|
|
|
|
|
Midlakes Sports
|
Coach Gary Husk made a pitch for resurrecting the softball boosters' club (which used to be very active but quietly disappeared two years ago) before handing out his awards. Freshman Ashley Hall was the offensive player of the year with the highest batting average, .462. She also was a very effective pitcher, with 99 Ks and only 57 walks. Eighth grader Marissa Bunce was the defensive player of the year, doing a great job behind the plate, on first or in center field. No slouch at the plate, she batted .373.
Stephanie Groff made her second appearance on the league all-star team, joined this year by Liz Donk, who put 59 Ks in the book against 26 walks. Stephanie was also voted the Teammate award. Laura Hopkins was honorable mention all league. The Coach's award went to Alicia Rivera.
There were 10 recipients of the presidential physical fitness award in the high school. This award is given to those who can meet the national criteria in the mile run, push-ups, sit-ups and two other elements.
The three sport athletes received plaques that included the chenille M along with their sports. This year's recipients were Jason Adams, Travis Buttaccio, Josh Carnright, Jerrica Darling, Jeremy Denisi, Andrew Flood, Marissa Gray, Tim Jopson, Sarah Kumkey, Kevin Lowry, Sheila Niles, Nate Parsons, and Kyla Smith.
Each year I try to guess who will be awarded the top athletic awards. Some years I do pretty well because sometimes a few people stand out above the crowd. This year there is a crowd of talented senior athletes, and my forecasting was not very accurate.
Each year there are 2 MAA Coach's awards given out, to a boy and girl whose presence on a team was a very positive influence but who would probably be passed over for awards such as MVP. This year the female recipient was Kyla Smith, whose three sports were soccer, indoor track and lacrosse. Jason Adams was the male recipient; his three sports were soccer, indoor track, and baseball.
The Ollie Cook scholar athletes for this year are Marissa Gray and Travis Buttaccio. Marissa, who is class valedictorian, had a 99.656 average and earned 8 letters, in soccer, track, and indoor track. Travis, with an average in the 90's, earned 12 letters in soccer, track, indoor track, and basketball.
The P.E.P. award stands for perseverance, enthusiasm, and pluck, and has traditionally gone to a dedicated athlete. The award is given by a community member who this year requested that two athletes be recognized, perhaps because of the large number of talented and dedicated senior athletes. This year's recipients are Andrew Flood and Marissa Gray.
Meghan Clicquennoi was named the Outstanding Female Senior Athlete. She has 5 varsity letters - 2 in soccer and 3 in lacrosse. She was named to the first team in the league all-stars.
Two boys share the title Outstanding Male Senior Athlete. Kevin Lowry has 11 varsity letters, in soccer, basketball, baseball and football. Tim Jopson, who has only been at Midlakes for four sports seasons, earned 4 letters, in baseball, football and basketball. Both are very talented athletes and fun to watch in action.
The Christakis and Agnes Modinos Award, given in memory of Aristotle Pappas, goes to the most outstanding athlete of the year. With his 12 varsity letters, school records and state titles in track, Travis Buttaccio was the choice.
Each year at this time I look back on sometimes 6 years of watching some of these seniors enjoy the sports they play, remember when some of them were struggling to learn the basics while others were already showing talent. I usually think about whether others, underclassmen, will grow to fill the shoes being vacated. Somehow, almost all the shoes do get filled, but some don't. This will no doubt be what happens next school year - some teams will be OK and others will miss the leadership and talent this class has given Midlakes. I know I will miss seeing these athletes compete.
|
|
Did anyone think last week's column was a bit strange? Ah…the joys of automation. I have a few years' worth of columns in my computer's files, identified by date. Instead of June 17, 2005, I sent June 18, 2004. No one called to ask if I was out of my mind, perhaps they already suspect. Anyway, this is what should have been in the paper last week.
Bill Young was named the Friend of Midlakes at the Awards Assembly, and he certainly fits the description of being dedicated to Midlakes athletics. He often is the "ball boy" for soccer games and also helps out with girls' volleyball and wrestling.
The boys play tennis in the spring, and this year the varsity team had a rough season. They were young in comparison with the competition, but they never gave up and constantly encouraged one another. Coach Hicks felt this was due in large part to the very positive roll models the seniors were. Evan McNear received the coach's award for his leadership on the team. Jason Kirk was named the most improved player.
