In years past, Saucon Valley High School's fall athletes haven't received recognition for their achievements until the end of the school year, when an awards ceremony for both spring and fall sports was held.

Saucon Valley Athletic Director Robert Frey thought it would be more fitting to honor fall athletes immediately following the conclusion of their season, and so this year, he organized the first Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony with help from the Saucon Valley Booster Club.

The ceremony was held at Saucon Valley High School Wednesday evening, and brought together student-athletes who participated in football, boys soccer, golf, girls tennis, volleyball, field hockey and cross country, along with their coaches.

The first group honored was the football team, who appeared on stage with their head coach, Matt Evancho.

"There were many, many strides throughout the season," Evancho said, while acknowledging disappointment over the team's 3-7 end-of-season record.

Evancho presented senior Ian Gimbar with the team's Most Valuable Player award, senior Jason Okken with the Most Outstanding Senior award and Kenny Solt with the JV MVP award.

Evancho choked up slightly when he talked about the graduating seniors on the football team, with whom he has shared four years of memories.

"They were freshmen when I first came in...and to see them leave is tough," he said.

"I really feel these seniors, as they leave, will be nothing but successful," Evancho added.

Field hockey coach Sarah Hawk said she would also miss the graduating players she's coached, calling them "a complete joy" to work with.

"They made me laugh every single day," she said. "I will miss these girls, and I tell them that every year is different."

Hawk presented Katie Kennedy with the team's Most Improved Player award, and said that she would be "looking for great things from her over the next few years."

Courtney Cawley, who plans to attend Kutztown University, and Samantha DaSilva were presented with the field hockey team's Outstanding Senior award.

"She played through a lot of horrible pain throughout the entire season," Hawk said of Cawley. "She never wanted to disappoint."

Melissa Boyd, a four-year varsity starter, was named Most Valuable Player by Hawk.

A special coaching award was presented at the conclusion of the ceremony to cross country coach Ed Kolosky, who Frey noted has now helmed the team for 15 years, in addition to coaching both track and swimming.

The award recognizes the fact that Kolosky, as cross country coach, has amassed 500 victories--something Frey said no other Saucon Valley coach has ever accomplished, to his knowledge.

"He's an outstanding coach and an outstanding gentleman," Frey said of Kolosky, whose record as cross country coach is now 506-211-1.

Kolosky, ever humble, received the award by thanking the players he has both coached and mentored over the years, including the members of the 2010 Girls' Colonial League Championship team who had just been recognized on stage.

"Winning never gets old," he said. "But I wouldn't be here accepting this if it weren't for my athletes, so athletes, thank you very much." 

Other awards were given to:

Boys Soccer:

MVP - Sam Poli

Outstanding Senior - Jake Schuyler

Most Improved Player - Nate Robinson

Golf:

MVP: Troy Heffelfinger

Outstanding Senior: Tyler Earl

Most Improved Player: Ethan Sinko

Girls' Tennis:

MVP: Katrina Bohnhorst

Outstanding Senior: Quanie Lightner

Most Improved Award: Debbie Martin and Emily Folenta

Volleyball:

MVP: Danielle Van Buren

Outstanding Senior: Sara Baab

Cross Country (Boys):

MVP: AJ Stauffer

Outstanding Senior: AJ Stauffer

Most Improved: Nate Fritzinger

Cross Country (Girls):

MVP: Megan Stack

Outstanding Senior: Sarah Kish

Most Improved: Alex Evangelista