Seniors Dom Puglise and Janet Tela were honored with the Father George Godley Award for Excellence in Athletics Friday night the School’s 9th annual Varsity Athletic Awards Banquet at the Sheraton National Hotel. The School recognized a number of athletes, coaches, and alumnus Robert Battle at the dinner in Arlington.
Puglise, an award-winning football player and a second team, all-WCAC performer on the men’s lacrosse team, was the recommendation of the varsity head coaches while Tela, the school’s all time leading point and goal scorer as a unanimous choice of the coaches. Coach Brad Byrnes, who led both the men’s cross country team and the men’s track and field team to Catholic State championships was acknowledged as the Coach-of-the-Year at the gala event.
Mr. Robert Battle, class of 1979, Notre Dame alum, and an attorney in Richmond, received the Robert Pollard Distinguished Alumnus Award. He humored the crowd early, but adviced the student/athletes that success is not an accident and to pay attention to the habits and attitudes of successful people. “Watch and model yourself after successful people,” he recommended, “success is rarely an accident or a birthright, rather it is a pattern of making good choices and doing things right.” He encouraged them to “plan to be successful” and to “find a passion”, so when your “interests and training meet you will never ‘work’ a day in your life”.
Athletic director Bill Simmons announced the creation of the Chris Delaware Memorial Award to recognize varsity assistant coaches and junior varsity coaches whose passion for the game, commitment to the team, and support of Bishop Ireton is exceptional as demonstrated by the late Coach Delaware, who passed away suddenly in April of this year. Delaware, a graduate of the class of 1998, was a varsity assistant lacrosse coach for the men’s program. Mr. Shrivan Joseph, the lead varsity assistant men’s basketball coach as well as the head JV coach, was selected as the award’s inaugural winner.
Seniors Kevin Galloway and Christine Dean were selected as the Cardinals of the Year, for their efforts on behalf of their teams and teammates throughout the season. Dean, a four-year cheerleader in both the fall and winter seasons, made a welcoming inclusive squad a key to the cheerleaders finishing 5th a year ago and 4th this season in national competition, while winning the “spirit in competition” award both years. Galloway, a football, wrestling, and lacrosse enthusiast, was the inspirational, “follow me” leader of his teammates.
The athletic booster club awarded two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors, based upon their athletic and academic achievements as well as an essay on the impact of Ireton athletics on their high school experience. Mark Holmes and D’Elia Chandler were the scholarship winners.
Tommy Kestermann’s indominable school spirit and tireless organization and support for all Cardinal athletic teams was recognized in his selection for the Father Roszko Spirit Award. His parents were surprised with special recognition as well with a School Service Award for the countless ways they have materially, emotionally, and physically helped Cardinal athletics. From towing a broken school bus on the way to summer camp to repainting the varsity football locker rooms, Fritz and Joan Kestermann’s assistance to the school are unsurpassed. Assistant AD John Keller, class of 1979, was honored as well for his work as a volunteer AD, for up to 12 hours a day, including weekends, when the school released its salaried assistant AD to save money during the difficult economic times. Keller stepped forward to coach, but when offered the assistant athletic director’s position as a volunteer, accepted the responsibility without hesitation.
The evening also included the presentation of the most valuable player award and the Cardinal award to an athlete on each of the 28 Bishop Ireton varsity teams. They include:
Football MVP – Doug Vines, Cardinal – Jacob Manley
Men’s Cross Country MVP – Michael Anderson, Cardinal – Billy Burns
Women’s Cross Country MVP – Aubrey Gartlan, Cardinal – Madeline Grenadier
Men’s Soccer MVP – Dan O’Keefe, Cardinal – Peter Giambone
Women’s Soccer MVP – Joanna Faletti, Cardinal – Ciana Puglise
Women’s Tennis MVP – Christine Macey, Cardinal – Devon Tomaselli
Fall Cheerleading MVP – Christine Dean, Cardinal – Alese Zeman
Volleyball MVP – D’Elia Chandler, Cardinal – Lauren Monroe
Water polo MVP – Angus MacDonald, Cardinal – Alex True
Men’s Basketball MVP – Patrick Hanafin, Cardinal – Antonio Rouse
Women’s Basketball MVP – Sarah Baldwin, Cardinal – Alex McCargo
Wrestling MVP – Joe Vitale, Cardinal – Jacob Manley
Men’s Swimming & diving MVP – Angus MacDonald, Cardinal – John Sullivan
Women’s Swimming & diving MVP – Saskia Kroesen, Cardinal – Allison Wulf
Ice hockey MVP – Reid Yager, Cardinal – Tommy Casey VI
Men’s Indoor Track MVP – Sam Ferrara, Cardinal – Murphy Costigan
Women’s Indoor Track MVP – Shannon Gordon, Cardinal – Katrina Axenfeld
Winter Cheerleading MVP – Whitney Cook, Cardinal – Alex Isola
Baseball MVP – Tommy Kiesner, Cardinal – Brendan Rizhkallah
Softball MVP – Micki Crouch, Cardinal – Mandy Imbriglia
Men’s Lacrosse MVP – Dom Puglise, Cardinal – Tommy Kestermann
Women’s Lacrosse MVP – Janet Tela, Cardinal – Maggie Covert
Men’s Track & Field MVP – Mark Holmes, Cardinal – Andrew Kincinski
Women’s Track & Field MVP – Shannon Gordon, Cardinal – Marin Nolan
Men’s Tennis MVP – Jeric Iriate, Cardinal – Michael Clark
Men’s Crew MVP – Thaddeus Babiec, Cardinal – Pat Walsh
Women’s Crew MVP – Sarah Morgan, Cardinal – Cecilia Baxter
Golf MVP – Steven Porter, Cardinal – Brad Thomas
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