LAKEVILLE - When he was younger, he always watched the older guys. Guys like Ethan Kertai, Mason Leed, and his older brother Jacob were key role models as he began to grow more and more fond of playing high school sports. To close out his senior year, Michael Good has been selected the 2024 Dale E. Cox Male Athlete of the Year. "When I found out that I was athlete of the year I was pretty excited, honored to say the least," said Good.  "Even more honored when realizing that Lucas (Plummer) and I would share the award." Good earned nine varsity letters while being a three-sport athlete at the Lakeville, Indiana, school. On Friday night, Michael could be found on the gridiron. During basketball season, he was easy to find in a local gym 'hooping it up' with his teammates.  Then during the spring, he started his night in the throwing ring before taking a couple quick trips around the track in a running event. He also helped out in running events like 100m, 4X100 relay, 300m hurdles, and the 4X400 relay. Through watching his older brother, Jacob, and friends, Michael understood he had to put in the work.  It was through that extra effort - the summer workouts, the out-of-season workouts, and the weight room - he found success. "It was nice to have all my hard work pay off," noted Good. "Growing up being involved in sports has contributed to my success, watching guys like Ethan Kertai, Mason Leed, and my brother play sports when I was younger made me fall in love with all these sports. I can remember getting treated like I was their age when we played out in the yard, it usually didn’t go well for me, but taught me how to compete." In the fall of 2023, Good capped his career with a fine senior season.  He hauled in a new single season touchdown record with nine and finished in the top 5 in seven categories. His career long TD catch covered 57 yards from quarterback Lucas Plummer on September 8, 2023.  Good was the top receiver for the Lancer football team, averaging nearly 50 yards per game.  He also played on the defensive side, leading the team in sacks with six coming from a linebacker position. "My most memorable moments in football would consist of beating North Judson my junior year to go undefeated, and become conference champs," Good said with a smile. "And every one of those amazing team dinners we had every Thursday night." For his efforts, Michael was selected to the Indiana Football Coaches Association 2A Senior All-State team at tight end. He also helped the LaVille Lancers win the Class 2A IHSAA sectional championship. As basketball season rolled around in November, Good and few of the football Lancers joined coach Michael Edison on the hardwood. It was evident early-on in the season that Good worked to improve his game.  He was active around the basket and showed he could step outside and ring up a 3-pointer. His final season was noticeably better as he raised his scoring average per game, rebounding numbers, assists, and steals averages.  He also raised the excitement level at the games with his rim-shaking slam dunks.  Good's career-best offensive output was a 25-point performance against Elkhart Christian Academy. "In basketball, my greatest memories were winning Bi-County my junior year (2022-23), and our Wisconsin trip last summer (2023)," noted Good, who had a career-high 13 rebounds against Culver Community his senior season. Then, after sitting out his junior season of track and field, Good decided one last run, no pun intended, was in the cards. Although the weather played havoc on meet day for most of the season, Good & Co., made the best of those slippery, sloppy outdoor conditions. The gifted performer was a regular in the discus and shot put ring during the season.  In fact, the 25 pounds that he gained from his junior to senior year were a great help in becoming one of the top throwers in the state. He was a good shot put thrower, winning seven events during the regular season. Good finished as the Dennis Rippy Invitational and Hoosier North Athletic Conference shot put champion. But when Good entered the discus ring, on-lookers were just waiting for the Lancer to uncork a long distance toss. In fact, early in the season Michael broke a 27-year old school discus record with a throw of 165'-3" at LaVille on April 9. Not quite 10 days later, he was at it again.  This time Good broke his own mark by sending the implement 171''-10" in a triangular meet at Knox High School. With the inclement weather, Good did the best he could considering the situation before a break gave way as the IHSAA state tournament approached. LaVille started the tournament trail at Penn High School, where Good grabbed the blue ribbon and a sectional championship in discus with a toss of 168'-11". The next week, the path to Bloomington stopped at the Goshen Regional.  There, Michael let go of a throw registering 178'-3" to set a new LaVille boys track and field standard and punch his ticket to Indiana University. "In track, beating the school record, beating it again, beating my coaches Dennis Rippey invitational record, and practicing with all my friends my sophomore year," were tops on Good's list of memorable moments.  "I’m sure I’m forgetting a few memories in each of those." Being the 2024 sectional and regional champion were certainly high points for Good, but there was still one more stop on the IHSAA state track and field tour in 2024 - The IHSAA finals! Student-athletes, patrons, and workers alike dealt with moderate to heavy rain for most of the state championships in Bloomington, Indiana.Three events had to be moved indoors - high jump, long jump, and pole vault - to compete. Though he did not advance to the finals, Good finished in the top 25 in the discus and performed with the best Indiana has to offer. "I love reflecting on those memories," said Good."I know that those memories will always be with me to cherish." With all the games and meets, the 6-foot, 3-inch Indiana State-bound Lancer had plenty of time to represent Lancer Nation. "Looking back on high school, most of my memories come from athletics, something I could never find anywhere else," explained Good. "Putting on the LaVille uniform has been everything to me, looking forward to every single game being able to represent LaVille."  Good not only played sports, but also gave back by participating in National Honor Society, DECA, Art Club, HNAC leadership committee, and the high school heroes program. "I want to thank everyone in the Lancer Community who has helped me along the way," concluded Good, who plans to pursue track and field at Indiana State University in the fall and obtain his doctorate in physical therapy." Without the constant support of the community, it would’ve never been the same. Thank you Lancer Nation for always packing the stands."  Congratulations, Michael!