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Soccer players honored during yearly awards banquet
Mountain Home High School's soccer season was met with smiles and tears as players and coaches gathered last week during this year's awards banquet.
The evening began with comments from junior varsity coaches Brian Schmidt and John Jackson.
During his comments, Jackson pointed out how proud he was of his girls. Reading off statistics, he pointed out multiple times how these JV girls were second in history to only one team -- the Lady Tigers' current seniors.
Sierra Reynolds was named the junior varsity team's most valuable player while the most-improved honor went to Felicia Castillo. Meanwhile Emily Cruser was recognized as the team's top defender, with Kaitlyn Francisco named top midfielder and Nina Courterier as top forward.
Boys honored on the junior varsity squad included most valuable player Bobby Salinas, most-improved player Erik Farfan, top defender Diego Dominguez and top offensive player Mason Essie.
The evening's recognition ceremony moved on to the varsity ranks with Tigers coach Danny Durham pointing out that his boys faced a lot of adversity this season but held together as a team. Although the scores didn't show, they were true winners the coach said.
With only four seniors returning to the field this season with balance made up of sophomores and two freshman, the Tigers gave everything they had and never stopped working, Durham said.
Awards handed out this year included most valuable player Dalliyn Phipps, top offensive player Karen Spencer, top defender Victor Arizmendi and most improved player Alaster Ong.
This year's coaches award was awarded to assistant coach Juan Luna. In presenting the honor, Durham pointed out the contribution Luna gave to the team throughout the season.
The girls varsity awards ceremony represented an emotional part of the evening. With most of the seniors in tears before the presentation began, Coach Curtis Viall explained this team was like having 17 daughters.
Most of the girls have worked with these coaches long before high school and got involved in the sport through competitive clubs and indoor teams. Most of the seniors honored that evening started playing competitive soccer under Viall's direction nine years ago.
"It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to coach this year's team," Viall said. "They finished third in the regular season standings, and their 11 wins is by far the most wins any girls varsity team has had in the last 12 years.
"I really can't say enough about the hard work they put in the since last season to improve their technical and tactical abilities," the coach added. "The seven seniors that have been in the program for all four years really committed themselves. No doubt they are leaving with a lot of great friendships and memories."
The additional 10 younger classman on the varsity squad really stepped up their game this season and will be a great group of players to build on for next season, the coach said.
Awards presented that evening went to Violet Martinez, who was honored as the team's most valuable player and top forward, Anna Pedroza as top midfielder, Elizabeth Ryan and Clarissa Lucas as top defenders with the coach's award going to Biri Martinez.
Other awards given out included Idaho High School Outstanding Individual Scholastic Award and Southern Idaho Conference Academic Award for players that maintained a 3.75 to 4.0 grade-point average while actively participating in interscholastic activities. Those awards went to Phoenix Crossley, Gloryssel Moreno, Kaden Spencer, Trayson Wolfley, Jacob Charles, Jacey Carr, Emily Cruser, Asia Jackson, Clarissa Lucas, Nicole Milford, Lexi Ogaard, Elizabeth Ryan and Mackenzie Sloan.
In addition, the Lady Tigers' varsity team earned the Idaho Distinguished Team Scholastic Award. It recognized the academic performance of these players, who maintained a 3.25 to 4.0 grade-point average during the season. In addition, Tanner Holmquist was recognized by Max Prep as player of the week twice this year for goalie saves.