Fleming, Rhode named athletes of the year at RCHS
Awards were handed out last week for the top athletes at Rogers City High School. The annual awards night, sponsored by the Huron Sports Boosters, spotlighted the best performers in fall, winter, and spring sports. Top honorees were the athletes of the year, Ashley Fleming and Chris Rhode.
Fleming earned the Danny Rose Award as female athlete of the year. An all-state performer in basketball, volleyball and softball, the senior is the all-time leading scorer in RCHS basketball history with 1,756 points. The daughter of Neil and Jeanette Fleming is heading to Ferris State University on a scholarship to play basketball.
RHODE, THE son of Herb and Carol Rhode, earned a state championship in wrestling this season in the 189-pound category. He served as co-captain of the RCHS wrestling team, which took state runner-up honors this season. In addition, he is a hard-hitting outfielder with the Huron baseball team. Carrie Haselhuhn and Chris Paschke earned the Jim Quinn award as top scholar-athletes. Megan Hanson earned the Judy Paradise Award for outstanding dedication on an off the field/court. Tyler Gorlewski earned the Mark Smolinski Award for outstanding dedication on and off the football field.
Fleming earned the Allan Dagner Memorial Scholarship Award and Hanson received the Tom Rayha Memorial Scholarship Award. Jenny Smith was presented the Jolen Flewelling Award as junior softball athlete and Chase McLennan earned the John Florip Award as freshman wrestler of the year.
EARNING MOST valuable for the girls? sports were: Lacey Kreft, cross country; Deanna Dimick, fall and winter cheerleading; Ashley Fleming, basketball; Megan Hanson, volleyball; and Heather Kowalski, bowling. Most valuable for the boys? sports were: Derek McLennan, cross country; Austin Fairbanks, football; Dylan Centala and Chris Rhode, wrestling; Chris Paschke, basketball; and Ben Basel, bowling. Most improved for the girls? sports were awarded to: Sarah Bruning, cross country; Jessica Brown, fall cheerleading; Jessica Konieczny, basketball; Becky Brun
THE SPRING sports teams will award trophies after the season. Don Wagner was recognized as the winner of the John Geyer Award, given to a community member who supports Huron athletics in a special way. Wagner has long supported Huron sports through work with the boosters association and his through involvement in the construction of the new baseball field.
The evening concluded with a slide presentation by retiring teacher Jim Hopp, honoring the athletes of RCHS. Mike Stempky, president of the Huron Sports Boosters, welcomed the audience and Karl Grambau served as master of ceremonies.