From the Athletic Director…
 

There were many outstanding team and individual performances in 2008-09 for our Pioneers athletic programs. Some team highlights include – Boys Soccer 2A Regional Title, Girls Cross Country 2^nd Western Big Six, Girls Tennis 2^nd Western Big Six & 4^th IHSA Sectional, Girls Basketball 2^nd Western Big Six, Softball 2^nd Western Big Six, and Boys Tennis 2^nd Western Big Six & 2^nd IHSA Sectional.

In addition to our team accomplishments we had five student-athletes earn All-State honors. Tim Hird ended his senior Cross Country career with a string of 1^st place finishes – starting at the WB6 Conference meet and running all the way through the IHSA State Series to earn a 2A State title. This individual Cross Country State title was a first for Alleman. Topher Carton went undefeated his freshmen year in Wrestling with an equally impressive run from Conference to the 2A State title. The only other individual State wrestling title at Alleman was Jerome Reyes (‘91), ironically at the same 103lb weight class. A big congratulations to Tim and Topher!

Also earning All-State honors was Peter Callas who had a great junior year finishing with an 11^th place finish at the 2A State Golf tournament.  Kathleen Hogan and Taelar Hillyer were also All-State with strong performances at the 2A State Track meet – Kathleen was 5^th in the 800 and Taelar 3^rd in the pole vault.

Alleman had 26 student-athletes earn All-Conference honors and 40 Academic All-Conference during the 2008-09 athletic year.

Last year the Alleman community mourned the death of Coach Jim Appleman. The Softball program and many others will miss Coach Appleman’s humor and passion for our school. A tree and plaque in his memory reside behind the varsity Softball field backstop at our Athletic Complex.

History of Alleman Athletic Directors

Steve Smithers
Athletic Director

Linda McGraw gave the Emeralds dance program 15 years! She retires from many years of teaching and also from the leadership role of the Emeralds. Linda always showed great enthusiasm in all that she did – we wish her well in her new retirement life. Girls Track & Field Coach Steve Layer stepped down after 10 years. With Rock Valley P.T. being a big part of our athletic community we all know Coach Layer won’t be going far, however his leadership and passion for Girls Track will be missed. Thanks to both Linda and Steve for their contributions to Alleman!

I know we all consider athletics one important part of the overall development of our students at Alleman and we are proud that a significant percentage of our student body participates in interscholastic athletics. The foundations of our athletic program will always be hard work, teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership. We hope that along the way our students will realize and maybe exceed their athletic ability while learning important values that will sustain them the rest of their lives. While striving to achieve a high level of athletic success, we’ll always maintain proper perspective that a student-athlete is a student first and athletic second. Our overall goal is to help and nurture our young people to achieve success in all facets of their high school life – my hope that athletics remains an important, healthy part of that life.

I’m sure 2009-10 will be another great year for Alleman High School athletics!

                                                  Steve Smithers

                                                  GO PIONEERS!!