Trophies News

Trophy news from Yakima, WA

After a remarkable run of publicity for an unprecedented act of sportsmanship, Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace have reached new heights.

The three athletes have since been the focal points of numerous print articles, including a column by George Vecsey of The New York Times, and have appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres show. Wednesday night’s trophy ceremonies were held the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles and were hosted by singer Justin Timberlake. The top winner Wednessday was Tiger Woods, who won three trophies, including his fifth male athlete of the year award, giving him a career-leading 21 wins in the show’s 16-year history.

Originally written by the Associated Press and Staff Reports

Trophy news from Solihull, UK

Solihull Swimming Club made it three championship trophies in a row with a storming trophy win in the final of the Mercian Summer League at Pingles Pool in Nuneaton, overtaking Leamington in the final stages to finish just 7 points in front.

The league format produces very close racing in the final and this year was true to form with Leamington eking out a narrow lead in the early events, closely followed by Solihull and Nuneaton.

Walsall made an early impression with three first places in the first ten events, but after getting their noses in front, faded to finish an eventual 4th. Never more than ten points ahead, Leamington edged ahead after the initial group of relay swims but could not break away and were slowly reeled in during the middle section with individual wins for Solihull by Owen Hastings, Shabnam Golestani, Sam Bennett, Aslan Lewis, Claire Haines, Rebecca Harris, Hannah Quibell (swimming up against girls a year older) and Ross Felton making a strong comeback breaking his arm in May.

By the start of the final relay section Solihull were only two points behind and the atmosphere was deafening as SSC turned the deficit around with a win and second place in the 10 and under medley relays to take the tiniest of leads. This was the start of a purple patch of nine events with eight of them in first or second place that Leamington simply could not match, giving Solihull an unbeatable eight point lead going into the final men’s freestyle relay.

In a blanket finish, the judges just gave Leamington the touch, but the single point they regained was not enough to deny Solihull the champions swimming trophy.

Originally written by the Solihull Times staff

Trophy news from Ontario, Canada

The Thunderbird Swim Club held their annual trophy banquet recently with several swimmers receiving multiple swimming trophies.

Team captain Jen Piper was awarded top swimmer of the year as well as the dryland training award. This is Pipers’ last year with the club after nine seasons. She will continue her studies and swimming career with Laurentian University in Sudbury. Other individual trophies for the night included: Mackenzie King, Sierra McCourt McCourt , Kylie Weber, Emma Hives, Gabriel Brind’amour Riffou, Jaime Udeschini and Mike Hives.

In group trophy awards, Jaimee Reynolds, Zeyana Laplante , Sydney Hughes and Jaydan Jackson were the most improved swimmers.

As well, Jesse Hives, Hughes, Jaydan Jackson, Weber, Udeschini, Ferguson, King, McCourt and Jen Piper were honored with swimming trophies for their provincial qualifying achievements.

Upcoming events for Jesse Hives, Jaydan Jackson, Ferguson, McCourt, Weber and King include heading off to the National Age Group Championships in Calgary, Alta.

Originally written by the North Bay Nugget Staff

Trophy news from Fort Wayne, IN

Before Wallen Baseball enters its second half-century, the league will take a moment to remember its roots. Wallen will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Diamond No. 2. Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge will attend as a graduate, team sponsor of Motivated Sports and award presenter. He will also be available to sign autographs as the Indians are off that night for the All-Star break.

“That’s where Eric learned to play ball,” said Nina Wedge, Eric’s mother. Wedge, 40, played catcher for regular and travel teams during elementary and middle school. He is one of four Wallen Baseball graduates to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft. A generation before Wedge, Wallen youth were just as devoted to America’s pastime.

With most families having only one car and Fort Wayne a long drive away, however, the kids had no opportunities to play in an organized setting, Itt said. That’s when Sal Madrid stepped in to establish Wallen Baseball in 1958. Madrid had played eight games for the Chicago Cubs in 1947 and settled in Fort Wayne afterward, participating in semiprofessional ball and competing for numerous baseball trophies.

Itt, 56, was a player in the league’s first year, and served as a coach and board member in subsequent years. He finally retired from coaching this year. Due to Itt’s longevity, he has become the unofficial historian of Wallen Baseball, and he will display historical equipment and trophies at the celebration.

He wants people to remember the legacy of Wallen Baseball 20 years from now, which is why he encouraged the board to commemorate Wallen’s 50th anniversary. When he first proposed the idea, Itt was surprised to find that many board members didn’t even know who Madrid was or that the league had been around 50 years.

During the past half-century, Itt has seen the program grow from six boys teams on one diamond to 1,500 boys and girls playing for dozens of teams on 10 diamonds. Despite the growth, Wallen remains committed to an inclusive atmosphere and makes no cuts.

He said he makes sure that all the kids have a chance to play and win a trophy.

Originally written by Michael Novinson

Trophies news from Indianapolis, IN

Kids swam across the pool, biked through neighborhood streets and ran around the Arthur M. Glick Jewish Community Center campus to win triathlon trophies on Sunday during the 2008 Indianapolis Kids Triathlon

There were 135 finishers and many trophy winners for the city’s first USA Triathlon-sanctioned kids triathlon, said Martha Karatz, JCC development director.

Youth were divided into two groups based on age. Those ages 11 to 14 completed a 200-yard swim, 4.3-mile bike ride and 1-mile run. Those ages 7 to 10 competed on a course that was a 100-yard swim, 2.2-mile bike course and a half mile run.
Among the participants were 10 children from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Karatz said. Those students received a bicycle, helmet and running shoes. In the future, JCC leaders would like to increase the number of Big Brothers Big Sisters racers to 25.

The top three finishers in each category won trophies, and everyone got a medal and T-shirt, Karatz said.

Originally written by Gretchen Becker

Trophies News from Chatham, VA

Tunstall High School spring athletes were honored at the annual trophy awards dinner on June 2. Dinner was served in the cafeteria before each sport met separately to present its trophies.

The girls’ soccer team honored several members. Maggie MacLeish was named offensive Most Valuable Player, while Lauren Elliott received the MVP trophy for the defense.

Taylor Paige was presented with the Most Improved award, while Melanie Burnett and Amber Elliott each received a Coach’s Trophy,

The boys’ team was also presented with awards. Zack Rice was named Most Valuable for his offensive efforts this season, while Ryan Wilkinson was MVP for defense.

Jake Stilley was recognized as Most Improved, and Carlos Manzanares and Jess Hendrix both received Coach’s Trophies.

The baseball team passed out honors to its members as well. After their successful season, Brett Hylton was named Most Valuable Offensive Player and Justin Thompson was named Most Valuable Defensive Player.

International Trophies News, SEBOKENG

The Nkele tournament kicks-off at the Zone 11 soccer fields on June 22 and will run until July 12. This tantalizing tournament will see 32 soccer teams vie for the R10 000 first prize money, a trophy, medals and a soccer kit. The three regressive runners-up will also walk away with prizes.

According to the tournament’s organizer says there will also be trophies for individuals, including Player of the Tournament, Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament, Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Coach of the Tournament. Also, numerous local professional soccer players will feature in the tournament.

After the tournament, they will stage the Champs of Champs. This is when the top four teams will battle it out to eventually emerge victorious and win the ultimate soccer trophy.

The defending champions, JIG FC, are determined to defend their title. Last year they won the soccer trophy after beating Sebokeng All Stars FC in a nail biting final.