• E-Mail
• Print
• Larger
• Smaller

Published: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013 / Updated: Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013 05:02 PM

YCHS athletes recognized at awards ceremony

YORK -- 

Steve Boyd, athletic director at York Comprehensive High School, lauded the athletic booster club’s longtime commitment before last week’s winter sports awards ceremony.

Speaking before a gathering of student-athletes, coaches, friends and loyal supporters of YCHS athletics, Boyd spoke in glowing terms of the club’s commitment to the athletic department.

“The athletic booster club has raised more than $350,000 for the athletic department since 1996,” said Boyd. “The funds go toward equipment, uniforms and other athletic needs.”

The YCHS AD encourages parents of athletes to join the organization that is the financial lifeblood of the athletic department. Boyd said funds generated by the boosters benefit every athletic team and the cheerleaders at YCHS.

Boyd said YCHS is blessed to have dedicated coaches who serve as role models and athletes willing to make sacrifices to succeed.

“High school sports have changed over the years,” noted Boyd. “It used to be when the season was over that was it. Preparations for sports teams are year-round, including the offseason commitment.”

Boyd also recognized the potential for YCHS athletes to earn college scholarships.

“We have nine football players who have signed to play college ball and hope athletes in other sports to do the same,” he said.

The awards ceremony was highlighted by the York Comprehensive High School wrestling team’s continued success.

“We finished with a 21-5 record and had six state qualifiers, including a junior varsity state champion,” said first-year YCHS head wrestling coach Todd Hershberger.

Hershberger said the Cougar grapplers have been ranked in the top eight in the state the last three years.

Other wrestling highlights included senior Beau Nunn’s career record of 102 wins and 14 losses and Robert Cunningham’s emergence as one of the best in the sport.

The following YCHS student-athletes received special recognition during the annual winter sports awards ceremony held in the school auditorium:

• Wrestling: Most Outstanding Wrestler, Robert Cunningham; Cougar Award, Coleman Southard; Coach’s Award, Rainey Moore; Difference Maker Award, Beau Nunn; Most Dedicated, Cody Fouts.

• Jayvee wrestling: Jayvee State Champion, Ethan Whitesides; Rookie of the Year, Chance Dickson.

• Varsity girls basketball: Most Dedicated, Carrie Lee Lancaster; Barbara Neely Heart and Hustle Award, Aubrey Wood; Most Improved, Ke’atra Jamison; Coach’s Award, Taylr Sharp.

Lancaster was recognized for making the all-region basketball team.

• Jayvee girls basketball: Hustle Award, Mahoganey Setzer; Coach’s Award, Alayna White; Most Improved, Halie Philbeck.

• Varsity cheerleaders: Most Dedicated, Kameron Puckett; Sportsmanship Award, Morgan Tolson; Most Spirited, Kendall Whitesides; Coach’s Award, Carolyn Wilkerson; Academic Award, Katie Logue.

• Jayvee cheerleaders: Most Spirited, Leah Fuda; Most Dedicated, Zabriel Adams; Coach’s Award, Kaitlyn Spires.

The YCHS boys basketball team received team awards for their success. DeShaw Andrews, the team’s leading scorer for the season, was recognized for his selection to the all-region team.