Cardinal Winter Sports Awards

 Waitsburg High School held its winter sports awards on Thursday, February 27, in the auditorium. Coaches for basketball, basketball cheer, and wrestling recognized their players for achievements. Scholar Athletes received a pin for maintaining high academic standards while balancing both studies and sports.

Next, Coach Vickie Hamann presented letters and awards to the cheerleading team.

Chloe McCaw and Madison Strickland received a cheer letter.  Audrey Walker (SA) received a letter and the Most Spirit award. Sasha Mercado (SA) received a letter and the Most Improved award. Senior Hope Adkins was given a letter and the Coach's Award, and senior Mattilynn Carter received a letter and the MVP and Coach's Awards. 

Coaches Kira Waggoner and Hunter Wallace honored the girls basketball team members: Addison Crenshaw, Emerson Underwood, Cheri Mathews, Yaneli-Eliz Flores (SA), Olivia Kiefel (SA), Joslin Nodine (SA), Kayla Kuykendall (SA), Lillian Carpenter, Audrey Kiefel (SA), and Kaitlyn Paul (SA).

Karen Huwe

Olivia Kiefel, Cheri Mathews, and Emerson Underwood with girls' basketball awards.

Kuykendall received the Coaches Award. The Team Choice and the MVP Awards went to Kiefel.  Underwood was Most Improved, and Mathews was honored with the Dedicated Award.

Assistant boys' coach Gavin Waggoner presented certificates to the junior varsity team members: Victor Whitmore, Jake Lynch (SA), Bryer Paul, Camdyn Vories, Carsyn Pennington (SA), Cody Coulston (SA), Gavin Mikesell (SA), Gage Mynear (SA), Ollivyr Dahlby, and Arrow Groom.

Karne Huwe

Boys' JV team award winners:  Jake Lynch, Gavin Mikesell, Victor Whitmore.

The Most Improved Award went to Mikesell, and Victor Whitmore was named Most Inspirational. Pennington was awarded the Mr. Hustle and the Coach's Awards.

The Defensive Player of the Year went to Vories, and the MVP of the JV team was Jake Lynch.

Head coach Westin Wallace followed with presentations to the varsity boys' basketball team members: Blake Benavides, Logan Seal, JJ Gleason (SA), Paco Kenney, Landen Henry, Rollin Carpenter (SA), Alex Zuniga, Liam Kiefel (SA), Carter Barron (SA), Victor Whitmore, Bryer Paul, and Jake Lynch.

Karen Huwe

Varsity award winners:  Landen Henry, Blake Benevides, Logan Seal, and Jayton Gleason.

Henry was awarded Most Improved, and Most Inspirational went to Seal. Kenney was named Defensive Player of the Year, and All-League Honorable Mention, and Coach's awards went to Gleason. Benevides was selected to the All-League 1st Team and also received the Mr. Hustle and MVP awards.

Coach Lash LaRue's wrestling team enjoyed a successful season, with a member advancing to the State Tournament.  Senior Jarod Hankins, who finished 10th at State, was named Wrestler of the Year and Cardinal of the Year.  Senior Graycen Teal and 8th grader Flynn Richardson received wrestling letters. Sophomore Dylan Guiterez received the Most Improved award.

Coach Westin Wallace finished the awards ceremony by thanking the athletes, managers, parents, staff, community, and volunteers who help make athletics possible for Waitsburg's students.