Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Banquet Honors Gurdon's Student Athletes (cont)

il Award.

Gatlin and McMillan were also named to the All District squad.

The three members of the Devil golf team were given plaques as well. They were: Rusty Green, Scott Greer and Blake Norris.

Sandra Hatley presented the awards for the tennis squad, saying Gurdon was the only school in the conference to field a full team, with players in all divisions.

She said the team played well, with the boys doubles team earning a trip to state, but was unable to go because of other commitments.

"Next year," she said, "people in the conference will be afraid to see us." This is because this year's team was young and did well.

During the boys track awards, Pace told the audience Kizer is doing better, but needs all the support he can get. "We don't know if he'll be back next year or not," Pace said. "We want him back if he can return."

With the absence of Kizer, due to his second stroke in less than a year, Pace had to wear that hat this spring as well as being the baseball coach.

Kaleb Williams, in his first indoor meet ever, finished second in the shot put event, while Chauncey Charles was the only thinclad Devil to qualify for state. He did this in the long jump with an effort of 20-10.

"We were shorthanded this year," Pace said, "but did a good job with the people we had."

Hatley presented the accolades for girls track, saying it was a good season for the Lady Devil thinclads, who did well in all meets they attended.

The school's first 3200 meter relay team came in third in the district, while the 400 and 800 meter relay teams qualified for state. The 800 meter squad finished sixth at the meet.

Five years ago, Pace said, a weightlifting team was started at GHS. Since its inception, the team has never finished worse than third in its division.

Five members went to the state contest Saturday at Benton High School to compete. They were: Marvin Berry, Derrick Gulley, Kenny Hughes, Kaleb Williams and Jimmy McGee.

Pace said there would be 40 teams at this event.

He ended the night with the All Sports Award. This honor, Pace said, is one of the most difficult for a student athlete to get, and has only been given out two or three times since the school has held the All Sports Banquet.

The award is hard to win because male athletes must excel in at least three sports, while female athletes must do well in two different events.

This year's All Sports Award went to senior sensation April Simpson.