Tully Talk: Recognizing the best, and the worst, with the Tully Trophy
Summer is in full force and many local high school athletes are finally getting some time to relax, while others are competing in summer leagues or headed to compete in college after an eventful 2013-14 school year.
The year saw its share of remarkable achievements, successful teams and outstanding individuals who helped make the campaign memorable.
But along with the successes were disappointing moments and unique happenings that deserve recognition.
As is the yearly tradition, these deserving athletes, coaches and events from the four high schools — Burbank, Burroughs, Providence and Bellarmine-Jefferson highs — should be given special treatment.
So, here is this year’s list of Tully Trophy winners. To be a recipient, an individual, team or school has to exhibit meritorious or worthy accomplishment. Either that, or they have to have done something stupid or strange.
So, without further adieu, here are the winners from the 2013-14 school year.
The breakout trophy goes to Burbank distance runner Candela Fernandez. Just a sophomore, the talented athlete placed third at the Pacific League finals, advanced to the Masters Meet in the 1,600 meters during the track and field season and set school records in 1,600 and 3,200.
The best nickname trophy is presented to Providence softball player Christy Hoffman, who is affectionately called “Baywatch.” The nickname is a reference to David Hasselhoff, who starred on “Baywatch” and is called “The Hoff.” I know, it’s a long way to get there.
The it’s been decades trophy is given to the Burbank football team, which made it back to the CIF Southern Section semifinals for the first time since 1927.
The playing through pain trophy is given to Burroughs football player Hawkins Mann. The senior was voted the Pacific League Lineman of the Year despite playing the entire league campaign with a torn meniscus he suffered in a nonleague game.
The running down a dream trophy is awarded to the Burroughs boys’ track and field team and Coach John Peebles. The Indians went 7-0 in the Pacific League to capture the program’s first championship in 17 years, when it was a member of the Foothill League.
The sibling rivalry one-upmanship trophy is given to Burroughs softball pitcher Cheyenne Steward. Cheyenne played two games last season against younger sister, Sabrina, who just happens to play for rival Burbank. The outcome was that Cheyenne got her sister out every time she faced her, as Sabrina went hitless in seven at-bats.
The what happened? trophy goes to the Burbank softball team. Despite being seeded No. 1 for the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs, the Bulldogs were defeated in the second round — for the second year in a row.
The finding a way to win trophy goes to Providence boys’ volleyball Coach Josh Eggleston. With no bona fide impact players and dealing with the loss of most of his team’s offense, Eggleston helped guide the Pioneers to their second straight Liberty League title.
The great athlete on a bad team goes to Burroughs boys’ tennis player Sawyer Patterson. Competing on an Indians team that didn’t even make the playoffs despite being the defending league champion, Patterson lost only once the entire season and captured the Pacific League singles championship for the second consecutive season.
The valiant effort trophy is awarded to the small group of Bell-Jeff football players. Despite being undersized, undertrained, under-skilled and ill-prepared, the Guards players tried to make the best of a tough situation before their season had to be canceled.
The talent-maker trophy is presented to longtime Burroughs boys’ soccer Coach Mike Kodama. This past season the Indians had an All-CIF Southern Section selection in Brandon Gerlach. It was 32nd All-CIF selection for Kodama’s program.
The chatterbox award is given to Burbank softball third baseman Lily Winn. Nobody talks more during a game than Winn, who is constantly encouraging teammates and helping them out with situational updates.
The second to only one goes to Burroughs boys’ pole vaulter Matt Schwartz. It was a goal for Schwartz to cement himself as one of the program’s best vaulters, and he did just that, clearing a height of 15 feet 9 to put him No. 2 on the prestigious Indians all-time list. The senior finished seventh in state in the event.
The you accomplished a great deal trophy goes to the senior members of the Bell-Jeff softball team who were with the program for four years and won four Santa Cruz League championships. They also captured a CIF Southern Section Division VI title in 2013.
The reliable coach award is presented to Burroughs girls’ basketball Coach Vicky Oganyan, who never seems to miss reporting her results and providing information pertaining to the program.
The thanks for stopping by trophy is awarded to former Burroughs boys’ basketball players Amaad Wainright and Rashid Ewing. The two transferred from Kansas City and left school to go back home even before the season was over, missing the Indians’ playoff game.
All this year’s recipients can now come up and accept their awards and please, make your speeches brief.
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Follow Jeff Tully on Twitter: @jefftsports.