WHS athletes honored at annual banquet

A banquet was held at Winslow High School on Wednesday to honor athletes from the school in all sports.

WHS enjoyed a banner year in which its teams won the Arizona State 3A Conference Championship in girls’ basketball and garnered an array of 3A North Region Championships as well as a plethora of individual titles.

The Bulldogs football team won the 3A North Region and finished with an impressive 10-2 record. Honors given to football players at the banquet included Offensive Player of the Year – Orlando Vargas, Defensive Player of the Year – Mario Peralto, Special Teams Player of the Year – Mike Zaitz, Lineman of the Year – Nick Anderson and the Kaylen Mowa Award – Carlos Quezada.

Lady Bulldogs volleyball awards given included Best Offensive Player – Arveda Yazzie, Leadership Award – Lindsey Begaii, Best Defensive Player – Stacey Yazzie and Most Consistent Player – Micala Curtis.

Cross Country awards given included Girl Runner of the Year – Janeen Yazzie, Boy Runner of the Year – Derick Thompson, Most Improved Runner – Kyle Whitehair and Most Inspirational – Joseph Ricks.

The boys’ basketball team enjoyed a highly successful season. Basketball awards given included Most Improved Player – Carlos Quezada, Bulldog Award – Jordan Payne and Isaac Bonds Leadership Award – Orlando Vargas.

The Lady Bulldogs girls’ basketball team had a truly outstanding season, winning the Arizona State 3A Conference Championship for the second consecutive season as well as the Winslow Winter Classic Tournament. Awards given to team members included Offensive Player of the Year – Bencita Johnson, Defensive Player of the Year – Stephanie Garnett, Patty Benham Inspirational Award – Levyna Ben and Most Valuable Player of the Year – Lindsey Begaii.

Wrestling team awards presented included Most Outstanding Wrestler – Enrique Vigil, Most Improved Wrestler – Kyle Whitehair, Newcomer of the Year – John Gonzales and All State Team Honors – Anthony Martinez, Tommy Taylor and Daniel Bailon.

The golf team Low Average Award went to Tommy Hancock.

The WHS softball team won the 3A North Region and enjoyed a fine season. Softball ball awards included Offensive Player of the Year – Briana Conatser, Defensive Player of the Year – Tahmie Smith, Hustle Award – Alex Magana and Most Valuable Players Tessa Ramsey and Sarah Ragnoli.

The baseball team enjoyed a successful year and reached the state semi-finals. Baseball awards included the Vargas Award – Lucas Armenta, Offensive Player of the Year – Jordan Payne and Defensive Player of the Year – Anthony Martinez.

Both the boys’ and girls’ track teams enjoyed successful seasons, winning regional championships and finishing second (girls) and third (boys) in the state meets. Boys’ track and field awards included Most Improved - Arthur Gonzales and High Point- Carlos Quezada. Girls’ track and field awards included Most Improved - Nicole Buonviri and High Point – Stephanie Garnett.

The sponsoring Winslow Elks Club offered the following awards for various sports: Football – Adrian Smith, Volleyball – Collette Thomas, Girls’ Cross Country – Chaunasea Singer, Boys’ Cross Country – Andrew Taliman, Boys’ Basketball – Lucas Armenta, Girls’ Basketball – Johanna Begay, Wrestling – Anthony Martinez, Golf – Anthony Meritt, Baseball – Matt Oso, Softball – Anna Pacheco, Girls’ Track – Janeen Yazzie, Boys’ Track – Kyle Whitehair, Pom Squad – Nicole Buonviri, Cheer Squad – Frances Lewis and Matmaids – Crystal Nelson.

Victory with Honor Awards included: Football – Lucas Armenta, Volleyball – Jana Manygoats, Boys’ Cross Country – Leander Tortice, Girls’ Cross Country – Kelly Saganey, Boys’ Basketball – Trevor Cantrell, Girls’ Basketball – Arveda Yazzie, Wrestling – David Young, Softball – Kaylee Salazar, Baseball – Remigio Sells, Boys’ Track – Joseph Ricks, Girls’ Track – Tricia Foster, Golf – Tommy Hancock and Support Forces – Melissa Boyd.

The Emil Nasser Award went to Carlos Quezada.

The Carl Weatherton Award went to Stephanie Garnett.

The Outstanding Support Forces Award went to Tessa Ramsey.