2013 athletic banquet honors Italy’s student-athletes for their accomplishments

Image: Italy High School senior Cole Hopkins is named the 2013 Gladiator of the Year as he stands proud with the coaches that helped him and his teammates along the way. Pictured are (L-R): Hank Hollywood, Josh Ward, Larry Mayberry, Sr., Cole Hopkins, Brian Coffman, Wayne Rowe and Nate Skelton.

Italy High School senior Cole Hopkins is named the 2013 Gladiator of the Year as he stands proud with the coaches that helped him and his teammates along the way. Pictured are (L-R): Hank Hollywood, Josh Ward, Larry Mayberry, Sr., Cole Hopkins, Brian Coffman, Wayne Rowe and Nate Skelton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School senior Alyssa Richards is named the 2013 Lady Gladiator of the Year as she stands proud with the coaches that helped her and her teammates along the way. Pictured are (L-R): Lindsey Coffman, Alyssa Richards, Jessika Robinson and mother/coach Tina Richards.

Italy High School senior Alyssa Richards is named the 2013 Lady Gladiator of the Year as she stands proud with the coaches that helped her and her teammates along the way. Pictured are (L-R): Lindsey Coffman, Alyssa Richards, Jessika Robinson and mother/coach Tina Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy HS and CBI instructor Brenda Davis and her son Keith Davis, who is on hand to present the Keith Davis Award, enjoy the pre-ceremony meal catered by Texas Best Smokehouse of Italy.

Italy HS and CBI instructor Brenda Davis and her son Keith Davis, who is on hand to present the Keith Davis Award, enjoy the pre-ceremony meal catered by Texas Best Smokehouse of Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Receiving the 2012 Keith Davis Award are Alyssa Richards and Ryheem Walker as Keith Davis and his mother Brenda Davis present the award. In a nice touch, Both Richards and Walker receive separate personalized plaques to keep while the eternal plaques remain at the school.

Receiving the 2012 Keith Davis Award are Alyssa Richards and Ryheem Walker as Keith Davis and his mother Brenda Davis present the award. In a nice touch, Both Richards and Walker receive separate personalized plaques to keep while the eternal plaques remain at the school. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Kortnei Johnson is presented the girls Track MVP Award from Coach Hank Hollywood. Johnson earned two UIL State championship medals while breaking two state sprint records in both the 100 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash.

Sophomore Kortnei Johnson is presented the girls Track MVP Award from Coach Hank Hollywood. Johnson earned two UIL State championship medals while breaking two state sprint records in both the 100 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Morgan Cockerham enjoys the banquet along with her classmates.

Senior Morgan Cockerham enjoys the banquet along with her classmates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seniors Marvin Cox and Chase Hamilton share a laugh during the banquet but as teammates they always took competing seriously.

Seniors Marvin Cox and Chase Hamilton share a laugh during the banquet but as teammates they always took competing seriously. (Barry Byers)

Image: Monserrat Figueroa, Taylor Turner and Zain Byers are enthralled by the suspense of the award presentations.

Monserrat Figueroa, Taylor Turner and Zain Byers are enthralled by the suspense of the award presentations. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School senior Alyssa Richards is named the 2013 Team MVP in softball.

Italy High School senior Alyssa Richards is named the 2013 Team MVP in softball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy High School sophomore Jaclynn Lewis is named the 2013 Offensive MVP in softball.

Italy High School sophomore Jaclynn Lewis is named the 2013 Offensive MVP in softball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Softball assistant coach Michael Chambers presents Kelsey Nelson and Madison Washington with the 2013 Defensive MVP award in softball.

Softball assistant coach Michael Chambers presents Kelsey Nelson and Madison Washington with the 2013 Defensive MVP award in softball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Softball assistant coach Michael Chambers presents senior Katie Byers and junior Paige Westbrook with the 2013 Nancy Ferguson Carter Fighting Heart Award in Softball.

Softball assistant coach Michael Chambers presents senior Katie Byers and junior Paige Westbrook with the 2013 Nancy Ferguson Carter Fighting Heart Award in Softball.

Image: Sophomore Tara Wallis receives the 2013 girls Powerlifting MVP Award from Coach Hank Hollywood.

