By Scott Reece
The members of the fall sports teams were honored Wednesday at Patrick County High School. Teams honored included the golf team, the cross-country team, the volleyball team, the football team as well as the football cheerleading squad.
The program started with remarks from Terry Harris, Patrick County High School athletic director. Harris praised the student-athletes for their efforts and determination throughout the season. Following Harris’ remarks, the cheerleading squad, led by Emily Minkema and Kaitlyn Chandler, handled out the night’s first awards.
Emily Horton was named as the Most Dedicated Cheerleader, and Sara Thomas won the Outstanding Leadership Award.
The Cross-Country team, coached by Lynne Deckel and Wilfred Hill, also was honored. Head Coach Deckel praised the team overall, noting the girls didn’t have enough players to officially have a team but did well as individual runners, and also noting that the boys’ team finished 3rd in the district. For the boys’ side, Kristian Reynolds-the only Cougar player to qualify for state so far this season-was named Most Valuable Player, and Jared Biedrycki won the Cougar Award. Deckel praised Reynolds for his determined effort to make the state tournament in poor weather conditions. She also praised Biedrycki, a senior, as a “work horse” that will be greatly missed.
On the girl’s side, Jordan Haas was named Most Valuable Player, and Vanessa Mabe won the Cougar Award. Deckel said Haas led the team and earned a metal her first year on the team. Mabe was praised for being the team’s “unsung hero.”
Rounding out the awards for the track team was Top Newcomer—Alfredo Gutierrez, who won the boys’ sid;e and Contessa Haas, who won for the girls’ side. Both were praised for their “steadiness” and “consistency.” Neither attended the banquet.
The golf team, coached by Phillip Steagall and Janice Largen, was honored next. The team finished 2nd place in the district tournament, and a 4th place finish in the regionals. Head Coach Steagall praised his whole team, especially the five seniors on the team. The seniors received a $1,000 scholarship each. Steagall awarded Luke Jessup, who had missed one season due to injury, the Most Improved Award, and said Jessup had “work extremely hard” to make such a comeback to the team. Jared Burnette was named as the team’s Most Valuable Player. Burnette’s low scores throughout this season and overall career led to his winning the award. The team then honored Steagall, who is retiring.
The Volleyball team , coached by Heidi Moore, Ashley Strickland, Sarah Wagner, T’Keyah Hines, and Kristin Harris, bestowed the Lady Cougar award to Kaylee Stanley. Head Coach Moore said she is “a great motivator” for her team.
Jenna King, who had an impressive career record of 581digs, was named Best Defensive Player for the second year in a row. Suzanne Gonzalez was named the team’s Most Improved Player, who was praised for versatility and strong finish down the season.
Lastly, Isabella “Izzy” Beasley was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. She led the team in many categories and “worked all season long” to improve her overall game and to be the team’s leader.
The final team honored was the football team, coached by David Morrison, Tony Mosely, Lewis Carroll, Justin Bowles, Oscar Tejeda, Robert Cunningham, Brad Dalton, Brain Hubbard, Brad Pell, and Nathan Keen.
The first award known as the Blood, Sweat, and Tears Award was given to two players: Colby Vernon and Adian Lacy. Both were unsung heroes for their team. Head Coach Morrison awarded RB Dae’Shawn Penn the Offensive MVP Player award saying he has a “bright future and has great potential.”
“Ball-hawk” and team leader in tackles, LB Bryson Fulcher was named the Defensive MVP. Jess Edwards was named Most Improved Player for his hard work as a defensive and offensive starter. The Coaches award went to “the player who did everything the right way” and also is a starter on offense and defense—Josh Cockram.
