By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Members of four Elkhorn Area High School winter sports communities gathered the evening of March 15th at the Monte Carlo Room and celebrated their seasons.
The boys and girls basketball squads, gymnastics and cheerleading participated in the Elkhorn Rotary Winter Sports Banquet. The Elkhorn Rotary sponsors and facilitates the event.
The wrestling team met at Evergreen Country Club March 15 for its banquet. Coach Ken Reynolds, an appreciative supporter of the Rotary’s banquet, said he expanded the team’s end of season celebration.
“Plus, I can talk forever,” Reynolds said.
The boys swimming team gathered March 3 at the Monte Carlo Room for their season-ending festivities.
The teams are listed below in alphabetical order, along with their award winners.
In boys basketball, Aaron Wales earned the Most Valuable Player and Best Defender awards. Riley Reed and Patrick Glogovsky earned Most Improved Player honors. Dayne Fisher earned the Most Dedicated and Man of the Year awards.
Abbie Kolacke won Most Valuable Player honors for the girls’ basketball team, and also won the Elks’ efficiency award.
Ashley Jermo earned Most Improved Player honors, and Bianca Trombley earned the Sportsmanship Award. Lizzie Pitts earned the Bench Buddy Award.
The Elks finished 3-21 overall, 2-12 in the SLC. Elkhorn beat Westosha Central 52-49 Feb. 24 at Salem in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal game before losing 62-36 at Waterford Feb. 27 in the regional final.
The banquet is the final one for long-time coach Jim Henriott, who retired at the end of the season. Henriott coached the program to the 1997 WIAA Division 2 state title.
Cheerleading coach Kerry Greenwald awarded varsity letters and state plaques to the members of her squad.
“I do not do individual awards for my competitive season,” Greenwald said. “It is a team sport where everyone must be a stand-out athlete.”
Gymnastics coach Melissa Fuller awarded Megan Jacobson the Most Valuable Player award. Ronica Fuller earned the Most Improved award, and Hailey Mogenson was named the Fantastic Freshman. Cameron Jacobson earned Rookie of the Year honors and Madison Neinfeldt earned the Sportsmanship Award.
Brenden Finley earned Most Valuable Player honors March 3 at the swimming banquet. Ethan Coffey earned the Most Coachable award and Logan Radlein earned the Rookie of the Year award.
Jacob Truesdale earned the Elk Award, which is given for being coachable, dependable, enthusiastic and devoted to the team. Hans Brancel and Ben Davis shared the Most Improved Swimmer award.
Ethan Coffey earned the 1,350 Award, which is bestowed on a swimmer who performs each stroke in competition in the course of a season. Finley, Connor LaFavor and Jacob Truesdale earned the Perfect Attendance award.
John Olsen and Konnor Mohr were announced as Co-Most Valuable Players March 15 at the wrestling banquet at Evergreen Country Club.
Richie Heideman earned the honor as Outstanding Wrestler of the Year. Bryce Fitzgerald won the Leadership Award, and Bryce Jacobson won the Iron Lung Wrestling Award.
Keaton Verhoeven won the Team Player of the Year award and Benji Peak won Rookie of the Year honors. Alex Brahm won Most Improved Wrestler honors.
Mohr and Heideman were honored for leading the team in wins with 40 apiece. Mohr led the team in takedowns (53) and Peak and Olsen led the team in pins (23).
