Lewis-Clark State College and the Warrior Athletic Association have announced the finalists for the 2009 Warrior Athletic Association High School Awards. One winner will be chosen from the four finalists in each category, which will be announced on Oct. 14 at the WAA High School Awards Dinner to be held at 7 p.m. inside the Lewis-Clark State College Activity Center.
Officials from 21 area high schools in southeastern Washington and north central Idaho submitted nominees for Male Athlete of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year, and the Meritorious Award. A selection committee composed of Lewiston media chose the four finalists and the overall winner for each category except for the Meritorious Award, which will just have a winner announced.
The four finalists for Female Athlete of the Year include Shiann Dreadfulwater of Grangeville High, Chelsey Leighton of Lapwai, Kaylee Uhlenkott of Prairie, and Erika Hanson of Pullman. The Male Athlete of the Year finalists are Beau Dahmen of Genesee, Luke Lane of Kamiah, Ryan Young of Lewiston, and Kyler Shumway of Prairie.
The Coach of the Year nominees include boys’ basketball coach Jason Boyd of Genesee, girls’ basketball coach Shawn Spencer of Lapwai, boys’ basketball coach Dave Cornelia of Lewiston, and football coach Travis Mader of Prairie. For Team of the Year, the nominees are Genesee boys’ basketball, Lapwai girls’ basketball, Lewiston boys’ basketball, and Prairie football.
While the major purpose of the Oct. 14 dinner is to announce the overall winners in each category, the event will also serve as an opportunity to recognize and congratulate each nominee individually.
Tickets for the banquet are $25 per person and can be purchased from the LCSC Athletic Ticket Office, located upstairs in the Activity Center. Tickets can also be purchased with a credit card by calling (208) 792-2471.
Major sponsors of the event include Lewis & Clark Orthopaedic Institute, Tyler & Kelly Motors, and Pepsi. For more information visit http://www.lcsc.edu/athletics/WAA/hs-awards.htm
Last year, with 21 schools participating, Grangeville’s Morgan VanderEsch, Orofino’s DJ Wright, Moscow track coach Dean Walker, Kamiah’s Bob Squires, and the Clarkston boys’ tennis team came away with top honors.
In 2007, the winners were Orofino’s Ellen Rouse, Kamiah’s Clayton Foster, the Genesee boys’ basketball team, and Asotin football coach Sal Lopez.
Below is more detailed information on the finalists of 2009.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Shiann Dreadfulwater, Grangeville: Nominated for the North Idaho Female Athlete of the Year, she earned first-team all-league honors in volleyball, was league MVP and played in the District II All-Star game in basketball, and finished second at state in both the long jump and 100 meters in track. She averaged 10 kills per match in volleyball, 13.1 points per game in basketball, and also helped set school records in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.
Chelsey Leighton, Lapwai: A five sport athlete, she played in the District II All-star game in both basketball and volleyball, and was a 1A second-team all-state selection in basketball as her won both the district and state title. In track she was a member of the 1,600 meter relay team that won the state title and set a state record. She also set school records in the 100, 200, and 400, qualified for state in cross country, and played on the softball team.
Chelsey Leighton, Lapwai: A five sport athlete, she played in the District II All-star game in both basketball and volleyball, and was a 1A second-team all-state selection in basketball as her won both the district and state title. In track she was a member of the 1,600 meter relay team that won the state title and set a state record. She also set school records in the 100, 200, and 400, qualified for state in cross country, and played on the softball team.
Kaylee Uhlenkott, Prairie: For the third straight year she won the 1A state title in the shot put. She was also named Team Captain and Most Inspirational in volleyball, and team MVP in basketball.
Erika Hanson, Pullman: Was named the GNL MVP as she led her softball team to its first league title. She also helped lead the volleyball team to a fourth-place state finish, and the basketball team to a seventh-place state finish. She also earned GNL first-team all-academic honors in both basketball and softball.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Beau Dahmen, Genesee: Was the 1A Player of the Year in basketball, and was also named the North Idaho Male Athlete of the Year. He averaged 25 points a game to lead the basketball team to a state title and earn All-Palouse honors. In football, he was an All-Palouse selection as a quarterback, and in baseball he led his team as a starting pitcher and shortstop.
Luke Lane, Kamiah: Named North Idaho Male Wrestling Athlete of the Year, he finished the season with a perfect record of 38-0 as he rolled to a state title at 152. He earned team MVP, Captain, and Take Down Ace honors. In football, he was named the team’s Defensive MVP and Captain.
Ryan Young, Lewiston: Was named the 5A Idaho State Player of the Year in basketball as he helped lead his team to the state title. He also was an all-state selection on both offense and defense on a football team that finished third at state.
Kyler Shumway, Prairie: Claimed his second straight 1A state shot put title and earned the ranking of No. 12 in the nation. He ranks No. 1 in shot put in District I and II history. Besides track and field, he also was an all-state selection for both offense and defense in football.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jason Boyd, Genesee: In only his second season as head coach, he led the boys’ basketball team to the A1 state title and a perfect 25-0 record.
Shawn Spencer, Lapwai: His girls’ basketball team finished with a 22-3 record en route to the 1A title.
Dave Cornelia, Lewiston: Was named the Idaho State Coaches Association 5A Coach of the Year for his efforts in leading the boys’ basketball team to its first state championship since 1948.
Travis Mader, Prairie: His football team cruised to the 1A state title with a 12-0 record.
TEAM OF THE YEAR:
Genesee boys’ basketball: Won the 1A state championship and finished the season undefeated at 25-0.
Lapwai girls’ basketball: Went 22-3 to win the Whitepine League title and the state championship.
Lewiston boys’ basketball: Despite falling to Post Falls High School in the league championship game, Lewiston fought its way back to its first state title since 1948.
Prairie football: After finishing 6-3 the past two seasons, Prairie cruised to a 12-0 record and the 1A state title.
