville Hilgards runner safe at the plate in a close play. Belleville swept the Waterloo Bombers in a double-header play-off game last week.

The Waterloo Sports Association A's baseball team celebrated an undefeated season by attending the July 21 Gateway Grizzlies game. Receiving trophies from Coach Kris Huels during the game are, left to right, Griffin Taake, Logan Doerr, Kaden Gordon, Quinten Albrecht, Jordan Floerke, Aaron Grohman, Karson Huels, Will Janson, Joshua Wittenauer, Jimmy Salazar and Logan Shields (not pictured).

The Columbia Hurricanes Swim and Dive Team were honored by the Columbia City Council for winning the Kaskaskia Conference.

Columbia Deputy Police Chief Jerry Paul, left, and Chief Joe Edwards make sure golf cart traffic moves along during the Columbia Optimist Golf Tournament.

Interested observers at the Mon-Clair League All-Star Game included coaches Denny Pieper of the Valmeyer Lakers, left, and Vernie Moehrs of the Waterloo Millers. Their Monroe County team went on to defeat Clinton County by the score of 8-6.

Brad Dunnigan of the Waterloo Senior Legion team watches as his swing produces a long home run in the sixth inning of their July 15 game against the St. Louis Bruins.

The Valmeyer Vikings clinched first place in the Waterloo Sports Association 11U American League Select Baseball League with a record of 10-4 this summer.

Michael Davis, 8, caught a big bass June 28 at Camp-Lake-A-Lot. It measured 6-pounds, 10-ounces and was 21-inches long.

The Outlaws went undefeated in the league and end-of-season tournament during the Waterloo Sports Association Co-Ed Softball summer season. The team is, left to right, first row, Jen Dewilde, Lindsay Flotron, Christine Kaiping, Angie Vogt and Katie Waldron; and second row, Bob Dugan, Curtis Roever, Brad Stirnaman, Mike Buettner and Eric Zucha.

Valmeyer Lakers Manager Dennis Pieper and his grand son Jacob watch a recent game against the Waterloo Millers.

The Valmeyer Lakers ball team during a game against the Millers.

Justin Rohlfing lays down a bunt for the Lakers.

Justin Rohfling take a throw at third base in a game against the Millers.

Turner Hall Gymnastic Club

Waterloo Millers Manager Vern Moehrs watches a recent Legion game