Chillicothe High School participants in cross country, volleyball, and boys’ soccer during the recently-ended 2009 seasons were recognized and honored last night at the sports’ annual postseason awards ceremonies.
The salutes followed a common meal served in the CHS commons. Coaches Karen Jackson (volleyball), Bill Allison (boys’ soccer), and Tim Riekena (cross country) announced letter winners and special awards selections during separate presentations following the catered dinner.
The highlight recognition of the night was the presentation of a plaque to junior harrier Mary Kate Taylor, denoting her status as being an All-State cross country runner following her 16th-place finish in last Saturday’s state meet. In her third trip to state, Taylor became the first CHS girl ever to medal and be All-State in the distance-running sport.
She also reaped last night one of the three annual awards presented by coach Tim Riekena, the Outstanding Runner Award.
The other two special awards went to senior Daniel Riekena, who got the Coach’s Award, and junior Thomas Cassity, the Most Improved Runner Award. Both of them also went to state.
Coach Riekena also gave recognition to team members who ran more than 500 miles (Drew Jones, Travis Henry, Taylor) or 300 miles (Casey Ratliff, Cassity, D. Riekena) in training for the season.
As for other 2009 CHS cross country highlights, the coach cited having three all-Midland Empire Conference and all-district runners (the state-qualifying trio), the boys winning the team’s own invitational meet in early September, placing third in the MEC meet on a tiebreaker over Maryville, and finishing second twice in meets.
“We had so much improvement in times this past year.  I can only hope that the athletes keep working as hard as they have and keep improving,” the coach stated.  He also noted, “We have hopes that CHS can field a girls' team next year (Taylor was the only female out against this year).  Any girls interested can contact me or Mary Kate.”
The volleyball Lady Hornets nearly had their first .500 season in several years, finishing 14-15-1 in matches when they dropped their district-tournament opener.
“I was very pleased with the way the season went,” Jackson told the crowd. “I saw much improvement throughout. The girls came a long way from the beginning to the end.”
Season highlights, she related, included again winning the Carrollton Quad tournament, earning fourth place in the Richmond tourney and consolation in Smithville’s Northland tourney, and defeating Cameron.