GLUECK, LEGRAND NAB TOP HONORS AT NOTRE DAME ATHLETIC BANQUET

After watching the distribution of individual awards Sunday during the Notre Dame Booster Club Athletic Banquet, there wasn't much doubt who would be taking home the most distinguished awards of the ceremony.

Two individuals -- Jennifer Glueck and Jonathan LeGrand -- had already won an armful of awards before the Bulldog and Lady Bulldog Awards were announced at the close of the evening. One last time, the two seniors moved to the front of the high school gymnasium for a final honor.

Glueck, a three-sport star, was named the Lady Bulldog recipient and LeGrand, a two-sport member, made off with the Bulldog Award. The two awards go to Notre Dame's most outstanding male and female senior athletes.

Among several deserving senior girls, Glueck was head-and-shoulders the top female athlete at Notre Dame. Before receiving the Lady Bulldog honor, she had already earned one volleyball trophy (most kills) and three more for her efforts on the basketball court.

"I'd like to think I won this award for all the hard work and dedication (I gave) to the sports I played," Glueck said in between several congratulatory hugs from friends and family.

Glueck, a four-year varsity letterwinner in both basketball and volleyball, was a member of two Final Four basketball teams and two district championship volleyball teams. She was an all-district volleyball player this season, leading the Lady Bulldogs with 126 kills.

The career leader in assists at Notre Dame with 262, Glueck was named the Most Valuable Player of this past season's basketball team that won district again. She also won awards for the most assists this season (107) and as the Lady Bulldogs' top free-throw shooter (70 percent).

Asked if she had enough room in her trophy case at home for all the awards, Glueck said with a laugh, "I'll make room I guess."

Glueck might have to make a little more room in the trophy case, considering she's also been a three-year starter on the Notre Dame soccer team. With the soccer season still in progress, those awards will be handed out at the end of the season.

The boys soccer season was completed this fall and LeGrand was the leader of a young Bulldogs' team. Despite being the lone senior on the squad, LeGrand had a blast as the leader of the team.

"It was fun; I liked leading the team," said LeGrand. "They all listened to me pretty much and that made it fun."

As an all-district and all-conference selection this season, LeGrand was named the team's MVP in a vote of his fellow teammates. He's also a four-year member of the golf team that will be shooting for another trip to state.

LeGrand will attend Mississippi State University this fall and plans to major in professional golf management. He'd like to become a golf pro and design courses.

Glueck will be attending Quincy College in Quincy, Ill. She hasn't decided yet if she'll be playing soccer in college.

* Notre Dame senior Brian Hulshof earned a much-deserved honor for his service to the Bulldogs' basketball and baseball teams in his four years at the high school.

Hulshof served as manager of the baseball team all four years and the boys basketball team the last three years. Notre Dame coaches Chris Janet and Gregg Muench presented Hulshof a plaque for his dedication to the teams.

LeGrand even considered Hulshof a favorite for the Bulldog Award.

"I was kind of surprised I won," LeGrand said. "I thought Brian Hulshof might get it."

* Southeast Missouri State University basketball coach Gary Garner was the banquet's guest speaker.