Sophomore Tara Wallis receives the 2013 girls Powerlifting MVP Award from Coach Hank Hollywood. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior Shad Newman receives the 2013 Boys Powerlifting MVP Award from Coach Hank Hollywood.

Junior Shad Newman receives the 2013 Boys Powerlifting MVP Award from Coach Hank Hollywood. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Cole Hopkins receives the Boys Team MVP Award in basketball with assistant varsity basketball coach Josh Ward making the presentation.

Senior Cole Hopkins receives the Boys Team MVP Award in basketball with assistant varsity basketball coach Josh Ward making the presentation. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Marvin Cox receives the Boys Offensive MVP Award in basketball with assistant varsity basketball coach Josh Ward making the presentation.

Senior Marvin Cox receives the Boys Offensive MVP Award in basketball with assistant varsity basketball coach Josh Ward making the presentation. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Ryheem Walker receives the boys Defensive MVP Award in basketball with assistant varsity basketball coach Josh Ward making the presentation.

Senior Ryheem Walker receives the boys Defensive MVP Award in basketball with assistant varsity basketball coach Josh Ward making the presentation. (Barry Byers)

Image: CBI instructors Brenda Davis and Teresa Young, along with AD/HFC Coach Hank Hollywood, present CBI student Katie Connor with a certificate as she stands proud with her Special Olympic medals. Connor was also presented her Italy Gladiator letterman jacket which certainly fired up the Italy Coliseum crowd.

CBI instructors Brenda Davis and Teresa Young, along with AD/HFC Coach Hank Hollywood, present CBI student Katie Connor with a certificate as she stands proud with her Special Olympic medals. Connor was also presented her Italy Gladiator letterman jacket which certainly fired up the Italy Coliseum crowd. (Barry Byers)

Image: CBI instructors Brenda Davis and Teresa Young, along with AD/HFC Coach Hank Hollywood, present senior CBI student Blake Vega with a certificate as he stands proud with his Special Olympic medals around his neck.

CBI instructors Brenda Davis and Teresa Young, along with AD/HFC Coach Hank Hollywood, present senior CBI student Blake Vega with a certificate as he stands proud with his Special Olympic medals around his neck. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Hank Hollywood and principal Lee Joffre present senior Reid Jacinto with the boys Athletic Academic Award and senior Alyssa Richards with the girls Athletic Academic Award.

Coach Hank Hollywood and principal Lee Joffre present senior Reid Jacinto with the boys Athletic Academic Award and senior Alyssa Richards with the girls Athletic Academic Award. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Football’s team MVP Awards were presented to Zain Byers, who is the Gladiator Defensive MVP, Ryheem Walker, who is the Gladiator Offensive MVP and Marvin Cox is the Gladiator Team MVP.

Italy Football’s team MVP Awards were presented to Zain Byers, who is the Gladiator Defensive MVP, Ryheem Walker, who is the Gladiator Offensive MVP and Marvin Cox is the Gladiator Team MVP. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant coach, Wayne Rowe, presents the Jimmy Davis Memorial Fighting Heart Award (for football) to senior Gladiators’ Reid Jacinto and Cole Hopkins.

Assistant coach, Wayne Rowe, presents the Jimmy Davis Memorial Fighting Heart Award (for football) to senior Gladiators’ Reid Jacinto and Cole Hopkins. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant baseball coach, Brian Coffman presents the Italy Fighting Heart Award to Gladiators Kevin Roldan and Gladiator Chase Hamilton.

Assistant baseball coach, Brian Coffman presents the Italy Fighting Heart Award to Gladiators Kevin Roldan and Gladiator Chase Hamilton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Alyssa Richards, AD/HFC Hank Hollywood and senior Chase Hamilton present dedicated Gladiator football fan, Richard Cook, with a Gladiator football helmet signed by all the players of the 2012 State semifinalists team.

Senior Alyssa Richards, AD/HFC Hank Hollywood and senior Chase Hamilton present dedicated Gladiator football fan, Richard Cook, with a Gladiator football helmet signed by all the players of the 2012 State semifinalists team. (Barry Byers)

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