Memorial awards given
By Melinda L. Lucas
A recap of Albany High’s athletic success during the 2022-2023 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.
Eleven senior athletes were presented a total of 13 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 and the Albany Lions football team winning a state championship.
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.
London Fuentes was tapped for the award as the outstanding boy, while Briley Tabor was named the outstanding girl.
The Carl Gene Edgar “Lion Pride” Awards were given to Tye Edgar and Gracie Price. 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 Koy Cauble and Briley Tabor, who went up for a second award. 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 both Samuel Rosas and Jayden Lucas on the boys side, and Brooke Kayga for the girls. The award is given to students who “keep on fighting and trying no matter what happens.”
The Ben Carlile “Hustler” Awards went to Keatin Russell and Ella Webb. 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 Cole Chapman and Gracie Price.
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 – Lanxton Viertel. Outstanding Defensive Line – Tye Edgar. Outstanding Defensive Back – Wyatt Windham. Offensive MVP – Cole Chapman. Defensive MVPs – Zane Waggoner and Adam Hill. Outstanding Skilled Player – London Fuentes. Football MVP – Coy Lefevre. Outstanding Attitude – Keatin Russell. Outstanding Courage – Samuel Rosas. Outstanding Effort – Jayden Lucas and Koy Cauble. Most Improved – Wyatt Beard.
VOLLEYBALL
Offensive MVP – Abi Hale. Defensive MVP – Robin Lucas. Volleyball MVP – Kiana Roberson. Outstanding Hitter – Ella Webb. Fighting Heart – Brooke Kayga. Newcomer – Caroline Holson. Hustler Award – Gracie Price.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Offensive MVP – Lute Wheeler. Defensive MVP – Luke Marshall. Newcomer of the Year – Wyatt Windham. Lion Pride – Lanxton Viertel. Basketball MVPs – Adam Hill and London Fuentes.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Offensive MVP – Callan Edgar. Newcomer of the Year – Caroline Chapman. Basketball MVP – Kiana Roberson. Leadership/Offensive MVP – Briley Tabor.
GOLF
Girls MVP – Myleigh Leveridge. Boys MVPs – Lute Wheeler, Houston Heatly, Ty Richards, Ayden Balliew, Luke Marshall, Koy Cauble, Huffman Heatly.
TENNIS
Outstanding Boys Doubles – Cason Fairchild and London Fuentes. Outstanding Girls Doubles – Jaci Chapman and Ella Webb. Outstanding Mixed Doubles – Abi Hale and Jake Hale. Outstanding Boys Singles – Luke Marshall. Outstanding Girls Singles – Sidney Russell.
BOYS TRACK
Outstanding Jumper – Cole Chapman. Outstanding Thrower – Lanxton Viertel. Outsanding Vaulter – Tye Edgar.Outstanding Sprinter – Cason Fairchild. Outstanding Runner – London Fuentes. Newcomer of the Year – Huffman Heatly. Lion Pride – Samuel Rosas. MVP Boys Track – Adam Hill.
GIRLS TRACK
Newcomer of the Year – Mimi Ivy. Outstanding Vaulter – Briley Tabor. Outstanding Hurdler – Ella Webb. Outstanding Runner – Callan Edgar. Lady Lion Pride – Avery Everitt. Girls Track MVP – Kiana Roberson
BASEBALL
Firearm Awards – Cole Read. Big Stick Award – Zane Waggoner. Golden Glove Awards – Cason Fairchild and Coy Lefevre. Brian Wilson “Go Big or Go Home” – Caden Price, Keatin Russell, and Adam Hill. Baseball MVPs – Cole Chapman and Tyler Chapman.
SOFTBALL
Impact Players – Robin Lucas and Gracie Price.
CROSS COUNTRY
Girls MVP – Briley Tabor. Boys MVP – Jonathan Coody. Newcomers – Sidney Russell and Brayden Watson. Most Improved – Maci Hatchett and Jayce Tinkle. Outsanding Perseverance – Avery Everitt. Determination – Landon Kreitler.
CHEERLEADERS
Cheerleaders Ella Webb, Brooke Kayga, Gracie Price, Robyn Trail, Madailein Beard, Myleigh Leveridge, Caroline Chapman, Kaisley Bartee, Madison Parrott, and Mimi Ivy, and mascot Haylee Sadler.
