CHS honors 2020 fall athletes Golf, cross country seniors recognized

A fall sports season unlike any other is coming to a close at Chester High School. It only seems fitting that Senior Night looked a little different this year, too.

Only two of four traditional sports were played this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Golf and cross country were able to compete, but football and volleyball had to be postponed until the spring season.

"We typically honor most fall athletes at halftime of a Yellow Jacket football game each fall, and volleyball usually conducts a Senior Night recognition prior to the start of their final home varsity volleyball game," said CHS Athletic Director Jeremy Blechle.

"I wanted to honor golf and cross country seniors right away, so I decided to organize a special ceremony for fall athletes now as their sports are coming to an end."

Golf

Blechle arranged for the Trico Pioneers and Lady Pioneers to come to the Chester Country Club Thursday, Oct. 8, for one final match - and a chance to honor Chester seniors.

After the match, golfers from both teams were treated to pizza and soda, and senior Chester golfers and their parents were recognized.

Lady Jacket seniors were Samantha Eggemeyer and Lauren Soellner. Eggemeyer, the daughter of Lisa and David Tindall and Jamison Eggemeyer, is a four-year veteran of the Lady Jacket squad and has been a consistent golfer for the team.

Soellner, the daughter of Larry and Melissa Soellner, was a rookie golfer this year who typically plays volleyball in the fall. Throughout the season she improved from a season-high score of 70 strokes to a personal best of 52.

Senior boys on the golf team were Nate Heffernan, son of Mike and Joan Heffernan; Matt Korando, son of Melinda and Nick Severs; Jarrett James, son of Tony and Christy James; and Jaden Mott, son of Jeff and Tracy Mott.

Heffernan and Korando are rookies this year having come to the golf team from the football team. Both boys worked hard all season and improved each week throughout the fall.

Heffernan set a new personal best of 52 strokes to end his season Thursday against Trico, while Korando set a personal best in his second-to-last match Sept. 28 against Red Bud with 50.

James and Mott led the team in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. James was the No. 1 golfer throughout the season until the final Senior Night match against Trico, when Mott birdied the last two holes to shoot an even par of 36, which tied his personal best score and earned him medalist honors for the match.

James earned medalist honors at 14 matches and was the 2020 IHSA Class 1A Regional Champion. He will advance to the 2020 Class 1A Zeigler-Royalton Sectional Tournament Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Franklin County Country Club in West Frankfort.

Cross country

Chester's six senior cross country runners were honored before the 2020 Chester Invitational Cross Country Meet II Thursday, Oct. 8.

On the boys side, seniors Logan Gregory and Jordan Hughes were recognized.

Gregory, the son of Brittany and Emma Gretzmacher, transferred to CHS from Marissa this year and became the lead runner for the Yellow Jackets.

Hughes, the son of Robert Hughes and Misti Price, was the No. 2 runner for Chester most of the season. He has been a member of the squad throughout his high school career and is a hard worker and a quiet leader.

The girls team featured four senior runners: Melody Colonel, daughter of Steve and Sue Colonel; Josie Kattenbraker, daughter of Phil and Shannon Kattenbraker; Amelia Shemonic, daughter of John and Dee Shemonic; and Katie Shinabargar, daughter of Paul and Amanda Shinabargar.

Colonel, a four-year veteran of the Lady Jackets cross country team, worked extremely hard this season and has improved her race time by almost 6 minutes.

Another veteran member of the squad, Shemonic has worked hard this season to improve her times and serve as a senior leader.

Both Kattenbraker and Shinabargar are veteran volleyball players who are new to the cross country team this season.

Kattenbraker is a key member of the CHS Lady Jacket basketball and track teams. She led the team as the No. 1 runner in most meets this season.

Shinabargar is also a three-sport athlete and excels in softball. She will play college ball next year.

Following the conclusion of the cross country meet, the team celebrated with pizza and soda.