Knox County R-I Holds All-Sports Banquet
Knox County R-I Holds All-Sports Banquet
By David Sharp
Knox County High School handed out awards for softball, basketball, cheerleading, academic bowl, track and baseball at their May 8, 2008 All-Sports Banquet.
The well attended gathering took place at the Knox County High School gym. Zach Parrish won the Male Athlete of the Year Award. Tessa Ramer claimed the Female Athlete of the Year prize.
Eagle coaches, participants and their supporters enjoyed a great meal before the program. Jesse and Stephanie Crawford helped produce a DVD celebrating the 2007-08 season to date.
The video was shared with those in attendance before the program. All-Conference and other post-season award certificates were presented.
KHQA television sports director Chris Duerr addressed the assembled group before KCHS Athletic Director and softball coach Stephanie Crawford began the evening with 2007 girls’ softball awards.
The Lady Eagle varsity softball team finished their 2007 season with an overall record of 8-12. Softball seniors Jordin Luthenauer and Holly Kite are set to graduate this week.
Freshman Chelsea Bisch won the Softball Most Improved Award. Myra Parrish claimed the Outstanding Hustle Award. All-district pitcher Brittney Miller was named Softball MVP. Assistant softball coach Melissa Long helped hand out awards.
Knox County head football coach Steve Ramer took the podium for gridiron awards presentation. Seniors Zach Parrish, Ethan Hustead, Daniel McMahon, John Greenley, Kane Simmons and Jeremy Hudson were part of a 5-5 varsity season.
Football seniors carried a 3.76 out of a possible 4.0 grade point average while leading the Eagles to one of their best seasons since football was established in 1963. Ethan Hustead and Zach Parrish have been selected to play in the 2008 KHQA Do or Die All Star football game.
Junior Jacob Moots was named football Defensive MVP and the Weightlifter of the Year. Junior Dennis Dent was the Offensive Line MVP. All time single season rushing leader Zach Parrish won the 2008 football Team MVP award.
Cheerleading coach and sponsor Lyndsey Hunter recognized football and basketball cheerleaders along with the KCHS Dance Team. Kasey Douglas and Amber Hayes were cheerleading captains. Courtney Cahalan was a football cheerleading and Dance Team captain.
Coach Hunter announced she will not be returning as cheer coach after helping build one of the better cheerleading squads in the area.
Coaches John Weaver and Roger Parton took the stage for Lady Eagle basketball awards. Seniors Jesse Stout and Caley Palmer led the varsity girls to an improved 11-14 season record. Knox County had a mid season streak that saw the varsity girls win six of seven games.
Knox County’s JV girls sported a 7-5 record with a strong finish. Amber Ausmus was the girls’ basketball Most Improved Player. Freshman classmate Stacey Leckbee earned the Best Defensive Player Award.
Katie Ausmus won the Outstanding Hustle Award. Tessa Ramer and Lorrie Peters shared the MVP Award.
Jesse Crawford and Ryan Waters handed out varsity and JV boys’ basketball awards. The Eagle varsity won their first district championship since 1971 and finished with a 19-11 overall record. The Eagles lost their Sectional by two points in overtime to eventual state champion Harrisburg.
“The senior class is one of the most decorated classes to walk the halls of Knox County High School,” said Jesse Crawford. Seniors Daniel McMahon, Shane Clouse, Zach Parrish, Ethan Hustead, John Greenley and Cory Shultz were recognized for their basketball contributions.
Zach Parrish earned the Mr. Hustle boys’ basketball award. Shane Clouse was the Best Defensive Player. Daniel McMahon, Cory Shultz and Dennis Dent shared the MVP Award.
Campus Bowl coaches Joyce Delaney and Cindy Bleim-Sharp presented 2008 Academic Competition awards. Ben Delaney and Justin Miller earned JV all conference recognition. The Eagle JV Campus Bowl team went 6-1 on the season while the varsity team sported a 15-3 overall mark.
Andrew Sharp, Cory Chockley, Ben Harder, Joshua Clark and Brandon Gudehus were recognized as varsity team members.
Track coaches John Weaver and Lacey Miller distributed track and field team awards. Knox County won four girls’ meet championships and repeated as district champions.
Seniors Alena Koester, Jordin Luthenauer, Colton Deem along with Andrew Sharp were recognized. Alena Koester will conclude her high school track career by competing in three events at the Class 1 Track and Field Championships May 16-17 at Jefferson City. Luthenauer, Deem and Sharp wrapped up their track careers at the Tri-Rivers Conference Track meet.
The Lady Eagles went third in the conference in track. Amber Ausmus missed the 2008 track season due to a knee injury suffered in basketball.
Amber Ausmus served as a track team manager and earned the Most Team Spirit Award.
Jacob Moots won the I Can Do It Award. Cody Pegg, Brady James, Amber Yates and Suzanne Howerton shared the Hardest Worker Award.
Amanda Woods was named the Most Valuable Jumper. Woods won four gold medals at the Knox County Relays and is a four event Sectional and state track meet qualifier along with Lorelei Schlueter.
Mitchel Pegg was named the Most Valuable Sprinter for 2008. Mitchel Pegg finished third in the Sectional 200 meter dash and advanced to the State track meet. Mitchel Pegg became the first Eagle boys’ track and field performer to advance to state since Garet Nunan brought home a state track medal in 2005.
Brady James was the Most Valuable Hurdler. Katie Ausmus advanced to the state track meet for the second straight season. Katie Ausmus will compete in the girls’ 3200 meter run and as part of the KCHS 4x800m relay team in Jefferson City.
Katie Ausmus was named the KCHS Most Valuable Distance Runner.
Suzanne Howerton won the 2008 Class 1 District 1 at Kirksville girls’ 400 meter dash championship. Howerton will compete along with Lorrie Peters, Brady Bugh and Katie Ausmus in the girls’ 4x800m relay event at the state track meet.
Suzanne Howerton will run with Tessa Ramer, Amanda Woods, and Lorrie Peters in the district champion girls’ 4×4 relay team at state.
Freshman Suzanne Howerton won the 2008 Most Valuable Athlete track and field Award.
All-Sports Award winners were presented near the close of festivities. Male and Female Sportsmanship Awards were presented to Keenan Gillaspy, Brett Bryant and Myra Parrish. Leadership Awards winners were Katie Ausmus and Zach Parrish.
Zach Parrish and Tessa Ramer earned Male and Female Athlete of the Year honors.
