The Academy Athletic Department celebrated the achivements of its winter teams – soccer, basketball, and dance – at the Winter Sports Banquet, held  in the Brady Center on Monday evening, February 6. Players, coaches, and Academy staff dined on a delicious dinner catered by Carrabbas, including salad, pasta, chicken parmesan, and desserts.

Athletic Director Kevin Vargas led the teams in prayer before dinner. Players sat with their teammates and shared memories and team experiences from the past season. Mr. Vargas  then gave a brief synopsis of the seasons of all three teams and recognized notable players. After dinner, Mr. Vargas dismissed each team to its respective area to present individual team awards, along with letters for first-year players and bars for veteran members.

The soccer team presented its awards in Brady Center South. Senior duo Christen Daigle and Leigh Anne Russell received the MVP and Most Improved awards, respectively.  Junior Caroline Dolan received recognition with her Leadership Award, and freshman Julia Schifino was recognized for her team attitude with the Coach’s Award. Coach Crème gave his new award, the Beast Award, to sophomore Alana Adams.

The dance team celebrated its first year as an official Academy sports in Brady Center North. Spirits were especially high following the group’s first place victory at its most recent competition. Coach Stefanie Rotolo-Zummo gave all dancers their first varsity letters while recognizing the leadership of senior captains Meaghan Wehle and Olivia Obregon.

The varsity and JV basketball teams both reminisced their successful seasons in the Media Center. Head coach Melissa Ganther called to attention the roles of seniors Amanda McWilliams, Sarah Davis, and Kaitlyn Garrett on the Jags squad, each having spent four years with the program. McWilliams received the MVP trophy, and sophomore Victoria Martinez garnered Most Improved accolades. In addition, Davis and Ashley McWilliams received awards, the Jaguar Spirit Award and the Impact Player award, respectively, for their achievements during the season, which continues this week for the team in its region tournament.

On the all-freshmen-JV basketball team, which went undefeated this year, Siobhan Lynch was named MVP, Maggie Ganther received the Impact Player award, and Caroline Kimbler was the recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award.

All in all the winter sports banquet was a successful event that demonstrated the heart and accomplishments of all three sports throughout the 2011-2012 season.