The girls' lacrosse team was another one of the teams that won the league title; this in only their third season playing at the varsity level. The girls (and Coach Farr) are justifiably very proud of this accomplishment, and also of their state ranking (12th in our size school). This year marked the first time we had seniors who had played the sport from the beginning at Midlakes, so two new awards were instituted. The Spirit of Lacrosse Award is "presented to a senior girl who demonstrates a genuine respect and desire for the game of lacrosse, both past and present. This senior should have aspirations of playing lacrosse at the college level and have been recognized by the league for their level of play." This award was presented to Ashley Dodge, goalie from the beginning, who was 2nd team all league last year, 1st team this year, and will attend Gannon U. (division II) on a scholarship to play lacrosse.
The second award is called the Lacrosse Leader Award, "presented to a senior girl who was a leader on the team, not only verbally but by her actions. She should be a student/athlete whom others strive to be like in the classroom and on the field. This senior should have aspirations of continuing their education at the college level." The first recipient of this award is Meghan Clicquennoi, a unanimous selection for 1st team all league.
The indoor track team has no "home meets" in the ordinary sense. The only way you see them at Midlakes is if they are running in the halls during the winter, so the only way to follow them is to literally do that, at Hobart or farther afield, or watch the paper for occasional articles about meets. This year there were three awards. Jason Adams, who came out for the first time in this, his senior, year, received the Coach's Award. Marissa Gray received the desire award, and Travis Buttaccio was the Top Performer.
The spring track season proved to be a continuation of the winter one in many ways. The boys' team won the league title for the 4th year in a row, and this was the 3rd consecutive undefeated season for this team, even outside the league. Chris Teed, who was 2nd in the discus at sectionals, was named the Most Improved Field Athlete. Cullen Johnston was the Most Improved Runner (he received the same recognition for his cross country efforts).Travis Buttaccio, who was 1st team all league in every event he did, accumulated the Most Points for the team. Kyle Brown, who won sectionals in the steeplechase and turned in increasingly faster times as the season progressed, won the Desire Award. Aaron Dorman, who willingly switched events constantly to fill out the team's needs, received the Coach's Award. Jamison Reed, who also is a cross country runner, was this year's Most Promising Newcomer.
The girls' track team finished 2nd in the league with a 4-1 league record, 5-2 overall. This team was named a scholar/athlete team, with an amazing 96.216 average from 11 girls. Sheila Niles, all-league in discus, was the Most Improved Field Athlete. Marissa Gray, all-league in 4 events, was the Most Improved Runner, and also won the Most Points for the team. Marissa started running in middle school and kept at it for two years before she won an event. Now she is very successful at the distances. Allie Knitter, another 5 year runner, was 3rd in the points column, and given the Coach's Award. Eighth grader Kristen McGregor, who was 2nd in the points department, was the Most Promising Newcomer. The Desire Award went to Sara Green.
. Three track athletes received plaques for setting new school records, two each. Nate Parsons set a new school record in the 3200 meter run at 10:04 and also in the steeplechase at 9:47.7. Marissa Gray set a new school record in the 3000 meter run at 11:20.8 and in the steeplechase at 7:52.7. Travis Buttaccio set new school records in the 100meter dash (10.9) and 200 meter run (22.5). These 3 are seniors and will leave holes in the ranks, but there are hopefuls in the wings dreaming of being just as successful.
Doug VanderBrook was named the Career MVP of the baseball team. He had a .340 batting average for his varsity career, with 22 RBIs. As a pitcher he compiled a 6-3 record for his career, with a 3.31 ERA. Opponents batted only .286 against him, and he was named to the Finger Lakes East 1st team all-stars. He was joined on that all-star team by Tim Jopson, who was named the Season MVP because he had the greatest over-all impact on the season. He batted .412 overall, .456 in league, set a new record for stolen bases and led the team in runs scored. Rookie of the Year Brett Adams had the highest batting average (.418), led the team in extra-base hits and RBIs, and tied for total hits. The Vandermark Award, given to a baseball player who combined skill, sportsmanship and leadership, went to two people this year - Andrew Flood, a quiet cheerleader and dependable player, and Jason Adams, an on-field leader.
Next week: the "big" awards and the senior athletes picture ( really this week)
|
|
Did anyone think last week's column was a bit strange? Ah…the joys of automation. I have a few years' worth of columns in my computer's files, identified by date. Instead of June 17, 2005, I sent June 18, 2004. No one called to ask if I was out of my mind, perhaps they already suspect. Anyway, this is what should have been in the paper last week.
Bill Young was named the Friend of Midlakes at the Awards Assembly, and he certainly fits the description of being dedicated to Midlakes athletics. He often is the "ball boy" for soccer games and also helps out with girls' volleyball and wrestling.
