By KEN PETERSON

Athletes for one of the best Spring sports seasons in recent CHS history were honored at the Spring Sports Awards Banquet Wednesday night at Chesterton High School.

In the Spring alone, Chesterton High School brought home three sectional championships (boys and girls track, tennis) and won conference championships in softball and tennis. The softball team won the school’s first DAC title since 1988 and the girls tennis team won the school’s first-ever conference title.

In a very talented class, Steve Vrska and Lindsay Hattendorf were named Chesterton High School Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

The accomplishments of both athletes are very impressive.

Vrska is an eight-time School Athlete, earned eight varsity letters in cross country and track and has been the Most Valuable Runner all four years he’s competed at Chesterton. He’s been the MVP track runner for the past three seasons and a three-year captain of the cross country team as well as this year’s track team captain.

He’s been on the all-Duneland Conference cross country team all four years in high school and was DAC MVP his junior and senior years. He was all-conference in track his junior and senior seasons and was the recipient of the Larry James Memorial Scholarship.

He has won 10 individual DAC, sectional and regional championship races and was a part of the 4x1,600-meter relay team which set the school record. He’s a four-time state qualifier in track. Vrska’s led the Trojans to DAC, sectional, regional and semistate championships in cross country, the first in the history of the program. He’s finished eighth and 14th at the state cross country finals the past two years and was The Vidette-Times Runner of the Year this fall.

Hattendorf’s accomplishments are just as impressive. She’s a three-year MVP of cross country, winner of eight varsity awards in track and cross country and led her team to three sectional championships and two regional championships. She was instrumental in helping Chesterton to four top 10 finishes at the state meet during her career and was named five-time All-State player.

In cross country, she finished eighth as an individual her sophomore and junior seasons and fourth as a senior. In track, she finished eighth in the 4x3,200-meter relay team and eighth in the 3,200-meter run.

She’s a recipient of the Larry James Scholarship Award, was named three years to the DAC All-Conference team in cross country and two years in track and was DAC MVP in cross country this year.

She was the captain of the cross country team her final two years and was track captain this year. She’s an eight-time Scholar Athlete and holds four CHS records -- in the 3,200-meter run, the 4x800-Meter Relay, 4x1,600-Meter Relay and the Distance Medley Relay.

In the individual sports, the boys track team, coached by Tim Ray, was honored. Coach Tim Ray’s Trojans won the school’s first sectional title since 1993 and finished second in the Duneland Conference.

Vrska was named MVP runner and Spencer West MVP in the field. Joe Bailey was named Most Improved, Jeff Bachman and Dylan Germick received the Mental Attitude Award and Adam Hunt the Josh Phillips Memorial Award.

The baseball team, coached by Jack Campbell and fresh off its 4-0 upset of Penn Friday night, was honored. Tony Cunningham was named Most Valuable, Most Improved went to Jayme Giesick. The Mental Attitude Award went to Brian Scott and Tony Cunningham and Brian Scott picked up the James W. Arvin Award. The Kurt E. Ruoff Memorial Award went to Sean Rizer and Matt Gillikin had the Most RBI (21). The Lowest E.R.A. Award went to Brian Scott and Matt Gillikin and John Shaffer each had game-winning hits (two each).

The baseball team plays Friday night at 7 p.m. against Crown Point at the Merrillville Sectional.

Coach Chuck Craycraft introduced his boys golf team, who’ll play in the sectional Friday afternoon at Forest Park Golf Course in Valparaiso. The Trojans finished 12-7 overall and tied for third in the DAC.

Sam Chumbley was named MVP, All-around player, number of greens and number of fairways. Mike Gregoline was named Most Improved, Mike Cho received Mental Attitude Award and Steve St. Germain low putts.

The girls track team coached by Steve Kearney, won the sectional and was runner-up in the Duneland Conference. Cassie Peller was named MVP Runner and Emily Prather MVP Field. Most Improved went to Jessica Johnson and Stephanie Nothelle. The Mental Attitude Award went to Mandi Loving and Sara Taylor. Most Versatile went to Nicole Hartford and Tina Wozniak and Sara Cobbs won the Heather Bearup Memorial Award.

Coach Brian Norris and his sectional champion and co-Duneland Conference champion girls tennis team was honored. Andrea Wiese was named MVP, Marian Benitez Most Improved and Brittany Cooley the Mental Attitude Award.

Finally, the Duneland Conference champion softball team was honored. Coached by LouAnn Hopson, Chesterton won 19 straight games during the regular season. Laura Langendorfer was named MVP, Jessica Vargo Most Improved, Lisa Anderson Mental Attitude and Most Productive Hitter.

Also, the Team Hustle Award went to Allison Goebel and Megan Sutton the Team Spirit Award.

SOFTBALL AWARDS

2001-02

VARSITY AWARDS

SENIORS

Jessica Doyle, Colleen McGinty and Megan Sutton.

