The Chester High School Lady Jacket track and field team handed out awards on May 22, celebrating standout athletic achievement in what was clearly a rebuilding season for the squad.
The 2019 Most Valuable Player award went to Josie Kattenbraker for her performances in both track and field events.
The Most Improved Running Event Athlete of the Year award went to Lexus Iverson.
The Most Improved Field Event Athlete of the Year award went to Hannah Blechle.
Shelby Roth and Peyton Clendenin earned the coveted "Relay Queen" awards.
Coaches, athletes, parents and families gathered at the CHS Cafeteria to celebrate all the hard work that went into the season - which ended competitively at the IHSA state finals, where Kattenbraker and Lauren Soellner competed in the prelims.
The annual banquet and awards ceremony was sponsored by Coach Jenny Cartwright and her assistant coaches Jim West, Stan Myers and Beth Brown.
"We had a very young team this year with eight freshmen, eight sophomores, two juniors and no seniors," Cartwright said. "With 16 freshmen and sophomores it was challenging, but the girls worked hard, improved throughout the season and demonstrated that they had lots of talent."
At the state meet, neither Kattenbraker or Soellner advanced to the finals, but both competed well. Kattenbraker made 4-11 in the high jump and 16-3 in the long jump, while Soellner did not meet the qualifying mark in the high jump.
"Both Lauren and Josie were really laid back and positive all weekend," Cartwright said. "I can't wait to see what we can do if everyone stays out next year and puts in time and effort during the off-season."
Cartwright recognized the girls who participated in the indoor portion of the season: Josie Kattenbraker, Lauren Soellner, Avery Runge, Taylor Hennrich, Avery Miers, Alex Hennrich, Hannah Blechle, and Samantha Eggemeyer.
Once they got outside, the Lady Jackets finished third in the 2019 Bi-County Meet, with Kattebraker earning "Female Athlete of the Meet" honors.
At the 2019 Black Diamond Conference Meet the ladies placed sixth, but were only nine points out of fourth place and 19 points out of third. Freshman Hannah Blechle earned All-Conference honors by winning the pole vault with a height of 7-6. Other Lady Jackets earned a number of 3rd and 4th place finishes and achieved personal best performances.
"We finished 4th at the 2019 IHSA Sectional Meet with everyone achieving PR's (personal best performances)," Cartwright said. "It was our best meet of the year. Josie Kattenbraker qualified for the state meet, including winning the high jump (4-08.00) and winning the long jump (16-06.75), and Lauren Soellner advanced in the high jump (4-08.00)."
To conclude the awards ceremony. Coaches Cartwright and Brown presented end-of-the-year awards.
All eight of the freshmen earned letters and numbers: Hannah Blechle, Alex Hennrich, Madison Kribs, Lexus Iverson, Ava Lochhead, Cami Schroeder, Gracey Roth and Alyssa Seymour.
Sophomores Josie Kattenbraker, Lauren Soellner, April Amburn, Samantha Eggemeyer, Shelby Roth, Peyton Clendenin, Avery Miers, and Melody Colonel were recognized. All received sophomore patches, pins and/or letters. Both juniors, Avery Runge and Taylor Hennrich, also earned pins for their letters. Cartwright noted that Kattenbraker also qualified for Illinois Top-Prep Times recognition in the 60-meter hurdles.
Hannah Blechle was presented with her All-Conference medal for winning the Pole Vault event at the BDC Conference Meet.
"Our girls always did what was asked of them," Cartwright said. "Many meets were cancelled (rain), but we did improve every meet and everyone got better in their respective events as the season wore on.
"The future is bright for this young squad. When they develop into a varsity-level team next year, they will really be good and will compete for some really great titles!"
