Cloverdale honors spring athletes

Junior Ashley Higgins earned her letter blanket a full year before the completion of her high school career.

CLOVERDALE -- Athletes, coaches, parents and friends gathered in the Cloverdale High School cafetorium Thursday night to honor the achievements of spring athletes.

Principal Sonny Stoltz served as the host for the event, with Athletic Director Pat Rady absent to attend his granddaughter's graduation. Stoltz said he has always thought participation in a spring sport is one of the most difficult things that can be asked of a young athlete. While their friends are out having fun and getting ready for summer, these athletes continue to work hard and pursue their goals. Stoltz believes that dedication deserves special recognition.

Each team's coach shared his or her thoughts on the season and then recognized each participant or letter winner individually.

Notable in their absence were the boys' track team's Christian Cheatham, Dylan Stone, Nick Keefer and Coach Kristin Crabtree. The three athletes were participating in Thursday's Bloomington North Track Regional.

Among the special awards for the night were junior Ashley Higgins earning her letter blanket, as well as Sean Rhine, Kristin McCammon, Jake Secrest, Holly Roberson and Raymond Monds earning their letter jackets. Stoltz expressed his pride and gratitude in the fact that the athletic boosters foot the bill for Cloverdale's letter jackets.

"We are one of the only schools where the students do not have to pay for their own letter jackets," he said.

The ceremony also honored all senior participants with senior plaques as well as Justin Hacker and Hannah Monnett for participating in 12 season of sports in high school. Additionally, Cheatham and Monnett received $500 scholarships from the boosters for being the senior class's top student-athletes.