By Jamie Dymond
LIBERTY — June 17, 2003 – Liberty Varsity Athletes, their parents and coaches celebrated the end of another school year last Thursday night with dinner in the high school cafeteria.
An awards ceremony complete with plaques and trophies immediately followed.
To begin the ceremony, current Athletic Director Tim Bult honored the first two athletic directors in the district, Charles Witherwax and Harry Rapenske, with Liberty baseball caps. Witherwax served Liberty School District from 1951-1973. Rapenske took over in 1973 and retired in 1984.
During the presentation, there were several stand-out athletes who were called to the stage more than twice to accept awards. They included senior Nick Christian who received plaques for Most Improved Member of the Golf Team; Best Offensive Player on the Basketball Team and the Kavleski Award, a Track Scholar-Athlete Award.
In addition, Christian took home the Ivan Richards Award for most valuable basketball player and the Elizabeth Totten Sportsmanship Award.
The Tom Kelly Award for outstanding male senior athlete was earned by Renauld Buck. He was also named Best in Field and Track.
Another Liberty athlete worthy of kudos was Dan Ratner who was recognized as the MVP in wrestling and Most Improved in baseball.
The Bo Gill Award for perseverance went to Doug Yaun. Yaun was also given a plaque for Best Defense in soccer.
Megan Baxter was recognized for the contributions she made to Liberty track, indoor track and soccer. She was voted Most Valuable member of the track and indoor track teams. In addition, Baxter excelled in school and was honored with a trophy for being the girls soccer scholar athlete and a plaque for being the track scholar athlete.
Andrea TerBush was named outstanding female senior athlete. She was also voted MVP in tennis, softball and basketball.
Kate Yaun was honored with the Elizabeth Totten Sportsmanship Award and the Coaches Award in basketball. Ashton Richards and Christine Waryha were honored with the Charlie Barbuti Sportsmanship Award and each given a check for $500.
Each coach spoke briefly about the stars who suit up in the red Indian uniforms and continue to compete at a high level, making their community proud.