High school and middle school students who played on an ACS sports team during the 2020-2021 school year received recognition for their participation, leadership, and athletic abilities at Athletic Awards Programs on May 28 and June 7.
At the High School Athletics Awards event on May 28, it was a time to celebrate and reflect on a distinguished year of achievement. In the fall sports season, the Varsity Girls’ Soccer team won the Tri-State Christian Athletic Championship for the fifth year in a row and senior Chloe Vogel was named the conference MVP for the second consecutive year. Varsity Girls’ Soccer Coach Carly Witherow was named TSCAC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. The Varsity Boys’ Soccer team finished the regular season in first place, the first time since 2012, but after playoff competition ended the season in third place.
In the winter season of Varsity Basketball, both the Boys’ and Girls’ teams earned the TSCAC Championship Title. The Varsity Boys’ team, under the experienced leadership of senior point guard Malachi Green, beat the first place undefeated team, King’s Christian School, in an exciting and memorable championship game. During the Awards Program, Hitchner announced that Green will be attending Middlesex College in the fall to play basketball and he signed his Letter of Intent during the program.
The Varsity Girls’ Basketball team was undefeated, finishing in first place in the regular season and achieving the conference title. Senior Cristen Winkel was name the TSCAC Girls’ Basketball MVP. During the season, co-captain Sydney Pearson got her 1,000th career point and co-captain Olivia Chapman pulled down 500 career rebounds. The ACS girls’ and boys’ teams took first place in the TSCAC track meet. The spring Baseball/Softball season had not yet concluded, but Hitchner congratulated both teams for making it into the final TSCAC championship games to be held just days after the awards program.
11th grader Aaron Glancey and 12th grader Chloe Vogel were chosen by the Athletic Department to be the recipients of the 2021 Billy Robinson Award that recognizes one high school boy and one high school girl for significant achievement, Christian testimony, and athletic ability. Joshua Jacoby, Shelby Einwechter, and Sydney Pearson received the Cougar Award, which is given to seniors who have demonstrated outstanding Christian character, leadership, responsibility, and commitment in the area of athletics.
During the program, the head coaches of the various teams presented certificates and special awards to their players, including the Coach’s Award, Most Valuable Player, and Most Improved Player. The coaches participating in the program were: girls’ soccer — Carly Witherow; girls’ basketball — Kaylee Breunig and Dara Kimmerley; boys’ soccer — Andres Tortola; boys’ basketball — Dan Carney; boys’ baseball — Gus Casey; and girls’ softball — Dara Kimmerley. Cheer team co-coach Kelly Flynn presented a Varsity letter and cheer pin to high school members of the squad. Hitchner also recognized senior Shelby Einwechter for winning first place in the TSCAC Golf Tournament on May 19, with a score of 41 (+7).
At the Middle School Athletic Awards program on June 7, students who participated in soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, and cheer were recognized and honored. Athletic Director Pam Hitchner thanked the coaches for an outstanding year in spite of challenges dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no conference competition during the soccer and basketball seasons within the Atlantic Cape Junior High League, of which ACS is a member. But in non-conference play, the Middle School Girls’ soccer team lost just one game and the Girls’ basketball team went undefeated. The Middle School Boys’ Soccer team had an undefeated season and the Boys’ Basketball team had an 11-2 winning season. The Middle School boys’ and girls’ track teams also came in first place in the TSCAC track meet.
In the spring, Atlantic Cape League competition resumed for the Middle School Baseball and Softball seasons, with all league schools playing in one bracket. The MS Boys’ Baseball team and the MS Girls’ Softball team each lost just one game during the season and both finished in 2nd place in the league.
During the Middle School program, Hitchner also thanked and recognized two new first-year coaches for their efforts — Brandon Stevens (boys’ soccer) and Charlie Costello (boys’ baseball). The other head coaches of Middle School teams, who presented certificates to their players and spoke about their accomplishments, were: girls’ soccer — Casey Hopwood (unable to attend, but her remarks were read by Hitchner); girls’ basketball — Grant Miller; boys’ basketball — Lee Martin; softball — Mike Bohs; and cheer — Kelly Flynn and Morgan Gibson. The athletes and family members enjoyed ice cream sundaes at a reception following the ceremony.
