The Union Springs Athletic Department celebrated the achievements of its athletes at the Fall Varsity and JV Sports Awards Ceremony held last night. Athletic Coordinator Todd Salls kicked off the evening with a warm welcome to all attendees, taking the opportunity to highlight some of the remarkable accomplishments of the fall season.
The night began with the presentation of the October Athletics of the Month awards, which were given to Chloe Wilde of the Girls Varsity Soccer team and Alex Smith of the Port Byron/Union Springs Varsity Football team. Both student-athletes were recognized for their outstanding performances and dedication to their respective sports. As part of their recognition, each recipient was presented with a long-sleeved Union Springs Athletic Department shirt.
A special milestone in Union Springs' athletic history was also celebrated that evening. For the first time, the school received the Scholar Athlete School of Distinction Award for the 2023-2024 school year. This prestigious award is given to schools where every team earns the Scholar Athlete Team distinction, a testament to the academic excellence and hard work displayed by Union Springs student-athletes.
The evening continued with each coach highlighting their teams' successes. Coach Jim Hodges led the Boys Varsity Soccer team to the stage, where he reflected on their season before presenting individual awards. Coach Emily Ryan followed with her Girls JV Volleyball team, recognizing their growth and achievements throughout the season with individual awards.
Next, Coach Tom Owens took the stage with the Varsity Volleyball girls. He shared his pride in their season, and each athlete was honored with a well-deserved award. The final coach to speak was Coach Jason Dental, who celebrated the impressive growth of his Girls Varsity Soccer team. Coach Dental expressed immense pride in his squad, especially after their unforgettable upset victory over Watkins Glen in the Sectional Quarterfinals.
The ceremony was a wonderful evening of recognition for Union Springs' athletes, coaches, and teams, highlighting not only athletic achievements but also the dedication and teamwork that define the Union Springs community. Congratulations to all the award recipients and to everyone who contributed to a memorable fall sports season!
