On November 16, student-athletes and coaching staff from all ten fall sports teams gathered in the auditorium to celebrate and commemorate the dedication of their athletes throughout the fall season.
As first-year Athletic Director Patrice Arrington took on the role of organizing this event, she realized that the all-sport season inclusive end-of-year ESPY award presentation’s efficiency could be improved. “In the past, [the award presentation] was very long, and as soon as people got their awards they would leave. We’re trying to instill unity, community, and family, so I felt like we had to do something to change that.”
Each team was designated four awards: Coach’s Award, Tiger Spirit, Most Improved, and MVP. All of these were used to honor outstanding student-athletes who contributed to their team’s successes throughout the fall season.
Kinzly Gootman won the Coach’s Award for the varsity girls’ soccer team. The captain played midfield for the successful Tiger team, where she made 76 steals in her final season. “Playing on the team has brought me an immense amount of joy and winning an award at the fall banquet was a great way to cap off an amazing senior season.”
Linebacker Aidan Riley’s on-field performance earned him varsity football’s Tiger Spirit award, along with DCIAA second-team All-Defense. To Riley, the award “felt great because it felt like the work I put in paid off.”
For the varsity girls’ volleyball team, Kanyce Thompson won Most Improved. The junior joined the team this past season after switching air force bases from Guam, earning a jersey based on her tryouts alone. She ended the season with an impressive 27 aces. “[The recognition for my efforts] means a step closer to becoming better at the sport,” Thompson says.
Sophomore Mark Suardi was awarded MVP for the boy’s cross-country team. In his second season on the team, Suardi ran a personal record of 17:11.0 in the 5000-meter race at the NXR Southeast Regional Championships in Cary, North Carolina. “[The award] meant a lot, because I worked hard for everything that I got this season, it was nice to get recognition for that.”
All in all, it was fantastic to see student-athletes supporting each other and celebrating the entire group’s achievements. The fall sports banquet was a success and leaves much to be excited about for the next seasonal celebration!
