Lutterloh, Zeigler highlight 11th annual Varsity Athletic Awards Banquet

: Bob Pollard Distinguished Alumni Award winner BJ Sullivan addressed the more than 340 attendees about his years at Bishop Ireton as a swimmer.

Seniors Andrew Lutterloh and Maddie Zeigler received the prestigious Father George Godley Award for Excellence in Athletics at the 11th annual Varsity Athletic Awards Banquet at the Hilton Mark Center ballroom on Thursday, May 17th. Ryan Fannon, director of alumni relations and long time voice of Villanova Wildcat football and basketball, again donated his expertise to serve as the master of ceremonies for the gala.

The event drew over 340 attendees and saw Bishop Ireton award the most valuable player and Cardinal awards to athletes on 28 different varsity teams, as well as recognize an alumus of the year, two coaches, the spirit of a graduating senior, a 4-year team manager, and the dedicated service of a long time Ireton parent.

For the committee, Andrew Lutterloh, a two-time state wrestling champion and a 2012 prep all American, first team all Met wrestler, as well as an all state football lineman, it was not a hard decision to select the King College-bound senior, according to athletic director, Bill Simmons. “We had a number of exceptional athletes in this year’s class of seniors, but Andrew’s resume was a tough one to beat in the eyes of the varsity coaches.” Likewise, the girls’ recipient, Maddie Zeigler, not only claimed the girls’ award, but also the MVP of the field hockey, swim & dive, and girls’ lacrosse teams.

The Cardinal award, presented to a boy and girl that best display those characteristics of dedication, commitment to more than one varsity team, and are the example of a model teammate, went to three-sport letterman Andrew Bladen and volleyball/basketball’s Laura Hart. Bladen was a team leader on the School’s 8-3 football team, the wrestling team, and versatile player on this spring’s baseball club. Hart, the MVP of the volleyball team and basketball team was a natural leader on both squads, say her coaches.

Gino Leon, first-year mentor of the 16th nationally ranked girls soccer team, was the only coach to get his squad to a WCAC championship date, and did so by stunning the previously undefeated and nationally top ranked Good Counsel in the semi finals, 2-0. It was Leon’s third year with the Cardinals, his first at the helm after two seasons with Marianna Sullivan.

Boys JV lacrosse head coach Mike Blaine, was tapped for the Chris Delaware Memorial Award, given annually to the School’s top assistant coach or junior varsity coach that exemplifies the dedication, passion, and hard work to their sport as well as their loyalty to Bishop Ireton. Blaine has led the JV program for more than 3 years, including a 6-5 campaign this spring, as well as organized the program’s annual alumni lacrosse day, published a quarterly Lax newsletter to players and alumni of Bishop Ireton lacrosse, and served as the past president of the School’s Fathers’ Club.

Alumnus BJ Sullivan, class of 1983, was recognized with the Bob Polllard Distinguished Alumni Award. After swimming for the Cardinals, he walked on at William & Mary to swim for his 4 years. The current president of the Bishop Ireton Alumni Association regaled the crowd with a few stories that emphasized how many life-long friends our athletes will take from their Bishop Ireton sports experience, as he did, many of whom joined him at the banquet.

Senior Matt Krause, the 4-year “voice of Bishop Ireton” as the public address announcer for varsity football, boys’ basketball, and baseball, received the Father Edward Roszko Spirit Award. Krause logged 88 varsity events at the microphone for the Cardinals, welcoming, informing, and thrilling thousands of Cardinal fans with a professional presentation and a voice that visiting fans couldn’t believe belonged to a high school student. Each of his games was marked by professional presentation and unequalled attention to detail, whether pronouncing a player’s name or presenting a sponsor’s message.

The manager of the year award was initiated in the 2011 banquet to celebrate the largely unrecognized work of so many of our student managers who take great care of the unglamourous, oft overlooked, and never noticed details until they are missing, according to Simmons. Rachel Guenther, the 4-year manager of the baseball team, was selected by the varsity coaches for the 2012 award. Guenther was unique in her four-year commitment to the position of manager, and served with selfless dedication and commitment in the words of Coach Mike Gallagher, who nominated her.

The Service Award was presented to Dr. Larry Clark, the outgoing president of the athletic booster club. In addition to serving in that capacity, Dr Clark led efforts to establish the now 3-year old homecoming Cardinal 5k race that has grown in popularity. Additionally, Clark has spearheaded the club’s annual athletic physical examination fundraiser, not only by performing dozens of athletic physical exams for free, but also organizing and recruiting other medical professionals to join him in the annual event that raises thousands of dollars for the athletic booster club. Under his leadership the club also hosted a dance for the BI parent community with live music, an opportunity to gather for an evening of fun rather than simply to raise money.

Here are the most valuable players and Cardinal award winners by varsity team:

Sport Boys MVP Cardinal Girls MVP Cardinal

Football Malcolm Westbrook Eddie D’Antuono

Moses Webb

Tennis Carlos Daing Bryan Phan Monica Zakaria Megan Sullivan

Soccer Nick Galdos Eyobell Berhe Katrina Guillou Helena Barber

Field Hockey Maddie Zeigler Katie Kiesner

Cross Country Liam O’Connor Noah Brookshier Katie Necochea Aubrey Gartlan

Cheerleading Christine Snyder Sara Brisson (fall)

Haley Silvers Madeline Freeman (winter)

Water Polo Kevin Grant Giovani Salvatori Caitlin Lucas Abby Steinberger

Volleyball Laura Hart Kristin Becht