PHS Panther cross country awards honors

Merritt, Kolpitcke named Most Valuable

Posted 11/20/18

The Powell High School cross country teams celebrated another productive season recently, honoring their athletes with a host of post-season awards.

“It was a great year; there were a lot …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

PHS Panther cross country awards honors

Merritt, Kolpitcke named Most Valuable

Posted

The Powell High School cross country teams celebrated another productive season recently, honoring their athletes with a host of post-season awards.

“It was a great year; there were a lot of good accomplishments,” said PHS head coach Cliff Boos. “Our whole philosophy has always been to work hard and keep improving and have fun, and I really think we accomplished that.”

Awards were voted on by the team, with Panther senior Alan Merritt and Lady Panther junior Kayla Kolpitcke named this year’s Most Valuable. Both made the 3A West All Conference teams, with Merritt wrapping up his senior season with a 13th-place finish at state and Kolpitcke finishing 12th.

“Alan [Merritt] will be missed. He really led by example,” Boos said. “He’s so determined and so dedicated. He runs all year long with his family, and he’s always just trying to get the best out of what he can do. I’m so grateful to have been able to coach him all these years, and thank goodness I’ll have him for one more track season.”

As for Kolpitcke, Boos said the soccer standout won’t be available for the track season because of her commitments on the pitch. She will be back for cross country next season, however, and Boos said he’s excited about the prospect of her final season.

“Kayla [Kolpitcke] really puts so much interest and effort into everything she does,” he said. “She’s an excellent student as well, which is a testament to her determination because of everything she’s involved in. She doesn’t compromise — she wants to do her best in everything she does. I just couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Jozi Simpson and senior Pedro Teixeira were named Most Inspirational.

“Jozi [Simpson] came out for track as a freshman last year, then came out for cross country this year,” Boos said. “She was battling injuries all season, but always came to practice and came to the state meet with us. She’s been a big part of our team, so hopefully we can get her back for spring track, then cross country next year.”

Teixeira, an exchange student from Brazil, was a team favorite because of his easy-going demeanor, according to Boos.

“Pedro [Teixeira] has a great personality and great sense of humor, he was just a great addition to the team,” Boos said. “It’s such a positive when you have these kids come in from other countries; it’s good for everybody. He wants to try out for swimming now, and track in the spring.”

Most Improved went to sophomore Hailee Hyde and freshman Riley Schiller.

“Hailee [Hyde] had some physical issues as well, but she really worked through them,” Boos said of Hyde, who finished 82nd at state. “She was a big part of our team’s success.”

Schiller began the season on the JV squad, and ended it a member of the Panthers’ state contingent. He finished 88th at the state meet.

“Riley [Schiller] really came on, and he just kept getting better,” Boos said. “He ran really consistently and made our state team. He has a bright future.”

The coach said his teams were “a very spirited group and very unified.”

“The kids were always trying to help each other be better, and that shows the way the kids are,” Boos said. “They really cared about one another.”

To further illustrate the closeness of the team, Boos shared an anecdote from assistant coach Ashley Hildebrand, who was tasked with tabulating the votes for the postseason awards.

“When Ashley [Hildebrand] was looking through the votes, she noticed that with all of the [more than 30] kids we had, everybody got a vote for something. That’s great, when they think that much of each other. I thought that was a real plus for the kids, as well.”

Boos also reserved praise for Hildebrand, calling her enthusiasm for the sport “infectious.”

“She sets such a good example for the kids,” Boos said of Hildebrand. “She teaches them to be respectful of one another, as well as the competition. She always has words of encouragement for everyone, and is always so positive.”

Powell High School, Panther Cross Country

Comments