The Matt Saracen Award

The Matt Saracen Award (Most Improved Runner)

The Matt Saracen Award is given to the runner who has improved significantly over the course of their high school career. In the show Friday Night Lights, sophomore Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) is forced into the starting quarterback position after QB1, Jason Street, gets paralyzed in the first game of the season. His job is a little rocky at first. Nobody in Texas, except for Coach Taylor, thinks that this 5’8” quarterback can lead Dillon to its first state title in a long time. Things get better for him though. His confidence in his passing game grows, and with the help of running back sensation Brian “Smash” Williams, Saracen leads Dillon to the state game where they eventually win on a game winning touchdown pass. In season two, Saracen turns into one of the better quarterbacks in Texas. Dillon fails to make the state game, but he has a great season despite some issues with “Smash” Williams. Saracen is an inspiration to many young players who want to play at the high school level in Texas.


And the winner is………


Harlow Ladd Messalonskee
Harlow Ladd had an exceptional junior year capped off with an eight place finish at the class A state meet running a time of 16:53.04. He was the early favorite to win the race, but he had some issues with cramps which caused him to suffer. As a sophomore Ladd failed to qualify for the state meet which really shows how much he has improved over the past year. Ladd really burst on to the XC and track scene when he ran 4:25 and 9:59 in the 1600 and 3200 at the class A state meet as a sophomore. At that point, we could tell that Ladd was in for a heck of a cross country season. He started his fall with a bang as he won the Laliberte Invitational running a time of 13:42 on the 2.4 mile course. He then placed second at the Festival of Champions running a time of 16:11. A few weeks later at the Eastern Regional’s, Ladd cruised to the win running a time of 16:30.95. Expect Ladd to have a stellar senior season, and contend for the title in 2011.

Rest of the Top Five
2. Andy Reifman-Packett Mt Ararat
Fastest Time: 16:28.85

3. Will Lundquist Cony
Fastest Time: 16:47.53

4. Tom Hague Scarborough
Fastest Time: 16:48.25

5. John Lake Falmouth
Fastest Time: 17:17.05