Awards given to high school and middle schoolers
By Michael Hoffer
Freeport recently bestowed winter sports awards upon its high school and middle school athletes.
Boys’ basketball named Jon Klages its Most Valuable Player. The team’s Coaches’ Award went to Wesley Skold. Tom Curry won the Booster’s Pride and Character Award.
The junior varsity team gave its Athletic Excellence Awards to Kyle Strozewski and Josh Weirich. Spencer Bernier won the Booster’s Pride and Character Award.
On the girls’ side, Kristen Poulin was named MVP. Kari Oransky won the Coaches’ Award. Lucy Whitacre took home the Booster’s Pride and Character Award.
The JV team gave its Athletic Excellence Awards to Molly Curry and Erin Hall. Katee Poulin won the Booster’s Pride and Character Award.
The Alpine ski team gave its Most Improved Skier awards to Sadie Russell and Jaceb Smith-Sitnick. Monika Krahn and Ian Morency won Booster’s Pride and Character Awards.
On the Nordic side of things, Scott Ross and Molly Susla were chosen as Most Valuable Skiers. Coaches’ Awards went to Max Jennings and Krista Bennatti-Roberts. Melanie Ross and Spencer Egan took home Booster’s Pride and Character Awards.
On the track, Caroline Davis and Connor Yost won Athletic Excellence Awards. Henry Loughlin and Jaimee McCormack were Booster’s Pride and Character Award winners.
All-Conference, all-state and Forecaster Winter Athletes of the Year will be announced in future editions.

Middle schoolers
As always, Freeport also paid tribute to its stars of the future, the middle schoolers.
Athletic Excellence Awards were given to the following:
Alpine skiing: Elly Bengston, Blake Enrico, Ryder Pennell, Eli Pier
Nordic skiing: Emily Johnson, Max Maurer
8th grade boys’ basketball: Arbin Berkemeyer, Connor Dietrich
7th grade boys’ basketball: Cam Buthlay, Mark Donahue
8th grade girls’ basketball: Aubrey Mehlhorn, Reiley Parker
7th grade girls’ basketball: Nina Davenport, Emily Morang
Sports Booster’s Pride and Character Awards were given to the following:
Alpine skiing: Brady Davis, Ashley Taylor
Nordic skiing: Hannah Williams
8th grade boys’ basketball: Landon Easler
7th grade boys’ basketball: Shane Crean
‘A’ team boys’ basketball: Gage Golding
8th grade girls’ basketball: Paige Bushey
7th grade girls’ basketball: Katie McClelland
Congratulations to all of Freeport’s finest for a wonderful winter season!.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net