Former Plainfield Coach Honored at Cross-Country Meet

Submitted by Plainfield School District 202

Photo 1: (From left) Jason Crowe, head coach for Plainfield South High School boys cross-country team, Scott Albright, former PSHS cross-country coach, and Steve Riederer, long-time district cross-country coach, pose at the inaugural cross-country City Championship in late August. The championship trophy, the Steve Riederer Cup, is named after Riederer for his work with the cross-country programs at all district high schools.

Photo 2: The Steve Riederer Cup is named after long-time Plainfield High School and Plainfield High School-Central Campus cross-country coach Steve Riederer. The trophy will be awarded annually to the winning boys and girls cross country teams during the City Championship race.

Long-time District 202 cross-country coach Steve Riederer was excited to work this year’s cross-country season opener on Aug. 29 for a few reasons.

First, all four District 202 high schools came together for the inaugural City Championship at Van Horn Woods.

As well, Van Horn Woods was the home course during most of Riederer’s 20-plus years coaching cross-country in District 202. It also was on the first Saturday of the season - the same time that the first intra-district meet between PHS-CC and PSHS was held 15 years ago.

All coincidences, Riederer thought.

Then, after the race Riederer, now a physical education and health teacher at Walker’s Grove Elementary School, learned that the City Championship would become a tradition and carry with it a traveling trophy called the Steve Riederer Cup.

“I was astounded when they brought the trophy out,” Riederer said.

Jason Crowe, PSHS boy’s cross-country team head coach and physical education teacher organized the championship last fall with PHSCC cross country coach John Prieboy and PNHS coach Andy Derks.

The coaches kept talking about how Riederer was instrumental in starting the district’s cross-country programs.

“He’s been fantastic with his support of all four high schools and their cross-country programs,” Crowe said.

Reiderer said he was “very humbled (and) appreciative” of the honor. He also praised the high school cross-country coaches for creating the City Championship.

The championship helps teach runners that even though they may run for different high schools, they are all members of the District 202 family and they can support each other.

There are trophies for both the boy’s team and the girl’s team. PSHS won both trophies this year.