Local Weather Forecast
Today: Current:88	Saturday: 97/72	Sunday: 95/74
Complete Forecast for  Jul 18 2008

By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer

All Saints athletic director Mark Ackerman bookended the 17th Annual All Saints Sports Banquet at the Davis Sports and Multipurpose Center by defining what is a successful athletic program.

“I asked a student today what success meant to him and he said, ‘Winning,’” Ackerman said.

All Saints did a lot of that in 2007-08, capturing state championships in girls’ soccer and girls’ tennis and finishing as state runner-up in volleyball. The school’s athletic program also produced numerous district titles and all-state honorees.

Ackerman announced every All Saints student athlete while adding what sport they played. There were 143 names in all.

Coaches then took turns recapturing their seasons, while honoring their players’ accomplishments and presenting team awards.

Special consideration was given to All Saints seniors Danica Saxon and Brian Robertson. Both were presented the Trojan Spirit Award by Headmaster Art Burke, given to the student athlete whose attitude, cooperation, determination, dedication and scholarship best exemplifies All Saints.

Saxon was an integral part of the Lady Trojans’ state championship soccer teams the past two years while also playing two years of basketball, one year of volleyball and two years of track.

Robertson helped the All Saints boys soccer team win a state title as a freshman while continuing the Trojan tradition through his senior season. He also played three years of football, two years of tennis and two years of track.

Ackerman closed the proceedings by completing his though on what he thought “success of an athletic program was.”

“Many people define it differently, but for us as coaches, to teach these young men and women to play their very best because they have a father in heaven who is watching them,” Ackerman said. “… representing him, glorifying him and we will have a successful athletic program.”

———

Football — Offensive Player of the Year: Ryan Riley; Defensive Player of the Year: Christian Klouda; Iron Man: Stephen Ham.

— Outstanding Cheerleader: Kaylan Hagan; Spirit Award: Claire Roberts; Leadership Award: Katherine Rowe.

— MVP: Alisia Kastmo; Offensive Leader: Taylor Lottmann; Leadership Award: Christine Taylor.

— Heart and Dedication Award: Christin Allen

— Stellar Award: Lauren Grabski; Leadership Award: Emily Self; Actions Speak Louder Than Words Award: Danica Saxon.

— MVP: Jerrod Odette; Most Improved: Weston Green; Dedication Award: Clayton Anderson.

— Most Improved: Jennifer Johnson; Perseverance Award: Katherine Yates; Most Dedicated: Robin McKinney.

— MVP: Ike Onwuzurumba; Top Defender: Sam Hughes; Most Improved: Jacob Flowers.

— Dedication Award: Aleisha Haralson; Most Improved: Jessica Haralson; Best Attitude Award: Taylor Smith.

— MVP: Ashley Cooper; Most Improved: Sarah Smith; Most Dedication: Anne Claire Cowan.

— MVP: Blake Jones; Most Improved: Colton Kirby; Most Dedicated: Jon Sanfelippo.

— MVP: Dillon Buhrkuhl; Most Improved: Weston Green; Top Defender: Jack Skeen.

— Outstanding Sprinter: Jennifer Johnson; Outstanding Distance Runner: Rachel Saunders; Most Dedicated: Aleisha Haralson.

— Outstanding Sprinter: Ryan Riley; Outstanding Thrower: Cal Easley; Most Coachable: Hunter Carr.

— MVP: Alex Hembree; Captain Leadership: Chelsea Cohen; Captain Leadership: Taylor Lottmann.

— Best Player To Ever Play At All Saints Award: Ryan Ybarra; Captain Leadership: Andy Cheng; Captain Leadership: Ben Wallace.