For four years, they were the shining blue and gold stars of Oxford’s wildly popular sports scene.
Every week, legions of devoted fans packed the stands and cheered their hearts out as they watched their favorite Wildcats score that goal, pin opponents to the mat, shoot a 3-pointer at the buzzer or pound out another ‘three yards and a cloud of dust? playing Bud-style football.
To honor their accomplishments and all the joy they’ve brought the community, the Oxford Athletic Boosters & Foundation hosted its annual Senior Athletes Awards ceremony June 3 at the OHS Performing Arts Center.
‘Because you are sitting here today, congratulations, your hard work has paid off,? said Caryn Inman, a 2003 OHS graduate and star athlete. ‘But don’t relax too long because your journey has just begun.?
A total of 85 senior athletes ? 53 gentlemen and 32 ladies ? were recognized for their hard work, determination and sportsmanship. All the names and the sports they played are listed on page 8.
During their illustrious high school careers, this group of amazing athletes earned a total of 315 varsity letters.
With 10 letters under his belt, Spencer Britt earned the most of any male or female athlete in the Class of 2009. He lettered in football, wrestling and track.
Although the individual glory each athlete attained during his or her career is certainly something to be proud of, Inman, who earned 12 varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and track while attending OHS, stressed the importance and value of the team experience.
‘Looking back, sports was more than just something to do,? she said. ‘Playing sports means being part of a bigger group, a team ? and if you’re lucky, an extended family. Being part of a team brings so much joy into your life.?
No matter what their individual stats were or what the team’s record was, Inman reminded the graduating athletes that, in the long run, what matters most is how they conducted themselves and if they respected others.
‘Ten years down the road, people might remember how you played on that court or on that field, but they will remember how you treated them or how you treated others,? she said. ‘You may never know who’s watching, so always be proud of your actions.?
The highest honors of the evening went to seniors Dylan Smith and Hannah George.
Smith, who earned seven varsity letters in football and wrestling, was presented the George Prince Award, an honor reserved for the Best Male Senior Athlete.
During his career, Smith was the Division II State Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, the Oakland County Heavyweight Champion and a two-time Flint Metro League Conference Heavyweight Champion.
He was also a two-time state wrestling qualifier and the State of Michigan Representative for the National Wrestling Tournament at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
George, who earned six varsity letters in basketball and track, received the Helen Smith Award, which is given to the Best Female Senior Athlete.
During her career, George was an eight-time FML Track Champion ? 400-meter dash (twice), 800-meter relay (thrice) and 1600-meter relay (thrice).
With a time of 1:44.99, she set the school record in the 800-meter relay last year and was a four-time state track qualifier.
As captain of the varsity girls track team in 2008 and 2009, George helped lead the team to an overall two-year record of 16-1 and back-to-back FML championships.
Recipients of the George Prince and Helen Smith awards are selected by a vote of all the athletes who earned varsity letters during their senior year.
A new tradition was started this year as the Oxford Athletic Department presented Scholar Athlete awards to Brianna Pastewski and Mitchell Seeling.
The award will be given annually to the top seniors, male and female, who have lettered in two or more sports in their senior year and have the highest cumulative Grade Point Average.
Pastewski earned a total of six varsity letters in swim/dive and soccer, while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Seeling had a 3.967 GPA while lettering twice in soccer and twice in basketball.
Both Pastewski and Seeling graduated in the Top 10 of the Class of 2009.
Student-athletes weren’t the only ones honored as the Boosters presented the Hubbard family a Lifetime Achievement Award for consistently supporting Oxford athletics for more than 35 years.
From donating their property free of charge to aiding fund-raising efforts, the Hubbards, who own Oxford Hills Golf and Country Club, have never failed to support sports such as the cross country, golf, bowling and swim/dive programs.
Virginia Hubbard and her son, Bob, accepted the award, a beautiful Oxford varsity jacket, on behalf of the family.