RICHFIELD
SPRINGS — Eight athletes received coach’s awards at the Richfield
Springs Central School Annual Winter Sports Award Program inside the
high school gymnasium March 15.
Seniors Shawn Connolly and Josh Hinckley took home the honors for
the boys varsity basketball team, one that was introduced by head coach
and athletic director Bill Stevens as being “one of the best Richfield
Springs teams ever seen.” Coach Stevens cited an extremely tough
schedule and pointed out the fact his Indians beat the 2005 Section III
Class D champion New York Mills Marauders twice. Connolly led the team
in points, rebounds and steals per game, while Hinckley — a captain —
provided a great deal of leadership to a club that reached the second
round of the playoffs.
Three-year varsity standout Jessika Coones and teammate Becky Conlan
received the coach’s awards for the girls varsity basketball team.
Coach Stacey Mayne said Conlan showed the most growth as both a
player and a person during another successful season in 2004-05 for the
Lady Indians.
Sophomore Katie Chambers was singled out and given the award for
varsity cheerleading, an activity that was nearly cut before the season
even began. After a late start, nine girls participated as cheerleaders
this winter sports season, six of whom had no prior experience.
Varsity volleyball coach Mary Beth Wahl showed the most emotion
while distributing her awards for a team that showed the most
improvement. Seniors Jenna Miller and Kristi Garnsey received the
honors for a unit that won as many matches this winter as total games
triumphed the previous year. The Indians also finished the regular
season tied for second place in the Center State Conference Division
III.
Finally, the program’s finishing act was reserved for its largest,
as the 16-member wrestling team simultaneously paraded down the
bleachers to surround the podium and recollect a season in which
several individuals faired extremely well. Despite being the second
smallest wrestling team in all of Section III, five different Indians
placed at the 2005 sectional championships, including Todd Seamon
(third), Ted Dziadik (third), Luke St. Onge (fourth), Cody Higgins
(fifth), and John Hula (sixth). Recognized by class as having improved
the most over the year were Higgins (freshman), Dan Zurmuhlen
(sophomore), Seamon (junior), and Hula (senior). Dziadik, a junior,
received the coach’s award and was described by wrestling head Coach
Marty Seamon as being, “the most improved young man on the mat.”
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