DCHS Honors Two Time High Jump State Champion Ally Beneke (View Video Here)

December 9, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Honoring a two-time state high school high jump champion!

Ally Beneke has become one of the greatest athletes of all time at DCHS.

The 2023 graduate was honored between the DCHS-Warren County basketball games Friday night in Smithville for having captured back-to-back women’s high jump state titles in 2022 and 2023.

During the presentation, Beneke was presented a plaque for her feat and a banner in her honor was unveiled which will be prominently displayed in the gym alongside those for other star athletes.

Beneke was a member of the DeKalb and Warren County cooperative Track and Field program during her sophomore, junior, and senior years.

Ally earned her first State Championship on May 26th, 2022 at the TSSAA-DI AAA track meet after jumping a height of 5 feet 6 inches to claim the title.

She repeated as State Champion on May 25, 2023 when she cleared a new personal record of 5 feet 8 inches on her final attempt jump at the TSSAA D1-AAA Track and Field State Meet held at the Dean A. Hayes Stadium at MTSU.

Beneke is the 20-year-old daughter of Jerry and Kim Beneke and they joined her for the brief recognition ceremony Friday night along with her grandmother and coaches, Jeremy Wilhelm and Kristen VanVranken

Ally is now a student at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville where she is furthering her athletic and academic career on a Track and Field scholarship.

Beneke and her family moved to DeKalb County almost three years ago from Michigan when she was a sophomore.

December 9, 2023
By: dwayne page

After graduation, the next stop for Konner Young, the DCHS Tiger baseball team’s talented Senior shortstop will be Greenville University in Illinois.

Joined by his family, coaches, and teammates, Young signed a letter of intent Friday afternoon to play for the Panthers starting in 2025.

Baseball is Konner’s passion and has been most of his life.

“I grew up watching DCHS Tiger baseball and all I ever wanted was a spot on the team and when I got here, I just made the most of it,” said Konner.

“Konner has been a vital part of our team,” said DCHS Tiger Baseball Coach Tad Webb. “His first three years he has started as a freshman at shortstop, and we plan to use him there again this season. He has been a staple up the middle for us and he also does what he needs to do at the plate. He often comes through with some big hits for the team”.

Although Greenville, Illinois is some distance from home, Konner said the atmosphere there is like home.

“They (Greenville Coaches) reached out to me one day in school and I responded. After that we kept in touch and I later got a visit and discovered that it was the perfect match for me,” said Konner.

“Greenville really reminded me a lot of Smithville. It’s a small town and the people there are really nice. While I was there the coach recited a Bible scripture and that helped seal the deal for me,” said Young.

Once at Greenville, Konner said he plans to further his education in some form of the engineering field.

“I am very excited for Konner,” said Coach Webb. He is a special young man today and I have known him since he was little. Playing baseball is something he has always wanted to do and over the years, I have had the privilege of having coached him some in travel ball. I know this (furthering his baseball career) has been part of his dream for a long time. Its very pleasing to see him achieve and reach that dream,” said Coach Webb.

Konner is the son of Jeremy and Kim Young.

Greenville is a private university in Greenville, Illinois. It is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. Established as Greenville College in 1892, the institution was renamed Greenville University in 2017. Its sports teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III. The Panthers are a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC). The Panthers also compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).

December 9, 2023
By: dwayne page

DCHS closed out Alumni week Friday night in Smithville by crowning the 2023 Baron and Baroness and with the Tigers and Lady Tigers defeating their visiting border rivals from Warren County.

The Lady Tigers won their game 70 to 59 while the Tigers knocked off the Pioneers in the nightcap 61 to 53.

Prior to the games, the Alumni Homecoming ceremony was held to recognize the 2023 Baron and Baroness Alex Antoniak and Ella VanVranken, both Seniors on the Tiger and Lady Tiger basketball teams.

Each year a member of both the Tiger and Lady Tiger basketball programs are honored with the title of “Baron” and “Baroness.”

The DCHS Alumni Homecoming Attendants were: Freshmen Chase Young and Brylee Kirby; Sophomores Jon Hendrix and Chloe VanVranken;; Juniors Jordan Parker and Annabella Dakas; and Seniors Conner Close and Elaina Turner.

“Alumni Week” is observed at DCHS much in the same way as homecoming week is celebrated during the football season and each year a member of both the Tiger and Lady Tiger basketball programs are honored with the title of “Baron” and “Baroness”. The name “Baron” and “Baroness” is taken from Revolutionary War hero Major General Baron Johann De Kalb for whom DeKalb County was named when the county was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1837.

With the victories Friday night, both the Tigers and Lady Tigers improve to 4-4 on the season. DCHS will host Smith County Tuesday night, December 12 and travel to Cannon County Friday night, December 15. Action begins each night with the girls contest at 6 p.m. followed by the boys game and WJLE will broadcast LIVE.

In the girls game Friday night, the three-point shots were falling for both DeKalb and Warren County. The Lady Tigers had 12 three pointers and all but one came in the first half. Warren County also had 12 three pointers in the game.

The Lady Tigers opened up a 24 to 15 lead after the 1st period and built a 53 to 31 advantage by halftime. DeKalb County led 65 to 45 after the 3rd period and went onto claim a 70 to 59 victory.

Chloe VanVranken led DC in scoring with 23 points followed by Ella VanVranken with 18, Avery Agee 12, Cam Branin 9, Tess Barton 5, and Allie Melton with 3.

The Tigers trailed the Pioneers 14 to 8 after the 1st period of the boys game but fought back for a 24 to 22 halftime lead. DC held a 41 to 33 advantage after the 3rd period and won 61 to 53.

Conner Close led the Tigers in scoring with 25 followed by Alex Antoniak with 12, Jon Hendrix 8, Jordan Parker and Seth Fuson each with 6 and Dallas Kirby 4.