by Ryan Mosher
On Wednesday night Berlin High School hosted the fall sports awards to honor the fall season athletes. The first order of business for Athletic Director Art Schmich was to honor two very special people to the Athletic Department. Bob and Liz Miller are a constant figure at sports games and have been for quite some time. This year the couple donated a scoreboard for the soccer field. The scoreboard is green and gold and in the shape of a soccer ball. Mr. Miller, the seventh grade English teacher, and Mrs. Miller, the former seventh grade Social Studies teacher and current School Board member, received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance as Schmich asked them to come to the front of the auditorium. In addition to the plaque that was given to the Millers, the girls soccer team gave them a team photo, taken in front of the new scoreboard.
This fall Berlin fielded eleven teams in three different sports. The girls varsity soccer team had a great season, finishing 10-4, including beating rival New Lebanon two times and beating Emma Willard in a thrilling overtime game at the end of the season. Emily Dooley and Erin Hogan were named 1st Team All-Stars. Lindsey DePaolis was named to the 2nd Team All-Stars while Rachel Ferris and Alicia Walker were Honorable Mentions. Coach Berschwinger gave her Most Improved Player (MIP) award to Rachel Ferris and her Most Valuable Player (MVP) award to Erin Hogan. The boys soccer team also had a great season ending in a very hard fought sectional game at Middleburgh. Brent Demick and Drew Webster were both named 1st Team All-Stars, while Shawn Willis and Jacob Staples were named 2nd Team All-Stars. Coach Schmich gave his MIP award to senior John Zwack and his MVP award to goalie Brent Demick.
The girls volleyball team had some very close games this season and played very well together. Mikky Richards, Kyah Stevens and Victoria Muller were all Honorable Mention All-Stars. Coach Slaver gave his MIP award to Kyah Stevens and his MVP award to Becky Winn.
Both the boys and girls cross country teams had outstanding years, each sending two runners to the State championship meet. The girls team won their fourth consecutive Patroon Conference championship with Kelsey Demick winning her third individual title. On the boys side, Casey Gilbert won both the Patroon Conference meet and the Section 2 Class D title on his way to a third place finish in the State championships. Coach Ingraham was very proud of his boys this year and was overwhelmed with the number of runners he had for his boys team. His MIPs were Rachel Thomas and Rocco Farrano. His MVPs were Ashley Rokjer and Cody Blain.