Recognizing this year’s Tully Trophy winners

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, after an eventful 2012-13 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 2012-13 school year.

The third time’s a charm trophy is awarded to the Bellarmine-Jefferson High softball team. The Guards were finally able to win a CIF Southern Section Division VI championship after falling in the title game the previous two years in Division VII. It was just the third CIF championship in school history in any sport.

The tough break trophy goes to Burroughs senior boys’ tennis player Garrett Auproux. The two-time Pacific League singles champion and two-time All-Area Singles Player of the Year suffered a devastating injury, breaking his leg in two places, during a youth tournament in the midst of the season. However, even without their star, the Indians went on to capture a league championship.

The too close for comfort trophy goes to Burbank softball teammates Cailtyn Brooks and Kaitlin Brooks. At least they don’t play the same position, as Caitlyn is a pitcher and Kaitlin is an outfielder — I think.

The sister act trophy is presented to siblings Caitlyn and Tyler Brooks. While Tyler helped lead the Burbank girls’ volleyball team to a share of the Pacific League championship and was voted the league MVP, sis Caitlyn paced the Bulldogs softball team to a league crown while also being named league MVP.

The hate to see you go trophy is given to Providence sophomore basketball sensation Marcus LoVett Jr. LoVett, an All-CIF Player of the Year and the All-Area Player of the Year who is regarded as one of the top athletes in his class in the country, left the school during the season. We will have to see where he winds up.

The what could have been trophy is given to Burbank freshman track and field athlete Josh Cantong. Cantong ran a 50.39-second 400 meters early in the season to account for the top mark for a freshman in the state this year at that time. However, he injured his ankle playing football and was lost for the season. There is word that Cantong will concentrate on only football next season.

The best nickname trophy goes to Burbank girls’ soccer player Natalie Muller, who was known affectionately by her teammates and coaches at “Truck,” because of her ability to drive through opponents.

The that’s why he’s a Hall of Famer trophy goes to Burroughs boys’ soccer Coach Mike Kodama. The veteran coach guided the Indians to the Pacific League championship last season in just his second season returning to the program. Kodama coached the Indians for 22 years after stepping down in 2009. He was inducted into the Burroughs Athletic Hall of Fame the same year.

The no show trophy goes the Burroughs High league championship doubles team. Despite being the No. 1 tennis duo from the Pacific League, the pair never made it to the Southern Section Individual Tournament at the University of Redlands because one of the players, a senior, had to attend a graduation practice.

The playing through the pain trophy is presented to Providence softball player Sierra Nelson. Being essentially the Pioneers’ only pitcher, Nelson continued to take her place in the circle and throw for the team despite suffering from a partially torn ACL. Nelson helped Providence make the playoffs and earn a postseason win.

The what happened? trophy goes to the Burbank softball team. Despite being seeded No. 2 for the CIF Southern Section Division playoffs, the Bulldogs were defeated in the second round.

The making history trophy is given to the Providence boys’ soccer team, which won a league championship for the first time in program history.

The workhorse trophy is given to Bellarmine-Jefferson football player Josh Martinez. When the Guards lost their starting quarterback, Martinez became the team’s only viable offensive weapon at running back. Carrying the majority of the offensive workload, Martinez had 237 carries for 1,813 yards (181.3 yards a game) and averaged 7.7 yards a carry. In addition, he tallied 26 rushing touchdowns. In total, Martinez chalked up nearly 2,100 total yards and had 29 touchdowns and 38 two-point conversions for a total of 250 points on the season.

The Mr. Excitement trophy goes to Burbank girls’ basketball Coach Bruce Breeden. When Breeden is coaching, there is never a dull moment. With his expressions, his variety of emotions, his pacing of the sideline and his bantering with officials and opposing coaches, he is always in rare form.

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