Reese Townsend Named October Student-Athlete of the Month

Reese Townsend, a senior offensive lineman and defensive end on the football team at Portland High School School, has been chosen as the winner of the J-Dubbs Signature Subs/Portland Beacon Student-Athlete of the Month award for October 2020. Townsend is also a member of the Raider varsity baseball team.

In his nomination submitted prior to the COVID related cancelation of the team’s season, Raider Head Coach John Novara said, “He is so valuable to us on both sides of the ball. He is playing great as an offensive lineman and a defensive end. He is a captain of our team and a quiet leader. He has been doing an amazing job for us all year. His growth from last year to this year has been amazing. He is one of the reasons why we are having a lot of success and one of the anchors on our offensive line that allows us to run the football.”

To be nominated for this award, a student-athlete must attend either Portland High School or St. Patrick School, and be a member of a varsity sports program or school-sponsored athletic club at his/her school. Nominations may be made by a member of their high school coaching staff, athletic director, principal, or a school recognized student government organization at his/her school. Nominations are also accepted from The Portland Beacon contributing writers.

The monthly winner is selected by a three-person panel.

Monthly winners are entered into the student-athlete of the year contest. The winner for the year receives a party platter from J-Dubbs Signature Subs.

Other talented local athletes receiving nominations for October were:

Laynie Meredith – SPS Cross Country

Nominated by coach Dan Lawless: “October 10 Laynie finished 8th overall at the Greater Lansing division 4 meet. October 15 she finished 13th in the CMAC final league meet earning 2nd team all-conference, she also tied the school record at this meet (8 of the 12 girls finishing ahead of Laynie were PW runners). October 24th pre-regional meet at Carson City. Laynie finished in first place. October 31 regional meet at DeWitt Laynie finished 5th overall and broke the school record.”

Lawless added, “Aside from her success, Laynie is a genuinely nice young woman. She is humble with her success, she has never drawn attention to herself and has never made a comment about her success. She continues to set ambitious goals at each meet. She is supportive and encouraging of all her teammates at practice and at meets. She is a leader, taking charge of stretching after practices. She has an infectious positive attitude and great sense of humor.”

Laynie Meredith and Cozy Brown – SPS Cross Country

Nominated by St. Patrick Athletic Director Patrick Russman. Russman said, “They have placed well at several meets and had a great October. They went one and two in our pre-regional @ CC-C. They also both ran well in the Regional and qualified for the State Finals this weekend at MIS.”

Editors note: Due to a potential conflict of interest, Portland Beacon Publisher James Townsend did not participate in the voting process for this month’s award. The selection panel for October included Beacon contributors Robert Lathers, Benjamin Rex Cross, and Andrew Seavey.