Nearly 100 high school athletes and coaches were recognized Sunday during the second annual Owensboro Times Sports Awards ceremony. In addition to crowning the top performers in each sport, highlights included McLean County receiving the Tom Watson Resiliency Award (presented by the longtime mayor himself) and academic honors handed out by OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams. Altogether, more than three dozen awards were handed out. Here’s the full list of winners.
The ceremony was held in the Owensboro Health Regional Hospital auditorium, which exceeded seating capacity as family and friends joined in the celebration.
For the second year, Owensboro Community & Technical College was the presenting sponsor for The OTs, with Owensboro Health serving as the Champion Sponsor. The OTs were also made possible thanks to Laser Beam Studio, Balloons by Syd, Beef ‘O’Brady’s, Azzip Pizza, Academy Sports & Outdoors, and Sweet B’s Bakery.
OT Assistant Editor John Kirkpatrick emceed the event, while Owensboro Health’s Dr. Justis Stolz was the guest speaker. OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams assisted in handing out the Academic Athlete awards, while City of Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson handed out the Resiliency Award.
Official finalist/winner photos and other photos we took at the event will be released on our Facebook page Monday afternoon.
Finalists/winners
Finalists and winners were based on nominations and voting by coaches. Only teams participating in a KHSAA-governed sport were considered for the OTs, meaning club and travel teams are not eligible.
Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year
Sponsored by Valor Oil
- Ava Falloway, AHS
- Peyton Reid, OCHS
- Lucy Spaw, DCHS
Boys’ Cross Country Runner of the Year
- Asher Alvey, DCHS
- Emmitt Brock, AHS
- Noah Gray, AHS
Girls’ Golfer of the Year
- Bailey Billingsley, DCHS
- Claire Reynolds, DCHS
- Alexa Salamah, DCHS
Boys’ Golfer of the Year
Sponsored by Tanner+West
- Grant Broughton, DCHS
- Jax Malone, OHS
- Nolan Warren, OHS
Girls’ Soccer Player of the Year
Sponsored by Ole South Bar-B-Q
- Lillian Coombs, DCHS
- Kara Green, AHS
- Kate McCain, DCHS
Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year
Sponsored by Rhoads and Rhoads
- Cameron Bell, DCHS
- Carter Payne, DCHS
- Ryan Sovar, OHS
Volleyball Player of the Year
- Abie Butterworth, AHS
- Olivia Castlen, OCHS
- Addie Travis, OHS
Boys’ Volleyball Player of the Year
- Will Hernandez, THS
Coach David Barnes Football Offensive Player of the Year
Sponsored by Integrated Therapy Solutions
- Brady Atwell, OCHS
- Evan Hampton, OHS
- Dylan Morris, HCHS
Football Defensive Player of the Year
Sponsored by South Central Bank
- Ty Ashley, OHS
- Vince Carrico, OCHS
- Ross Powers, HCHS
Football Special Teams Player of the Year
Sponsored by Space Station Self Storage
- Niles Board, AHS
- Uziel Munguia, HCHS
- Romer Payne, OHS
Girls’ Bowler of the Year
- Gracie Brown, AHS
- Zoey Douglas, OHS
- Sophie O’Bryan, AHS
Boys’ Bowler of the Year
- Christian Miller, OHS
- Tristan Miller, OHS
- Landon Thompson, AHS
Girls’ Swimmer of the Year
Sponsored by Tapp Motors
- Ryleigh Bevil, DCHS
- Bellah Bowman, OCHS
- Ellie Girten, DCHS
Boys’ Swimmer of the Year
- Miller Bowman, OCHS
- Emmitt Brock, AHS
- Ethan Lippert, OHS
Diver of the Year
- Olivia Esposito, AHS
- Shiloh Sumner, DCHS
- Georgia Warren, OHS
Girls’ Wrestler of the Year
- Josie Ellis, AHS
- Kaylee Klee, DCHS
- Kali Nichols, DCHS
Boys’ Wrestler of the Year
- Kevin Lopez, AHS
- Jackson Stoner, DCHS
- Kameryis Rodriquez-Cline, OHS
Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year
Sponsored by German American Bank
- Zoey Beehn, DCHS
- Aubrey Randolph, OCHS
- Shalyn Sprinkles, OHS
Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year
Sponsored by German American Bank
- Luke Beickman, OCHS
- Keaton Hughes, OHS
- Jonathan Moss, DCHS
Dance Team of the Year
Sponsored by Musick Studios
- Apollo
- Daviess County
- Owensboro
- Owensboro Catholic
Cheer Team of the Year
- Apollo
- Daviess County
- Owensboro
Girls’ Tennis Player of the Year
- Ella Cason, OCHS
- Sophey Jennings, AHS
- Addie Travis, OHS
Boys’ Tennis Player of the Year
- John Clay Ford, OHS
- Landon McDuffee, DCHS
- Joseph Merchant, OCHS
Girls’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Sponsored by Law Offices of Clifton Boswell
- Carolina Jones, HCHS
- Peyton Reid, OCHS
- Lucy Spaw, DCHS
Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year
- Emmitt Brock, AHS
- Wyatt Emmick, HCHS
- Noah Gray, AHS
Bass Fisherman of the Year
- Carson Fitzgerald, THS
- Mason Goodall, AHS
- Brady McBrayer, THS
Softball Player of the Year
Sponsored by First United Bank
- Molly Hancock, DCHS
- Lily Logsdon, OCHS
- Annie Newman, DCHS
Baseball Player of the Year
Sponsored by First United Bank
- Ross Millburn, AHS
- Luke Quinn, OCHS
- Cayden Ray, OHS
Coach of the Year
Sponsored by Owensboro Health
- Jason Morris, OCHS
- Natalie Payne, DCHS
- Doug Sandifer, DCHS
Academic Athlete of the Year
Sponsored by Owensboro Community & Technical College
- This award was created new this year by OT. We reached out to guidance counselors at each school, asking them to identify one female and one male student-athlete who has balanced the demands of athletics and academics with remarkable success. Each of the finalists (one female and one male per school) was honored with an award:
- Eh Htoo Rey Say, AHS
- Emmitt Brock, AHS
- Kate McCain, DCHS
- Brody Brubaker, DCHS
- Baylee Estes, HCHS
- Carson Clark, HCHS
- Sarah Larkin, MCHS
- Landon French, MCHS
- Addie Travis, OHS
- Trevor DeLacey, OHS
- Jaiden Grant, OCHS
- Vince Carrico, OCHS
- Hayden Aull, THS
- Sarah Payne, THS
Tom Watson Resiliency Award
- This award was created new this year by OT. We named it after Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson, whose personal story is one of strength, perseverance, and service. After a tragic accident that resulted in the loss of his leg, Tom never let it slow him down. He coached for years, co-owned Tom Watson’s Prosthetic and Orthotics Labs with his wife Barbara, and has the distinction of being Owensboro’s longest-serving mayor.
- Winner: McLean County High School spring sports
After being hit hard by a historic natural disaster, McLean County didn’t just recover — they came back stronger and are pushing forward with their spring seasons. MCHS Athletic Director Justin Cook and a handful of student-athletes attended to receive the award.
- Winner: McLean County High School spring sports
