Middle school students recognized for athletic achievements

Cheerleading, boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons recapped by Patty Unruh Gilpin County Middle School athletes were awarded for their progress this past season in basketball and cheerleading at a winter banquet and awards program on Wednesday evening, January 10. PE teacher Aaron Moran emceed for the evening. He welcomed everyone and thanked the administration, Athletic Director Jeff Schuessler, Secondary Principal Alexis Donaldson, and Superintendent David MacKenzie for their support. Moran also encouraged the youth to applaud their parents for the recognition they deserved and expressed appreciation to the Booster Club. A number of students were missing that evening, perhaps due to inclement weather. All students in attendance received certificates, and those who missed will get theirs during the course of school this next week. Cheerleaders Cheer coach Katie Yocom presented the girls with their certificates and summarized the season. “It was a fun year for me. I have never worked with a greater bunch of girls,” she said. “The eighth graders were outstanding leaders and role models, the seventh graders helped them, and the sixth graders jumped in and learned. It was a pleasure to be their coach. I learned a lot and really appreciated the parental support.” Yocom noted the spirited job the girls did and seemed grateful that there had been very little drama during basketball season this year! Special activities included summer cheer camp, the opportunity to cheer for an away game, a performance at the homecoming pep rally, running the cake walk at the Halloween Carnival, and a team sleepover at the secondary school library. The sleepover was a celebration at the close of the season, with pizza, games, and fun. Yocom thanked student Abby Parton’s parents for their generosity in bringing food for each home game so they would have something to eat at halftime. Team members were Hailey Anderson, Jadin Braning, Cheyanne Ferajang, Destaney Garcia, Sophia Giuliano, Brianna Godwin, Emma Hardy, Emma Mahoney, Katelyne O’Sullivan, Abigail Parton, Sierra Ramsey, Skyley Ramsey, Bree Rice-Dietz, Aucklynn Sacco, Sasha Sonsino, Anna Thomason, Ashton Turkaly, Kendra Wenholz, Cassidy Wood, Halle Yocom, and manager Esmee Halsted. Girls’ Basketball Kellie Bayne, the girls’ basketball coach, presented the awards for her team. She particularly thanked the parents for their effort in getting the girls to school for practices very early in the morning. Bayne reported that the teams actually played two seasons this year. Gilpin played with some of the teams from the 5280 League before winter break. Not all of the league had teams, but Gilpin played most of them. Some of the girls played this season but were unable to continue for the second season due to other commitments. “For our second season, the girls who could continue are playing some more games with other teams who are also playing basketball now. It really isn't a league, though,” Bayne explained. “In January and February, we will be playing Clear Creek, Dayspring Christian, West Grand, Summit County and Nederland. We also have two tournaments in Summit County where we might play teams like Basalt, Craig, St. Clair, Carbondale, Lake County, Clear Creek and Summit County.” She added that they won't know for sure which of those teams they will play until they are seeded in a bracket and they know if they win or lose the first games. Another celebration is planned at the end of February or the beginning of March for the girls who were not able to get certificates at this ceremony. A and B team members included Camryn Ade, Madison Altman, Bailey Bagwell, Sara Bellinsky, Alexa Brandon (season one only), Lili Cope, Tommie DiMauro, Hannah Donaldson, Brianna Godwin (manager), Emma Hardy (season one only), Elizabeth Hebert, Reese Hill (season one only), Andal Innis, Sarah Lovett, Abigail Parton, Grace Peeples, Callie Ralstin, Skyley Ramsey, Samantha Rust (season one only), Abigail Smith, Haley Stundon (season one only, and Kendra Wenholz (season one only). C team members (fifth graders) were Annabelle Aloel, Samantha Kapke, Avery Ramsey, Faith Ramsey, Kiley Ralstin, Dannika Sternlicht, Joei Sutton, and Kylah Ade (manager). No photo was available of the girls’ team. Boys’ Basketball Awards were presented by Coach Tony Lorenz, who thanked the parents once again and provided a roundup of the season. Aaron Moran and Bryan Wood were assistant coaches. “Our season is over, and we’re jealous because the girls still get to play!” he joked. “The boys have come a long way in a short time. They were starting to gel.” He encouraged parents to take their boys to the Gilpin Community Center to keep practicing during the off season and noted that Triple Crown Foundation/Jam Basketball teams would be put together in April. “The season was based not on wins and losses, but on what we watched. These guys never quit. Other coaches would come up after a game and tell us how hard our boys fought. It’s easy to be proud of them. We were also able to play some C games.” The team members were Roland Keller, Dominic Anderson, Jimmy Immordino, Ben Zeckser, Trey Lindberg, Kage Anthony, Vincent Garcia, Kade Copeland, Andrew Jewell, Russel Wood, Bradley Robinson, Matt Marr, Luke Logsdon, Ellis Lopez, Christopher Pence, Dusty LeBeau, Brogan Thomas, Penn Keller, and Zach Gebhart.

Middle school students recognized for athletic achievements

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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