From my perspective no single story rises to be the single "story of the year" but again the commulative overall continued excellence of Collinsville High School athletes (and their coaches) is my top story for 2016. The wrestlers won their 6th straight state title and the golf girls were state runner-ups. Individual state titles were earned by wrestlers: Justin Walker (145) and Elijah Tanner (152) + track: Ellen Thomas (2 mile) and Hayden West (pole vault). The CHS cheerleaders brought home the academic state championship trophy for the 3rd year in a row. A record number of CHS seniors have made commitments to play college sports (18 so far by my count). Linebacker Levi Draper was good on the football field but was what I consider a media phenomenon unlike any I have seen in Collinsville (especially in this social media age).

On the negative side for 2016 was the unexpected loss of former coach & superintendent Terry Due. Many other great Collinsville folks were also lost this year.

-- Ted Wright -- Dec. 29, 2016

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