Cardinal Fall Sport Awards

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg fall sports athletes and their families, both high school and middle school, enjoyed a catered dinner from Classic Grill'n from Othello on Tuesday, October 27, in the Waitsburg Elementary's multi-purpose room. The caterers, Birdie and Tim Fought, have two grandchildren in Waitsburg: seventh-grader Arya played volleyball, and eighth-grader Luke played football for the Cardinals.

After dinner, the middle school volleyball and football coaches presented their teams' end-of- season awards. The high school coaches will present after the football team finishes their season.

Volleyball head coach Karen Huwe welcomed the crowd, which numbered over one hundred, before giving thanks to the following: Birdie and Tim for the delicious food, assistant Stephanie Cole and volunteer coach Natasha Langford, manager Alyssa Cole, and various people who helped line judge, score clock operator (DeJay Meyer), and two high school students, Ellie Teal and Laila Long, who helped set up the gym prior to the home games and who kept the scorebook for the junior varsity team.

Huwe announced top achievers from practice competitions during the season: twelve volleyball players served 80% or better in matches, with Jaylynn Gleason accomplishing that feat seven times out of ten. Seven players served five or more aces in matches, with Avery Spring excelling four times out of seven. Ryle Cole earned the serve challenge award, never losing a challenge. The competition ball went to Gleason, who won sixteen various competitions. Eight players were recognized for completing an obstacle course in less than one minute. Ava McCaw had the best overall time, and Arya Hillman and Gleason completed the course three times under a minute.

Coach Cole presented participation certificates to junior varsity members Grace Quigg, Dakota Creeley, Vaida Langford, Avery Spring, Kaylee Harrison, Grace Eastman, and Olivia Long.

Coach Huwe presented varsity participation certificates to Rylee Cole, Arya Hillman, Emma Langford, Oaklee Adams, Adalin Acevedo, Jaylynn Gleason, Shylo Hedges, Haven Henry, and Ava McCaw.

Coach Cole presented the junior varsity awards. Avery Spring earned awards for the Most Successful Serves, Most Aces, Highest Serve Percent, and Most Improved. Olivia Long received the Most Inspirational award. Kaylee Harrison and Grace Quigg received Coach's Awards.

Coach Huwe presented the varsity awards. Jaylynn Gleason received the Most Successful Serves, Most Aces, and Highest Serve Percentage awards. Shylo Hedges received the Most Improved award, and Rylee Cole received Most Inspirational. Emma Langford received the Coach's Award. Jaylynn Gleason received the Cardinal of the Year Award.

Middle School head football Coach Chris Andrews presented participation awards to Ryden Huxoll, Ethan Mahre, Forrest Cooper, Oliver Harvey, Owen Harvey, Hudson Lynch, Luke Hillman, David Sacha, Roman Beckman, and Nolan King.

Karen Huwe

MS football awards: (l-r) Forrest Cooper, Hudson Lynch (not pictured Ryden Huxoll)

Hudson Lynch was presented the Offensive Player of the Year award; Forrest Cooper was named the Defensive Player of the Year award and Ryden Huxoll was awarded Most Inspirational.