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RFH 2010, Cover Stories, HCS Sports

Holcomb & Rhyde HCS Athletes of the Year

Thu, Jun 09, 2011

Teams and individuals honored for success on the field and in the classroom by Hamilton Sports Boosters.

Holcomb & Rhyde HCS Athletes of the Year

HCS celebrated the success of its student/athletes tonight, honoring them at the annual Hamilton Sports Boosters sports banquet and senior recognition ceremonies held in the HCS gym.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of this year's female and male athletes of the year. They are:

  • Rachel Holcomb, who played soccer, volleyball and softball for HCS. She is attending Gettysburg College in the fall;
  • Lucas Rhyde, who was part of the Emerald Knights' boys soccer, basketball and baseball teams. He will go to Canasius College.

Athletes of the year must have earned at least six varsity letters, maintained an average of 80 or more and played at least two sports in their senior year.

And, the boosters named their Booster of the Year at the banquet. That was award was given to David Hollis, who produces Radio Free Hamilton. Making the presentation was Bob Sullivan, who with his wife Joann, were the recipients of the award a year ago.

Coaches also handed out other individual and team awards. Winners and their awards included:

  • Soccer player Phil Douchinsky, received the Robert Schultz Memorial Award;
  • Nick Koen received both the Todd Cochran and Terry Slater Awards given to HCS hockey players;
  • Dennis Adamley Awards also went to Koen and two other hockey players, Alex Brink and Brendan Thomas.
  • and receiving Andy Hotaling awards to attend sports camps this summer were Hannah Sorosky and Kelby Watkins.

Several coaches also recognized players for their All State accomplishments. Among them were:

  • Dan Kraynak was named to the all state boys soccer team for the second year in a row;
  • Jordan Peterson, who was first team all state in girls basketball, and Katie Weeks who was fourth team all state;
  • and Sage Hurta, who won the cross country state title.

But honors were not limited to the playing field. HCS and the boosters also made sure that athletes; accomplishments in the classroom were honored. Scholar/Athlete awards were given to members of team which had combined averages of at least 90 percent. Those teams includes:

  • Cross Country, coached by Rich Hanson and having the top average of 95.1;
  • Girls Soccer, coached by Harry Jarcho, with a team average of 93.5;
  • Volleyball, coached by Dennis Roy, with a team average of 92.9;
  • Softball, coached by Bill Dowsland, with an average of 92.5;
  • Girls Basketball, coached by Jessica Poole, with an average of 92.4;
  • Boys Soccer, coached by Brian Latella, with an average of 92.1;
  • And Field Hockey , coached by Kari King, with an average of 90.9.

But, individual scholarship of HCS student/athletes was also honored. The top female and male athletes in the classrooms and their scholastic averages were, by grade:

  • Sophomores Sam Hale (96) and Kendall Rusch (97.6)
  • Juniors Katie Weeks (97) and Drew Thompson (98)
  • Seniors John Andrzejek (98.3) and Nicolle Holcomb (95.3) 

The awards come as the softball team continues its extended season Saturday when it plays for the state Class D title. The Lady Emerald Knights face defending champs Livingston Manor at 11:30 a.m. at the Adirondack Sports Complex in Queensbury, south of Lake George.

While introducing cross country state chjampion Sage Hurta, Hanson said she was the school's only state champion "so far", casting a grin toward softball coach Dowsland.

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