2008 Lakes Track and Field Captains/ Award Winners

Josh Beckman- Captain/ Sportsmanship Award

Josh has been an invaluable member of the track and field team for the last 3 years. Josh displays great leadership skills, discipline and compassion for his teammates; and these are the qualities that made Josh a captain for the second time in three years. I have heard the expression “the kid is like a coach on the field” many times, but Josh is the coach, literally; Josh took the role of Pole Vault captain and early in the season Josh had to coach not only himself but his fellow vaulters as well. Josh’s work ethic allowed him to produce 78 points towards a very successful season. He will be sorely missed, and the challenges that await him will be met, and success will come his way. Josh Beckman returns as a captain for the second time in three seasons.

Greg Prendergast- Captain/ Walter Payton Award

Greg Prendergast is a story of what hard work and determination can produce. Greg approached his senior season with a very positive attitude and willingness to do what ever it took to succeed. Greg was always on time to every practice, put forward his best effort and never complained or sought attention for his efforts; however his efforts didn’t go unnoticed by his coaches, teammates and opponents. Greg led through example, and because of this he was a mainstay on both sprint relays and was a major component to our success this season. His efforts and dedication will be sorely missed in the years to come but I know that someone will follow his lead and continue a great tradition of dedication from our sprinters.

Andrew Stein- Captain/ Point Machine

It will be very hard to the first team meeting next season; one student athlete will be missing. Andrew Stein has helped create the best track and field program in the Prairie Division and power house in the conference. Stein has scored points in every meet in the schools history, which totals 525 for three seasons. I can honestly say it will be one of the school records that may never be broken. His resume includes 3 all conference and all sectional honors, a team captain for three seasons, and countless honors and top place finishes. What makes Andrew so special is his willingness to put his team before himself at all times, he leads through example and the few times he was forced to speak up everyone listened no questions asked. I believe his greatest legacy will be his ability to perform what it mattered the most; we all have witnessed something special from this young man on the track or in the pits, but through all of his success he has remained humble and a team player. The coaching staff will miss Andrew.

Jon DeGrave- Captain/ True Captain Award

Jon DeGrave, the name will forever mean success, focus and work ethic. Jon is not the loud in your face captain that leads through vocal ability, Jon leads through example. Anyone that watched Jon in practice knew that he was giving his best effort at all times, the younger athletes constantly watched in amazement as he went through his workouts. Jon’s determination allowed him to become the first two time state qualifier in the programs history. Jon never questioned the coaches and did what ever it took for the team to succeed. The best example of putting the team first that I have ever witnessed took place at Grant High School this season. If you asked most athletes to run something back to back they would give you an excuse or a dirty look, but when his team needed him the most Jon came through. Jon won the 400 meter dash and then quickly sprinted across the infield and won the 300 IM 5 minutes later, to give you an idea of how hard that is imagine running 700 meters in 1:33 but 300 meters were over hurdles. The entire coaching staff will use this story for as long as we are here at Lakes, that willingness to sacrifice for his team is the reason why Jon is a repeat captain and True Captain award recipient.

Nick Lillig- “Pre Award”

Coaches always talk about pushing yourself past the threshold that your body can take by focusing all your efforts both mentally and physically on achieving a goal. Nick Lillig did that very thing at sectionals this season. In a race in which he was clearly going to PR by multiple seconds Nick passed out on the track, got up and finished his race. I have seen only a handful of high school athletes ever push themselves to that limit, but that is the reason why Nick Lillig embodies the spirit and soul of Steve Prefontaine. Nick has 2 years left at Lakes and the seasons that await him will welcome him with success and if he continues to display the same courage and determination he did this season Nick will rewrite the record boards for middle distance at Lakes High School. Nick joins, Ethan Hahn and Bill McGrath as winners of the “Pre Award”.