Colfax athletes honored at annual athletic banquet

By Cara L. Dempski

COLFAX — Two Viking athletes were presented with three of Colfax’s top awards at the 2017 athletic banquet.

Ally Heidorn was named both the most coachable female and the 2016-2017 athlete of the year, while Bryce Kragness was honored as the most honored male athlete.

The 2017 Loyal Fan Award winner was Chuck Brown, who can usually be spotted at any sporting event Colfax athletes attend, and serves as one of the assistant cross country coaches.

The April 26 event started with a meal provided by the local Kiwanis, and speeches from the spring sports coaches regarding team progress and participants. Head volleyball coach Pam Meredith then handed out a few awards. 

The team’s most improved player was Erin Nellessen, and Kameri Meredith was the Vikings’ top spiker. Senior Bryana Buchanan was honored as both the top digger and team MVP.

Kim Myers, the girls’ golf coach, named freshman Abby DeMoe as the team’s most valuable player after the young golfer earned a trip to the state tournament in her first high school season. Graduating senior Hannah Yingst was presented the award for the most improved player.

High school football coach Matt DeMoe gave a rundown of the Vikings’ 2016 season before handing out varsity letters and specialty team awards. Spencer Herrick was named Colfax’s lineman of the year, while Mitchell Kiekhafer was honored as the best defensive player. Tyler Snyder earned the award for back of the year, and Brett Schindler was deemed the Viking Football MVP.

Cross country coach Joe Doucette started his awards presentation with a joke before moving on to his awards for most improved and most valuable. The most valuable girl award was shared by Erica Kallstrom and Ally Heidorn; Kallstrom was also honored with the award for the most improved girl. Sophomore Luke Heidorn was named the most improved boy, while senior Jacob Larson was awarded the MVP for the boys.

Wrestling coach Adam Davison presented letters to his team, before cheerleading coach/advisor Missy Prince named Abby Klueckmann the squad’s most valuable cheerleader.

Dance team coach Vicki Seston provided listeners with a rundown of the team’s August to March competition season before awarding letters and team awards. Allison Tuschl was named most improved, Hannah Yingst awarded the MVP, Haley Seston was honored for best showmanship, and Caroline Dworak was named the best choreographer.

Garrett Maas, head boys’ basketball coach announced senior Matthew Reisdorf as the team’s best defensive player, while Ben Thompson and George Scharlau were awarded plaques as the most improved. Senior Jacob Larson was both the team’s top rebounder and most valuable player.

Doucette took over the microphone a second time to hand out girls’ basketball team awards. He named Emma Hurlburt as the best defensive player, and Kameri Meredith as the top rebounder. Sophomore Savannah Henricks was the team’s most improved player, and Ally Heidorn was the team MVP.