Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Sports Banquet Held

There was no surprise when Gurdon's All Sports Award went to Colby Pace, as Pace had been picking up athletic awards all night.

Pace was recognized in football, baseball and golf, at the annual Go-Devil All Sports Banquet Tuesday, May 15.

Gurdon Athletic Director John Pace opened the banquet saying there were a lot of awards to be given out, and wasn't kidding as the student athletes were recognized for the effort they put out on the different fields of competition.

The actual awards started with girls softball, and Coach Tammi Alexander saying the team started slow, but came on late.

The team opened the season on its new field, and will have a new scoreboard there next year.

The Lady Devils made it to the regional tournament, but found themselves in the toughest part of the bracket.

She then presented awards to Annie Otwell as the best offensive player, Christina Taylor for defense, Leah Edwards for most improvement, and Jodi Purifoy took the prestigious Go-Devil Award.

Pace followed with football awards. This year's team, he said, was special as it had 13 seniors on it, with most of them having played since the seventh grade.

"We got a lot out of them," he said. "They came to practice, worked hard and had a good attitude."

Five members of the team made all district, Lee Marks, Jeremy Means, O.B. Moss, Pace and Greg Rhodes, with Marks also being named all state.

First year lettermen were given jackets, with second year lettermen getting plaques. Those lettering for three years got blankets, with the seniors also given lamps made from old football helmets.

On the individual awards, Rhodes and Wayne House were the outstanding offensive linemen, Pace was named outstanding back, Marks took home the outstanding defensive lineman award, with Oliver Webster the defensive back. John Watson was most improved, while Joe Plyler earned the Go-Devil Award.

John Ware was next with boys basketball. He said there were a lot of high and low points during the season, as the Devils began the year 0-8, but turned things around and earned a trip to the regional tournament at Centerpoint, where they whipped top-ranked Mineral Springs in the first round.

Dorsey Kelley and Norris Glenn were named all district, with Walter Hart and Kelley making the all region team.

For individuals, Chris Thompson got the hustle award, Hart took home the rebound award, Kelvin McPeak was named most improved, with Kelley being the top offensive player. Rufus Hatley was the team's defensive player of the year, with Glenn getting the Go-Devil Award.

Brandi Kirkpatrick, girls basketball coach, had the team come to the stage where she presented them awards.

The Lady Devils were 5-5 in district play and had to make major adjustments before the season started as Kirkpatrick was named coach shortly before school began in Aug. 2000.

Vanesha Young and Angela Walker made the all district team for the Lady Devils.

The free throw award went to Lyndi Escalante, with Young taking the hustle award. Tonya Russey was the teams best offensive player, while Walker was the leading defender. Young also went home with the Go-Devil Award.

Ten members of the Go-Devil track team made all district. To do this, the Devils had to finish either first or second in their events at the district meet.

The 10 were: Dennis Brown, O.C. Webster, Thompson, Eddie Fort, Cameron Dickerson, Cevin Lasiter, Kentrell House, Derrick Gosney, Kelley and Jake Plyler.

House and Thompson will compete in the state decathlon later this year.

Dickerson was the high point man in track, with Thompson being named outstanding track athlete.

For girls track, Young, Denet Brown, Lavonda Buford, Tanya Cunningham and Russey made all district.

The outstanding track athlete award went to Young, while Brown was presented the Go-Devil Award.

Gurdon's golf team finished third in the state tournament recently, behind two private schools  Shiloh Christian and Walnut Valley.The team has been to the state tourney three years in a row, improving on its finish each time. The Devils have also won the regional tourney the last two years.

Rhodes and Cody Cox were recognized as three-year lettermen, with Heath Griffin and Josh Uchtman being two-year lettermen. Pace earned his first letter in golf.

However, there were two on the team who had lettered four years in a row. They were: Jordan Freer and Corey Brown, who also shared the Go-Devil Award.

The cheerleaders weren't forgotten at the banquet either. Sponsor Bonnie Ross presented awards to her charges.

The five seniors on the team were given blankets.

The cheerleader awards were voted on by the cheerleaders themselves. Cassie Ross was named most spirited, with Claya Calley earning the 110 percent award. Best motion went to Purifoy, while Ebonee Crow turned in the best jumps.

Andi Finley was the squad's best tumbler, with Ross being tabbed as the best dancer. Kea Laundra Ritchie went home with the Eric Griffin Award, with Purifoy named all around cheerleader.

Pace followed this with baseball results. It was a young team, he said, with only two seniors, but the squad still posted a 16-6 record and went to regionals.

Tommy White, Daniel McElhannon, Keith Reed and Pace were named all district.

Reed was tabbed as most improved with Matt McElhannon, with Pace the top offensive player and White the best defensive player. White also went home with the Go-Devil Award.

Three members of the Go-Devils tennis team qualified for state. Jessica Curran will go in singles, while Dennis Brown and Patrick Haynie will team up in doubles. Brad Branson will be the alternate, as all four made all district.