Courtesy photo
The Mineral County High softball team poses for their group photo at the end of the year awards banquet last week.
As the Mineral County Sports Banquet began to honor the end-of-the-year sport groups, students and coaches, a small yearbook was handed out to each school participant as a keepsake of achievement within the 2017-18 school year. Heading up the introductions was John Gavin, school counselor and wrestling coach. A theme of especially highlighting the participants that were upcoming, graduating seniors, made for some emotional acknowledgments, as most had lettered in their sport throughout their high school years.
Opening with honors to the Serpent cheerleading team, coach Erin Dunagan handed out certificates while sharing personal words of appreciation to every squad member. The football team members followed, with coaches Marty Waggoner, Nathan Ridley and Tyler Nicholls sharing team certificates, mentioning all-league recognitions, honorable mentions and giving gratitude for a productive playing year.
The ladies volleyball team received praise from coach Shelly Tweedy, as their team had ended the season with a winning record. All-League recognition was given to Hailey Lahre and honorable mention went to Raynee Knight. The girl’s JV volleyball, coached by Jesslynn Knight, was given encouragement toward the building of this year’s team efforts.
Varsity Boys Basketball coach Pete Summerbell shared specifics about their season, as he was joined by Nathan Ridley and Tevis Jones as assisting coaches. All-League recognitions went to Most Valuable Player, Robert McFalls and the league’s Coach of the Year was secured by Summerbell himself. Players Choice award was given to senior student, Joseph Bandoni.
JV boys basketball coach Nathan Ridley spoke about his team nearly going undefeated until the season’s end, while the varsity girls basketball team was praised Coach of the Year, Amanda Stinson, as being a “season to remember”. Senior leadership from Hailey Lahre and Julieanna Williams, brought successful wins, as newcomer Perla Gutierrez was given Most Valuable Player accolades, assisted by Coach Tevis Jones.
JV basketball coach Amanda Stinson assisting on behalf of coach Michael Stephens, mentioning their determination to continue throughout a challenging season.
Varsity baseball welcomed the leagues Coach of Year, Darren Hamrey to the microphone, as he was joined by coaches Kyle Isom and Casey Kee. With the longest winning streak known to the Mineral County High School baseball program, Most Valuable Player went to Treven Wachsmuth, with other All-League player recognition being acknowledged, along with player highlights.
Members of the MCHS softball team were called up by coach Jason Cardenas, as assistant coaches, Larry Jackson and Nicole Mathias were on hand to assist with certificates. Absent from the coaching team was Brian Dillard. As Cardenas introduced his staff, Jackson was presented with a replacement ice chest, due to all the abuse his had been given throughout the softball season. Cardenas also shared to the audience, “I found the best way to assemble a coaching staff for this team was to include a Pastor, a JPO Officer and a cop.” In thanking his players with recognitions and special mentions, these coaches included the parents stating, “this sport started in snow and ended with days of heat, which had us playing indoors and outdoors.”
The boys and girl’s track and field showed a great presence, as coach Phillip Jaramillo and Tyler Nicholls praised those that had qualified for state. Lastly, there were four golfers introduced with two seniors and student Damien Montoya qualifying for state.
As the banquet ended at the USO/Convention Center building, the motto of “Setting the Standard of Athletic Achievement” had once again been fulfilled by the students participating in the 2017-18 school year showings.
