By Tiffany L. Rehbein
KG KouGar athletes were honored for their fine performances during the winter sports seasons at an awards banquet, held on Monday at KG High School.
Senior middle hitter Jen Siefert led the KouGars volleyball team in kills and blocks during the season. Siefert earned first team All-Conference and Academic All-State honors.
Junior Kristin Preeshl tabulated the best serving percentage and led the team in digs. She also earned Academic All-State honors.
Junior setter Ashley Melby led the team in assists this season.
Both Preeshl and Melby were named All-Conference honorable mention.
The KouGar volleyball squad finished the season in third place in the District 5C.
Lindsey Johnson, Abbie Toner, Brooke Letang, Malissa Williams, Emily Stewart, and Kim Berg were also named Academic All-State.
The juniors dominated the special awards in boys' basketball.
T.J. Ironbear, a 6-foot-2 junior, had the most rebounds and the best field goal percentage. He was also named second team All-Conference.
Justin Simenson, a 6-foot-6 junior, had the best free throw percentage and the most assists. He was also named to the second team All-Conference and earned Academic All-State honors.
Joey Stuart, a 6-foot junior, earned the best defense award and the W.D. Crites Award. He was named to the first team All-Conference, first team All-State, and earned Academic All-State honors.
Jared Miller was named first team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State, while Justin Antonich was named honorable mention All-Conference. Both Miller and Antonich earned Academic All-State honors.
The KouGars were conference champs with a perfect 10-0 conference record and were No. 1 in the District 9C. The placed third at the Northern Divisional.
Head coach Charlie Robinson was named Coach of the Year.
Senior Eric Marshall, junior Scott Dees, junior Drew Thackeray, and sophomore Aaron Smith also made Academic All-State.
Volleyball letter-winners Jennifer Siefert, Lindsey Johnson, Ashley Melby, Kristin Preeshl, Brooke Letang, Darci Stewart, Abbie Toner, Malissa Williams, Kim Berg, Emily Stewart.
Basketball letter-winners Justin Antonich, Eric Marshall, Jared Miller, Alex Billmayer, Scott Dees, T.J. Ironbear, Justin Simenson, Joey Stuart, Drew Thackeray, Matt Aageson, Roger Larson, Aaron Smith.
