State Farm Student-Athlete Recognition Banquet presents 11 awards

Posted on June 20, 2018
Zach Bradford and Grace Ariola were recognized as McLean County Athletes of the Year during the 11th annual State Farm Student-Athlete Recognition Banquet. (Photo contributed)

By WJBC Staff

BLOOMINGTON  – The Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission, a division of the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with State Farm, WJBC, You Name It Sports and Special Olympics Illinois, hosted the 11th annual State Farm Student-Athlete Recognition Banquet on Tuesday at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Bloomington-Normal.

The banquet recognized outstanding scholar athletes, coaches, teams, and others in McLean County for their achievements on and off the field. The banquet featured Illinois State University Athletics Director Larry Lyons as the keynote speaker.

Awards were presented in 11 categories to the following winners:

  • Good Neighbor Award: Heyworth and El Paso-Gridley Girls Basketball Teams
  • Special Olympics Female Athlete of the Year: Chelsea Wycoff
  • Special Olympics Male Athlete of the Year:  Daniel Johnson
  • Female Team of the Year:  U-High Volleyball Team
  • Male Team of the Year:  Ridgeview/Lexington High School Track & Field Team
  • Coach of the Year – Female Sport:  Heather Budak, Normal Community Swimming & Diving
  • Coach of the Year – Male Sport:  Jason Welch, Central Catholic Basketball
  • Female Scholar Athlete of the Year:  Melissa Pish, Normal West
  • Male Scholar Athlete of the Year:  Josh Friesen, U-High
  • Female Athlete of the Year:  Grace Ariola, Normal Community
  • Male Athlete of the Year:  Zach Bradford, Bloomington

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