ALAH Cross Country Awards Program Held
On Thursday evening December 3, the season finale for the ALAH Cross Country team was held in the East Gym at the high school. Program was virtual in nature and only team members, coach and administrators were in attendance. Families and friends were able to watch the ceremony via an online link.
Athletic Director Nathan Seal opened the proceedings with comments, and a list of thanks to many in the community including the ALAH administration, transportation providers, and central Illinois media groups. After introductions, Coach Lyle Dorjahn then took to the podium to present awards and commentary.
Dorjahn discussed the girls team in depth. This group accomplished many historic “Firsts” mainly based upon the fact that they were the first girls team to have enough members to score as a team at meets. Their highlights included a 2nd place finish at the Lincoln Prairie Conference Championship, a 7th place finish in Regionals which, during a normal, non- COVID influenced year would have qualified them for IHSA Sectionals. This group of athletes also won 2 quadrangular meets being the first ALAH girls squad to score and win a meet!
Receiving All Conference recognition were Charley Condill (2nd) and Alisha Frederick (7th). Varsity letter winners included Makenzie Brown, Mackenzi Bowles, Sarah Rafferty, Emma Edwards, Charley Condill, and Alisha Frederick. Each runner also received a post season packet that included a team picture, seasonal spreadsheet results, and copies of all newspaper clippings from season reports. Recipient of the 1st ever “Coaches Award” was Senior Mackenzi Bowles. This award was presented for her determination, grit, desire and team leadership.
Dorjahn then moved into discussion of the historic boy’s season. Each member of the team was introduced. Coach Dorjahn provided comments and insights for every runner including highlights of each members season. Varsity letter winners included Jesus Corona, Connor Edmonds, Jacob Adcock, Lyle Adcock, Logan Beckmier, Jacob Duzan, Jace Green, Reggie Edmonds, and Layton Hall. All Conference awards were presented to Hall (1st), Beckmier (2nd), Lyle Adcock (3rd), Jace Green (5th), Jacob Adcock (8th). Regional medalist included Hall (1st). Sectional medalists were Hall (1st), Beckmier (5th), and Lyle Adcock (10th). Hall was 5th place medalist at Shazam State Championships followed by Beckmier (26th), Green (34th), L. Adcock (40th), and J. Adcock (46th).
Team Highlights included Invitational Championships at Cow Chip and PBL. Champions of the Lincoln Prairie Conference. IHSA Regional and Sectional Championships and State Runnerup at the Shazam/Milesplit.com XC State Championships. The boys team won a total of 10 meets during this historic season.
Dorjahn presented mementoes commemorating designation by Milesplit.com to Jacob Adcock for “5th Man Of The Year” and Layton Hall for “Most Improved Runner of the Year”. Dorjahn presented special team awards to Jacob Duzan as the Knight’s 2020 Grinder award winner and to Jace Green as recipient of the Knight’s 2020 Shoeless Joe award. Team members selected Layton Hall as the Knight’s 2020 MVP.
Senior commemorative pictures were presented to Makenzie Brown, Mackenzi Bowles, and Layton Hall. The Lady Knights presented Coach Dorjahn with a beautiful framed team picture. On behalf of the entire team, Jace Green presented coach with a certificate for a new “fold – up” bicycle for coach to use at meets and practices.
Dorjahn concluded with a list of thanks to the following individuals and organizations:
Team members Parents, RunGuru Elite (Will Lindgren/Linda Kunasek) for team T Shirts, ALAH Administration for allowing season to take place and for new 10 x 20 tent, ALAH Sports Boosters for team sandwiches at Sectional, Arthur Fire Department for team meal at Yoders after Shazam Championships, Knights Youth Sports Association for Shazam entry fees, Beckmiers for Shazam jerseys, Greens and McGills for screen printing, Tucker Beckmier for coaching at Shazam, Megan Beckmier for all her behind the scenes work all season long, former Rajah Will Lindgren for his motivational preseason talk, former Knights distance standouts Mark Aschermann and Van Dukeman for their preseason practice visits, Sally McCarthy for her unending support of the program, Darlene and Kurt Hall for 7 years of support and helping grow the program, and Sherry Dorjahn for her support and tolerance of her husband’s obsessive behavior and passion regarding Knight’s Cross Country.
This draws to a close an athletic season unlike any in our communities’ history. The Running Knights thank you all for you support throughout the season!
