By: Sara Wolf

Bellbrook Athletics experienced success upon success in fall sports this year, which was reflected during the Fall Sports Awards on November 2. The fall sports at BHS consist of football, football cheerleading, volleyball, golf, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s cross country–all of which are presented by each coach at awards. Mr. Baker joked that he thought he had walked into Home Depot because of “all of the hardware” across the floor. BHS fall sports athletes have worked hard to earn every trophy and title this season, and show other schools what it means to have Eagle Pride. Each sport was spoken for in the hour and a half ceremony.

Football was coached by new head coach Jeff Jenkins this season. The season started with four straight wins for the first time since 2008. The boys ended with a 7-3 record that included hard-earned victories against Tecumseh, Brookville and Oakwood. Chandler Wren was named Offensive Player of the Year, while Logan Brittain received the Most Coachable Award. Justin Havens was named Defensive Player of the Year while also receiving the Leadership Award and a 4th Year Varsity Award. The Varsity Eagle Heart Award was given to Tom Orbash, and Spencer Szewczyk was given the SWBL Sportsmanship Award. Football Cheerleading gave Jessica Hyatt the MVP Award, Teresa LaBello the Eagle Heart Award and Madison Brown the SWBL Sportsmanship Award.

Bellbrook women’s soccer won District for the first time since 2012, ending their season with a record of 14 wins, 4 losses and 3 ties. The season ended in a tough loss to McNick Nov. 1, but a prior victory against Wyoming gave them the District title. The recorded included wins over Oakwood, Carroll, and Tipp City. Head coach Zach Huffman named Audrey Spirk Offensive Player of the Year and Bekah Vine Defensive Player of the Year. Paige Buttery was given the SWBL Sportsmanship Award and Lauren Chew was named Most Improved. The Eagle Heart Award went to Natalie Stein.

Bellbrook men’s soccer were SWBL champions this fall for the 25th season in a row. The season ended with 11 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties, which included victories over Wilmington, Monroe, and Oakwood. Shane Niemeier was named MVP, Drew Klepacz was named Offensive Player of the Year, and Rutger Marien Defensive Player of the Year. The Eagle Heart Award was given to Caleb Cargill, and the SWBL Sportsmanship Award was given to Aaron Keefer. Shane Niemeier and Dylan Robinson both received 4 Year Varsity Awards.

Men’s golf was second in the SWBL behind Oakwood this year. Their season ended with a record of 7-3. Varsity Coach Ben Trick gave his Coaches Award to Mason Zimmer and the Eagle Heart Award to Sean Ulrich. Raif Foster was recognized for having the lowest average on varsity, and Luke Dicicco was given the SWBL Sportsmanship Award.

Women’s tennis won the SWBL this year, with a 12-6 record that included victories against Fairmont, Northmont and Oakwood. Head coach Dean Grisso gave his Coaches Award to Shea Foster and the MVP Award to Andrea Szep. Abby Schultz was given the Eagle Heart Award and Jessica Tschantz was given the SWBL Sportsmanship Award.

Volleyball won the SWBL again this year, ending the season undefeated in league with a record of 22 wins and 3 losses. The girls defeated not only in-league rivals like Monroe and Eaton, but also tough out-of-league competition like Minster and Kenton Ridge. Senior Abby Crotty was named the League Player of the Year for the second time in her high school career. She also broke the school records for Total Career Kills (1,043) and Kills in Season (312). Coach Lynzee Johnson named Abby Crotty MVP and Natalie Galle Defensive Player of the Year. Crotty and Galle both received 4 Year Varsity Awards. Johnson gave the Eagle Heart Award to Kaitlyn Urbaniak and the SWBL Sportsmanship Award to Allison Powell.

Both men’s and women’s cross country teams won SWBL together for the first time in school history, and each team was represented at the state meet this year. Justin Boreman ran and represented the boys, while the whole women’s varsity team ran at state. Boreman placed 101st while the girls made school history with 6th place overall, making them the best team BHS has ever had. Coach Jeanne Johnson named Lauren Kemper and Madison Pelfrey Co-Most Valuable Runners. The Eagle Heart Award was given to Elise Kemper and Jennifer Winn was given the SWBL Sportsmanship Award. This season, senior Kayla Parker made a school record running time of 18:48 while also receiving her 4 Year Varsity Award. Emi Ford and Madison Pelfrey also received 4 Year Varsity Awards. Coach Baumer named Justin Boreman and Connor Robinson Co-Most Valuable Runners. Nico Taylor was given the Varsity Most Improved Award, Kyle Miller was given the Eagle Heart Award, and Cole Weslow was given the SWBL Sportsmanship Award. John Gallagher and Connor Robinson both received 4 Year Varsity Awards.