Win.

That’s what every athlete wants as a result when he walks off the field.

Maine South’s Ronnie Muck is no different and boy did he do a lot of winning as a Hawk.

Muck was a two-year starter for the football team, which won back-to-back state titles in the biggest class in Illinois, and he led the baseball team to its best playoff run in 44 years as they won a sectional title.

For his contributions in football and baseball Muck earned the honor of being named Bugle Male Athlete of the Year.

“It’ going to be really tough moving on from the crowds at Maine South and all the people at Maine South,” Muck said. “Just walking down the street some one will say great job last week. I’ll miss that a lot.”

While Muck probably played his last competitive football game last fall, the beat goes on for his baseball career. The right-hander is going to pitch for the University of Illinois after going 12-4 with a 2.48 ERA. He struck out 142 batters in 80 innings.

Muck wasn’t a slouch at the plate either, hitting .370 with six homers, 35 RBI and 30 runs.

“I’m excited to get down there,” Muck said. “I’ll be playing with some really good guys. I know most of the team just from going down there and I’m excited to start playing.”

Muck is playing summer ball with the Schaumburg Seminoles and heads down to Champaign for classes that start on Aug. 23. But he’s definitely going to miss his former teammates.

“This team did great and I had a lot of fun with them,” he said. “We were really close. We went on that trip to Tennessee (to start the season) and it got us really close and I think that’s why we had great success this year.

“It’s just sad ending my high school career. It’s not like I’m ending my baseball career but I’ve been playing with all my buddies since I was little. It will be tough not playing with them anymore.”

During last fall, Muck was part of something special. The Hawks football field, which didn’t have lights in the past, got a complete makeover. Lights, field turf and brand new Nike uniforms greeted the football team.

The team responded by blowing out opponent after opponent en route to a perfect 14-0 season.

Muck was a starting safety and played some wide receiver for the talented Hawks. “The beginning of the year I definitely though we would do good,” he said. “We only had three starters returning but we had a lot of depth. Our lines turned out to be real good.

“The first game of the season we did pretty good. Obviously you make some mistakes but we started clicking by the middle of the year. We had Matt Perez and Tyler Benz and they were obviously our two key players.”

Perez was a stud running back who was right there in competing for Male Athlete of the Year and Benz was a standout quarterback that let it fly in Maine South’s dangerous offense.

All the points scored made Muck’s job a lot easier on defense.

“Being able to have a little cushion, it’s nice to know (winning) doesn’t rely just on us,” Muck said. “I think we scored just about every first drive of every game. The mindset of the defense is different and it’s awesome to have that offense.”

Muck did come up big when it counted. With Maine South leading by a touchdown, Muck picked off a pass and on the very next play the Hawks capitalized with a touchdown. Muck also had an interception in the championship game during his junior season.

While Muck will focus on baseball, he’s going to miss strapping it up for battle on the gridiron.

“I had my baseball scholarship going into the football season and I knew I would probably never play football again,” he said. “There’s nothing like that adrenaline rush when you put on a football helmet.”

Now Muck will try to follow in the footsteps of Maine South graduates and current Major Leaguers Brian Schlitter and Adam Rosales.

“It doesn’t really hit you until you watch them on t.v. and they’re in the big leagues,” Muck said. “It’s really inspiring.”