A.J. Smith named DHS boys Senior Athlete of the Year at Elks Banquet
A standout letterman in baseball, football and basketball, A.J. Smith was named the Du Quoin High School Senior Athlete of the Year at Wednesday night's Elks' Boys All-Sports Banquet held at the Du Quoin Elks Lodge #884.
The son of Chuck and Mary Smith, Anthony has been an all-conference selection in both baseball and football, and also played basketball for Du Quoin, advancing to the IHSA State Finals in the Three-Point Showdown this past season. He currently bats third and is a starting pitcher and infielder for the baseball Indians, and will continue his athletics career at McKendree University in the fall, where he will play football.
In addition to the Senior Athlete of the Year award, Smith also brought home the Darrell Keith Anders Memorial Scholarship, presented in the honor of the spirit of the late DHS basketball great, his beliefs, values, qualities of character and standards of conduct that set him apart from other athletes.
Chance Gilliam (football, track) was the winner of the Carroll L. Doerner Award, chosen by DHS coaches in collaboration with the late Coach Doerner's family and given to a graduating senior who has earned a varsity letter in football.
Grant Woodside (golf) won the William G. Theobald Memorial Award, given to the senior athlete who in addition to earning a varsity letter excelled above his teammates in the classroom and in other ways.
Spencer Kuhnert (football, track), who was unable to attend the banquet, was the winner of the Whitey Miller Award, presented annually to the football team's top lineman.
Other seniors recognized at the Elks Banquet included Levi Brening (baseball), Noah Campbell (golf, baseball), Jordan Carson (basketball), Riley Dunmyer (football, track), Hunter Farmer (football), Austin Frech (football, track), Jon Harsy (track), Jacob Hunziker (football), Luke Jones (football), Ethan Keller (baseball, golf), Isaiah King (football, track), Tyler King (football, track), Sam Manning (football, track), Tevin Martin (baseball), Skylar Olmsted (football), Logan Patalas (football, baseball), Nolan Showalter (basketball, football), Jacob Valier (golf, baseball) and Lane Valier (football).
Doug and Marsha Morgenstern won the Joe E. Weber "Fan of the Year" award.
The night's guest speaker was legendary KMOX Broadcaster Ron Jacober, who has covered St. Louis sports on radio and television for over 40 years. He served as Sports Director at KMOX for two decades and continues to host the award-winning show "Sports on a Sunday Morning" as well as other part-time work.
Jacober, a Missouri Sports Hall-of-Famer, shared stories from past experiences he had interviewing national sports stars such as Muhammed Ali, Tommy Lasorda, Ernie Banks, as well as St. Louis-area legends Stan Musial, Mike Matheny, Whitey Herzog and others. His message to the students in attendance centered around a story involving his own son's experience with a downed aircraft - never quit.