Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Members of the Shawano Community High School football team honored at the fall athletic banquet Monday are, from left, Seth Sousek (most valuable defensive player), Casey Baumann (most improved), Jack Hanauer (most valuable player), Dylan Sumnicht (most valuable offensive player) and Brayden Dickelman (rookie of the year).
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Members of the Shawano Community High School volleyball team honored at the fall athletic banquet Monday are, from left, Averi Vomastic (most valuable offensive player), Saige Henning (most valuable defensive player), Julia Klement (most valuable player), Brandi Gueths (Heart of the Hawk) and Niki Hoefs (most improved).
Over nearly two hours Monday at The Gathering, Shawano Community High School took the time to honor the student athletes in nine fall sports.
The coaches took to the podium to recognize their varsity athletes and present the awards voted upon by either the coaches or athletes.
Football
The Shawano offense, which kept pace with some of the best teams in the Bay Conference this fall, earned the most football honors. The Hawks finished 5-5 with a trip to the WIAA playoffs.
Quarterback Jack Hanauer, who holds the school career passing yards mark, was named the team’s most valuable player. Receiver Dylan Sumnicht took home the award as the most valuable offensive player.
Freshman Brayden Dickelman was named rookie of the year, and junior offensive guard Casey Baumann was the team’s most improved player.
Junior linebacker Seth Sousek was named the most valuable defensive player.
Junior left tackle Dakota Maltbey and Sumnicht were named to the All-Region team and are being considered for the all-state team.
Hanauer, with a 3.99 grade-point average, and Sumnicht, a 3.8 GPA, were also named Academic All-State.
Volleyball
Under first-year head coach Breanna Young, the Shawano volleyball team tied for second place in the Bay Conference and posted a 26-16 overall record.
Sophomore Julia Klement was named the most valuable player by a team vote.
Awards also went to juniors Averi Vomastic (offensive MVP), Brandi Gueths (Heart of the Hawk) and Niki Hoefs (most improved).
Senior libero Saige Henning earned the defensive MVP honor for the Hawks.
Girls swim
Bonduel’s Megan Fischer won both the rookie of the year and most valuable swimmer awards.
Shawano’s Lydia Colon also won a most valuable swimmer plaque.
Awards also went to seniors Emme Quandt (most dedicated) and Samantha Leiser (coach’s award). Skye Bohm was named the most improved swimmer.
Boys Soccer
Senior defender Michael Teeter was the big winner from the team, taking two of the three awards voted on by the players. Teeter was named the Defensive MVP and overall Most Valuable Player.
Braxten Surber took home the Offensive MVP award.
Girls tennis
The girls tennis team under first-year tennis coach Matt Zoll had some success in the Bay Conference this fall.
Seniors Colleen McFarlane and Lexi Wilber, who had a perfect 5-0 record in doubles play in Bay matches, were named the most valuable players.
Kaleigh Zoll, the team’s No. 3 singles player, was the Rising Star award winner, and Addie Shuler earned the Heart of the Hawk award.
Cross-country
A young girls cross-country team awarded its most valuable runner award to Alice Hoffman and its most improved award to Haley Williams.
The coach’s award was given to Mackenzie Boyles, and the most dedicated award was split between Madeline Hanson and Sarah Mente.
For the boys team, Chase Lhotka secured the most valuable runner award. Lhokta was one individual spot from advancing to state. Sophomore Karson Rades was named the most improved runner.
Seniors Brandon Pagel (most dedicated) and Griffin Bohm (coach’s award) were also recognized.
Cheer
Shawano’s cheer team competed in a football cheer competition for the first time, winning both the halftime cheer and the timeout cheer categories in the 13-team competition.
Bella Stueck earned the award for being the most valuable.
Tasia Wozniak took the top flyer award for her aerials, and Bailey Moorman was the best base.
Georgia Eggert was named the team’s most improved, and Sydney Utke secured the Spirit of the Hawk.
Pom/color guard
The poms team began preparing for the football season in June. It was the first time head coach Cindy Easter has been able to have a color guard component to the team.
The most valuable award went to Lauren Bohm. Annalease Braatz was named most improved. The coach’s award was given to Sahara Homan.
Girls golf
Shawano sent two golfers, junior Brianna Zook and sophomore Kennedy Klemens, to sectionals, a feat head coach Dean Kugler cannot remember happening in his time as a coach in Shawano.
Zook, for the second consecutive year, was named the team’s most valuable golfer. Brinley Kowalkowski earned the captain award for her work on the course and organizing the junior golfing over the summer.
Freshman Kiley Rusch earned the most improved golfer award for stepping onto varsity as a freshman and holding her own.