Story Photos
 Members and coaches of the Rainier girls basketball team, left to right: Zaschia Walker, Kayla Nagunst, head coach Doug Knox, Brittany Wright, assistant coach Darren Schwegler and Mollee Schwegler gather after winning The Daily News Female Sports Team of the Year award Wednesday night at the Cowlitz Expo Center. Janine Manny / For The Daily News
|
Hundreds celebrate inaugral TDN Prep Sports Awards
Thursday, May 29, 2008 5:39 PM PDT
By Janine Manny
For The Daily News
Printable version
E-mail this articleInspirational players, motivational speakers and talented teams took the spotlight Wednesday evening at the first annual Daily News Prep Sports Awards celebration at the Cowlitz Expo and Conference Center.
A crowd of about 300 watched as The Daily News recognized 30 individual athletes, six teams and three outstanding plays, with help from master of ceremonies Kirc Roland, featured speaker Jim Roffler and special guest Joe Moses.
Moses, a 1932 Castle Rock High School graduate, is the remaining member of an eight-man team that took the 1932 state championship in basketball.
“It’s important to carry on the friendship and love of your teammates in school,” Moses told the crowd of athletes, coaches and family members. “Seventy-five years down the road, you’ll still have them. And if you don’t, you can look back and remember all the times you had together.”
Roffler, the Lower Columbia College men’s basketball coach, spoke of his own high school, college and professional career, and told the assembled students that an interview he heard of a successful race-horse jockey led him to his philosophy about life and athletics.
“I believe in myself. I like to work. I always believe I can win,” Roffler said. “In 17 years, our (LCC) ball clubs have won nine league championships and two NWAACC titles. I’ve also been named Coach of the Year in the Western Division 10 times by my peers. How have I been so fortunate? I believe in myself. I like to work. I always believe I can win.”
Roffler suggested that the students give thanks for their mentors, coaches and teammates, and give their parents a hug and a kiss in gratitude for the support, sacrifice and dollars spent.
Roland, KLOG radio host and athletic director at LCC, named the frosted gingersnap cookies the “Cookie of the Evening.” Members of The Daily News sports staff presented certificates to all athletes and plaques to the first-place winners.
The 2008 top prep athletes honored at The Daily News Prep Sports Awards include:
• Quincy Guy, Woodland football, Fall Top Male Athlete.
• Rebecca Haight, Mark Morris volleyball, Fall Top Female Athlete.
• Mollee Schwegler, Rainier basketball, Winter Top Female Athlete.
• Brandon Hoff, Toutle Lake basketball, Winter Top Male Athlete.
• Kelso girls wrestling — Alicia Beach’s pin to win her second state title, Play of the Year.
• Trevor May, Kelso baseball, Spring Top Male Athlete.
• Crystal Nyman, Kelso softball, Spring Top Female Athlete.
• Kelly Freese, Ilwaco, Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
• Kyel Lambert, Mark Morris, Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
• Kyle Burkhalter, Naselle, Inspirational Male Athlete.
• Brittany Wright, Rainier, Inspirational Female Athlete.
• Doug Knox, girls’ Coach of the Year, Rainier basketball.
• Scot Meeker, boys’ Coach of the Year, Kelso baseball.
• Lacey Seidl, Castle Rock, Miss Star Three-Sport Female Athlete of the Year.
• Chris Pierce, Kalama, Mr. Stud Three-Sport Male Athlete of the Year.
• Rainier basketball, girls’ Team of the Year.
• Kelso baseball, boys’ Team of the Year.
Past Month's Most Commented Stories