The COVID-19 pandemic stopped the Osakis cross country teams from getting together to celebrate their postseason honors in person, but four athletes earned team awards for their roles in helping the Silverstreaks through this season.
Freshman Jacob Taplin figures to have a strong running career for Osakis after pacing the boys to an 11th-place finish in a loaded field at the Section 6A meet. He finished that race in a time of 19:01 (35th individually) and was named this year’s most outstanding runner for the boys.
“Our most consistent runner of our group of young boys,” Osakis head coach Justin Dahlheimer said of Taplin. “Really put together a nice season and led the boys to a very good finish at sections considering the amount of youth on our team. Jacob is a very positive person and a fierce competitor -- two great qualities for a young athlete.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mason Grove, another freshman, was named Osakis’ most improved runner. Grove was the Silverstreaks’ second fastest finisher at sections in 54th place (19:29.2).
“He really stepped up this year and became a runner with high potential that he reached often,” Dahlheimer said. “He led our runners to the highest finish we’ve ever had at conference and won a challenging race at Brophy Park. Another freshman with high potential, a positive attitude, and a great work ethic.”
On the girls’ side, Destiny Dorman is a senior who was named the team’s most outstanding runner. Dorman has been a big part of this program’s growth over the years and stepped up to be the leader of this group in 2020.
“She has been a tough competitor in her five years with our team,” Dahlheimer said. “She has had some high finishes and fast times that result from her willingness to push herself. She led the girls in nearly every race this year.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Julianna Collins rounded out the team award winners by earning the most-improved award for the girls.
“She’s the epitome of selfless and proof that as a runner you can not only make yourself better, but you can make your teammates better,” Dahlheimer said. “She worked very hard this year to improve her times and along the way helped our younger runners improve. Couldn’t think of an award that was more fitting for a person who has embodied improvement since the day she came out for cross country. She’s put all (her teammates) first and helped in their improvement, and she was rewarded with her own improvement because of it.”
