High school and middle school students who played on an ACS sports team during the 2016-2017 school year received recognition for their participation, leadership, and athletic abilities at awards programs on June 2 and 5. At the high school awards event, it was a time to celebrate and reflect on a year of outstanding accomplishments. The ACS varsity girls’ teams brought home a league championship trophy in three sports — soccer, basketball, and softball — and the varsity boys’ were league champions in baseball. The ACS girls’ and boys’ teams also took first place in the TSCAC track meet. In addition, a number of athletes put their names in the ACS record book and were recognized by the Tri-State Christian Athletic Conference for their outstanding individual accomplishments.
Seniors Dakota Hitchner, Shannon Murphy, and Carl Phillips (pictured above left) received the Cougar Award, given to athletes who have demonstrated outstanding Christian character, leadership, responsibility, and commitment in the area of athletics. Dakota and Carl were also chosen by the Athletic Department to be the recipients of the 2017 Billy Robinson Award. Shannon also received the TSCAC Rex Feltman Award, given to one outstanding senior boy and girl athlete in the conference who will be attending a Christian college and pursuing ministry. Carl, along with sophomores Ryan Lomangino and Solomon Griffith (pictured above right), received the top baseball team awards and were named to the TSCAC All-Star 1st team.
Dakota, who will be attending King University on a full scholarship to play basketball, is the first ACS athlete to have been named the TSCAC MVP in all three sports. Shannon, a TSCAC All-Star in three sports, will be attending Liberty University where she will major in social work. Carl will be attending Stockton University to pursue an education degree.