Track And Field Recognition And Awards Picnic Held (06/01/17)

The 2017 Clarion Area Track And Field Teams had their Annual Team Recognition and Awards Picnic, on Wednesday, May 31st at Clarion County Park. Athletes, coaches, parents and guests had a good time enjoying the carry in picnic meal and awards ceremony.

Some of the All-KSAC atthletes and team award winners: (Front L-R) Laken Lewis, Wendy Beveridge, Phylicia Hockman, Lexi Lauer. (Back L-R) Austin Hummel, Brendan Zerfoss, Ty Burford.

Bobcat Boys’ coach Dan Alderton, along with assistant coach B. J. Roth, honored the male athletes. Coach Alderton mentioned that the Boys’ had an 8-3 record and mentioned several athletes who were at or near the top of the District Nine in their particular events: 4×100 relay, consisting of Marshall Powers, Archer Mills, Ty Burford and Brendan Zerfoss (best time in district); Brendan Zerfoss, 100 and 200 (best time in district); and Austin Hummel (3rd best time in district).

Next all the letter winners were introduced. Then the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference All-Stars were recognized: Brendan Zerfoss – First Team in the 100 and 200 and Co-Track MVP; Austin Hummel – First Team in the 800; and the 4×100 relay (Marshall Powers, Archer Mills, Ty Burford and Brendan Zerfoss) – First Team.

Team Awards were presented to Brendan Zerfoss – Track MVP; Ty Burford – Field MVP; Adam Bettwy – Bob Bowersox “Sox” Dedication Award; Austin Hummel and Marshall Powers – Dave Luton Underclassman Award.

Attendees enjoying the meal

The 4×100 relay, Brendan Zerfoss and Austin Hummel represented Clarion Area in the PIAA State Track Meet.

Coach Alderton mentioned a key ingredient in the team’s success: The coaches and kids had fun. He said he was looking for improvement for next year. He thanked the parents and athletic director Nancy Mills and then had the athletes give their parents a round of applause.

Lady Cats’ coach Rosary Pennington, along with assistant coach Nate McClaine, honored the female athletes. Coach Pennington first thanked Mr. Bettwy for taking the photos of senior athletes that were used in the beautiful framed keepsakes given to them. She congratulated the athletes and said she appreciated all their hard work. Coach Pennington thanked them for making it a fun season. She also thanked the parents, the other coaches and her husband Jay.

“Grill Master” Paul Weaver at the helm

Coach Pennington mentioned that the Lady Cats were 7-2 in the KSAC and 10-3 overall and that 10 of the 21 girls on the team qualified for districts. She also mentioned that the team had two State Meet Qualifiers: Forest Madison Mills – 800 and Lexi Lauer – high jump.

Coach McClaine thanked the administration, athletic director Nancy Mills, the parents, the Lauer family for providing the tent for invites, Paul Weaver for working the grill for the picnic and he and wife Rose Weaver for hosting the District Meet Meal; Mark Bettwy for taking photos throughout the season; Emily Phillips for taking stats; the junior high coaches and others.

Ryan Thrush, from Brookville, the 2016 and 2017 State Champion in the 400, was in attendance and was given a round of applause. Thrush traveled with the Clarion Club Team and competed in indoor meets with them over the winter.

Several Lady Cats checking out the senior action photos

The letter winners were introduced. Then the girls on the All-KSAC Squad were honored: Forest Madison Mills – First Team in the 800; Lexi Lauer – First Team in the high jump; Wendy Beveridge – Second Team in the triple jump; Laken Lewis – Second Team in the long jump and pole vault (10-0 school record); Gabby Weaver – Second Team 300 hurdles; and the 4×800 relay, which includes Phylicia Hockman, Chelsea Mason, Ailish Nagy and Forest Madison Mills – Second Team.

Team Award winners were: Forest Madison Mills – Track MVP; Laken Lewis – Field MVP; Phylicia Hockman – Coaches Award; Underclassman Award – Wendy Beveridge; Dedication Award – Chelsea Mason and Hanna Phillips.

(Congratulations to the coaches, athletes and everyone involved with the Clarion Area Track and Field program for a very successful season!!!!)