The Annual Sports Recognition Ceremony at Tucker County High School took place on Wednesday May 28th in the school auditorium. Principal Jay Hamric started the ceremony with a welcome to everyone in attendance.
Athletic Director Dave Kyle then introduced the Senior PVC Conference Scholar Athletes. Those achieving this award were Mariah Bowley, Joannah Dyer, Savannah Ambrose, Bekah Simmons, Miranda Siler, Caroline Adams, Dusty Conrad, Corey Kelley, Chris Freeman, Mitchell Mason, Ian Nichols and Ben Flanagan.
Golf started the team recognition with Head Coach Sam Goughnour presenting awards for the Golf team. Next on the night was Baseball that was presented by first year coach Josh Evans. Girls’ Softball took the podium next and Head Coach Dee Stevens presented certificates to the Softball team members. Girls’ Cross Country was announced next by Coach Michelle Mullenax. The ceremony continued with Football which was presented by Head Coach AJ Rapp. This year’s Football team finished the regular season 6-4 and lost in the first round of the Playoffs to Madonna. Girls’ Basketball was next as Head Coach Jim Ambrose presented certificates to the JV and Varsity. The Girls’ Basketball team finished the season 20-5 and advanced to the final four of the State Tournament where they fell to St Marys. Coach Gutshall and Boys’ Basketball took the stage next as the JV and Varsity squads were announced. The Boys’ team finished the season 17-7 and lost in the first round of the State Tournament to Notre Dame. Coach Shane Eakle next presented certificates to the Girls’ and Boys’ Track members. This year’s Track teams collected 41 medals at the State Meet with 23 awarded to the Girls’ team and 18 to the Boys’ team. The Girls’ team finished 3rd overall at the State Meet and the Boys’ team captured 5th. There were 11 State Championship medals out of the 41 total medals. The Girls’ team had 3 State Champions(2 individual and 1 Relay) and the Boys’ finished with 2 State Championships(1 individual and 1 Relay).
The night concluded with two awards. The first award was the Senior Female and Male Academic Athlete of the year which is awarded to the Female and Male with the highest grade point average. This award was presented to Caroline Adams and Ben Flanagan. The final student award of the night was the Senior Female and Male Athlete of the year, which is voted on by the head coaches. This year the Male Athlete of the year award went to Ian Nichols and the Female Athlete of the year was Bekah Simmons.
Before Principle Hamric offered his closing remarks he presented Coach Tom Gutshall with a Basketball that was signed by WVSSAC officials. Coach Gutshall retired last month from his Boys’ Basketball position at TCHS after serving as Head Coach for 31½ years and collecting 503 wins. After this Principle Hamric dismissed the crowd with his closing remarks.
The following is a list of the members of the 2013-14 All PVC Conference: Girls’ Track: Jessica Kincaid, Kelsey Kyle, Olivia Miller, Mikayla Long, Miranda Siler, Kylie Moore, Elizabeth Nichols, Taylor Ambrose, Madison Mullenax, Aiyana Kachmarek, Chelsea Bonner, Jenna Walker, Madison Reall and Leah Underwood. Boys’ Track: Mitchell Mason, Chris Freeman, Zach Armstrong, Andrew Hauser, Wesley Knotts, Ian Nichols, Devon Anderson, Chase Alkire, Kellen Dunn, Marcus Mason, Marshall Whisner and Kyler Metz. Cheer: Kelsey Kyle and Savannah Ambrose. Cross Country: Madison Mullenax and Taylor Ambrose. Football: Cory Hanlin, Marshall Whisner, Spencer Pennington, Daniel Kisamore, Dusty Conrad, Zach Armstrong and Michael Callaway. Girls’ Basketball: Stephanie Betler and Bekah Simmons. Boys’ Basketball: Ian Nichols, Mitchell Mason and Austin Zirk. Baseball: Kevin McDermott. For more Tucker County Sports info go to TuckerCountySports.Com.
