WP Athletes Receive Awards

WAITSBURG - Cheer coach Vicki Hamman kicked off Waits­burg's Fall Sports Awards by rec­ognizing the girls that keep the en­ergy going all season long - the WP cheerleaders and Cardinal mascot, Catherine Shepherd. "It was a long season," said Hamann, "but the girls did well."

Awards were voted on by the team members and the Most Improved award went to Lissette Mendoza. The two seniors and co-captains - Heidi Miller and Meara Baker - took Most Inspirational and Most Valuable, respectively. Coach Hamman noted that Miller "took a beating this sea­son," referring to a recent practice in which Miller's nose was broken while practicing a routine.

Next, Robbie Johnson introduced each of his JV volleyball players, commenting on their individual strengths and growth. Johnson said the team had an "outstanding season . . . it was a lot of fun." He noted that he focused on two things this season - serving well and receiving well - and the team saw improvements in both. Johnson quoted Stephen Covey, tell­ing students to put "first things first," reminding them that they are "student athletes - students first, athletes sec­ond."

Varsity Volleyball Coach Angie Potts explained that the WP team -- in a rebuilding year this season -- experienced the most success in non-league play. A scheduling snafu had the girls playing back-to-back tournaments early in the season. The team left at 4 a.m. one day and played all day in Yakima, returning home at 11 p.m. where they hit the court early the next morning to host a tourna­ment of their own.

"They played 20 matches in two days," said Potts. "They really came to understand why all that condi­tioning is so important." Potts noted that Samantha Fedderson was the "most talked-about player among the coaches in Yakima."

WP's lone senior and team co- captain, Enedina Fuentes, received the stat-based Most Valuable Of­fensive Player Award, with 157 digs for the season and a 2.2% (out of 3%) passing percentage. Junior Paige Wood received the Most Valuable Defensive Player Award racking up 103 kills and 36 blocks. Fuentes also received the team-voted Most Inspi­rational Player Award and was "al­ways talking, always encouraging," said Potts. JV players have rarely won team awards in the past, but this year Maribel Mendoza earned the Most Improved Player award.

Coach Jeff Bartlow noted that the loss of twelve graduating seniors last year, made this a rebuilding year for football as well. He said that while the team "struggled with depth issues" he considers it a successful year winning the league title. Bartlow noted that this year's seniors have only lost six games in four years. They have also played rivals DeSales six times and Dayton seven times in four years, never dropping a game.

Bartlow was assisted by coaches Troy Larsen, Josh Wilson and Mark Hauck in presenting awards. Mr. Offense was awarded to Devin Acevedo, and Mi- chael Grant was named Mr. Defense. Special Teams Player of the Year went to Antonio Benito, while Nick Pearson was named Lineman of the Year. Fresh- man of the Year went to Jacob Dunn and Nate Bartlow won the Cardinal of the Year (best senior football player) award. Chad Pear- son received the Coaches Award.

In team-voted awards, Chance Leroue was voted Most Valuable Player, Dal- ton LaRue was voted Most Inspirational and Talen Larsen received the Most Improved Award.

Pam Alexenko presented the five departing senior players with matted team photos. Seniors graduating in 2014 are: Nick Pear- son, Chad Pearson, Dalton LaRue, Trenton Kitselman and Nate Bartlow.

Ross Hamann wrapped up the evening with a spe- cial presentation from the Booster Club and School Board to Coach Jeff Bart- low. Hamman shared that a 49-6 win against Weston- McEwen on September 12, 2013 marked Bart- low's 100th win as WP's head football coach. Bartlow was presented with a plaque congratulating him as the "winningest coach in school history."