Soccer, track teams recognize players

The final batch of sports awards for the 2011-2012 academic calendar were bestowed this past week as the Powell High School soccer and track teams each held their end-of-the-season programs.

For Panther track coach Scott Smith, a total of 10 track and field athletes were honored. Highlighting the night’s awards were the L.A. Kohnke most deserving athlete awards, which went to seniors Desiree Murray and Josh Cragoe.

Murray concluded her senior season as a state runner-up in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 400 meters. She set a school record in the 100-meter hurdles during the preliminary heat of the state meet and was a four-event champion at the 3A West regional meet one week earlier.

Cragoe was a member of the state champion 4x400 relay team for the Panthers. He also ran a leg on the state runner-up 4x100 relay and also earned a state runner-up medal in the 110-meter hurdles. Cragoe also finished fifth in the high jump at this year’s state meet for the Panthers.

Murray received a second award at the Panthers’ program as she was named the outstanding state meet performer for the Powell girls. The boys’ recognition for that award went to Garrett Lynch, who won a state title and set a school record in the discus. Lynch, only a sophomore, also finished as the state runner-up in the shot put and also ran a leg with Cragoe on that 4x100 relay.

In other awards, the Jim Miller memorial awards for distance runners went to Sierra Morrow and Zander Andreasen. The Mitch Myrick memorial awards in field events were given to Tori Sleep on the girls’ side and to co-winners Vince Sleep and Hayden Cragoe on the boys’ side. Most improved recognition was bestowed upon Bailey Sanders and Brendon Phister.

For the Powell boys’ soccer team, the most valuable player vote ended in a tie between senior all-conference team member Cooper Wise and freshman goalkeeper Heston Swenson, who produced multiple clean slate performances in his debut season.

There was also a tie for the most inspirational player for the Panther boys. Senior all-conference member Keithen Schwahn and junior Dewey Schwahn split the team vote.

Most improved recognition was given to Hunter Werbelow.

For the Powell girls, goalkeeper Sierra Baker earned the team’s vote as its most valuable player. Baker ranked among the state leaders in saves as both a junior and as a senior for the Panther girls and 2012 3A West coach of the year Brett Hanlin.

Jessica Harris and Taylor Swenson tied for the most inspirational player award. There was also a tie for the most improved player honor, with that award being split between Kierstyn Soloai and Alyssa Hildebrand.

Coaches award winners went to Shelby Nicholson on the offensive side and Carly Klein on the defensive side. Amy Kawano was named the coaches’ cheese wheel award recipient — the award is given to the player that best demonstrates the twin qualities of hustle and toughness on the soccer pitch.