Switzerland County High School officially closed its 2006-2007 athletic year on Tuesday night with its athletic banquet for spring sports.
– Coach Mike McClure handed out awards for boys golf, and presented the Most Improved Award to Jeff Mullins and the Most Valuable Player Award to freshman Tanner Ross.
– Girls track was next, and coach Adam Dennis gave several awards. The Sprinter Award was earned by Maggie Armstrong; the Distance Award was earned by Amanda Hon; Regional qualifier and school record holder Christina Ahaus earned the Field Events Award and the Most Improved Award; and Katie Hall earned the Mental Attitude Award.
– Next came boys track and coach Sean McGarvey. His Sprinter Award was earned by Nathan Hickman; the Middle Distance Award was earned by Matt Johnson; the Long Distance Award was earned by Clay Meyer; Brandon Otter earned the Field Events Award and the Most Valuable Performer Award; Kyle Green earned the Mental Attitude Award; and Luke May earned the Freshman Award.
- Coach Rob Daugherty handed out awards for junior varsity softball. The Batting Title was earned by Jenna Daugherty; the Defensive Award was won by Catie Johnson; the Most Improved Player was Kim Fox; the RBI Award was earned by Maggie Armstrong; and the Coach’s Award was shared by Chelsea Peters and Hailee Smith.
- In varsity softball, coach Steven Konkle presented awards after giving an overview of his season.
The Batting Title was earned by Melisa Raisor, who also earned the RBI Award. The Pitching Award was earned by freshman Becky Turner; the Defensive Award was earned by Tanya Sefton; the Mental Attitude Award was earned by Kayla Konkle; and Sara Craig won the Scholastic Award and the Most Improved Award. Coach’s Awards went to seniors Kayla Konkle, Sara Craig, Ashley Bright, and Jennifer South.
- The final team awards for the evening were presented by baseball coach Shannon Barger, who told the audience about the achievements and goals reached by his young team this season, including advancing to a sectional championship game for the first time in 25 years.
The Hitting Award was earned by Ryan Peters; the Most Put Outs Award was earned by Aaron Moore; the Most Improved Award went to Jordan Hewitt; and the RBI Award was presented to Zach Osowski.
Senior Travis Webster had an outstanding night, earning the Pitching Award and the ERA Award. He was also presented with a plaque in recognition of his career assist total; and was presented home plate in recognition of him being the all time leader for runs scored in a career in school history. He was presented home plate by softball coach Steven Konkle, whose record Travis Webster broke.
Senior T.J. Sefton earned the Coach’s Award; and was also recognized for having set the school record for the most walks drawn in a career.
Shannon Barger also presented a special team award to Charlie Seymour, grandfather of senior Aaron Moore, who has been an integral part of the program.
– At the close of the evening, senior Aaron Moore asked his fellow senior athletes to come to the podium, and the group took a moment to present athletic director Kent Dunning with a plaque in appreciation for all that he has done for them during their four years of high school.
Kent Dunning will be leaving Switzerland County this week to assume the principal’s position at Corydon Central High School; and held back emotions as he accepted the plaque and told the crowd that the singer Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco; but Kent Dunning was leaving his heart in Switzerland County.