Apollo senior Ryan Gatton earned a top state honor Tuesday, as he was named the 2019-20 Midway University/KHSAA Male Bowling Student-Athlete of the Year.
The award is based on athletic and academic achievement as well as community service and leadership.
“I am honored and happy that all my hard work in the alley and in my academics has been recognized,” Gatton said. “I have put my heart into both my whole life.”
Gatton recently wrapped up his bowling career with an 11th-place finish in the Region 1 tournament. He competed for seven years as a varsity member of the Apollo bowling team.
“His dad (Steve) and I of course are extremely proud of Ryan,” said Ryan’s mom and Apollo head coach Kerrie Gatton. “He had a great senior season, raising his average over 20 pins and leading his team all season long. His academic record also shows what kind of work ethic Ryan has — he commits to do well in all he takes on.”
Achievements in the classroom and community that helped him earn the award include:
• Apollo Beta Club and National Honor Society
• KHSAA Academic All-State 1st Team for Bowling
• Volunteer with Special Olympics Bowling tournaments
• 2019 Recipient of DAR Good Citizens Award for Apollo
• 35 ACT/ 4.273 weighted GPA
“Community projects like working at the Special Olympics Bowling tournaments and now spending afternoons at my old elementary school (Burns Elementary) are really important to me and close to my heart,” Gatton said. “The Special Olympics Bowling tournament each year is so much fun and reminds me why I truly love my sport. So many people love to bowl and those athletes really love the game.”
Gatton is the first male bowler to receive the state award. The program originally began in the spring of 2016 as a way for Midway University to honor female student-athletes, and now includes male and female student-athletes for all KHSAA-sanctioned sports and sport-activities.
The award is based on excellence in community service (20%), academics (20%) and athletic performance (60%). The recipients are chosen by a panel of representatives from Midway University.
All winners will be recognized at an awards banquet at Midway University in early June 2020. From the winners selected for each KHSAA championship, one will be selected as the 2019-2020 Midway University/KHSAA Student-Athlete of the Year.
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