Amanda Fox, a sophomore at Naperville Central High School, was honored as October’s Triblocal/Valley Honda Sports Player of the Month during a varsity boys basketball game Jan.15.

In front of cheering friends and family, the 15-year-old cross-country runner from Naperville received a plaque from Triblocal and an oversized check from contest sponsor Valley Honda in Aurora. Her school will inevitably receive the $500 donation, but Don Davis, general manager of Valley Honda, let Fox take home the big check.

Vote here for your favorite athlete in this month’s contest.

Triblocal.com photo by Mary Rakoczy