Pride in individual and team achievements was showing
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Pride in individual and team achievements was showing at Monday night’s Gallatin R-5 Spring Sports Banquet as students, parents, coaches and fans recognized GHS teams for conference, district and state accomplishments. Emotions were also running high as a pair of coaches announced the end of their coaching tenures at GHS.
Monday night’s spotlight shone equally bright for GHS district champion track teams and state medalists and Gallatin’s Class 1A state golf champions. The evening’s honor ceremony also recognized special award winners and multiple sport participants for the 2001- 2002 school year.
Lady Bulldog track coach Brenda Davitt reviewed the recently completed season that saw her squad win a district title, finish runnerup in the GRC and bring home 5 medals from last weekend’s state competition. Three GHS girls records fell during the season. Katie Ward and Cori Nichols each cleared the 8′ mark in the pole vault. Keira Story set a new 100-meter hurdle standard of 16.69 and the 4×200-meter relay team of Story, Ward, Kayli Burrell and Amanda Boehm turned in an official time of 1:55.14 at state.
Recognized with either a certificate of participation or letter were statisticians Samantha Bridgeman and Melanie Jones and athletes Heather Berry, Amanda Boehm, Kayli Burrell, Cassie Carder, Kayce Corwin, Roxi Davitt, Katie Heldenbrand, Brittney Hixson, Lindsey Love, Becky Macy, Alecia McKee, Allison McLaughlin, Cori Nichols, Kelsie Parker, Lindsey Robertson, Sheila Smith, Jenny Stanhope, Keira Story, Kathy Walker and Katie Ward.
Coach Davitt handed out special awards to: Lindsey Robertson, rookie of the year; Katie Ward, hustle; Roxi Davitt, most improved; and Keira Story, most valuable.
Boys track coach Kevin Hixson recognized his athletes and at the same time announced that he would not be back as coach next season. The Bulldogs were district champs, and finished 6th in the 1A team race at state, where they claimed 7 medals.
Members of the boys track team receiving awards were: Chris Barnes, Kevin Black, Joe Davis, Kyle Hefley, Robert Heldenbrand, Calvin Horvatin, Justin Kerns, Klint Kloepping, Tyler Nichols, Zach Osgood, Blake Parker, John Runde, Austin Story, Adam Strein, Colby Swanstone, Ben Weldon, Adam Whitney and Brian Youtsey.
Earning special awards from Coach Hixson were: Kevin Black, rookie of the year; Austin Story, coach’s award; Colby Swanstone and Zach Osgood, most improved; and Robert Heldenbrand, most valuable. Story and Heldenbrand were also acknowledged 4-year letterwinners. The team manager was Kayla Vidal.
Tom Garnett gave his final presentation as GHS boys golf coach and gave special thanks to Wayne Culver for his assistance throughout the last 6 seasons. Coach Garnett presented a new golf award in honor of Culver, the Wayne Culver “Step Up” Award, which was given to senior Ryan Thompson for his contributions to the GHS varsity squad.
Members of the junior varsity golf team that finished 5-2 in meets and 3rd in the GRC were introduced. They were: Danny Clevenger, Aaron Everly, Brady Feigly, Jake Gardner, George Handley, Will Jarboe, Caleb Leeper, Mitch Riley, Mark Robbins, John Steele, Matt Swofford, Scott Wilkinson and Sean Wood.
Gallatin’s varsity golf team captured conference and district titles for the 5th consecutive season and won its 3rd 1A state title in the last 4 seasons.
Freshman Garett Houghton was recognized for competing on the varsity for one meet. Other varsity golfers honored were: Patrick Dickinson, Duke Burge (all-GRC, all-state), Ryan Thompson (all-GRc, all-district), Jake Humphrey (all-GRC, all-district, all-state) and Brice Garnett (all-GRC, all-district, all-state).
Additional special golf awards were given to: Aaron Everly, coach’s award; Patrick Dickinson, rookie of the year; Duke Burge, most improved; Brice Garnett, most birdies (34); and Jake Humphrey, most pars (108). Garnett was also recognized as having the low stroke average and for finishing 14 over for the season in 189 holes of golf. Garnett and Humphrey were 4-year golf letterwinners.
R-5 athletic director Chris Elbert introduced the year’s 3-sport participants: Chris Barnes, Joe Davis, Kyle Hefley, Brittney Hixson, Klint Kloepping, Kelsie Parker, Lindsey Robertson, John Steele, Adam Strein, Patrick Dickinson, Lindsey Love, Tyler Nichols, Keira Story, Colby Swanstone, Katie Ward, Ben Weldon, Kayli Burrell, Roxi Davitt, Robert Heldenbrand, Jake Humphrey, Blake Parker, Austin Story, Adam Whitney and Scott Wilkinson.
National Student/Athlete award winners, previously published, were introduced. Elbert also presented the MSHSAA Award of Excellence to Erin Sweatman and Austin Story. They also received U. S. Army Reserve Scholar/Athlete awards. The U. S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award went to Robert Heldenbrand.
Booster club chairman Sandra Alden wrapped up the program with a review of club activities and announced that over $1,700 in scholarships had recently been awarded by the organization. She also called for continued support to athletic programs by parents and fans.