High School, Middle School Students Receive Recognition for Athletic Participation

High school and middle school students who played on an ACS sports team during the 2017-2018 school year received recognition for their participation, leadership, and athletic abilities at awards programs on June 1 and 4.

At the high school awards event, it was a time to celebrate and reflect on a year of outstanding accomplishments.  Both the ACS varsity boys’ and girls’ teams brought home league championship trophies in two sports, the varsity girls in soccer and basketball and the varsity boys in basketball and 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.

Abigail Vogel received the Cougar Award, given to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding Christian character, leadership, responsibility, and commitment in the area of athletics. Abigail and junior Solomon Griffith were also chosen by the Athletic Department to be the recipients of the 2018 Billy Robinson Award that recognizes one high school boy and girl athlete for significant achievement, Christian testimony, and athletic ability.  Abigail, who was a valued member of the varsity soccer, basketball, and softball programs all four years of her high school career, will be attending Atlantic Cape Community College to earn an associate’s degree in child development. Solomon is a pitcher/shortstop on ACS Varsity Baseball team, which has won three consecutive league championships, and he recently got his 100th hit of his high school career. (High school awards program photos courtesy of Paige Noble).

At the middle school sports awards program, students who participated in soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, and cheer were recognized and honored. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner thanked the coaches and players for their dedication and commitment and noted that this was the first year in school history that all the middle school teams had winning records. In particular, the members of the MS Softball team received special recognition and medals for being the first undefeated middle school softball team in school history.

The MS Boys’ Basketball and Soccer teams also had outstanding seasons, with the Boys’ Basketball team going 21-2 and Boys’ Soccer posting a record of 8-1-3. The boys’ soccer team was undefeated in the competitive Atlantic Cape Junior High Athletic League’s Division 3 and just missed coming in first due to one tie near the end of the season. Hitchner noted that their defense was hard to beat and became known as the “Green Gate.” The middle school boys’ and girls’ track teams also came in first place in the TSCAC track meet. The head coaches recognized for their efforts to teach the fundamental skills and good sportsmanship were: soccer — Casey Hopwood, Ricardo Leon; basketball –Carly Witherow, Matt Glancey; baseball — Rob Barberio; softball — Mike Bohs; cheer — Morgan Gibson. The athletes and family members enjoyed ice cream sundaes at a reception following the ceremony.