CCHS sports awards given

Last week, Ekalaka Public Schools honored all local athletes from grades 5-12 for the 2018-2019 sports seasons at a program held in the CCHS Tuggle room.

Junior high volleyball participants this year were Nasya O'Connor, Adlen Larson-Byrne, Corlan Laughery, Ella Strangford, Bella Jensen, Kendra Tooke, Tegan Diede, Shaun-tey Kerr, Nicol O'Connell, Brynn Loehding, Kendall Kittelmann, Jennie Schmid, Heidi LaBree, Tyra O'Connor, Codi Melton and Katie Tooke. The team was coached by Cam LaBree.

Ches Meyer again coached the junior high boys football team this year. Participants included: Kaleb Frye, Chace Loehding, Jace Pardee, Owen Poppema, Wyatt Melton, Zander Ashbrook, James Enos, Preston Jensen, Tucker DeFord, Ethan Frye, Christian Ashbrook, Royce Tooke, Tucker Tooke, Sean Wolenetz, J.W. Elmore, Caiden Chavarria, Jaden Pardee and Cardell Laughery. The high number of participants this year (18) is one reason that CCHS will play 8-man football next year.

Returning lettermen on the CCHS football team this year were Caleb Fix, Mick O'Connor, Grafton Bonsell, Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner and Seth Kennedy. New lettermen were Mason Lovec, David Moore, Brennen Bonsell and Turner Tooke. Shayne Enos was unable to play in any varsity football contests this year since he was a new transfer student, but was recognized by Head Coach Tenadore Kittelmann for his outstanding work ethic in practice every day.

Wyatt Kittelmann and Darin Schallenberger served as team managers. Caleb Fix, Seth Kennedy, Wyatt Kittelmann, Mick O'Connor, Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner, Darin Schallenberger and Turner Tooke all made academic all-state for maintaining a 3.5 or better grade point average throughout the football season.

Mick O'Connor won the Mr. Defense award, Jared Pardee won the Mr. Offense award and Caleb Fix was selected as this year's most valuable player. Fix was also elected to the All-State Class C 6 Man team.

Returning letterwomen for CCHS Volleyball this year were Tori Tooke, Claire Callahan, Whitney Kittelmann, Hannah LaBree, Heather LaBree, Kari Kittelmann, Ella Owen and Rose Rychner. New letterwomen were Gracie Tooke, Jaelee Strangford, Tylee Loehding and Kenzie Tooke. Lucy Branson, Jasmine Erickson, Katy Ivy, Amaya Coleman and Emily O'Connell received participation certificates.

Claire Callahan, Tori Tooke and Heather LaBree were on the 2C All-Conference first team. Hannah LaBree was elected to the second team for all-conference. Callahan and Tooke also received all-state honors.

Members of the volleyball team who made academic all-state included: Claire Callahan, Kari Kittelmann, Whitney Kittelmann, Hannah LaBree, Heather LaBree, Tylee Loehding, Ella Owen, Rose Rychner, Gracie Tooke, Kenzie Tooke and Tori Tooke.

Kari Kittelmann and Ella Owen both received the most improved award; Claire Callahan and Hannah LaBree received the most inspirational award, and MVP went to Tori Tooke. Michelle Tooke and Brittani Brence were this year's coaches.

Shannon Negaard and Kylee Kennedy coached this year's junior high girls basketball team. Participants were: Heidi LaBree, Codi Melton, Tyra O'Connor, Katie Tooke, Kendall Kittelmann, Brynn Loehding, Jennie Schmid, Natalie Foxley, Tegan Diede, Shaun-tey Kerr, Nicole O'Connell, Kendra Tooke, Bella Jensen and Nasya O'Connor.

Participants in boys junior high basketball this year were J.W. Elmore, Jaden Pardee, Royce Tooke, Tucker Tooke, Sean Wolenetz, Caiden Chavarria, Ryker Carroll, Ethan Frye, Anthony Gansen, Tucker DeFord, Zander Ashbrook, James Enos, Travis Schallenberger, Preston Jensen, Chace Loehding, Kaleb Frye, Jace Pardee, Wyatt Melton and Owen Poppema. The team was coached by Clayton Stieg.

Returning letterwomen on the CCHS girls' basketball team were Tori Tooke, Claire Callahan, Heather LaBree, Hannah LaBree, Whitney Kittelmann, Kari Kittelmann, Ella Owen, Amaya Coleman and Annette Lovec. Tylee Loehding returned as a manager and again lettered. New letterwomen included Gracie Tooke, Kenzie Tooke, Katy Ivy, Heidi LaBree, Tyra O'Connor, Codi Melton and Katie Tooke. All five players who started the majority of the season (Hannah LaBree, Heather LaBree, Tori Tooke, Claire Callahan and Whitney Kittelmann) made the all-conference team. Hannah and Heather LaBree also both made the all-state team.

Tori Tooke, Hannah LaBree, Heather LaBree, Whitney Kittelmann, Kari Kittelmann, Claire Callahan, Heidi LaBree, Ttylee Loehding, Codi Melton, Tyra O'Connor, Gracie Tooke, Katie Tooke and Kenzie Tooke were all members of academic all-state.

Miss Offense this year went to Heather LaBree and Whitney Kittelmann. Miss Defense was awarded to Tori Tooke. Hannah LaBree won Miss Hustle and Katie Tooke won most improved. MVP for the 2018-2019 season went to Heather LaBree.

Returning Lettermen on the Bulldog basketball team this year included Caleb Frye, Mick O'Connor, Wyatt Kittelmann, Turner Tooke, Seth Kennedy, Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner and Jaden Pardee. New lettermen were Tucker Tooke, Shayne Enos, Sean Wolenetz, Royce Tooke and Manager Darin Schallenberger. Transfer Brennan Graham received a certificate of participation as he was unable to compete in varsity contests this season.

Caleb Fix, Wyatt Kittelmann, Mick O'Connor, Jaden Pardee, Jared Pardee, Ryan Rychner, Darin Schallenberger, Turner Tooke and Sean Wolenetz were members of academic all-state.

Jared Pardee, Caleb Fix and Mick O'Connor were 4C All-Conference selections; O'Connor was an all-state selection.

Mr. Offense went to Jared Pardee; Mr. Defense went to Caleb Fix. Wyatt Kittelmann was selected as the sixth man of the year and Turner Tooke won most improved.

The MVP for the 2018-2019 basketball season was Mick O'Connor.

Members of this year's junior high track team are: Jaden Pardee, Ethan Frye, Christian Ashbrook, Codi Melton, Katie Tooke, Brynn Loehding, Ryker Carroll, Barbara Rose Elmore, Zander Ashbrook and Kaleb Frye.