Wilcoxen named Junior High Track Coach of the Year

WALNUT — Ken Wilcoxen has been known to light the cinder track at Bureau Valley North School in the early morning hours before sunrise, using the headlights of his truck to see where he’s going.

It is that kind of dedication and the success he has enjoyed over 32 years that has led the longtime Storm coach to be named the Illinois Junior High Track Coach of the Year. He received the award Jan. 21 at the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association ceremony at Millikin University in Decatur.

Steve Endsley and Nicole (Coates) Schaefbauer of the Illinois Elementary Association said Wilcoxen is a deserving recipient for his longevity and dedication to the sport.

Bureau Valley High School girls’ track coach Dale Donner said Wilcoxen does a great job for the young track minds and bodies at North.

“He is not only knowledgeable, but he is also very energetic about coaching. The passion he has about coaching track bleeds over to his athletes, and creates an energy on his team and those around him,” Donner said. “Our success at the high school comes from the great junior high coaches that we have. Kenny, along with all our junior high coaches, are major parts of our entire track program. We are lucky to have Kenny coaching at our junior high.”

Wilcoxen, 52, who started out at Buda Western in 1980 and taught three years at Neponset before coming to Walnut, enjoys watching the progression of his track athletes.

“It’s fun to watch a sixth grader who doesn’t have clue about the shot put or discus and eventually get down to state and get a medal. That’s what it’s all about, progression,” Wilcoxen said

“That’s the goal to get down to state. They really enjoy it.”

The Storm coach, who also coaches basketball and is a highly respected official, said he’s had a lot of good kids and enjoys the camaradarie of the coaches around the conference and area.

Wilcoxen’s teams have won eight state trophies, including two state championships — 2004 8A girls and 2010 8A boys, 14 sectional championships, 24 BVEC championships and 48 state medals.