Tyler Alles of Ligonier was the overall winner of the Junior Achievement 5K held Saturday in Syracuse. (Photos provided)

SYRACUSE – Ligonier’s Tyler Alles and Goshen’s Yuko Baumann were the male and female overall winners at Saturday’s Junior Achievement 5K held in Syracuse.

Alles finished the 5K race, which began at Lakeside Fitness and worked its way around Syracuse and back to the gym, at 16:22, a 5:17 pace. Baumann, who clocked a 22:08/7:08 was 15th overall of over 200 entries.

Yuko Baumann of Goshen was the overall women’s winner, shown crossing the finish line with Joe Griner of North Webster.

The race benefits Junior Achievement, a program that helps teach students in grades K-12 about personal and business finance. Junior Achievement raises approximately $25,000 per year to fund its efforts in Kosciusko County.

According to Junior Achievement Development Manager Vicky Decker, the program teaches students the significance of personal finance, economics, credit cards, taxes and budgeting as well providing students with business finance skills. The program provides a five to six week course for students that is entirely taught by program provided volunteers. Decker states that Junior Achievement is present in Milford, Syracuse, and North Webster schools and that the Junior Achievement’s Regional Branch overseas operations in 25 counties.

In addition, Junior Achievement offers Wawasee High School students a fully funded economics course. Decker states that many students in the economics course have developed their finance skills and have received internships with various companies throughout the county. Though the courses do provide a wealth of knowledge, they are by no means meant to be tedious. Instead, courses implement games and fun activities to teach students the importance of finance.

For a complete list of results and a photo page, visit Lakeside Fitness’ Facebook page.

Age Group Winners
Male 2-12
Luke Griner, 12, North Webster – 18:27

Female 2-12
Breanna Hiner, 9, Syracuse – 24:50

Male 13-19
Jaxon Bame, 15, Pierceton – 17:23

Female 13-19
Morgan Eryman, 15, Leesburg – 24:41

Male 20-24
Jon Tucco, 20, Cromwell – 22:42

Female 20-24
Anisa Adam, 22, North Manchester – 27:23

Male 25-29
Tim Murray, 26, Goshen – 16:32

Female 25-29
Danielle Jones, 28, North Webster – 22:56

Male 30-34
Matt Adams, 30, Columbia City – 20:42

Female 30-34
Danielle Hartzell, 34, Syracuse – 22:28

Male 35-39
Sean Frick, 37, Syracuse – 20:26

Female 35-39
Wendy Hiner, 39, Syracuse – 26:59

Male 40-44
Andy Dunithan, 40, Milford – 20:42

Female 40-44
Misty Glandon, 40, Syracuse – 25:05

Male 45-49
Todd McCullough, 46, Syracuse – 20:56

Female 45-49
Lisa Schenkel, 47, North Webster – 26:10

Male 50-54
Craig Miller, 50, Elkhart – 22:46

Female 50-54
Deb Webb, 53, Syracuse – 26:32

Male 55-59
Mark Bowser, 55, North Webster – 24:57

Female 55-59
Jane Gingerich, 57, Milford – 27:22

Male 60-64
Tom Striggow, 61, Bowling Green – 23:22

Female 60-64
Mary Shoemaker, 62, North Webster – 32:53

Male 70-Over
Dewain Cobbs, 70, Warsaw – 25:11