Bulldog faithful salute outstanding golf, softball and football seasons
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Friday night’s pizza party at Gallatin High School provided the perfect opportunity for players, coaches and family to salute the accomplishments, to date, of R-5 fall sports athletes.
Coaches recognized players and presented special awards for cheerleading, golf, softball and football, on the eve of Monday night’s Class 1 state quarterfinal football game at GHS.
Cheerleading sponsor Heather Cole praised the efforts of her squad that included Carly Boyd, Alex Burge, Shelby Chadwick, Kelly Critten, Lacey Dixon, Sydney Elbert, Hannah Huffman, Tye Humphrey, Casey Sweatman, Emily Michener (four year letterwinner) and mascot Kelsha Bundy.
R-5 girls golf coach Chris Elbert offered remarks on a successful fall season."Overall, we were a young team this year," said Coach Elbert of his golfers. "I feel like if we work hard this summer, we’re going to have a chance to be pretty good next year," he added.
Lady Bulldog golfers finished 9-1 in meets and claimed the championship in Gallatin and Orrick tournaments.
Sydney Elbert and Alex Burge teamed to finish first in the Plattsburg best shot competition. Elbert earned all-district recognition with an 11th place finish. Burge also took sixth in the Gallatin Tournament. Kelly Critten was medalist runnerup in two meets.
Kathryn Everly finished 10th in district competition, was a meet medalist three times and runnerup five times. Danielle Critten placed fourth at conference, second at district and third in both Gallatin and Albany tournaments. She was a meet medalist six times and runnerup twice.
Coach Elbert handed out special golf awards to Everly, for most improved, and Danielle Critten, for most valuable and four-year letterwinner.
Also recognized were junior varsity golfers Kelsha Bundy, Sarah Cornett, Hannah Huffman, Shalyn Lollar and Sarah Smith.
The Lady Bulldog softball team finished co-champion of the Grand River Conference and Class 1, District 13. Coached by Jeremy Hobbs and Denise Ray, the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the state quarterfinal round before dropping a 3-2 decision to Jefferson.
"We played 18 games, and in those games only gave up 17 earned runs," Coach Hobbs remarked. "We batted .290 as a team, and scored 125 runs, more than the last three seasons," he added. "Our 15-3 record was the highest winning percentage in school history."
Coach Hobbs introduced his squad, captained by seniors Alyssa Strein and Dennelle Rhoades, and handed out special awards. His "pork chop" awards for various accomplishments during the season went to Ashley Owens, Nicole Everman, Kirsten Bowe, Maggie Strange, Jennifer Guffey, Alyssa Strein and Courtney Ray.
Other special softball award winners were: Alex Richards, most improved; Shelby Chadwick, rookie of the year; Lacey Dixon and Maggie Strange, co-most valuable player; Melissa Everman and Samantha Mott, athlete’s heart awards.
Coach Hobbs also thanked statisticians Megan Chadwick, Taylor Porter and Emily Michener for their services during the 2006 season.
Bulldog football athletes took time out from their preparations for the quarterfinal game against Braymer to acknowledge a 10-0 regular season record and 41-6 sectional victory over Rock Port two nights earlier.
"Our seniors have set an example to be followed by next year’s returning players," Bulldog head football coach Mark Cole said at the outset of his presentation. "We were district champs for the third straight season, and undefeated conference champs for the first time since 1998," he added. "Our junior varsity had an unbelievable year (3-1-1), as well, and it was fun to watch them develop," he stated.
Coach Cole thanked assistant coaches Doug Nichols, Brett Adkison, Chuck Malo, Perry Fairchild, Barron Gann, Phillip Limb and Derek Cole; managers Garrett McNeely, Bo Malo and Jack Malo; and statisticians Alyssa Strein, Dennelle Rhoades, Jennifer Guffey, Katy Black and Courtney Ray.
Coach Cole introduced the 2006 Bulldogs by respective units, and highlighted a group of 13 Bulldogs who garnered 21 spots on the All-Grand River Conference honor list.
Team members are: Andrew Adkison (all-GRC), Zach Alliet, Matt Atkinson, Colt Bohannon (all-GRC), Tyler Brackett, Jon Brown (all-GRC), Nic Burrell (all-GRC), Brett Butterfield, Kevin Chadwick (all-GRC), Alex Critten, Kyle Croy, Lee Deutschman, Justin Duffy (all-GRC), Derrick Feigly, Nathan Gann, Jacob Gienapp, Kayle Hefley, Paul Hickey, Chase Hunt, Corey Lee (all-GRC), Derrick Love (all-GRC), Ethan Merrigan, Brandon Meseberg (all-GRC); Jason Moore, Keiten Newberry, Jordan Phelps, Shadow Phillips, Matt Pottorff, Hunter Prentice, Riley Rains (all-GRC), Robert Rhoades, Nick Rogers, Cody Selby, Colton Selby, Jacob Smith, Derrick Sprague, Derrick Teel, Tyler Toney, Cody Walton, Andy Ward (all-GRC), Brett Wilkinson (all-GRC), Stephen Wood (all-GRC), Terrill Wood and Jon Youd.
At the conclusion of the football portion of the program, a video presentation, shot and edited by Bryan Youd, was shown.