Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden boys' soccer team wraps up history-making season
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<p class="p1">The Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden high school boys' soccer team was welcomed home with a reception and ceremony last Sunday afternoon.</p><p class="p1">The team finished second in the Illinois High School Association, IHSA, Class 1A state finals.</p><p class="p1">Sunday's reception and ceremony were held at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School.</p><p class="p1">The team is a cooperative program with players from A-JCHS and Cobden High School.</p><p class="p1">As far as it can be determined, Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden is the first co-op team in Union County to advance to the state finals in a sport.</p><p class="p1">The Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden squad advanced to the championship game of the IHSA Class 1A state finals. The finals were played at the Corn Crib in Normal. The team from Union County had a strong show of support from its fans back home who made the journey to Normal for the finals.</p><p class="p1">In semifinal action on Friday, Oct. 30, Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden defeated Rockford Keith Country Day 1-0.</p><p class="p1">Elmhurst Timothy Christian outscored Urbana University 4-1 in the other Class 1A semifinal on Friday.</p><p class="p1">The title game was played Saturday evening, Oct. 31. </p><p class="p1">Elmhurst Timothy Christian repeated its four-goal scoring effort on its way to a 4-1 win over Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden for the Class 1A title.</p><p class="p1">The Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden squad was able to share its runner-up trophy with the community during Sunday's reception and a ceremony which was held to salute the team.</p><p class="p1">As members of the team entered the Union Hall gym for the ceremony, they were greeted with a standing ovation from those who were on hand.</p><p class="p1">"This is a special moment," A-JCHS director of athletics Rick Livesay said. He said that the team's achievements during a "phenomenal" 2015 season were history-making.</p><p class="p1">A-JCHS District 81 superintendent Rob Wright congratulated the team for its "historic season" and "amazing achievement." </p><p class="p1">Wright said that the members of the Class 1A runner-up squad would remember what they had achieved for the rest of their lives. </p><p class="p1">A-JCHS principal Brett Detering praised the character of the players on the squad and the team work that they had shown during the season. He said that the team would forever be a part of A-JCHS history.</p><p class="p1">John Hughey, the president of the A-JCHS District 81 Board of Education, voiced appreciation to the players, coaches and parents. </p><p class="p1">Mark Boomer, the head coach of the Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden squad, said he was "very proud" of the team and what the players had accomplished. He also praised the fans who supported the team. "The fan support has been fantastic," Boomer said.</p><p class="p1">Gary Stark, who is a parent of a team member, told those who had gathered in the Union Hall gym that he was proud of the team "and I know you are, too."</p><p class="p1">"It is an incredible moment. This is special," Stark said.</p>