As the fall sports’ seasons come to a close many of the top athletes around the state are being recognized for their great contributions. The DHS cross country team is no exception to this recognition. In fact, four of De Soto’s very own runners were chosen as the Lawrence Journal-World All-Area cross country team. These students were seniors Rebekah Burgweger and Max Taulbee, junior Meredith Wolfe, and sophomore Luis Murillo. Junior Nathan Zwahlen and sophomore Annie Schmucker were named honorable mention as well.

“The Lawrence Journal-World still recognizes, in all the sports, the top performers or athletes in their area. Basically it means [that by being selected] you are one of the best in their publication area,” head coach Chris McAfee said.

To be selected for this honor the coaches of the high school teams nominate three athletes that they believe deserve to have recognition. From these nominations a team of writers from the newspaper go through and sort out who they think should be on the team and who is honorable mention. After this process is done the teams are announced.

As well as having four runners selected for the All-Area team, McAfee was also named Coach of the Year for his accomplishments in leading both girls’ and boys’ teams to great success throughout the season. Although the exact process of selection is not really known to McAfee, it is known that all head coaches are taken into consideration and are selected by a group of writers of the paper.

“I expected [these athletes] who were selected from our school to get it. We have a great team and we definitely have some of the best runners in the state,” McAfee said.

To see all of the official names of the selected teams and pictures go to: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/dec/11/2013-journal-world-all-area-girls-cross-country-te/ and http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/dec/11/2013-journal-world-all-area-boys-cross-country-tea/