By Jordan Studer
news@wbcowqel.com
The sunny weather brought out some of the brightest shining All-County All-Stars Tuesday evening to the Trillium Event Center for the annual 2017 spring banquet.
The 2017 Spring All-County All-Stars banquet, hosted by North Central Ohio Media Group (NCOMG) and sponsored by Spreng Capital Management, honored and recognized student-athletes from the six county schools. Athletes were recognized in track, baseball, softball, and boys’ tennis.
Some of the all-stars spoke about their past sports season and their feelings on being recognized as an all-star in their sport.
Bucyrus softball player Loarel Mollenkopf was recognized for her hard work this season. Mollenkopf spoke about how it felt to receive the honor of an all-star title.
“It feels good. It was one of my goals at the beginning of the season to be nominated.”
Wynford boys track member Alizhah Watson said that although he wasn’t expecting to be chosen as an All-County All-Star, it felt great to receive the honor. Reflecting back on this past track season, Watson spoke about his favorite memory of the season.
“Probably in the district meet when my coach put together the 4×200 team. It’s the first time I ran in a relay all year. We ended up making it to regionals, and I was pretty happy for the other guys who got to go too,” Watson explained.
Anna Reffey, senior member of the Colonel Crawford girls track team, is known for her record-setting in the girls 3200 at the county meet as well as her success in the 1600 and 800. Reffey explained how she felt being named an All-County All-Star.
“It’s an honor. Just knowing that I work hard for something and I’ve been able to achieve something,” Reffey said.
Jim Spreng of Spreng Capital Management spoke to the athletes to extend his congratulations and to provide some encouragement. He explained that whether the students know it or not, there is always a child younger than they are idolizing their every move.
Spreng reflected on how when he was younger, he too had a role-model whom he wanted to imitate in every way possible. Spreng ended his speech by telling the athletes that he cannot wait to see what their futures hold and the paths they pave for those coming behind them.
PHOTO GALLERIES: 2017 Spring All-County All Stars Banquet | 2017 Spring All-County All Stars
Spring 2017 Honorees:
Girls Track All-County All Stars
Marisa Gwinner – Galion
Briana Streib – Galion
Anna Reffey – Colonel Crawford
Kirsten Vehrs – Colonel Crawford
Kerrigan Myers – Galion
Coaches of the Year: Colby Bright and Todd Roston – Galion
Boys Track All-County All Stars
Harley Robinson – Bucyrus
Seth Hoffman – Wynford
Colin McCollough – Galion
Chad Johnson – Colonel Crawford
Alizhah Watson – Wynford
Coaches of the Year: Todd Roston and Colby Bright – Galion
Boys Tennis All-County All Stars
Nic Oehler – Galion
Matt Sparks – Galion
Max Papenhausen – Galion
Tyler Harris – Galion
Kyle Hamm – Bucyrus
Coach of the Year: Tom Pawsey – Galion
Baseball All-County All Stars
Caleb Stone – Wynford
Gavin Lewis – Bucyrus
Garrett Kuns – Galion
Ryan Talbott – Galion
JR Wolfe – Crestline
Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson – Galion
Softball All-County All Stars
Sarah Toy – Crestline
Loarel Mollenkopf – Bucyrus
Alexus Burkhart – Colonel Crawford
Sydney Studer – Colonel Crawford
Gabby Kaple – Galion
Coach of the Year: Chuck Huggins – Colonel Crawford