QHS names top athletes during annual banquet

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 5/20/21

If the capacity crowd of over 325 people is any indication about the Quitman athletic program, then the athletic accomplishments and expectations continue to excite the athletes, their families and …

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QHS names top athletes during annual banquet

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If the capacity crowd of over 325 people is any indication about the Quitman athletic program, then the athletic accomplishments and expectations continue to excite the athletes, their families and Bulldog fans.

The sold out crowd at Carroll Green Civic Center proved Quitman sports under new athletic director, former coach and Quitman athlete Shane Webber is clearly a program on the rise.

In his opening remarks, Webber was honest and excited about the future while giving an endorsement to the graduating seniors who have been in the program prior to his arrival. Webber had senior football players step forward.

“For four years these guys have put everything forward to make this program better. Was the outcome what they wanted? Heck no! Did they quit? Heck no!” Webber exclaimed. “Their parents and the athletes had something inside of their bodies and inside of their heart that says ‘We started it and by God we are going to finish it’ and that is a testament to each of them. We owe these seniors a huge round of applause.”

Webber continued and expressed his excitement about the future of Quitman athletics and the hard work student-athletes and his coaching staff have already been working on for the future. He also spoke about expectations.

“Over the years we say the kids have changed, but it is us who have changed, we expect less from our kids,” Webber noted. “Expectations have changed. I’m telling you now if you raise expectations the kids will respond, I have seen it too many times. They starve for the accolades we give them when they earn it. Don’t settle for less.”

Throughout the night student athletes were honored for various district and state awards won during the year. Team awards in each sport were roundly applauded.

Honored as the Female Athlete of the Year was junior multiple sport athlete Brooklyn Marcee, who just recently returned from competing in the state track meet. Junior Ford Tannebaum, another multiple sports athlete, was named as the Male Athlete of the Year.

The coveted Bulldog Heart Award for female athletes was earned by Kynlee Love and for the male athletes it was Hunter Batchelder. 

Volleyball awards given by Coach Ashlee Lingo were MVP Lucy Brannon, Offensive MVP Ava Burroughs and Defensive MVP Brooklyn Marcee. Brannon was also Academic All State.

Football awards included MVP Ford Tannebaum, Offensive Player of the Year Wyatt Hightower and Defensive Player of the Year Ty Holland.

Cross Country Coach Mike Scott coached boys and girls teams. Those awards went to MVP Madyson Pence and Runner of the Year Bonnie VanderSchaaf. On the boys side the MVP was Brandon Jimenez and Runner of the Year Dakota Jimenez.

In powerlifting for the girls, state qualifier and UT-Austin bound Kaitlyn Barnett was named MVP by Coach Ryan Turney while boy’s coach Kyle Kern named regional qualifier Mariano Lara-Martinez as his team’s MVP.

In boys basketball Coach Brandon Fields’ young squad led the honors with sophomore Brandon Floyd as the Offensive MVP, Levi Thompson named the overall team MVP with junior Jack Tannebaum earning Defensive MVP honors. It must be noted four-year varsity player Aiden Corrior was named Academic All-State first team by Texas coaches.

Girl’s basketball Coach Blake Hamrick took this year’s team to the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Award winners were MVP Kynlee Love, Offensive MVP Lindsey Hornaday and Defensive MVP Ava Burroughs. Hornaday also received Academic All-State by Texas girl’s coaches. 

Coach Hamrick also named state qualifier Brooklyn Marcee as the girl’s track MVP. Not only did Marcee qualify for state in the 300-meter hurdles, she competed at the regional level in pole vault, long jump and 100-meter hurdles. In boy’s track Ford Tannebaum received the team MVP award.

Cheer sponsor Ashley Day handed out awards to All-American cheerleaders Ashley Davis and Brooklyn Marcee. Marcee also earned the Bulldog Spirit Award. This year’s Leadership Award went to Captain Kaiti Kelley.

Tennis Coach Micheal Scott gave special wards to Briana Baker, Molly Park and Cristina Ramirez. He also noted tennis academic all-state players Baker, Parker and Luke Murphy from the boy’s team.

In softball Coach Turney named Kynlee Love as team MVP with Reiny Luman the Defensive MVP and Alexis O’Neal as Offensive MVP. Lindsey Hornaday also received softball All-State academic honors.

Baseball honors from Coach Austin Hagy were team MVP Hayden Cook, Defensive MVP Ty Holland and Co-Offensive MVPs Cody Hawley and Mason Reynolds. Aiden Corrior was named Academic All-State.

Boy’s golf Coach Mark Fatheree named Parker Simpkins as MVP. Senior golfer Aiden Corrior was Academic All State. Girl’s golf Coach Molli Bates named Avery VonReyn as MVP.

Athletic Trainer Scotty Almon honored his student trainers Brenden Mattox, Ethan Phillips and Gracie Sabedra.