MVP x 2

Elgin High School's varsity sports banquet was last night, and Jack was recognized for his scholarship award from the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Foundation and also was honored with the title MVP of the cross country team, which we had known since the end of season party in November.  Here is Coach Vargas giving his speech:

Cross Country MVP speech

Cross Country MVP

What came as a surprise was that Jack was also named as an MVP for the track team!! Well not a total surprise given his amazing season, smashing three school records, and making it to the State competition this weekend, but there was another guy in the field squad that was doing those things too -- and was also named MVP!  Here is Coach Mason giving the speech for the two track & field MVP's... he wrote a poem for Jack, which he later told us he spent more time writing than he spent on his wedding vows! What a character!  

Track MVP speech

Wow, what an amazing month this has been! 

Just WOW

Mason's speech:

It started last year when our program was blessed with a kid with glasses and long hair, winning races and helping his team to victories to spare.

A word rarely spoken unless the need was important to him, since 2022 I could see that his light shined like a glimmer.

800, 1600, sometimes even a 2 -- our long-haired quiet kid always dominated the west side team that wears the color blue. 

From year to year he never ceased to amaze me.  His smile after winning race after race filled our team with great glee.

In 2023, he went on an absolute tear.  You knew you were in trouble when you saw that pony tail in his hair. 

He conquered the field at the UEC indoor meet, winning first place in the 400 meter run AND the 800 meter run. 

Yes, that's a lot. 

But this long-haired young man was not done. 

PR after PR, he decorated his outdoor season with medals and wins.  Next time you see this young man he'll be running on a blue track at EIU again and again. 

800 meter runner Jack Allen!!