Outstanding athletes in track and field, golf, baseball, soccer, tennis and lacrosse were recognized at the Winter Sports Assembly Wednesday, May 4 in Morris Chapel.
Junior Greg Phillips of Rome received the Athletic Director’s Award, presented by Athletic Director Jerry Sharp to an athlete with letters in four or more varsity sports.
In track and field:
Senior Megan Betts of Rome and junior Clark McGehee of Rome received the John Maddox Memorial Trophy, presented to the boy and girl who have shown outstanding spirit and performance.
Betts also received the James Jeffrey Gaither Award, given by the 1997 boys and girls track team in honor of Coach Gaither. This award is voted on by the track team and given to the boy or girl who best exemplifies the teachings of Coach Gaither: persistence and dedication.
Junior Luke Hyder of Cave Spring, Ga., received the Malcolm Lenwood Foster Jr. Trophy for excellence.
Senior David Davidson of Kingston, Ga., received the James Enfield Berry Memorial Trophy, presented to the boy who has displayed outstanding spirit and leadership.
Freshman Laura Lynch of Rome received the Team Spirit Award.
In golf:
Freshman Lacey Sheppard of Rome and senior Patrick McShane of Rome received the Jack Barkell Award, presented to the boy and girl who have the lowest average scores for the season and have shown outstanding ability.
Junior Christine Brunk of Odenthal, Germany, and junior Collin Doss of Rome received the Lanny Pinkard Memorial Trophy, presented in memory of the ’89 alumnus and member of the 1987-89 golf team to the most improved golfer.
In baseball:
Senior Bradley Large of Centerville, Ga., received the Hustler Award for Baseball, presented to the player who gives 100 percent effort in both practice and contests.
Sophomore Shawn Powell of Silver Creek, Ga., received the Batting Championship Trophy, awarded by the coaches to the player with the highest batting average for the season.
Junior Trey Edwards of Rome received the Harry L. Boss Sr. Memorial Award, given by the ’34 alumnus in memory of his father and presented to the best player on the varsity team.
In soccer:
Senior Will Watters of Rome received the James Carraway Soccer Award, given by Dr. and Mrs. A. Carraway in memory of their son, James (’53), to recognize outstanding sportsmanship on the field.
Senior William Richardson of Rome received the Doug Brown Award for Soccer, established by the late John R. Cunningham Jr. in memory of Douglas Brown Jr. ('65) and awarded to the player voted most valuable by his teammates.
Junior Randolph Morgan of Kinston, Jamaica, received the John R. Cunningham Jr. Soccer Coaches Award, presented to the team’s most valuable player. This award is made possible by members of the soccer teams who played under the guidance of Cunningham in his 20 years of coaching.
Freshman Justin Smith of Rome received the Philip M. Ham Spirit Award for Soccer, given by Ham’s former students and players in his honor and memory to the team member member who has contributed the most in spirit and loyalty.
Senior Kristin Kountz of Rome was named Most Valuable Player in Girls Soccer, an award sponsored by the Darlington Alumni Association.
Junior Mary O’Brien of Little Rock, Ark., received the Spirit Award in Girls Soccer.
Junior Maritza Mendoza of Houston, Texas, received the Most Improved Player in Girls Soccer Award.
Freshman Lauren Mauer of Rome received the Most Valuable Player Defense award, presented to the player who has been the most critical “cog” in preventing the other team from scoring.
In tennis:
Senior Stan Ingram of Rome received the Alice Allgood Cooper Award for Tennis, presented to the most valuable player in boys’ tennis.
Sophomore Michael Schecter of Rome received the Marion and Nelson Dobbs Award for Tennis, awarded to the player who displays the best effort throughout the tennis season.
Mary Katherine Ashmore of Kingston, Ga., was named Most Valuable Player in Girls Tennis, an award sponsored by the Darlington Alumni Association.
Senior Mary Becca Watson of Rome received the Spirit Award in Girls Tennis.
In lacrosse:
Sophomore Patrick Smith of Rome was named Most Improved Lacrosse Player, an award endowed by Mr. and Mrs. William Lee Thuston (’67) and given to the player who has shown the greatest improvement of his skills, leadership and role in the team’s success over the course of the season.
Senior Barton Lowrey of Rome received the Varsity Lacrosse Founder’s Award, endowed by John S. Husser and given in recognition of Coach Hyuk Kim, Norwood Teague and the members of the first Darlington lacrosse team who contributed to found the sport at Darlington in 1991. This award is given to the player who best exemplifies the ideals of a sportsman: unselfish dedication, team before self and unyielding effort, setting the standards for all Darlington lacrosse players.
Senior Braxton Allen of Rome received was named Most Valuable Lacrosse Player. Endowed by Gordon Lee Hight III (’94), this award recognizes the player who through personal accomplishments, team leadership and athletic excellence has made the greatest contribution to the team’s pursuit of victory.
Junior Brittni Dulaney of Rome was named Most Valuable Girls Lacrosse Player and Best Offensive Player.
Senior Emily Butler of Rome received the Team Spirit Award in Girls Lacrosse.
Coaches recognized Haley Tallent of Rockmart, Ga., as Most Improved Player; junior Elizabeth Sturdivant of Rome as Best Defensive Player; and presented the Coaches’ Award to freshman Elizabeth Hortman of Rome, Ga.
