Eagles celebrate banner year
Athletes honored at All-Sports Banquet held on May 7
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

Rusk Athletic Director and Head Coach Wayne Mahaffey introduces Katie Dotson to the crowd at the All Sports Banquet. Coach Mahaffey told those in attendance that Katie has had to overcome many obstacles to participate in sports and that he has never seen anyone so excited to be in athletics.

The Rusk All-Sports Banquet was held on May 7, honoring Rusk High School athletes who competed in sports during the 2006-2007 school year. Rusk Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Wayne Mahaffey served as master of ceremonies, giving an opening speech which explained the meaning of the banquet and highlighted the success of Eagle athletics this year.

"This is where we recognize and honor the athletes who have put in a lot of time," he said. "These young men and young women do a good job in participation and competition.

"It's been another good year in Rusk athletics."

Among the highlights of the year, Coach Mahaffey said the Cross Country team qualified a girls' team for the regional meet, something which has not been accomplished "in some time." He said the volleyball team was in playoff contention until the end of the season.

Hillary Rayburn l and Brent Jones were recognized with the Birmingham Golf Award during the Rusk All-Sports Banquet held May 7. Jones was a member of the 2007 golf team which qualified for the regional tournament.

Coach Mahaffey mentioned the football team made the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year and won the Bi-District championship, in an eventful game, over Madisonville.

"If you weren't on heart medication before the game, you probably were after," he said.

Coach Mahaffey said the girls track team had 40 participants, up from 10 last year. He said as the participation numbers increased, so did the competitiveness.

He noted how the boys track team won the Neches meet and the boys and girls teams sent a combined 13 athletes to the regional meet. Coach Mahaffey then announced the softball team was in the regional quarterfinals.

Coach Mahaffey also announced that Coach Wayne Larson is retiring at the end of this year.

Coach Mahaffey then introduced the athletes and presented awards.

Ben Thompson k and Sheena Henderson earned the Powerlifting Award. Henderson qualified for the regional meet in Brownsboro this year. Thompson was also member of the varsity football team. PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN

The Rotary Club Volleyball Award was given to Jeri Hill, who was a key player for the team in the libero position.

The Kiwanis Club Tennis Award went to Neil Campbell. Bobby McDuff was given the Boys Track Award and Amanda Session was given the Girls Track Award.

April Shedd won the Girls Cross Country Award and Dustin Crosby was recognized with the Boys Cross Country Award.

The Birmingham Golf Awards went to Brent Jones and Hillary Raiborn. The Powerlifting Awards went to Ben Thompson and Sheena Henderson.

Pax Richey won the Lions Club Baseball Award.

The Dale Dotson Players' Choice Basketball Award was given to J.J. Session.

Session was also presented the Doug Jordan Basketball Award by team member John David Beard, who is a grandson of Mr. Jordan.

Pax Richey won many awards at the All-Sports Banquet, including the David Hill, Kelly Kennedy, Lions Club Baseball Award. Richey played 3rd base for the Rusk Eagle Baseball team this season.

The Billy Watson Players Choice Basketball Award went to Grace Castillo.

Justin Sturns was awarded the Class of '63 Football Award while Kyle Garner was given the Quarterback Club Football Award.

Chris Walley won the Rusk High School Sportsmanship Award. Rachel Hicks and Pax Richey were the Jacksonville Daily Progress Scholar Athletes. Crystal Rozelle won the M.R. Philbrick Fighting Heart Award. Sheena Henderson won the J.L. Hassell Top Senior Girl Athlete Award, while Pax Richey won the E.H. Whitehead Top Senior Boy Athlete Award.

Bobby McDuff won the Boys' Track Award. McDuff was a relay runner for the track team. He also played varsity football and basketball for the Rusk Eagles. Justin Sturns was awarded the Class of '63 Football Award at the All-Sports Banquet. Sturns played quarterback, defensive back and punter for the team and recently signed a scholarship deal with Navarro Junior College to play football and baseball. Amanda "Manda" Session was the winner of the m Girls' Track Award. Session also played basketball for Rusk High School. PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN Rusk coach Thomas Guidry recognized Kenny l Trotter for his participation in Football and Track. Rusk Coach Patsy Whitaker presents a certificate of recognition to senior Christie Sharpless for her participation in track. Sharpless was a pole vaulter for the team and also played volleyball during the fall. Dustin Crosby won the Cross Country Award. Crosby was the only freshman to win an award at the annual Rusk All-Sports Banquet. Coach Tiffany Cooksey presents the Rotary Club Volleyball Award to Jeri Hill. Hill was a setter and libero for the Rusk volleyball team and plays softball. Neil Campbell was awarded the Kiwanis Club Tennis Award at the banquet. Tennis requires good hand-eye coordination, speed, agility and endurance. Coach Patsy Whitaker presents a certificate of l participation to senior Clarinda Freeman. Freeman was a member of the Rusk volleyball team and played basketball through her junior year. Pax Richey was the recipient of the Jacksonville Daily m Progress Scholar Athlete Award for boys. Rachel Hicks was given the Jacksonville Daily Progress Scholar Athlete Award for girls. Hicks played volleyball, basketball and softball for the Rusk Lady Eagles. She played all four years on the varsity basketball team.