Middle School Medalists

This year, Timothy Christian’s middle school cross country and track coaches—along with Athletic Director Jack LeGrand—made a bold decision: for the first time, they entered both teams into the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) State Competition. Until now, Timothy hadn’t participated in IESA tournaments. But that single step of faith led to historic success.

Cross Country: A Historic First Step

Much like high school athletes competing in IHSA events, IESA athletes begin their postseason journey at sectionals. This fall, four Timothy runners—Lyla Plaisier, Kaitlyn Pergande, Megan Lumkes, and Luke Cudney—qualified for the state meet. By the end of the two‑mile race through wooded trails and grassy fields, Lyla finished 6th and Kaitlyn 15th out of 223 runners—earning All‑State honors and making Timothy history—while clocking personal-best times of 12:12.60 and 12:24.69, respectively.

“Running cross country allows you to experience God’s creation in a unique way,” Lyla shared. That love for nature, combined with fierce determination, helped propel both girls to the top.

Coach Snoeyink highlighted the strength of their friendship and shared commitment: “Lyla and Kaitlyn usually run together in practice, and they push each other to be better at what they do.”

Clearly, it paid off.

Both girls are three‑sport athletes—Lyla also plays basketball and runs track, while Kaitlyn competes in basketball and soccer. But nothing quite compared to the thrill of competing at the state meet. From the breathtaking course to the roar of the crowd at the awards ceremony, the entire day was unforgettable.

Track and Field: Building on Momentum

That momentum carried straight into the spring season. Inspired by the success of their cross country teammates, Timothy athletes went on to compete in the IESA State Track and Field Competition—and once again, they made their mark.

Brooklyn Judkins-Johnson placed 3rd in the 7th‑grade long jump, soaring 16‑01.50 (4.91 m) on her best attempt, and also earned 3rd place in the 200m dash. Lyla Plaisier continued her standout season with a 6th-place finish in the 8th‑grade 1600m and 5th-place in the 800m. Luke Cudney took 5th in the 8th‑grade 400m with a time of 54.03 seconds. He also competed in the high jump, clearing 1.62m. Reese VanHekken ran the 100m hurdles, and Presleigh Younglove competed in the 800m run.

“These kids were top performers all season, breaking records and winning races at every meet. I knew they were ready for a bigger stage and top competition at the state meet. It was incredible to see the poise and energy all of them showed before their events—and the big smiles and excitement when they were done!” said Coach Ross Van Der Bill.

All three medalists—Brooklyn, Lyla, and Luke—earned state recognition by finishing in the top eight in Illinois.

“They work their tails off in season—but they’re also leading in the classroom, in their churches, and in their friendships.”
Coach Van Der Bill

More Than Medals: Developing Gifts and Courageous Leaders

Middle school is a pivotal time—a season when students begin to discover their unique God-given gifts and talents, explore new interests, and build meaningful friendships. It’s also a time when they grow in confidence and begin to understand more deeply the purpose God has for their lives. At Timothy, we believe it's also a time to develop courageous leaders—students who are grounded in faith, unafraid to compete with integrity, and ready to support and uplift their teammates.

Competing on the state stage was a remarkable opportunity for our middle school athletes—not just because of the medals they brought home, but because of the character and leadership it helped shape. These athletes didn’t just run fast—they ran with heart. They led with humility. And they stepped up in faith when the pressure was high.

“These kids work their tails off when they are in season, but they are equally dedicated to their schoolwork, families, friends, and faith life,” said Coach Van Der Bill. “They are taking accelerated classes in our high school, volunteering at their churches, leading groups here at school, and maintaining high achievement in the classroom. Their giving and friendly natures make them leaders on our team but also in the hallways.”

What began as a leap of faith became a launching pad. These middle school athletes didn’t just set new records—they set a new standard. And the future of Timothy’s cross country and track and field programs has never looked brighter.

Who knew that one bold decision could lead to such remarkable success?