Honoring Our Athletes: Fall Sports Banquet

By Kendra Shine

The fall sports season has wrapped up and athletes have been honored for their athletic excellence by their teammates and coaches.

The Fall Sports Banquet was held Nov 9 at RAL.  Athletes met with their teammates, parents, and coaches in different rooms around the school.

Volleyball met in the cafeteria with Varsity Coach Jennifer Hefley, JV Coach Charlyn Johnson, and C-Squad Coach Amy Luedke.  Varsity Co-MVP was awarded to Kate Sarysz 12 and Hannah Johnson 11; Most Inspirational: Skylar Clark 12; Rookie of the Year: Meagan Hollis 9; Coach’s Award: Johnson; Team Player Award: Aryn Aston 12 and Clark; Team Captain Award: Sarysz and Johnson; and Four-Year Senior Award: Aston, Clark, Sarysz, Miranda Wilson, and Bekah Spurgeon.

Cross Country is coached by Nick Stumbo and Assistant Coach Keli Davenport.  Awards included Most Valuable: Nathan Richards 12 and Dani Eggleston 10; Most Inspirational: Ray Nugent 12 and Allison Schneider 11; Most Improved: JJ Johnson 10, Jake Davenport 10, and Jessica Johanson-Kubin 10; Coach’s Award: Colin Cardwell 12 and Caity Wilson 10; and Four-Year Senior Award: Cardwell, Nugent, Richards, Gray Earnest, and Brian Jackson.

Girls Soccer is lead by Varsity Coach John Bates and JV coaches Jim Ostreim and Randy Hubbard.  Varsity awards included Most Valuable: Christina McDonald 12; Most Inspirational: Averie Bogner 12; Most Improved: Robyn Ahrens 10 and Hannah Leach 9; Coach’s Award: Sadie Petersen 12 and Alison Kolberg 10; and Four-Year Senior Award: McDonald, Hannah Morgan, and Rachel Zdilar.

Girls Swimming, coached by Tamora Haulk, awarded Most Valuable Swimmer to Deborah Dolphin 9, Most Inspirational: Kaydee Shaw 9; Most Improved: Rosie Carter 10; and Coach’s Award: Cassie Woods 11 and Tara Haas 12.

Boys Tennis met with Varsity Coach Rally Wallace and JV Coach Terry Miller.  Varsity awards were Most Valuable: Jonathan Haukaas 12; Most Inspirational: Nick Schoen 12; Most Improved: Anton Stalick 11, Levi Welch 12, and Jeffrey Ashford 10; Coach’s Award: Tyler VonDracek 11; Team Captain’s Award: Haukaas and Schoen; and Four-Year Senior Award: Haukaas, Alex Barrientos 12, and Garrett Nelson 12.

Boys Golf is coached by Dave Parks and assistant volunteer Del Strader.  Awards included Most Valuable: Shane Oliva 12; Most Inspirational: Alex Pickett 10; Most Improved: Ryan Dahl 10; Coach’s Award and Putting Champion (17.1 Avg.): Kevin Sheehy 12; Father-Son Tournament Champions: Shane and John Oliva; and Four-Year Senior Award: Oliva, Sheehy, and Erik Chamberlain.

Varsity Football Rally is coached by Alicia Van.  Ashley Thompson 12 was awarded Most Valuable, Most Inspirational: Jordy Mertz 10; Most Improved: Chelsea Trefren 12; Coach’s Award: Kamri Tapani 11 and Alyssa Ball 12; Best Jumps Award: Lily Guernsey 12; Most Spirited Award: Hailley Sherrell 10; and Four -Year Senior Award: Thompson.

“It was a fun banquet and I’m sad the season has ended, but I’m glad we made it to state and got to enjoy that experience,” said Kylee McGeary 11, a varsity volleyball player.