Lions, Lady Lions recognized at athletic banquet
Albany High School celebrated its top athletes during the annual Athletic Banquet on Tuesday, May 13, highlighting a year of achievement and perseverance across all sports.
Sponsored by the Albany Athletic Booster Club, the event honored teams, individuals, and 10 senior athletes with special awards given in memory of influential community members that acknowledge athletic achievement, leadership, and character.
Coaches from each sport introduced their athletes and presented sport-specific honors, highlighting the athletic accomplishments that included playoff runs across multiple sports this year.
Still competing are the Lion baseball team, which entered the third round of the playoffs this week, and the tennis program, which has two mixed doubles teams going to the state tournament later this week.
Memorial Awards
Outstanding male and female athletes were recognized with honors given in memory of former students and community members who exemplified the traits of excellence, leadership, and determination.
All recipients of the memorial awards were seniors, with honors awarded to the athletes who best embodied the award’s spirit.
Jay Wood Memorial “Athletic Achievement” Award, the oldest of the memorials, was presented to Chip Chambers and Abi Grace Hale as the top overall male and female athletes.
Carl Gene Edgar “Lion Pride” Award, given to seniors who demonstrate a love for competition and give their all in every sport, was awarded to Landon Balliew and Avery Everitt.
Kirk Holson “Rope Holder” Award, recognizing the kind of teammate “you’d want holding the other end of a rope if you were hanging off a cliff,” went to Ethan Green and Julia Vega.
Rob Shack “Fighting Heart” Award, honoring students who continue to fight and give their best effort no matter the odds, was awarded to Laithe Leech and Avery Everitt.
Ben Carlile “Hustler” Award, presented to athletes known for their relentless hustle and drive, was given to Branson Beal and Caroline Holson.
Junior Garcia “Leave No Doubt” Award, the newest of the memorials and given to athletes who pour everything into their sport and team, was awarded to Chip Chambers and Carisa Barrera.
MVP and outstanding player awards for each sport were also announced by the coaching staff, as well as introductions of the teams.
FOOTBALL
Outstanding Offensive Line – Landon Balliew
Outstanding Defensive Line – Zane Green
Outstanding Defensive Back – Huffman Heatly
Offensive MVP – Chip Chambers
Defensive MVP – Coy Flowers
Outstanding Skilled Player – Calhan Fairchild
MVP – Branson Beal
VOLLEYBALL
Offensive MVP – Zayne Lefevre
MVP – Abi Grace Hale
MVP – Caroline Holson
Fighting Heart – Mimi Ivy
BASKETBALL – GIRLS
Offensive MVP – Madi Parrott
Defensive MVP – Ashlyn Miller
MVP – Caroline Holson
GRIT Award – Charlee Hefner
BASKETBALL – BOYS
Offensive MVP – Aaden Mendez
Defensive MVP – Huffman Heatly
6th Man of the Year – Branson Beal
Lion Pride – Jaxson Street
Lion Pride – Will Barrett
Newcomer of the Year – Clay Chapman
MVP – Chip Chambers
GOLF
MVP Boys – Huffman Heatly
Newcomer of the Year – Clay Chapman
Newcomer of the Year – Aiden Vickers
MVP Girls – Myleigh Leveridge
TENNIS
Outstanding Doubles – Hattie Braly, Charlee Hefner
Outstanding Doubles – Jaxson Street, Woods Peterson
Outstanding Mixed Doubles – Mimi Ivy, Cade Fairchild
Outstanding Mixed Doubles – Abi Grace Hale, Jake Hale
Outstanding Singles – Aiden Vickers
TRACK – BOYS
Outstanding Jumper – Breylon Billington
Outstanding Thrower – Adrian Wren
Most Improved – Tony Wheeler
Outstanding Runner – Jayce Tinkle
Newcomer of the Year – Jakobi Roberson
Leadership – Chip Chambers
MVP – Jaxson Street
TRACK – GIRLS
Outstanding Sprinter – Zayne Lefevre
Outstanding Hurdler – Avery Everitt
MVP – Ashlyn Miller
BASEBALL
Golden Glove – Calhan Fairchild
Golden Glove – Landon Picquet
Golden Glove – Mason McCloy
“Go Big or Go Home” – Landon Balliew
“Go Big or Go Home” – Woods Peterson
MVP – Chip Chambers
Big Stick – Brody Oliver
Newcomer – Aiden Vickers
Newcomer – Clay Chapman
Utility Player – Wesley Gleitz
SOFTBALL
Defensive MVP – Gabby Lopez
MVP – Carisa Barrera
“Excellence” – Julia Vega
CROSS COUNTRY
MVP – Avery Everitt
MVP – Jayce Tinkle
CHEERLEADERS
Captain – Myleigh Leveridge
Team Members – Madailein Beard, Lainey Vaughn, Mimi Ivy, Madison Parrott, Alli McDaniel, Tatum Grady, Tara Cauble, Finlee Brown, Maddie Stapp, Carsyn Clegg
Mascot – Landon Kreitler
