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Albany seniors receive memorial awards

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By Donnie A. Lucas

A recap of Albany High’s athletic success during the 2021-2022 school year was given at the annual Athletic Banquet on Tuesday, including the announcement of several special memorial awards.

Coaches for each sport also recognized their teams, along with handing out various sport-specific awards.

A total of 13 senior athletes were presented a total of 12 special awards in memory or honor of local citizens who exemplified special qualities.

The banquet was sponsored by the Albany Athletic Booster Club.

Both the Lions and Lady Lions are ending another stellar school year, with teams and individuals advancing in almost every sport.

Memorial Awards

The overall outstanding male and female athletes were recognized with honors given in memory of former students or fans in acknowledgment of special qualities, traits, or abilities.

All the recipients were seniors.

The oldest of the memorial awards is the Jay Wood Memorial, given to the top overall male and female athletes.

Luke Ivy was tapped for the award as the outstanding boy, while Sarah Cotter was named the outstanding girl.

The Carl Gene Edgar “Lion Pride” Awards were given to Bryce Asher and Kamryn Browning. The honor is reserved for seniors who participate in  varsity sports who have a love of competition and give full effort in each sport in which they participate.

Selected this year for the Kirk Holson “Rope Holder” Award were Jaheim Newton and Ana Balliew. The honor is given to students that “you would want holding the other end of a rope if you were hanging off a cliff.”

The Rob Shack “Fighting Heart” was presented this year to Brooks Neece and Sara Smith. The award is given to students who “keep on fighting and trying no matter what happens.”

The Ben Carlile “Hustler” Awards went to both Ty Everitt and Ryan Mark on the boys side, along with Avery Kleiner for the girls. As the name suggests, the award is given to students who demonstrate the most hustle in their sport during the season.

Finally, the newest of the honors is the Junior Garcia “Leave No Doubt” Awards, which are given to the athletes who give all they have for their team or sport. This year, the recipients were Cooper Fairchild and Ansleigh Garcia.

MVP and outstanding player awards for each sport were also announced by the coaching staff, as well as introductions of the teams.

FOOTBALL

Outstanding Offense Line – Bryce Asher and Monte Cauble. Outstanding Defensive Line – Taren Farmer and Zane Waggoner. Outstanding Defensive Backs – Luke Ivy and Adam Hill. Offensive MVP – Cole Chapman. Defensive MVP – Brooks Neece. Outstanding Skilled Players – Cooper Fairchild and Coy Lefevre. Football MVP – Jaheim Newton. Outstanding Attitude – Ty Everitt. Outstanding Courage – Robert Bailey. Outstanding Effort – Ryan Mark. Most Improved – Rylan Roberson.

VOLLEYBALL

Offensive MVP – Tristen Brown. Defensive MVP – Robin Lucas. Volleyball MVP – Sarah Cotter. Outstanding Setter – Clara Holson. Outstanding Hitter – Ansleigh Garcia. Most Improved – Gracie Price. Newcomer Award – Kiana Roberson. Hustler Award – Susie Cormack.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Offensive MVPs – Coy Lefevre and London Fuentes. Defensive MVP – Adam Hill. Newcomer of the Year – Luke Marshall. Lion Pride – Luke Ivy. Sixth Man – Lanxton Viertel. Basketball MVP – Cole Chapman.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Offensive MVP – Ashlyn Holson. Defensive MVP – Lizzie Chavez. Most Improved – Avery Kleiner. Newcomer of the Year – Caroline Holson. Basketball MVP – Kiana Roberson. Leadership Award – Briley Tabor.

GOLF

Girls MVP – Myleigh Leveridge. Boys MVPs – Lute Wheeler, Houston Heatly, Ty Richards, Ayden Balliew, Luke Marshall.

TENNIS

Outstanding Boys Doubles – Luke Ivy and Cooper Fairchild. Outstanding Girls Doubles – Susie Cormack and Ella Webb. Outstanding Mixed Doubles – Mikey Hernandez and Jaci Chapman. Outstanding Girls Singles – Sidney Russell. Outstanding Boys Singles – Brayden Watson.Newcomers of the Year – Abi Hale and Jake Hale. Tennis MVPs – Sarah Cotter and Luke Marshall.

GIRLS TRACK

Outstanding Track Athlete – Sarah Cotter. Outstanding Jumper – Briley Tabor. Outstanding Thrower – Kiana Roberson. Outstanding Hurdler – Ella Webb. Outstanding Sprinter – Kam Browning. Newcomer of the Year – Robin Lucas. Lady Lion Pride – Avery Everitt.

BOYS TRACK

Newcomer of the Year – Cason Fairchild. Outstanding Sprinter – Coy Lefevre. Outstanding Jumper – Cole Chapman. Outstanding Hurdler – Adam Hill. Outstanding Thrower – Lanxton Viertel. Outstanding Distance Runner – Samuel Rosas. Outstanding Vaulter – Tye Edgar. Most Improved – Jayden Lucas. Track MVP – Luke Ivy.

BASEBALL

Firearm Awards – Cole Chapman and Cole Read. Big Stick Awards – Zane Waggoner and Coy Lefevre. Golden Glove Award – Cason Fairchild. Brian Wilson “Go Big or Go Home” Awards – Tyler Chapman and Bryson Herring. Baseball MVPs – Cooper Fairchild and Luke Ivy.

SOFTBALL

Defensive MVP – Haily Cox. Big Stick Award – Robin Lucas. Golden Glove Awards – Ansleigh Garcia and Kam Browning. Softball MVP – Ana Balliew. Fighting Heart Award – Sara Smith.

CROSS COUNTRY

Boys MVP – Jonathan Coody, Girls MVP – Briley Tabor

CHEERLEADERS

Lizzie Chavez, Avery Kleiner, Savannah Hobbs, Ella Webb, Brooke Kayga, Gracie Price, Robyn Trail, Kam Browning.