By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
East Hardy High School and Moorefield High School bestowed prestigious awards to the student-athletes for their leadership, dedication, character and sportsmanship.
Moorefield Baseball coach Wade Armentrout presented the Josh Reider award to junior Oliver Crites for being the ultimate teammate showing respect and molding positivity out of criticism.
Moorefield Football coach Matt Altobello recognized senior Austin Wolfe with the Donnie Schell award for being a great teammate, willingness to do anything asked of him, motivated to excel and maintaining a positive attitude.
The Joe Sherman Award for an offensive lineman and track athlete was given to senior Ethan Eye by Coach Altobello.
This award recognizes the moral fiber and dedication of the dual-sport athlete in football and track.
The Moorefield High School Dennis Hill Athletic Director’s Award was presented to senior Trace Pope by current A.D. Jared Wratchford.
Pope was honored for his growth, ability to overcome adversity, contribution to his teams and enthusiastic support of his classmates in respective sports.
Pope competed in football, wrestling and track.
“It means a lot, especially coming back from injuries to be able to go down to the state track meet and compete. I am honored to be given this award by Mr. Jared. It means a lot. I just want to thank God and Jared for this award. [Advice. Work hard and don’t take it for granted. It goes by quick. Trust in God,” Moorefield senior Trace Pope stated.
The Moorefield High School American Legion Scholar Athlete Awards were given to Elecktra Sions and Lian Mung with presentation by principal Amanda Campbell.
This award honors the student-athletes with the highest grade point average.
The Outstanding Senior Girl Athlete of the Year trophy was presented to Seanna Heavner.
Heavner was a three-sport athlete competing in volleyball, girls basketball and softball.
“”I was very honored. [Advice] Always work hard and do your best. My favorite memory is just being with my friends and making memories with them. I mad some of my best friends playing sports,” Moorefield Outstanding Senior Girl Athlete of the Year Seanna Heavner commented.
The Outstanding Senior Boy Athlete of the Year trophy was presented to Diego Taylor.
Taylor was a three-sport athlete competing in football, boys basketball and track.
Taylor will be competing in the inaugural track program at Potomac State College.
“It means a lot. It’s good to know how much work I put in with the injuries and everything I have gone through. I really pushed myself with all this work. It feels good to see people realize that. [Advice] Never give up and always try your best no matter what you go through. Never stop planning to be the best player you can be. [Potomac State College Track] I am very excited. I am going to work very hard this summer and off-season to get better and get faster to help the team the best way possible,” Moorefield Outstanding Senior Boy Athlete of the Year Diego Taylor noted.
The MHS M.A. Bean Award is the most prestigious award given to the student-athletes and this year’s recipient was Seanna Heavner.
Heavner was selected after being one of the finalists completing a written essay and voting by former M.A. Bean Award winners panel.
The MHS M. A. Bean Award honors the student-athlete for academic success, leadership, character and faith.
“It means a lot to me. It makes me really happy and I am proud of myself,” M.A. Bean Award recipient Seanna Heavner said.
East Hardy High School special awards started with the East Hardy Softball Jason Foltz Memorial Leadership Award presented to Jaylynn Combs for her leadership, dedication and constant smile with an uplifting spirit.
The East Hardy High School Ralph J. Bean Award was bestowed upon Chloe Miller and accepted by cousin Brooklyn Miller with the presentation by Kanawha County Circuit Court judge Carrie Webster.
Chloe Miller was recognized for her academic success, teamwork, leadership and character.
The Jamie Good Award was presented to senior Brooklynn Tinnell by Renee Reed and Dustin Orndorff.
This award recognizes Tinnell for her faith, teamwork, leadership and dedication.
Tinnell competed in volleyball, girls basketball and track.
Tinnell helped the volleyball team to a Class A state tournament runner-up finish and set the girls basketball career and single season scoring records.
“It means a lot to me. I am very blessed to be able to play four years of sports here at East Hardy. I am grateful for my time at East Hardy and grateful to receive this award,” Jamie Good Award recipient Brooklynn Tinnell remarked.
Jamie Good was a founding member of the EHHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes who competed in volleyball and track, before tragically lost in a car accident during her high school career.
Orndorff was the first male recipient of the Jamie Good Award.
The Pete Vance Award recipient was senior Eli Mathias and presented by Jimmy Vance, son of the award namesake.
Pete Vance was the first athletic director in East Hardy High School history and this award recognizes Mathias for his competitiveness and dedication.
The EHHS Female Athlete of the Year Award was bestowed upon junior Morganne Miller.
Miller is a three-sport athlete competing in volleyball, wrestling and track.
Miller helped guide the volleyball team to a Class A state runner-up finish, earned Potomac Valley Conference championship and third place medal in girls state wrestling and collected a seventh place state track shuttle hurdles medal.
The EHHS Male Athlete of the Year Award was given to sophomore Evan Hamilton.
Hamilton was a two-sport athlete competing in boys basketball and baseball.
Hamilton led East Hardy Baseball team to the Class A state championship for the first time in 38 years and honored as the Class A All-State Baseball captain, in addition to helping the boys basketball team finish in the state semifinals.
“It’s cool. I don’t know if it is anything else special than what everybody else feels, but it was fun. I give God the glory,” East Hardy Male Athlete of the Year Evan Hamilton remarked.
Hardy County sports teams have well-deserving student-athletes showing tremendous leadership, teamwork and dedication lifting teams to success on and off the field and court.
Jaylynn Combs (presented by assistant coach Joey Strosnider)
