Your Community Shopper Sports

by Dwight Turner

Beneath a festive display of black and gold bunting, coaches, administrators, parents and friends of AHS athletics gathered last Tuesday night to pay honor to student athletes involved in spring sports activities at Ardmore High School.

Members of the Golf, Softball, Soccer and Baseball Teams were recognized and awards were presented as a part of the gathering, which featured a fine meal catered by Sonny G’s.

Athletic Director and Vice Principal Darrell Long tipped off the event by welcoming those in attendance and expressing his appreciation to the players, coaches,

Displaying awards presented at the annual AHS Spring Sports Banquet, held on May 23, 2006, are members of the Lady Tiger Varsity Softball Team, from left, Aarika Boggs, Coaches Award; Jada Norton, Most Improved Player; Sara Jo Taylor, Best Defensive Infielder; Shannon Fogg, Highest Batting Average; and Casey Steadman, Most Valuable Player and RBI Leader. (photo by Dwight Turner)

families, and all those who contributed so much time and effort to making spring sports such a success at Ardmore High School.

After an invocation and a great meal, Head Golf Coach John South took the podium to present honors to the members of the 2006 AHS Girls’ and Boys’ Golf Teams. It was a particularly auspicious occasion for the girls’ team, which won the first ever Limestone County Girls’ Golf Tournament.

South also paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the members of the boys’ team and, even though their season record failed to match that of the girls, the boys’ team showed consistent signs of growth and great promise for the future.

After South completed his comments and awards, AHS Principal Mike Owens introduced members of the highly successful 2006 AHS Girls’ Varsity Softball Team. The girls’ team had a great season and advanced into the second round of the state playoffs. Owens commended the players for their drive and determination and gave awards in various categories.

Owens also thanked the parents and the numerous individuals that helped make AHS softball even better by donating money,

Members of the AHS Varsity Baseball Team, displaying awards presented at the annual AHS Spring Sports Banquet, held on May 23, are, from left, Eric Atchley, Highest Batting Average; Charlie Deffenbaugh, Most Valuable Player, Best Defensive Outfielder; RBI Leader; Bryan McClendon, Most Improved Player; Clay Wales, Pitching Award; and Landon Taylor, Best Defensive Infielder. (photo by Dwight Turner)

time and much hard work to the completion of the new softball complex.

“Our players have worked hard and the community has worked hard as well to make sure we have a wonderful new field,” said Owens. “We couldn’t have accomplished the goal without the help of so many and we want to express our gratitude for all who put forth so much.”

Following Owens, Head Soccer Coach Susan Wylie introduced the members of the AHS Girls’ and Boys’ Soccer Teams and praised the players for the improvement they had made over the past few years.

Wylie stressed how hard players on both teams had worked and also thanked the parents and supporters of the AHS soccer program, a relatively new sport at Ardmore High School.

Wylie gave out awards in various categories to a number of players from both teams.

Last on the program was AHS Head Baseball Coach Lee Walker. Walker began by discussing the positive aspects of his initial season and AHS and praised his players for their attitude, hard work, and dedication. After his opening comments, Walker made presentations of awards in numerous categories and introduced members of the 2006 Tiger Baseball Team.

Vice Principal Long concluded the ceremony with a closing statement.