Arlington, TX - The most anticipated night of the school year for all student-athletes went off without a hitch again as Jay Fitzgerald and team put on another night for the ages. The annual event held to celebrate the successes of all Vikings student-athletes was held at the iconic Arlington Music Hall. Hosted by seniors Patrick Hoffman and Katie Hoang, honors ranging from best team, best moment and the prestigious Don Thompson Memorial award were handed out Saturday night.
“The kids love the first Saturday night in May and so do the parents. To be able to showcase all the gifts our student-athletes have, makes each year at the VSPYS, the greatest show in the world,” director and organizer Fitzgerald said.
Senior Beatrice Birbeck had herself a night to remember. Birbeck capped the night winning the Don Thompson Memorial Award, which is named in honor of Thompson, who gave his life protecting our country in 1970. Birbeck also took home the award for Female Scholar Athlete, presented to a female student athlete with the highest GPA as well as the Viking Hero Award, given to an athlete who has performed hours and hours of volunteer work within the community.
Freshman sensation Suli Davis won female newcomer of the year as female athlete of the year.
Seniors Johnny Gonzalez and Patrick Hoffman took home a few honors on the boys side. Gonzalez won the T Award giving to the best boys soccer player. Gonzalez was also a part of The Trio, along with seniors Dalton Seger and Ian Angulo, who won best fan.
Hoffman, who was honored for the second consecutive year as boys basketball player of the year, also won male athlete of the year.
“I look forward to this night each year to celebrate all of our great athletes, both on and off the field and court,” associate athletic director Kevin Arduino said.
Boys soccer took home team of the year and also won game of the year, as they defeated long-time postseason rival El Paso Cathedral in the opening round, propelling them to the state championship match.
“The parents love this night just as much as our kids do which makes the VSPYS even better. The job Jay and his team do year in and year out never ceases to amaze me. He has a gift and I can not wait to see what he pulls off next year,” head boys basketball coach Dylan Dudley concluded.
The list of awards and winners is below.
LORENZETTI LEADERSHIP AWARD - Emily Grimes, Track & Field
VIKING CLUB AWARD - Julie Potts
BEST CLUTCH PLAYER - Joe Jackman, Cross Country & Track
NOLAN HEART AWARD - Mitchell Orlowski, Boys Basketball
BEST MALE TEAM GPA - Boys Tennis
BEST FEMALE TEAM GPA - LVS
MARY ELLEN BRYNES AWARD - Janet Thomas
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER - Samu Vave, Football
ALL-AMERICAN AWARD - Curlee Thomas, Football
T AWARD Female - Ashlyn Wessel, LVS
BEST COMEBACK PLAYER - TJ Willams, Football
IRON VIKING AWARD - Yarelly Castillo, Volleyball & Girls Basketball
COURAGE AWARD - Skyler Patterson, Football
BEST MANAGER - Olivia Vasquez & Nhi Mai, Girls Basketball
BEST MALE NEWCOMER - Myron Bard, Boys Soccer
BEST MOMENT - Boys & Girls Track & Field
BEST MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE - Chi Nyguen, Boys Tennis
BEST COACH - Josh Blok, Girls Basketball
BEST DRESSED Male - Curlee Thomas, Football
BEST DRESSED Female - Faith Morano, Athletic Training