Viking student athletes honored at banquet
by Angie Asam, Staff Writer
The annual all-sports banquet at Posen High School brought student athletes, coaches, parents and fans together for a night of celebrating the accomplishments of their sports teams this season. Superintendent/principal Dru Milliron welcomed guests to the banquet to honor varsity athletes. Honoring the girls? basketball, volleyball and softball teams for earning North Star League titles this season and the volleyball team for winning their first ever district title. Milliron then spoke of the dedication of the student athletes and the support of their parents as reasons Viking athletes consistently win awards before inviting the parents and coaches to enjoy the buffet.
Aaron Romel and Nicole Purol were honored as athletes of the year near the end of the banquet. Purol participated in volleyball, basketball and track for the Vikings and made contributions to each team. Romel participated in football, basketball and baseball. Victoria Wozniak was named as the Clifford J. Kelly Scholarship award winner. Girls? basketball coach Karl Momrik honored Lindsay Ponik as the rookie of the year, Purol as the defensive player of the year and Julia Lewandowski received the sixth woman award.
The most improved player on the Viking girls? basketball team this season was Wozniak, she and fellow senior Mulka were named co-most valuable. Football coach Wayne Karsten awarded Christina Bednarski with the coaches award as she came to him when the season started and informed him she wouldn?t be able to play but came to practice every day and gave 100 percent. Nathan Street was named the defensive player of the year, Romel was the offensive player of the year and Jimmy Novak was the lineman of the year.
Most valuable honors on the gridiron went to Aaron Romel while Shane Hentkowski was honored as the most improved Viking football player. The Viking softball team was honored for the 10th consecutive season as academic all-state and coach Glenn Budnick handed out awards to individual players. Bednarski was honored as the most valuable outfielder as well as most valuable player on the team. Cheryl Romel was honored as the most valuable softball infielder, rookie of the year honors went to Anna Couture and Leanne Buczkowski was honored as the leading hitter. Janice Ciarkowski was named the most improved player on the team.
Track coach Charles Wozniak then presented his athletes with awards on a successful season. Nicole Purol was named the sprinter of the year as well as the most valuable athlete for the girls? team. Natasha Finley was awarded for the field events, Mulka was honored as mid-distance runner of the year and Emily Kroll was honored for distance running. Most improved member of the team was Lindsay Bartz.
For the boys? track team Corey Hentkowski was named sprinter of the year as well as honored for the field events. David Kerr earned mid-distance runner of the year and Lucas Litwinski was honored for distance events. Most improved was Jacob Boyke and Kerr was named most valuable.
Volleyball awards were given out by coach John Dietlin. Mulka was named setter of the year and co-top server along with Purol. Wozniak was awarded for having the most digs. Bonnie Schmitz earned most improved honors and Purol was named most valuable. Boys? basketball coach Steve Hentkowski honored Scott Couture for the highest free throw percentage, named Jerome Ciarkowski r
Shane Hentkowski was named offensive player of the year, top rebounder of the year and the most valuable player of the 2008-2009 basketball team. Baseball coach Pat Kowalski was the final coach to approach the podium to give out awards. Kowalski honored co-rookies of the year Jerome Ciarkowski and Nathan Lenard. Luke Bruski was named most valuable outfielder of the year and Couture was honored as most valuable infielder. Shane Hentkowski was named most valuable pitcher and Justin LaPointe was honored as the offensive leader.
Romel received the most valuable player award for his contributions to this year?s team. All the athletes were honored with letters/pins and all-conference honors were also handed out. Senior athletes were honored with athletic plaques handed out by pep club president Mulka. The evening was enjoyable with good food, many great memories and the honoring of dedicated student athletes who give their best for the red and white on the field and in the classroom.