Senior athletes were honored at the annual Sterling High School Booster Club Athletic Awards Banquet held Wednesday evening at Pioneer Park.
The ceremony started with a quick rundown of how SHS’s teams did this year. The softball team qualified for the state playoffs, the defending state championship football team qualified for the playoffs, the defending state championship volleyball team came in second in the state, boys basketball made it to the final four for the fifth year in a row, girls basketball qualified for the playoffs, three wrestlers qualified for the state tournament and track and baseball are still going on, with multiple track athletes ranked in the top 10 in the state.
Then it was time to hand out the awards.
Aubree Long and Trey Kuntz were recognized with the South Platte Sentinel Sportsmanship Award for outstanding sportsmanship on and off the playing field. These athletes competed in at least two varsity sports during their senior year, while maintaining a respectable grade point average. They are also someone who others look up to and are respected by all teammates, coaches, classmates and teachers.
The United States Marine Corp Award, given to a high school junior or senior athlete who is a varsity team member, has exhibited leadership skills among his/her peers and is an outstanding young citizen, went to Emi Reeves and Jackson Keil.
Caden McClain and Harley Gareis received the Lyle Wohler’s Award, which is given to an athlete who is not necessarily the most gifted on the team, but who demonstrates and models a work ethic second to none on the team and who possesses a positive attitude that moves a team to greater achievement.
The Media Logic Radio Perseverance Award went to Brock Burkholder and Cristen Kircher. This award from KSTC and KNNG is given to an athlete who maintained a positive attitude on their field of play while also having to deal with difficult situations outside of their sport.
Allie Schumacher and Tucker Myers were recognized with the Most Letters Winners Award, which is given to a male and female senior athlete who has accumulated the highest number of letters from participating in athletics at SHS. Both accumulated four letters.
The Scholar Athlete Award, given to a male and female senior athlete who are members of a varsity team and have maintained one of the highest grade point averages, went to Hailey Fehringer and Tucker Myers.
Recognized as Scholar Athletes, two-sport athletes in 2020-21 with a 3.0 GPA or better, were (number indicates how many years they lettered):
Seniors: Logan Bohler*4, Riley Ramirez Bornhoft*2, Brock Burckholder*4, Hailey Fehringer*4, Austin Garcia*3, Trey Kuntz*4, Aubree Long*4, Allie Schumacher*4, Kaden Sheets*3 and Tucker Myers*4.
Juniors: Casteus Combs*3, Dylan DiOrio*3, Jenna Gordon*3, Jackson Keil*3, Michael Mertz-Valentine*3, Radek McCracken*3, Emerie Rios*3, Ethan Rose*3, Gabriella Santos*3, Ashley Wecker*3 and Aubrey Wright*3.
Sophomores: Trevor Berg*2, Wyatt Buckley*2, Halle Conover*2, Charli Frankenfeld*2, Ryann Linn*2, Jalyssa Maker*2, Ryder McConnell*2, Dillyn Morton*2, Madison Mustain*2, Darynee Palser*2, Syndi Sandoval*2, Andrew Scavarda*1 and Nathaniel Whited*2.
Freshmen: Will Bornhoft*1, Ashlyn Christner*1, Haley Emmerson*1, Emalie Farquhar*1, Colton Hadeen*1, Wesley Knuppel*1, Ayvin Palser*1, Gage Parker*1, Audrey Reeves*1, Ava Reeves*1, Manuel Renteria*1, Brennen Welsh*1, Ailynn Wright*1 and Andrew Wright*1.
Eight SHS seniors will be going on to play in college. Brady Albrandt is headed to Nebraska Wesleyan to play football, Valerie Allen will play volleyball at Otero Junior College, Kiersten Bohler is joining the Adams State softball team, Keaton Knab is headed to CSU-Pueblo to play football, Trey Kuntz will play golf at Northeastern Junior College, Jaden Newson is joining the basketball team at Rock Valley College, Emi Reeves will be on the NJC softball team and Allie Schumacher is headed to NJC were she will play volleyball.
School record-breakers were also recognized. Kiersten Bohler had 373 career strikeouts from 20117-20 for the softball team, Owen Szabo scored 7-7 from the 3 point line for the basketball team and Tucker Myers scored 8-8 from the 2 point line.