JUNIORS

Lisa Anderson, Rachel Bergauff, Stephanie Bernier, Nicole Fetla, Allison Goebel, Laura Langendorfer, Jenni Lightfoot and Jessie Vargo.

SOPHOMORES

Alicia Babcock, Julie Furois and Holly Melton.

JUNIOR VARSITY AWARDS

Amanda Bishel (10), Jessica Brannagan (9), Laura DeLeon (9), Cori Ellis (9), Kelly Gaston (9), Tiffany Hise (10), Betsy Maher (9), Dana Pecina (9), Jessica Richardson (10), Erica Sanchez (9), Mallory Seeley (9), Shay Thompson (10), Sara Toles (9), Kayla Vago (9) and Maggie Yagelski (9).

CAPTAINS: Jessica Doyle, Colleen McGinty and Megan Sutton.

GIRLS TENNIS AWARDS

2001-02

VARSITY AWARDS

SENIORS

Maggie Alberti and Jackie Squires.

JUNIORS

Shea Bardeson, Marian Benitez, Katy Franzen, Liz Kozlik and Andrea Wiese.

SOPHOMORES

Elizabeth Gonzales and Kristin Totten.

FRESHMEN

Brittany Cooley and Katie Paulson.

JV AWARDS

Val Brown (10), Megan Dancisak (10), Laura Duda (10), Mia Fioritto (11), Mary Herrod (11) and Jessica Recchia (10).

CAPTAINS: Marian Benitez and Andrea Wiese.

GIRLS TRACK AWARDS

2001-02

VARSITY AWARDS

SENIORS

Kelly Allison, Sara Cobbs, Elana Habib, Nicole Hartford, Lindsay Hattendorf, Amber Kuehn, Jodi Stephens and Sara Taylor.

JUNIORS

Kelly Ball, Kate Cartwright, Rachel Fisher, Emily Haas, Jenny Janosky, Mandi Loving, Angie Nielson, Stephanie Nothelle, Emily Prather, Amanda Ritthaler, Susan Swarner, Tina Wozniak and Lexi Yelton.

SOPHOMORES

Katie Alberti, Alissa Bishel, Aja Brown, Eric Caldwell, Renae Cavanaugh, Brittany Collins, Ali Hall, Meg Halpin, Jessica Johnson, Emma Klein, Rebecca Nidelchoff, Cassie Peller, Megan Pierce, Holly Sagarsee, Brittani Seely, Tanja Semler, Sara Sosnowski, Val Teets, Lisa VanDenburgh and Amber Vogan.

FRESHMAN

Tara Hiteman, Jessie Kowalski, Whitney Phillips, Rachel Poracky, Maggie Sharpe and Tori Talsma.

JV AWARDS

Elizabeth Bates (9), Stephanie Berglund (9), Annie Campbell (11), Dayna Charlson (10), Sarah Greene (9), Lauren Kadish (9), Monica Morgan (9), Lauren Paunicka (9), Megan Reed (10), Jenny Rietman (9), Ally Ruoff (9), Elizabeth Sosnowski (9), Kelly Starcevich (9) and Lindsey Stauffer (9).

CAPTAINS: Kelly Allison, Sara Cobbs, Nicole Hartford, Lindsay Hattendorf, Amber Kuehn and Sara Taylor.

BOYS GOLF AWARDS

2001-02

VARSITY AWARDS

SENIORS

Chris Virtue.

JUNIORS

Chris Montagano.

SOPHOMORES

Mike Cho and Mike Gregoline.

FRESHMEN

Eric Beckley, Sam Chumbley and Steve St. Germain.

JUNIOR VARSITY AWARDS

Alex Cook (9), Kyle Huber (9), Curtis Mannen (9), Tom McLaughlin (10), Ryan Metz (9), Tom Thorstad (10) and Scott Woods (9).

CAPTAINS: Chris Montagano and Chris Virtue.

BASEBALL AWARDS

2001-02

VARSITY AWARDS

SENIORS

Eric Ashton, Tony Cunningham, Vince Emanuele, Matt Gillikin, John Gebert, Ryan Huffmaster, David Lambert, Ryan Pack, Brian Scott, John Shaffer and Tom Shumate.

JUNIORS

Drew Bradford, Jayme Giesick, John Huffmaster, Rob Kamaski and Sean Rizer.

SOPHOMORES

Josh Goranson.

FRESHMAN AWARDS

Chris Allison, Garrett Baker, Drew Bruggeman, Eric Crownover, Ryan Crownover, Brandon Downey, Kyle Goranson, Ryan Krepp, Wayne McClellan, Alex Montagano, Justin Roberts, Jon Schwoegler, Kevin Scott, Kevin Smith, Dom Tornincasa and J.D. Williamson.

