Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.

With the lengthening of daylight comes the end of winter sports. The ski teams, both alpine and nordic, spent the winter traveling the mountains, competing at myriad snow sports resorts in the state. The basketball teams went down and east, playing on flatland courts, hosting many home games.

It was an up and down season for the basketball teams and a more up than down season for the ski teams. All of the athletes came away with a better sense of themselves and the pride of never giving up: something they can carry with them for a lifetime. Last Wednesday, the Nederland Middle Senior High School honored the students, the parents and the coaches for a season well done.

Nordic skiers have been faithful to the team for years, improving every year and amazing their coach, Jen Lavely, with not only their determination and resilience, but with their kindness and support. That’s what every coach hopes for in the athletes he or she work with each season.

NMSHS Athletic Director Rick Elertson greeted the group as they finished up their pot luck dinner, topped off with celebratory cake. The party was then moved to the gym, where Panther Awards were presented to team members who demonstrated more than the ability to accumulate fast times or points: they also were the wind beneath the wings of the rest of the team. They showed up for all practices and they were on time; they saw what needed to be done and they did it; they were supportive of team members and always encouraged their teammates to never give up. They smiled infectiously, bringing good cheer to a dismal day.

Athletes are required to keep up their grades to participate in sports. Juggling studies and training, as well as traveling to games or meets, requires discipline and organization and a GPA of 3.6.

Those who earned Colorado Academic All State First Team awards are Avy Henrikson, Adam Figgins, Sarah Davidson, Eileen Lanthier, Karen Sorokach and Breegan McClish.

Nordic Ski Coach Jen Lavely presented the Panther Award to Adam Figgins, the Most Valuable Player Award to Sarah Davidson, and the Most Improved Award to Wesley Nation.

Alpine skiing coach Jonathan Damon congratulated his team for their excellent skiing throughout the season. He introduced Emily Creek, who took first place in State as an individual and the boys slalom team for winning second place in the state slalom event.

The alpine boys’ Panther Award went to John McDermott; The boys’ Most Valuable Player was Talus Lantz. The Most Improved Player of the Year was Luke Irvin; The Rookie of the Year was Carson McCue; the boys’ attendance award went to Reece Titus.

The girls’ Alpine Ski awards went to: Emily Creek, Most Valuable Player; the Girls’ Panther Award went to Caroline Weatherly; The Girls’ Most Improved Award went to Maddy Dellinger and Girls’ Rookie of the Year went to Sydney Pearce; the Girls’ attendance award went to Abby Hall.

Kirt McCracken, the boys’ basketball coach, praised his team for their hard work and courage during the season. The Most Valuable Player Award was presented to Damon Vigil.

The Panther Award went to Dusty Morgan and the Most Improved player was Ranjan Malla.

Girls’ basketball coach Simone Smead congratulated the Nederland girls’ MVP, Karen Sorokach; the Most Improved Player, Alex Sorokach; and the Panther Award winner, Linnaea Thibedeau.