Saucon Valley High School's auditorium was the setting for the Saucon Valley Winter and Spring athletic awards ceremony last week, as well as special year end awards. The awards were preceded by a punch and cookie reception where students and parents mingled. Tables held the many letters earned by Panther athletes during the three seasons of sports in the district. 

The awards ceremony was kicked off by Robert Frey, Saucon Valley Athletic Director, who reviewed the many outstanding seasons and awards the district and its athletes have accumulated over the past year. These included Colonial League championships in Girls Cross Country and Boys Basketball, as well individual and team awards in Golf, Cross Country, and Track and Field. 

The following students were honored for their athletic prowess at the ceremony:

WINTER SEASON:

Boys Basketball:

            MVP: Eric Frans        

            Tom Stern Outstanding JV Player: Josh Hough

Girls Basketball:

            MVP: Karine Polgar

            Outstanding Senior: Danielle Van Buren

            Outstanding JV: Bridget Gilmore

Swimming:

            MVP: Patrick Miller (Boys) – Rebekah Evangelista (Girls)

            Outstanding Senior: Zach Oatis (Boys) – Lindsay Diehl (Girls)     

            Most Improved: Paul Houck (Boys) – Elizabeth Chikotas and Alexa Korinchak (Girls)

Wrestling:

            MVP: Ian Gimbar

            Outstanding Senior: John Lynch

            Most Improved: Paul Sloand

Cheerleading:

            MVP: Halina McCain

            Outstanding Senior: Amanda Kirka

            Most Improved: Meghan McCullough

SPRING SEASON:

Baseball:

            MVP: Brandon Shuck

            Outstanding Senior: Jason Okken

            Most Improved: Dan O’Connell

Softball:

            MVP: Courtney Cawley

            Outstanding Senior: Emily Polefka

            Most Improved: Courtney Laub

Boys Tennis:

            MVP: Gavin Coyne

            Outstanding Senior: Joshua Beedle

            Most Improved: David Bertz 

Girls Soccer:

            MVP: Quanie Lightner

            Outstanding Senior: Sammy Marri

            Most Improved: Jess Fennon

Track & Field:

            MVP: Spencer Felix (Boys) – Alyssa Lombardo (Girls)

            Outstanding Senior: Kyle Lascelle (Boys) – Sarah Kish (Girls)          

            Most Improved: Nathan Fritzinger (Boys) – Katie Kennedy (Girls)

Boys Lacrosse:

            MVP: Tyler Earle

            Outstanding Senior: Patrick Kowalski

            Outstanding JV: Josh Hershey

 Girls Lacrosse:

            MVP: Kelsey Roetenberg

            Outstanding Senior: Kristy Evans

            Outstanding JV: Tatianna Campia

END OF SEASON / SPECIAL AWARDS:

U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete: Ian Gimbar / Melissa Boyd

U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award: Paul Sloand / Samantha Marri

Ernie Savakis Award (Memorial Scholarship): Jonathan Pearson / Sara Baab

Steven C. Shermetta Memorial Scholarship: Jason Okken / Kristi Ferrani

Courage Award: Tyler Earle

Leadership Award: Melissa Boyd

Sportsmanship Award: Eric Frans

Team Spirit Award: Matt Figeuroa

Volunteer of the Year Award: Mrs. Pat Diehl

Colonial League Academic All-Stars: Patrick Kowalski / Samantha DaSilva

Male Athlete of the Year: Jason Okken

Female Athlete of the Year: Quantera Lightner

The following awards were previously presented earlier in the year for fall sports:

FALL SEASON:

Boys Soccer:

            Most Improved: Nate Robinson

            Outstanding Senior: Jake Schuyler

            MVP: Sam Poli

Cross Country:

            Most Improved: Nate Fritzinger (Boys) - Alexandra Evangelista (Girls)

            Outstanding Senior: Andrew Stauffer (Boys) - Megan Stack (Girls)

            MVP: Andrew Stauffer (Boys) - Sarah Kish (Girls)

Football:

            JV MVP: Kenny Solt

            Outstanding Senior: Jason Okken

            MVP: Ian Gimbar

Field Hockey:

            JV MVP: Katie Kennedy

            Outstanding Senior: Courtney Cawley and Samantha DaSilva

            MVP: Melissa Boyd

Golf:

            Most Improved: Ethan Sinko

            Outstanding Senior: Tyler Earle

            MVP: Troy Heffelfinger

Volleyball:

            Most Improved: Sara Baab

            Outstanding Senior: Steph Mettler

            MVP: Danielle Van Buren

 Girls Tennis:

            Most Improved: #2 Doubles Team Emily Folenta & Debbie Martin

            Outstanding Senior: Quanie Lightner

            MVP: Katrina Bohnhorst