And the winners are

Summer is almost here, and most local high school athletes are finally getting some time to relax after an eventful 2090-10 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 ado, here are the lucky winners:

• The Never-say-die trophy goes to venerable Memorial Field. Just like a creature in a horror movie that just never seems be killed off, the stadium lives on after construction on a new facility was postponed until the winter. Will the 2009 football season be the last for the worn-down relic? Stay tuned.

• The Breaker-of-the-drought trophy goes to Burbank High junior Adam Colman. As a quarterback, he helped lead the Bulldogs football team to a share of their first league title in 37 years. As a member of the boys’ basketball team, he assisted Burbank in getting to the CIF Southern Section Division IIVV semifinals for the first time in 43 years.

• The Freshman-impact trophy goes to Providence first-year athlete Marylin Petrov. Running the girls’ 100-meter hurdles, she was the first Pioneers track and field athlete in years to advance to the CIF Southern Section finals.

• The American-Idol trophy is given to Bellarmine-Jefferson girls’ basketball player Jasmine Smith. Along with being an All-CIF and an All-Area standout for the Guards, Smith has also has signing talent, as she often belts out an excellent rendition of the “National Anthem” at Bell-Jeff home games.

• The Upset-of-the-year trophy is award to the Burroughs boys’ volleyball team. The Indians defeated perineal-league-champion Claremont — which was ranked No. 5 in Division II — at home, 25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 25-1. The win helped Burroughs earn a share of the Pacific League championship.

• The Surprise-surprise trophy goes to the Bell-Jeff girls’ volleyball team. It wasn’t surprising that the Guards won their fourth straight Santa Cruz League championship. However, it was a surprise when Bell-Jeff advanced to its first CIF Southern Section title match. Unfortunately, the Guards fell in the Division IVA final to Upland Christian Academy, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23.

• The Gutsy-call trophy is awarded to Burbank football Coach Hector Valencia. In a Pacific League game against Muir, Valencia called for a two-point conversion attempt in overtime. The play worked, as Burbank scored to win the contest, 29-28.

• The Do-a-little-dance trophy goes to Burbank softball player Kassy Uchida, who does a little bunny hop dance every time she steps into the batter’s box.

• The What-in-the-world-is-that trophy is awarded to the new Burroughs mascot. At football games, the school trotted out a person in a character costume, complete with a big black hat and suit and white hair and beard. It is suppose to be John Burroughs, the naturalist and essayist. However, the mascot looks more like Rip Van Winkle.

• The Versatility trophy goes to Burbank runner Greg Dotson. An accomplished distance athlete, he placed second in state in the 800 meters. But the senior proved he has some speed as well, winning the 200 in a league meet against Burroughs.

• The Thanks-for-the-advice trophy goes to Burroughs track and cross-country Coach John Peebles, who often suggests what would make for a good Tully Talk column.

All this year’s recipients can now come up and accept their awards, and please, make your speeches brief.