The Bridge City High School cafeteria was packed with parents and student athletes Thursday, May 7, for the recognition of athletes and their accomplishments.

Athletic Director Cris Stump served as the master of ceremonies.

Mike Allison, president of the Cardinal Athletic Booster Club introduced members of the CABC board and drew ticket numbers throughout the evening for the door prizes, distributed by Cil Dixon.

Cheerleaders were introduced by sponsor Michelle Huff, announcing the varsity cheerleaders were invited to perform at a Houston Texans football game during halftime.

Cathy Riley presented the 2008-2009 Strutters, giving a rundown of their many activities, awards and honors of the year.

Coach Cody Knight introduced the cross country team, presenting the MVP Award to  Mary Nguyen and Tim Cude stating Cude ran approximately 800 training miles this season.

The Cardinal Pride Award went to Jessica Franklin. Newcomer of the Year was earned by Meagan Shockley.

Becca Matthews and Beth Larson, coaches of the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity volleyball teams asked the freshman and JV members to stand and be recognize. The varsity team took places on stage.

Matthews presented the Heart/Desire Award to Destiny Garza. Defensive Player of the Year was Samantha West; Best Offensive Player went to Emily Kosh, who also earned her second year letter. The season’s MVP, and second letter, was awarded to Mallory Guidry.

For the first time Soccer became a sport at BCHS. Nearly 100 tried out for the 18 spots on the girl’s team and 22 positions for the boy’s team. Coach Crystal Jones introduced her team as “the winningest team in the history of Bridge City High School.”

Lee LeGale, the boys’ coach stated his team ended the season with a 3-5-5 record and defeated the established team of LCM and tied Nederland.

Both coaches expressed pride in the accomplishments of the two team’s inaugural season.

Bill Dixon, coach of the Tennis Team presented Jared Buffington as the Most Improved Boy of the year. “When we started the conditioning drills, I was not sure this guy was going to make it, but he turned out to be a very good player and as a freshman he earned a spot on the varsity mixed doubles team.”

Alison Stewart was the Most Improved Girl and Newcomer of the Year was Meredith Miller. “[Miller] will be in Austin, Monday, preparing for the state tournament,” said Dixon.

“This team played under difficult conditions, they never knew when they would have a game,” said varsity girls basketball coach Alan Ashworth. “This team was also the only team in our district that never lost a player to grades,” said Ashworth of the freshman/JV team. Beth Larson coaches the JV team.

Whitney Knippers and Jordan Royal earned All-District honors. Royal also earned her second letter.

Basketball coaches Cody Knight and Troy Woodall recognized the freshman and JV teams, then Knight introduced the Varsity.

Tyler Hyde had been selected for the Orange Leader All-Hercules Team. “He has averaged 28 minutes playing time in each game of the past two years. A game is 32 minutes long,” said Knight.

“Co-MVP’s are Tanner Girouard and Nathan McNalley, both of these guys were also selected as First Team members of the Orange Leader Team,” said Knight.

“The Golf Team faced the difficulty on having to find a place to practice after the DERA went out of business and the course was closed,” said girls coach Nancy Wood. “We finally found a place and the season went on.” Outstanding Golfer was Emily Navarro.

Regional qualifier, Tanner Girouard, was the Outstanding Golfer of the boy’s team. “He also scored a 76 in the Anahuac tournament,” said coach Rob Caraway of Girouard.

Both powerlifting teams had good seasons with the girl’s team winning second place at state for the second year.

“I think I am going to coach at least one more year, I want these girls to earn first place next year,” said coach Kevin Jones. Jones is also serving as assistant principal at the middle school.

Coach Chad Landry, introduced the varsity baseball team and stated they won three tournaments this season. Thirteen players were elected to the All-District Team. “We can tell you how many, but we are not allowed to tell you who at this time,” said Landry.

“We had nine girls who made All-District,” said softball coach Misty Henderson. But those names also can’t be released.

Speaking of Allison Angelle, Defensive Player of the Year, “This girl was like a little vacuum cleaner, scooping up balls at third base,” said Henderson.

Emily Kosh was Offensive Player of the Year and Mallory Guidry was awarded Most Valuable Player.

Karen Bozeman, coach of the girls track team announced the Coaches Award went to Lisa Huynh and the 3-D Award to Alex Holland.

Varsity boys track coach, James Robbins said, “We won second place at our district tournament and we have 11 from this team that are going to the regional track meet.” The Track Award was given to Justin Reynolds.

Stump and other coaches spoke of the commitment coaches, players, and parents put forth in the face of difficulties they all endured due to Hurricane Ike, often working on their homes, coming to practice and going back to work at home.

The coaches praised highly the integrity of each family following the hurricane. Parents did everything they could to cooperate with the coaches.

“At the first football game... after the hurricane, I looked around during the National Anthem and saw several of our players crying. It was a very emotional time for all of us,” said Stump. ”In spite of that hurricane, we had a great season.”

The Heart Award was given to Brett Delahoussaye. The Most Valuable Offensive Player Award was earned by Colby Martin.

“I have to give two Most Valuable Defensive Player Awards this year; we could not pick only one. Our Defensive Player Awards go to Blake Hubbard and Michael Seal,” said Stump.

Allison returned to the stage to present the CABC Senior Scholarship worth $1000.

“We had no girl apply this year, so that money will go back to the account. We are sorry we could not award that scholarship. Happily we are able to award the Boy’s Scholarship to Daniel Wallace,” said Allison.

Numerous student athletes earned the Academic All-District Award which goes to students earning at least one letter in his or her sport and maintains a 90 of better scholastic average.

Winners of the Cardinal Pride Awards were Mary Nguyen and Dustin Breaux.

Outstanding Male and Female Senior Athletes Scholarships, in the amount of $1000, were presented to Mallory Guidry and Cody Ethridge by Chris Hyde of the CABC.