Bulldogs Wrap Up 2020 Cross Country Season with Awards

The Milbank boys’ and girls’ cross country teams completed the 2020 season with an awards ceremony on November 16 in the Milbank High School theatre. Head coach Eric Townsend presented the awards. Nick Batchelor and Ashlynn Batchelor each earned a Most Valuable Runner award. Grant Van Peursem, Ellie Neugebauer, and Ashlee Van Hoorn were named the Most Improved Runners. The Rookie of the Year awards went to Isaac Johnson and Ashlynn Batchelor. The Pride of the Paw went to Will Karels, Maiah Brown, and Maurina Street for their sportsmanship, coachability, and positive attitudes.

Seniors Isaac Johnson, Allison Leddy, Greta Snaza, and Amaya Street were given awards for their years of dedication to the cross country program. 
All-Northeast Conference runners included: Boys – Nick Batchelor (1st ), Isaac Graham (7th ), James Batchelor (8th ), Isaac Johnson (12th ), Grant Van Peursem (15th ), Sammy Femling (16th ). Girls – Ashlynn Batchelor (1st ), Maurina Street (5th ), Amaya Street (6th ), Ashlee Van Hoorn (7th ), and Jaclyn Wiik (19th ).

All-Region 1A runners were: Boys – Nick Batchelor (1st ), James Batchelor (7th ), Isaac Graham (10th ), Grant Van Peursem (14th ) ,and  Isaac Johnson (18th ). Girls – Ashlynn Batchelor (1st ), Maurina Street (6th ), Amaya Street (7th ), Ashlee Van Hoorn (8th ), Tyra Berry (9th ), and Ellie Neugebauer (12th ).

Nick Batchelor and Ashlynn Batchelor were the lone place winners for Milbank at the 2020 South Dakota Class A Cross Country Meet in Rapid City. Nick captured fourth place and Ashlynn came in fifth.

The boys’ team finished as the Northeast Conference runner-up, was crowned the Region 1A champion, and placed sixth as a team at state. The girls were NEC and Region 1A champions and took home fourth place from the state meet.

Major M letter winners for 2020 included: Isaac Johnson, Nick Batchelor, Will Karels, Sammy Femling, James Batchelor, Isaac Graham, Grant Van Peursem, Allison Leddy, Greta Snaza (manager), Amaya Street, Maiah Brown, Ellie Neugebauer, Maurina Street, Tyra Berry, Ashlee Van Hoorn, and Ashlynn Batchelor.

Minor M letter winners were: Cade Howard, Ryker Trevett, Abner Perez, Jose Hernandez, Bryan Meyer, Ryan O’Farrell, Asher Young, Savanna Osowski, Emily Van Hoorn, Addie Farrell, Ashlyn O’Farrell, Julia Wiik, Sophia Gastineau, Kaitlyn Krause, Kynlee Speidel, Nadia Thue, Stella Wendland, Jaclyn Wiik, Rylee Scoular, Olivia Foell, Evelyn Liebe, Yanderyn Olivares, Elexia Quintanilla, and Camryn Sovell.

Townsend extended a big thank you to: Whetstone Creek Golf Course for allowing us to host our home meets, The Milbank Fire Department for escorting the team out of town for the state meet, KMSD Radio for the coverage and Coach’s Corner, The Valley Express for the excellent online coverage, Big Stone Therapies for the prevention and care of  injuries, The Grant County Review for their great weekly results coverage, and Deb Grismer and the Hermosa Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for allowing the use of their church facility during the state meet.

Townsend continued, “Another huge thanks needs to be given to all the parents for their great support. Finally, thanks to the athletes for all their efforts and hard work throughout the season, especially to the seniors – Isaac, Allison, Amaya, and Greta. Your leadership will be greatly missed, and we wish each of you good luck in the future.”

Boys awards winners – (l. to r.) Isaac Johnson, Nick Batchelor, and Will Karels. Not pictured, Grant Van Peursem