The boys play tennis in the spring, and this year the varsity team had a rough season. They were young in comparison with the competition, but they never gave up and constantly encouraged one another. Coach Hicks felt this was due in large part to the very positive roll models the seniors were. Evan McNear received the coach's award for his leadership on the team. Jason Kirk was named the most improved player.
The girls' lacrosse team was another one of the teams that won the league title; this in only their third season playing at the varsity level. The girls (and Coach Farr) are justifiably very proud of this accomplishment, and also of their state ranking (12th in our size school). This year marked the first time we had seniors who had played the sport from the beginning at Midlakes, so two new awards were instituted. The Spirit of Lacrosse Award is "presented to a senior girl who demonstrates a genuine respect and desire for the game of lacrosse, both past and present. This senior should have aspirations of playing lacrosse at the college level and have been recognized by the league for their level of play." This award was presented to Ashley Dodge, goalie from the beginning, who was 2nd team all league last year, 1st team this year, and will attend Gannon U. (division II) on a scholarship to play lacrosse.
The second award is called the Lacrosse Leader Award, "presented to a senior girl who was a leader on the team, not only verbally but by her actions. She should be a student/athlete whom others strive to be like in the classroom and on the field. This senior should have aspirations of continuing their education at the college level." The first recipient of this award is Meghan Clicquennoi, a unanimous selection for 1st team all league.
The indoor track team has no "home meets" in the ordinary sense. The only way you see them at Midlakes is if they are running in the halls during the winter, so the only way to follow them is to literally do that, at Hobart or farther afield, or watch the paper for occasional articles about meets. This year there were three awards. Jason Adams, who came out for the first time in this, his senior, year, received the Coach's Award. Marissa Gray received the desire award, and Travis Buttaccio was the Top Performer.
The spring track season proved to be a continuation of the winter one in many ways. The boys' team won the league title for the 4th year in a row, and this was the 3rd consecutive undefeated season for this team, even outside the league. Chris Teed, who was 2nd in the discus at sectionals, was named the Most Improved Field Athlete. Cullen Johnston was the Most Improved Runner (he received the same recognition for his cross country efforts).Travis Buttaccio, who was 1st team all league in every event he did, accumulated the Most Points for the team. Kyle Brown, who won sectionals in the steeplechase and turned in increasingly faster times as the season progressed, won the Desire Award. Aaron Dorman, who willingly switched events constantly to fill out the team's needs, received the Coach's Award. Jamison Reed, who also is a cross country runner, was this year's Most Promising Newcomer.
The girls' track team finished 2nd in the league with a 4-1 league record, 5-2 overall. This team was named a scholar/athlete team, with an amazing 96.216 average from 11 girls. Sheila Niles, all-league in discus, was the Most Improved Field Athlete. Marissa Gray, all-league in 4 events, was the Most Improved Runner, and also won the Most Points for the team. Marissa started running in middle school and kept at it for two years before she won an event. Now she is very successful at the distances. Allie Knitter, another 5 year runner, was 3rd in the points column, and given the Coach's Award. Eighth grader Kristen McGregor, who was 2nd in the points department, was the Most Promising Newcomer. The Desire Award went to Sara Green.
. Three track athletes received plaques for setting new school records, two each. Nate Parsons set a new school record in the 3200 meter run at 10:04 and also in the steeplechase at 9:47.7. Marissa Gray set a new school record in the 3000 meter run at 11:20.8 and in the steeplechase at 7:52.7. Travis Buttaccio set new school records in the 100meter dash (10.9) and 200 meter run (22.5). These 3 are seniors and will leave holes in the ranks, but there are hopefuls in the wings dreaming of being just as successful.
Doug VanderBrook was named the Career MVP of the baseball team. He had a .340 batting average for his varsity career, with 22 RBIs. As a pitcher he compiled a 6-3 record for his career, with a 3.31 ERA. Opponents batted only .286 against him, and he was named to the Finger Lakes East 1st team all-stars. He was joined on that all-star team by Tim Jopson, who was named the Season MVP because he had the greatest over-all impact on the season. He batted .412 overall, .456 in league, set a new record for stolen bases and led the team in runs scored. Rookie of the Year Brett Adams had the highest batting average (.418), led the team in extra-base hits and RBIs, and tied for total hits. The Vandermark Award, given to a baseball player who combined skill, sportsmanship and leadership, went to two people this year - Andrew Flood, a quiet cheerleader and dependable player, and Jason Adams, an on-field leader.
Next week: the "big" awards and the senior athletes picture
|
|
|
Click On Banner For More Information
|
