Spring Sports Awards Ceremony
Athletes, coaches recognized for efforts and achievements
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Nate Prentice and Russel Thompson.

Athletes from soccer, baseball, and golf were honored during Union County High School's Spring Sports Awards Ceremony last Thursday.

UCHS Athletic Director Jim Hughes, also the Head Coach of the Panthers golf team, took the podium first. Coach Hughes said the team finished the season with 14 wins, including an undefeated season at home, and had the lowest 4-man score (159) in a match since he has been coaching. "It was against Fannin County, which made it even sweeter," Hughes jokingly stated.

The Panthers also defended the Tri-County Cup, and tied for second place in the region tournament, but lost the playoff to Rabun County.

Coaches award: Caleb Kelley. "This year its going to a golfer who has been with us for four years," Coach Hughes said. "Caleb always has a good attitude, and has been a consistent golfer for four years. He always battles and I have never seen him give up. For all those reasons [he deserves it.]"

Low Medalist award: Jake Levens. This award goes to the golfer who has the lowest 9- hole average score for the year. "This year it was closer than it has been in a number of years," Coach Hughes said. Levens won with an average score of 40.6.

Sentinel photos/Jared Putnam Students athletes were not the only ones to take home hardware during the UCHS Spring Sports Awards Ceremony. Coach Hunter and Coach Robbins react to the "small" token of appreciation that the Lady Panthers varsity soccer gave Coach Hunter.

Low Medalist in Region 8-AA award: Jake Levens. Levens was able to represent Union County in the State Tournament as the Region 8-AA Low Medalist after defeating two other golfers in a playoff on their home course.

Panthers varsity baseball Head Coach Robby Roxbury was up next to present his team. Coach Roxbury thanked those who had helped the Panthers during the season and introduced the team.

Highest Batting Average award: Cody Adams. "He hit the ball hard everywhere, to all fields," Coach Roxbury said. "He started off slow and kept working hard, and he came through and did a great job batting leadoff for us." He hit .342 with 19 RBI.

Sentinel photos/Jared Putnam Cody Shook, Kody Owenby, Cody Adams, and Aaron Deyton.

Offensive award: Cody Shook. "We had a battle between two guys," the coach said. "It was on all year, but he did a great job for us." He hit .338 with 3 homeruns.

Defensive award: Kody Owenby. "As this guy got older he moved into the outfield for us and played center field...and this year [considering other circumstances] we moved him to first base," the coach said. "It didn't matter where he played, he did a great job all year. I think he maybe only had two errors all season"

Coaches award: Aaron Deyton. "This guy is a character," Coach Roxbury said. "He aggravates me all the time saying, 'Coach you're going to miss me.' I would never admit it, but I will for sure. He has a tremendous heart and an [incredible] memory. He can tell you what pitch he threw six games ago, what the count was, what location he threw it in, what the wind velocity was, the barometric pressure, he had all of that down."

Lady Panthers varsity soccer Head Coach Tim Hunter took the podium next. "We had a very successful season this year," Coach Hunter said. "We recorded our seventh straight winning season, finishing with a record of 12-5. This includes wins over our most bitter rivals, Lumpkin, Dawson, and Lakeview. We scored a total of 67 goals while only allowing 25 for the season. Our team consistently practiced and played hard and I am very proud of their efforts and their dedication to the team this year."

Caleb Kelley and Jake Levens.

Hunter introduced the 2007 team, finishing with the seven seniors. "These seniors graduate with an overall record of 49-13- 1 over the past four years," the coach said. "During their time here, they have been part of two undefeated seasons, one region and one sub-region championship. But more important than their accomplishments, they have been a source of pride for this program and this school. These young ladies have been great leaders for this team this year and have meant more to this team than they can possibly imagine."

Offensive award: Malory O'Steen. "The first [offensive award] goes to a young lady who made a huge impact on our team in only her first season," Coach Hunter said. "She finished this year with 13 goals and 6 assists."

Jordan West, Leslie Bittenbinder, Kristen Servis, Jess Seabolt, Bonnie Ann Sarrell, and Malory O'Steen.

Offensive award: Jess Seabolt. "The next goes to a senior who has always been a great player for us but took it to another level this season," the coach said. "She led the team in scoring with 14 goals and 7 assists and we will miss Jezabelle so much next season."

Coaches award: Leslie Bittenbinder. "This young lady really understands the game and is an outstanding player on the field for us," the coach said. "She fought through a lot of injuries this year and I believe that she will be a great soccer coach one day."

Midfield awards: Bonnie Ann Sarrell and Jordan West. "This award goes to the two outstanding midfielders who did a great job controlling the middle for us this year," Coach Hunter said. "They each had big goals in several games from their midfield position and both of these young ladies were instrumental in our success as a team."

Coach Robby Roxbury, Kody Owenby, Aaron Deyton, Jace Emerine, Cody Graham, and Coach Dana Reece.

Defensive award: Kristen Servis. "This award goes to a young lady who has been our leader all season," Coach Hunter said. "She has been a great player for this team and has been all that I could have ever asked of her. We look forward to watching her play college soccer for Young Harris next year."

Last but not least, Head Coach Chris Robbins of the Panthers varsity soccer team talked about his team's season in which they reached the State Tournament before falling to defending State Champion Pace Academy. The team finished the year with 10 wins, 5 losses and 2 ties.

Coach Robbins said that he had more injuries this year than he had ever seen in his coaching career. "We were short-handed all year but guys stepped it up," Coach Robbins said. The team scored 42 goals, an average of roughly three goals per game. "We did allow 25 goals because most of my injuries came on defense," the coach explained. "I hate that we didn't do better...but it's just one more thing that you have to jump over in life."

Offensive award: Russel Thompson. "This kid plays year round," Coach Robbins said. "He was our leading scorer. The guys have always looked up to him. He's a good player, there's no doubt about it. [But] I could take him any day," the coach jokingly said.

Defensive award: Nate Prentice. "He buckled down really hard in the second half and also in the state game [played a phenomenal defensive game,]" Coach Robbins said.

Coaches award: Cason Carter. "He won this on a vote," the coach said. "I believe it was fixed, and I want a recount, because he is my nephew. Cason's not here but he did deserve this award. His first three years he played behind people, and in his senior year he stepped up and scored four or five goals. He worked hard and played hurt. I'm extremely proud of him."