October Athletes of the Month...
Berger-Prakel shine in October
By George Starks - Sports Editor 
October 29, 2011 

VERSAILLES - When it comes to distance runners, Versailles usually doesn’t have a shortage of them. 

This months Athletes of the Month are two of the best in the state and both are Versailles Tigers. 

When October rolled around, senior Tammy Berger and junior Sam Prakel started to roar. 

Both led their teams to district titles at the Miami Valley CTC as well as winning both of their individual races. 

At district, Berger finished with a time of 19:02.56, 12 seconds ahead of Houston’s Allison Roeth while Prakel duplicated the feat in the boys race, blasting the 93 runner field with a time of 16:13.43, just a little over 44 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. 

TAMMY BERGER 

Berger, once an Athlete of the Year, appreciates the honor. 

“It’s nice to be recognized for your hard work,” said Berger “Not everyone sees what we do other than run races. It takes a lot of time and preparation to get ready for a race.” 

Berger ran her first race, a 5K in Versailles, when she was in the fourth grade. Something her dad talked her into doing. 

“I think I ran that race in like 30 minutes,” Berger said with a laugh. “I did the 5K races through the seventh grade then started running in junior high.” 

Now, Berger has been to the state level competition two of her last three years of high school with one state title to her name. 

Now, she wants a second. 

“The hard part is just getting to state,” said Berger. “When you are there, it’s an amazing feeling. Now that I’m a senior, I know it’s my last shot at another state title and that makes me want it that much more.” 

Berger carries a 3.5 g.p.a and is 32nd in her class. 

Several major colleges are looking at Berger, including Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Georgetown, Alabama and Georgia to name just a few. She is leaning toward a degree in dietetics. 

SAM PRAKEL 

As a freshman entering high school two years ago, Sam Prakel had some pretty big shoes to follow in. His oldest sister, Mary, a junior at West Point, was a state champion at Versailles.. 

Now a junior, Prakel has had a taste of what it means to be a champion. 

“Mary taught me a lot,” said Prakel. “She passed the torch on to me. I really have a lot of respect for her and I think she is seventh in her class.” 

Big shoes indeed, but Prakel is humbled by the Athlete of the Month award. 

“I take no award lightly,” Prakel said. “There are a lot of good athletes out there and I beat them out so this is a great honor. It makes me want to work harder and be even better than I am now.” 

With four athletes being named by CNO, Prakel is the lone junior to be recognizes. 

“That makes me feel good and lets me know I have a bright future,” Prakel said. “I can’t get lazy, I have to keep working hard.” 

Having been to state as a freshman and a sophomore, Prakel is looking for three in a row. 

As a freshman, he was 13th overall and as a sophomore, Prakel finished seventh at state. This year, he hopes to see that top spot. 

“I know I’m in the mix for first place but there are three other guys in the state that are right there also. I think I’m good enough to finish first but the competition is tough there.” 

While Prakel excels on the track, he also excels in the classroom. Currently he carries a 4.0 and is first in he class.