Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. It always seems as if the season is just getting into the swing of things when suddenly it is November and football, volleyball, and cross-country sports are over. It was an amazing football and cross-country season: not one game or meet in rain or snow.

After a feast of barbecued pork and chicken, Nederland Middle Senior High School Athletic Director Jack Taylor began the ceremony by thanking the Booster Club and the parents. He said, "This is your ride as much as it is the athlete's."

Taylor congratulated the cross-country team for doubling their numbers and said the team's future is bright with a middle school team feeding into the high school team. The cross-country team had its 7th year of individual members or the team qualifying for state.

Coach Dave Femmer presented the Most Valuable Player Award to James McNamara and to Sophia Lindenberger.

Volleyball coach Shelby Nation, in her debut year as head coach, presented the awards to her girls. She said the players on her team made her proud to be a Panther. "They played hard all the way through and then beat the Peak to Peak Charter in four games. Best of all, the other coaches complimented the Ned team for their sportsmanship and determination."

She said she and team were there to inspire others and themselves and to improve no matter what. The Most Valuable Player Award went to Gillian Nasty. The Panther Award went to Jessica Gloe. The Most Improved Player was Tobiah Nagle; the Horizon Player, the most coachable in and off the court, was Maggie Rockett; and the Rising Star Award went to Chloe Lindstrom.

AD Taylor applauded the efforts of the-first-in-many-years cheerleading team. With Joani Yutzy as their volunteer coach, these girls keep the crowd cheering on their teams all season long: Breannon Witte, Mazie Pancoast, and Anna Yutzy.

NHS football coach Aaron Jones said it was a great year playing on a shrunken field with fewer players since joining the 8-man league. He thanked Linda and Danny for allowing the old school bell to moved to the high school for the games, to ring victory at each touchdown. He thanked the Fairview players and coach who came to Nederland after Miles’ and Nick's accident with $1,500 for the two boys’ care. Longmont Christian pledged to raise $1,000 for the boys and Gilpin County gave their profits from a home volleyball game against Gilpin. Athletes united in compassion and respect of another player's serious injuries.

"Being a football coach is something I take very seriously," said Coach Jones. " I wish this season would have never ended."

Three out of 16 All-Conference First Team players were Nederland Panthers, who ended with a winning season. Jones says the fans who attended the games certainly got their money's worth, as many of the games were exciting to the end.

Coach Jones handed out the awards, including one to his assistant coach, Jake Metzger, who was awarded the Assistant Coach of the Year Award. The Comeback Player of the Year Award went to senior Ike Thibedeau. The Most Improved Players were Austin O'Melia and JJ Rippy. The Rookie of the Year was Quin Kuechenmeister. The Panther Award went to Keyghan Otten and Miles Pancoast. The Offensive MVP of the Year went to Noah Ridnell and the Defensive MVP of the Year went to Mike Wood and Miles Pancoast.

Coach Jones says the awards to Pancoast are in recognition for where he was when his car accident happened. To demonstrate the loyalty of his players, Jones says that Nick Kassero, who was also in the accident, called him that night to say they would not be in for practice the next day. "This is indicative of how much they cared about the team. It blew me away." Jones presented the plagues to Bee Brogan, Miles' mom.

Basketball season begins and AD Taylor says players are needed to fill out both the boys’ and the girls’ teams. Skiers have been dry land training but Eldora Mountain Resort opens Friday, November 21st, and the skiers will be able to train on the mountain.