JUNIOR VARSITY AWARDS

Tom Albano (10), Jim Bard (10) Robb Blakely (10), George Bozak (9), Nick Chase (9), Josh Coleman (10), Russell Friday (10), Matt Lambert (10), Josh Malone (10), Matt Maple (9), Casey Martin (9), Chris Nixon (10), Mark Potrzebowski (10), Tom Ruff (10), Ryne Smitka (10) and Jim Sosnowski (10).

CAPTAINS: Tony Cunningham, Matt Gillikin and Dave Lambert.

BOYS TRACK AWARDS

2001-02

VARSITY AWARDS

SENIORS

Jeff Bachman, Brent Bradford, Mike Darnell, Dylan Germick, Adam Hunt, Jordan Kellar, Jeff Miller, Ben Nordyke, Aaron Reed, Chris Simmons, Doug Sindelar, Dan Styf, Steve Vrska and Chris Walthall.

JUNIORS

Damien Appel, Eric Babcock, Travis Dunlap, Joe Henrys, Steve Joyce, Eric Lewis, Matt Paunicka, Ryan Rearick, Nathan Reed, Matt Stevens and Matt Wilder.

SOPHOMORES

Joe Bailey, Mike Dunlap, Geoff Durso, Carl Hultman, Ryan Kelley, Mike Koulianos, Geoff Lambert, Bryan Nallenweg, E.J. Neier, L.J. Pol, Spencer West and Eric Wiesemann.

FRESHMEN

Wade Breitzke and Max Goldak.

JV AWARDS

David Bradley (9), Jeremiah Brown (10), Heath Cartwright (9), Jeremy Castaneda (9), Alex Cornwell (9), Korey Duvall (11), Thomas Haas (9), John Hanson (9), Jason Hayes (10), Myles Hiteman (10), Nick Johns (10), Ed Lawson (9), Jason Lewis (9), Mike Micchia (10), Matt Mishler (10), Jake Morton (9), Robert Nelson (9), Logan Newkirk (9), Mat Osborn (9), Bryan Povliski (9), Will Rensberger (10), Josh Sibbrell (10), Kevin Small (9) and Nick Stevens (9).

CAPTAINS: Jeff Bachman, Brent Bradford, Dylan Germick, Adam Hunt and Steve Vrska.

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

SPRING, 2002

BASEBALL

Tom Albano, Ryan Crownover (FB, SW), Tony Cunningham, Matt Gillikin, David Lambert, Matt Lambert, Casey Martin (B), Alex Montagano (B), Ryan Pack (FB, W), Sean Rizer and Brian Scott.

SOFTBALL

Lisa Anderson, Rachel Bergauff, Amanda Bishel (CH), Laura DeLeon (SO,GB), Cori Ellis (VB), Tiffany Hise, Laura Langendorfer, Colleen McGinty (CC), Dana Pecina (VB, SW), Erica Sanchez (GB), Kayla Vargo and Maggie Yagelski.

GIRLS TENNIS

Maggie Alberti, Shea Bardeson (SO, GB), Marian Benitez (ATH.TR), Val Brown (SO), Brittany Cooley, Mia Fioritto, Katy Franzen, Elizabeth Gonzales (GY), Katie Paulson, Jessica Recchia (CC), Jackie Squires (SO,GB), Kristin Totten and Andrea Wiese (GO).

BOYS TRACK

Damien Appel, Erik Babcock (SO, B), Jeff Bachman (FB), Joe Bailey, Travis Dunlap (CC), Geoff Durso (FB), John Hanson (FB),Adam Hunt (CC), Steve Joyce (FB, SO), Jordan Kellar (CC), Geoff Lambert (CC), Jason Lewis, Matt Mishler (CC), Bryan Nallenweg (CC), Bryan Povlinski, Ryan Rearick (FB), Kevin Small (FB), Dan Styf and Matt Wilder (B).

GOLF

Eric Beckley, Sam Chumbley (B), Alex Cook, Mike Gregoline, Kyle Huber (CC), Tom McLaughlin (TE), Chris Montagano and Tom Thorstad (W).

GIRLS TRACK

Katie Alberti, Elizabeth Bates, Alissa Bishel, Annie Campbell, Sara Cobbs, Brittany Collins, Rachel Fisher (CC, SW), Sarah Greene, Emily Haas (CC), Meg Halpin (SW), Nicole Hartford, Lindsay Hattendorf, Emma Klein (CC), Jessie Kowalski (CC), Mandi Loving (CC, GB), Stephanie Nothelle (CC), Cassie Peller (CC), Whitney Phillips (SO, GB), Emily Prather, Jenny Rietman (CC), Amanda Ritthaler (GO, SW), Holly Sagarsee, Tanja Semler, Kelly Starcevich, Lindsey Stauffer, Jodi Stephens (VB), Susan Swarner (CC), Tori Talsma, Val Teets (SW), Amber Vogan (VB, GY), Tina Wozniak and Lexi Yelton (CC, SW).

Posted 5/30/2002