Williamsburg Recognizes Fall Athletes

Nov 27, 20190

Natalie Gorsuch count

All of the recipients of awards at the Williamsburg Fall Sports banquet. The student-athletes were recognized at the annual Fall Sports Ceremony on Nov. 14.

Natalie Gorsuch count

Tanner Detwiler, a senior at Williamsburg High School, is holding the First Annual Delores "Dee" Verbonitz Award, presented to him at the Williamsburg Fall Sports Banquet Nov. 14. Detwiler was Verbonitz's grandson. Shown with him is his grandfather, Dan. Verbonitz was known to many Williamsburg students, as she worked in the cafeteria for 23 years. She passed away in early September. This was one of two special awards presented by varsity football coach Ryan Hileman during the ceremony. On the engraved plaque is a quote by Verbonitz's favorite musical artist, Elvis Presley: "Values are like fingerprints. Nobody's are the same, but you leave 'em all over everything you do."

With winter sports upcoming, Williamsburg School District honored its fall athletes during the annual Fall Sports Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the high school auditorium.

District Athletic Director Robert Hearn opened ceremony with a few statements praising athletes, coaches and fans for a successful fall season.

Secondary Principal Michael Jones presented on behalf of the Williamsburg Civic Club the Williamsburg Civic Club award to senior volleyball player Emily Smith.

April Wheland, coach of the Williamsburg cross country team, recognized team members, including Shelby Aurandt, Madison Mikesic, Cyrus Simmons, Kelsie Butlet, Garrett Nicewonger, Levi Hoover, and Aliyah Ross.

Volleyball coaches Marina Brubaker and Natalie Gorsuch (the correspondent) recognized volleyball players and presented special awards:

JV Awards

Sportsmanship: Madalyn Whitaker

Serving Award: Allee England

Defensive Player: Kaelyn Calderwood

Offensive Player: Krista Simpson

Varsity

Offensive Player: Makayla Kipe

Serving Award: Taylor Uplinger

Most Improved Player, Sportsmanship: Olivia Aurandt

Sportsmanship: Hayley Morgan

Sportsmanship: Hope Cober

Rookie of the Year: Ashley Brubaker

Serving Award: Maggie Merritts

Pivotal Pirate Player: Zoie Litzinger

MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Sportsmanship: Emily Smith

Football

Dan Beatty, the coach of the Juniata Valley Junior High football team, talked about the unique situation that the players from this year had. Williamsburg players were in a co-op with Juniata Valley and coach Beatty praised players and families for always being supportive of the program, which – he explained – got better later in the season.

Coach Beatty recognized Logan Brantner, Rowan Gorsuch, Nathan Keith, Andrew McMonagle, Sam Parks and Luke Uplinger.

First-year head coach of the Williamsburg Football team Ryan Hileman spoke with his assistant coaches. Hileman spoke of not being concerned about their record but the "tremendous growth" that the players had throughout the season and their continued motivation despite the record.

JV coach Justin Becker presented the following awards:

Offensive Player: Caymen Hughes

Defensive Player: Alex Brantner

Coaches' Award: Colton Verbonitz

MVP: Foster England

Hileman then presented the following varsity awards:

Galen Hall Lineman Award: Shane Brantner and Sam Eger

Galen Hall Back Award: Tyler Clark

Charles Black Special Teams Award: Dallas Price

Offensive Player: Lambert Palmer

Defensive Player: Ian Crouch

Blanket Award: Adam Uplinger