BROWNSTOWN
Brownstown Central’s cross-country teams met at the auditorium Tuesday to celebrate and recognize awards for the 2016 season.
The Braves’ girls team put together a very successful season, finishing second at the Mid-Southern Conference, fourth at sectional, third in regional competition and 19th for the semistate race.
Overall, the Braves amassed a record of 125-51.
Sophomore Kaelyn Johnson, who led the Braves throughout the season, was named most valuable runner.
Johnson also earned All-MSC honors and joined the 21- and 20-minute clubs by running times of 21:31.96 and 20:41.99.
A most improved runner award was presented to freshman Rachel Adkins and Alexis Koch — the lone senior — earned the mental attitude award.
Sophomores Shauna Drake and Destiny Satterhwaite, and freshmen Grace Garland, Emma Winks and Kylee Wischmeier made All-MSC honorable mention.
Brownstown Central juniors Madison Klinge, Claire Smith and Kristen Stuckwisch got their letter jackets.
The Braves will return 11 runners to next year’s team.
Brownstown’s boys cross-country team finished 80-78 on the season including a sixth place finish at the MSC and ninth at sectional.
Senior Cameron Lee, who qualified for regional individually, was named the team’s most valuable runner.
Lee ran a 17:44 in the sectional and 18:52 for the regional race.
“Cameron Lee was deeply committed the last four years,” Braves boys coach Derrick Koch said. “He peaked at the right time as a senior when he ran his career PR at sectional. He qualified individually for the first time for Regional. It was a great end to his cross-country career. He is the 34th fastest runner in Brownstown Central 5K history.”
Academic All-State Honorable Mention awards went to senior Harlan Deaton and junior Jeremy Pitts.
Deaton also too home the mental attitude plaque.
“Harlan Deaton has the awesome ‘can-do’ attitude that every coach loves to see in an athlete,” Koch said. “It’s that kind of spirit that will take him places in life. He was my mental attitude winner the past three years, which is an impressive feat. He finishes his career at the 29th fastest BCHS cross-country runner.”
The most improved was awarded to junior Ethan Carroll.
“He could have easily been my mental attitude winner as well,” Koch said of Carroll. “He learned to run with pain toward the end the season and pushed himself to a personal record of {span class=”aBn” data-term=”goog_906783275”}{span class=”aQJ”}18:48{/span}{/span}. He is only a junior and I’m hoping for good things from him next year.”
Letter jackets went to senior Aaron Kruse and junior Reece Covert.
A manager jacket was also presented to Daulton Hoffman.
Deaton, Lee and Kruse graduate from the program while six runners return next year.