The boys' and girls' cross country teams received recognition at the fall sports banquet on Thursday. Travis Wheeler and Kira Taylor were named as their respective team's Most Valuable Runners.

"I just want to take one last look at what it's like to have four seniors on the team," said boys' coach Greg Ehlert as he addressed seniors Wheeler, Sam Hedberg, Joe Smith and Jason Plantz. "It has been quite a while since we had more than one senior on the team over the last 10 years. These guys are going to be missed immensely."

Wheeler was the top Tiger finisher in every race of the season to earn the Most Valuable Runner award. Smith received the Most Points award, given to number two runner on the team. Jacob Weber was named the team's Most Improved Runner, Plantz and Todd Woelfel shared the Rookie of the Year award and TJ Lukanen was named the Most Valuable Junior High Runner.

Wheeler was also named to the Birch Tree Conference All-Conference team with a seventh place finish at the conference meet hosted at the Pine River Golf Course.

Other letter winners include David Peterson, Sam Ruohoniemi, Joel Taylor and TJ Lukanen.

Wheeler and Hedberg concluded seven years of competing for Ehlert and the Tiger cross country team.

"This season was unusual," said girls' coach Jim Machacek. "We had more injuries than we have had in the last five years together. I lost three kids for the season. The weather was less than comfortable in October and then we finished the thing up in a snow storm. So, we had a little bit of everything this season.

"I am blessed with some great people to work with," Machacek added. "It was a good year."

Kira Taylor was the top finisher for PR-B in all but one race during the 2009 season to earn Most Valuable Runner recognition. Lydia Krecklau received the Most Points award and the Most Improved Runner award was given to Kaylynn Carner. The Rookie of the Year award was given to Autumn Ackerman and Kendra Brasel. The Most Valuable Junior High Runner award went to Jess Hanneken. Senior captain Kayla Peltier received the Dedication award.

Other letter winners include Jade Holley, Franciscka Ellestad and Hanneken. Managers Rachel Weber, Caity Daudt and Kassie Sechser also received letters.