team finished in second place at the Illinois High School Association championship tournament. Their unlikely run to the state tournament was documented in Chris Ballard's 2012 book, One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season. Brian Snitker, a member of that team, joined the Atlanta Braves as a player in 1977, was their third base coach, and in 2013 was named the manager of Atlanta's Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. In 2016, the Atlanta Braves named Snitker as their manager. On May 27, 2006, Meridian High School State Champion Rodney Oyler was the first individual IHSA Illinois Boys State Champion in the open 800 meter run at O'Brien Stadium, Charleston, Illinois. The Meridian Hawks won the 2009 Boys Class 1A Illinois High School Association State Basketball Championship. Auto racing Macon is the site of Macon Speedway, a 1/5 mile high-banked dirt oval track which has been in operation since 1946. In 2006, the track saw a major decrease in spectator turnouts and the owner was having trouble keeping the track open. In early 2007, Macon speedway was purchased by NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart, Ken Schrader, and Kenny Wallace. Since their purchase, parts of the track have been remodeled, including new fencing all around and fresh painted grandstands. Notable people Dale Connelly, co-host of Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Show, is a 1973 graduate of Macon High School Nelson G. Kraschel, governor of Iowa from 1937 to 1939, was born on a farm near Macon on October 27, 1889 Brian Snitker, Manager of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, former professional baseball player, was a 1973 graduate of Macon High School. Toby Towson, NCAA Gymnastics Champion, coach and dancer was a 1965 graduate of Macon High School Art Wilson, (1885–1960), born in Macon, was a major league baseball catcher References External links Cities in Illinois Cities in Macon County, Illinois