GHS spring sports banquet

An outdoor setting was appropriate for Gallatin High School’s spring sports banquet held last Wednesday evening at the GHS football stadium. Parents, coaches and spring sports participants enjoyed a potluck meal prior to the program honoring GHS spring athletes.

GHS academic team members were also recognized by sponsor Glenda St. John. The team included Melanie Sieck, Chanel Burge, Kelly Story, Jack Taylor, Silas Fitzmaurice, Susie Mettcher, Wes Gay, Meredith McCann, Christina Hood, Stacy Craig, Stephanie Swanstone, Catherine Berry, Chris Baker, Terri Rainey, Christina Cox and Katie Moyer.

Lady Bulldog track honorees included statisticians Jamie Burnett, Holly Garnett and Brooke Weldon; Chasidy Renne, Amanda Boyd, Julie Macy, Rebecca Stith, Courtney Houghton, Shannon Batson, Rochelle Davitt and Allison Spidle. Bulldog thinclads included Blake Parker, Jordan Elbert, Neal Steward, Jack Taylor, Tray Whitt, Adam Whitney, Austin Story, Corey Curtis, Yuri Keuhn, Justin Vyrostek, Randy Eaton, Quentin Carroll, Ben Hubbard, Nate Henderson, Travis Allen, Robert Heldenbrand and Byron Roberts.

Special track award winners recognized by Coach Kevin Hixson were: Rebecca Stith and Austin Story coach’s award, Rochelle Davitt and Robert Heldenbrand top newcomer, and MVP Davitt and Byron Roberts.

Members of the 1999 Grand River Conference, District 7 and Class 1A State Champion golf team were introduced by Coach Tom Garnett. The Bulldogs finished 7-1 in meet action and set a new GHS team record score of 145 at Daviess County Country Club. Freshman Jake Humphrey played in 7 junior varsity competitions and was a medalist in his lone varsity meet. His 9-hole scoring average was 40.58. Freshman Brice Garnett earned all-conference, all-district and all-state honors. He carried a 39.05 scoring average. Sophomore Joey Evans averaged 39.48 per 9 holes and earned all-conference and all- district honors in 1999. Junior Chad Sullenger was also all- conference and all-district and owned a 41.48 scoring average. Junior Scott Crose was all-conference, all-district and all-state with a team-low average of 38.38. Senior Jon Culver averaged 39.48 per round. He earned all-conference, all-district and all-state recognition and was a 4-year GHS letterman.

Special awards in golf were given to: Derek Collins most improved, Jake Humphrey and Chad Sullenger coach’s award, Joey Evans most birdies, Brice Garnett top newcomer, Jon Culver Mr. Tournament, and Scott Crose low stroke average.

The Bulldog junior varsity golf squad finished 2nd in the GRC. Team members were Phillip Berry, Brant Conover, Justin Kerns, Brandon McLey, Zach Strange, Ryan Thompson, Scott Wilkerson, Jeremy Borges, Luke Leeper, Travis Bohannon and Derek Collins.

Honored for their participation in 3 sports during the year were: Robert Heldenbrand, Jake Humphrey, Blake Parker, Austin Story, Zach Strange, Adam Whitney, Scott Wilkinson, Jeremy Borges, Jamie Burnett, Rochelle Davitt, Randy Eaton, Nate Henderson, Ben Hubbard, Yuri Keuhn, Luke Leeper, Shannon Batson, Travis Bohannon, Quentin Carroll, Courtney Houghton, Allison Spidle, Neal Steward, Rebecca Stith, Travis Allen, Derek Collins, Brooke Weldon and Tray Whitt.

Gallatin R-5 athletic director Chris Elbert recognized students who received national student/athlete awards. They were: Kristen Ellis, Meredith McCann, Jill Wilkinson, Jon Culver, Jamie Burnett, Brice Garnett, Holly Garnett, Wes Gay and Travis Allen.

The program concluded with the presentation of awards given by outside organizations. Rebecca Stith and Tray Whitt received the Award of Excellence from the Missouri State High School Athletics Association. Derek Collins received the Athletic Achievement Award given by the U. S. Navy. The Distinguished Athlete Award, given by the U. S. Marine Corp, went to Tray Whitt. Jill Wilkinson and Travis Allen received the U. S. Army Reserve Scholar/Athlete award.