YCHS honors student-athletes

York Comprehensive High School athletic director Steve Boyd lauded the performance of student-athletes during a March 5 winter sports awards ceremony.

Before the ceremony, Boyd praised the YCHS Athletic Booster Club for its supplemental financial support through the years.

“We want to thank the booster club for providing the plaques for tonight’s ceremony,” Boyd said. “Since 1996, they have raised somewhere in the neighborhood of $400,000 for the total athletic department.”

Boyd also thanked the administration and athletic secretary Karen Ramsey for her commitment.

YCHS head girls’ basketball coach Paula Blackwell welcomed the return of coach Arsonia Stroud to the varsity bench.

“I want to thank coach Stroud for coming back,” Blackwell said. “She retired last year after 41 years in our school district. Arsonia’s helping me and helping our program.”

Blackwell lauded the efforts of head JV coach Leigh Ziegler and longtime varsity assistant coach Christi Kemp.

“Coach Ziegler did an outstanding job,” said Blackwell. “Coach Kemp contributed to the JV program this year by developing the post players.”

YCHS boys’ head basketball coach Michael Dalton talked about the Cougars’ late-season emergence that included back-to-back overtime wins against region champ Clover and perennial powerhouse Dorman.

“I am proud of our players for their success on the court and in the classroom,” said Dalton. “I can’t say enough about the job our assistant coaches are doing.”

Todd Hershberger, head coach of the YCHS wrestling team, lauded the seniors their years on the mat, such as Cole Rumfelt.

“Cole’s not here because he’s participating in North-South Al-Star competition,” said Hershberger. “He finished third in the state this year and has a career record of 125 wins and 29 losses at YCHS.

“Our kids are dedicated to the program,” said Hershberger. “I’m ready to start over again. We’re very excited to see what they’re gonna do in the future.”

The following awards recipients were recognized during the ceremony:

▪  JV cheerleaders: Most Spirited, Keirra Steele; Most Dedicated, Taylor Gray; Coach’s Award, Reagan Queen, Skyler Leary.

▪  Varsity cheerleaders: Most Spirited, Brooke Porter; Best All-Around, Laura Comer; Academic Award, Haley Chickoree; Coach’s Award, Za Adams.

▪  JV girls’ basketball: Coach’s Award, Amiyah Starnes; Academic Award, Holly Wilson.

▪  Varsity girls’ basketball: Barbara Neely Heart and Hustle Award, Mahoganey Setzer, Emalee Smith; Academic Award, Carrie Lee Lancaster. Makala Love made the all-region team.

▪  Ninth grade boys’ basketball: Most Promising Player, Cameron Jones; Academic Award, Devin Long.

▪  JV boys’ basketball: Most Promising Player, Shandon Cobb; Academic Award, Myles Prosser.

▪  Varsity boys’ basketball: Hustle Award, Ebasion Moore; Coach’s Award, Bryson Stephenson; Academic Award, Bryson Stephenson. Deshaw Andrews and Daurice Simpson made the all-region team. Andrews was recognized as all-state, region player of the year and for his North-South All-Star selection. Wally Wilmore was named all-region newcomer of the year.

▪  Varsity wrestling: Most Improved, Zeke Bean; Academic Award, Michael Avore; Wrestler of the Year, Cole Rumfelt; Cougar Award, Jake Beverly; Coach’s Award, Evan Danenhower.

▪  JV wrestling team: Most Outstanding Wrestler, Dalton Zurick; Academic Award, Treyvone Haynes; Coach’s Award, Treyvone Haynes.

Refreshments were served in the cafeteria, compliments of the YCHS Athletic Booster Club.

This story was originally published March 9, 2015 at 3:07 PM with the headline "YCHS honors student-athletes."