Mount Pulaski High School

Last night we had our Cross Country end of season banquet. All 5 boys will receive a Varsity letter. In addition, the following awards were presented:

Most Improved Runner
This award goes to someone who reminds us that progress doesn’t have to come with pressure — sometimes it comes with patience and persistence. This athlete approached every practice with a laid-back smile and a great sense of humor, but behind that easygoing attitude was a runner who kept quietly getting better. His steady improvement and positive energy made training lighter for everyone. He showed that growth can be both fun and focused. This year’s most improved runner is Deegan Tschantz.

Grit Award
Grit isn’t about winning every race — it’s about never giving up, no matter how hard the course gets. This athlete embodies that spirit. As a new distance runner, he fought through every obstacle, never complained, and earned every finish line he crossed. His perseverance and maturity beyond his years make him a model of what true toughness looks like. This year’s Grit Award goes to Chase Roberts.

Coach’s Award
The Coach’s Award recognizes an athlete who makes every day of coaching rewarding. As a freshman, he may be our youngest runner, but you’d never know it from his attitude. He’s respectful, polite, and determined to improve. He works hard without being asked, listens, learns, and never shies away from the challenge of racing against older, stronger competitors. His future in this sport is bright, and it’s been a privilege to watch him grow this season. This year’s Coach’s Award goes to Kelten Olson.

The Pinnacle Award
This award honors the runner who represents the height of commitment, discipline, and performance — the standard every teammate strives toward. This athlete is one of the quiet forces that keeps our team grounded and strong. He’s the runner who never seeks attention, never makes excuses, and never lets up. His consistency, focus, and determination set a standard of excellence that others strive to match. As our number two runner, he pushed our top finisher every step of the way — not through rivalry, but through mutual respect and shared purpose. He stands at the pinnacle of what it means to be a cross country athlete — steady, humble, and exceptional in every sense. This year’s Pinnacle Award goes to Aaron Volle.

Perseverance Award
This award honors a runner whose determination and heart shone through every challenge she faced. She balanced two sports, came to practice whenever she could, and even trained on her own — showing the kind of quiet commitment that defines true athletes. When she finally had her chance to race, she ran with incredible strength and courage, delivering an outstanding performance. Even when illness cut her season short, her spirit never faded. Her perseverance reminds us that success isn’t measured only by miles run, but by the resilience and heart behind them. This year’s Perseverance Award goes to Audrey Cooper.

Outside the Comfort Zone Award
This award recognizes a runner who stepped far outside her comfort zone to take on a new challenge. Known more for throwing than running, she joined cross country simply to test herself — and that alone takes courage. Even when the miles felt too long and the race was painful, she showed bravery just by starting something new and giving it her best shot. Her willingness to try, to learn, and to face something difficult head-on is what this award is all about. This year’s Out of the Comfort Zone Award goes to Piper Tyson.

Most Valuable Runner
Our last award goes to the runner who is the steady heartbeat of our team. He leads not only with words, but with example — calm, composed, and fiercely dedicated. His work ethic never wavered, his reliability never faltered, and his drive pushed our whole team forward. Every race, every practice, every stride reflected his commitment to excellence. He is the kind of runner every coach hopes to have — motivated, poised, and dependable.
But what makes this athlete truly exceptional goes far beyond his times. He’s the athlete who laces up for extra runs on his own — late at night, on weekends, whenever he feels he can get just a little bit better. His 400-meter repeat times dropped practice after practice, not because of luck, but because of determination and discipline. He doesn’t settle; he strives, he refines, and he competes with quiet confidence that lifts everyone around him. When we talk about what it means to be a Hilltopper, this is it. He has set a standard that every runner who follows will aspire to meet. This year’s Cross Country MVP is Eric Cooper.

Congratulations on a great season!