Kroner’s Picks: VGH All-Decade Team (Spring), Holloman and Hubbart named Athletes of the Decade
By FRED KRONER
The final installment in our series on all-decade athletic teams concludes today with the release of the elite spring-sport athletes.
Before we get to the particular sports, we will recognize two athletes. The designation is for Male and Female Athlete of the Decade.
In a sense, the winners picked themselves for their high level of involvement and achievement in sports during the school year.
Heritage/Villa Grove had eight boys and nine girls who earned all-decade recognition for at least two sports.
Two girls were chosen to all-decade teams for three sports: Micaela Childress and Aliya Holloman.
Holloman was selected as the Female Athlete of the Decade for her prowess in volleyball, basketball and softball.
Other girls who received notice on two all-decade teams were Gracyn Allen, Kyrsten Cox, Lindsey Nickelson, Cedar Richardson, Katie Rutledge, Stephanie Sanderson and Sage Soper.
Among boys, the choice as Male Athlete of the Decade was Austin Hubbart, an All-Area first-team selection as a senior in 2013 and also a standout sprinter in track.
Other boys recognized on two all-decade teams were Adam Crutchley, Max Daly, Kenny Guerrero, John Henderson, Gage Knoll, Chance Lemmon and Cole Mohr.
Before turning our attention to the spring-sport all-decade teams, two points should be remembered. The selections are based entirely on what the athlete did during high school. Subsequent college accolades were not taken into account.
Also, a great number of athletes from the school received All-Area first- or second-team honors during their time in high school and that recognition was the foundation for compiling the all-decade lists.
HERITAGE/VILLA GROVE BASEBALL
NAME POS. GRAD YR.
Codie Baker INF 2018
Justin Bruce P 2012
Ryan Cheatham C 2021
Jon Essig P 2012
Cyrus Ferguson P 2013
Dalton James OF 2015
Cole Judy INF 2010
Chance Lemmon INF 2015
Kaleb Robertson P 2016
Brandon Umbarger OF 2013
Evan Wilson P 2019
Player of the Decade – Kaleb Robertson, who was second in the area in batting as a senior with a .545 average. He was also second that spring with 47 runs batted in. He also averaged more than a strikeout per inning and compiled a 1.96 earned run average.
HERITAGE/VILLA GROVE SOFTBALL
NAME POS. GRAD YR.
Gracyn Allen INF 2019
Micaela Childress UTL 2016
Alex Danner INF 2012
Aliya Holloman INF 2020
Lindsey Nickelson INF 2010
Miranda Pruitt INF 2014
Cedar Richardson OF 2014
Katie Rutledge OF 2011
Stephanie Sanderson OF 2013
Hilary Smith P 2012
Dani Stigers INF 2012
Player of the Decade – Hilary Smith who posted 64 pitching victories and recorded 610 strikeouts. She had earned run averages of 0.94 as a senior, 1.99 as a junior and 1.78 as a sophomore.
HERITAGE/VILLA GROVE BOYS’ TRACK
NAME EVENTS GRAD YR.
Riley Bishop Sprints 2012
Chase Burwell Weights 2020
Adam Crutchley Distance 2012
Max Daly Jumps 2016
Kenny Guerrero Jumps 2016
John Henderson Weights 2014
Austin Hubbart Sprints 2014
Gage Knoll Mid-Distance 2017
Alex Mitsdarfer Mid-Distance 2011
Cole Mohr Sprints 2017
Ryan Pearce Weights 2013
Tyler Pearce Weights 2011
Trevor Reberger Sprints 2020
Athlete of the Decade – Ryan Pearce, who was a three-time Class 1A state-placer in both the shot put and discus, a two-time state champion in the discus and a one-time state winner in the shot put.
HERITAGE/VILLA GROVE GIRLS’ TRACK AND FIELD
NAME EVENTS GRAD YR.
Maranda Benefield Jumps 2015
Madison Burwell Weights 2021
Nicole Cheatham Weights 2018
Emmaline Cler Jumps 2015
Krysten Cox Sprints 2017
Liberty Floyd Jumps 2020
Laura Henderson Sprints 2010
Meike Herbrandt Jumps 2021
Kilee Hoffman Weights 2011
Mara LaPayne Distance 2010
Abbie Marler Sprints 2015
Amanda McCollom Hurdles 2012
Sage Soper Distance 2013
Athlete of the Decade – Meike Herbrandt, who was the program’s lone state-qualifier in the decade, advancing in the long jump as a sophomore.
