2013-2014 Italy Athletic Banquet honors its student-athletes in grand fashion

Barry Byers Posted June 30, 2014 1:00pm Italy Gladiator Track

Image: Student-athletes, coaches, fans and family members filled the dome for the 2013-2014 Italy Athletic Banquet for the end of the year award presentations. — Student-athletes, coaches, fans and family members filled the dome for the 2013-2014 Italy Athletic Banquet for the end of the year award presentations. (Barry Byers)

With Italy ISD AD/HFC Charles Tindol overseeing the event, there were plenty of special moments during the 2013-2014 Italy Athletic Banquet. The biggest moments were senior TaMarcus Sheppard being named Gladiator of the Year and Kendra Copeland being named Lady Gladiator of the Year. Zain Byers was awarded the David Henderson Scholarship and received a plaque from nephew David Henderson, Baseball Head Coach Jon Cady presented his players with gag gifts that fit each players personality and the late Ann Byers, aka Gladiator Grandma, was named Gladiator Fan of the Year. Ann’s sons Brentley Byers and Barry Byers were presented official Gladiator Fan of the Year T-shirts to wear on her behalf.

Italy Neotribune Editor Kelly Lewis and reporter Barry Byers were recognized by the athletic department for their efforts throughout the school year and Barry was also presented a batting helmet complete with mask to protect his good eye next season.

Each Sport presented top player awards and all student-athletes from grades 9th – 12th were recognized for their participation and achievements. The top awards are listed below:

Athletic Academic Award (Highest GPA):

Girls — Taylor Turner
Boys — Zain Byers

Keith Davis Most Outstanding Male Athlete:

TaMarcus Sheppard

Keith Davis Most Outstanding Female Athlete:

Kendra Copeland

Lady Gladiator Of The Year:

Kendra Copeland

Gladiator Of The Year:

TaMarcus Sheppard

David Henderson Scholarship Award:

Zain Byers

Volleyball:

Offensive MVP — Bailey Eubank
Defensive MVP — Kortnei Johnson
Team MVP — Madison Washington
Fighting Heart Award — Taylor Turner

Football:

Offensive MVP — Trevon Robertson
Defensive MVP — Zain Byers
*Fighting Heart Award — Shad Newman
Jimmy Davis Team MVP Award — TaMarcus Sheppard

Boys Basketball:

Offensive MVP — TaMarcus Sheppard
Defensive MVP — Tyler Anderson
Fighting Heart Award — Cody Boyd
R. Lewis Team MVP Award — Trevon Robertson

Girls Basketball:

Offensive MVP — Shercorya Chance
Defensive MVP — Tara Wallis
Fighting Heart Award — Ryisha Copeland
Team MVP — Kendra Copeland and Kortnei Johnson

Cross Country:

Boys MVP — Mason Womack

Powerlifting:
Boys MVP — Dylan McCasland
Girls MVP — Tara Wallis

Tennis:

Boys MVP — Zain Byers

Softball:

Offensive MVP — Madison Washington and Bailey Eubank
Defensive MVP — Tara Wallis
FIghting Heart Award — Britney Chambers
Nancy Ferguson Team MVP Award — Jaclynn Lewis

Baseball:

Offensive MVP — Cody Boyd
Defensive MVP — Ty Windham
Fighting Heart Award — Tyler Anderson
Loyd Davidson Team MVP Award — Levi McBride

Track:

Boys MVP — TaMarcus Sheppard
Girls MVP — Kortnei Johnson
Most Improved (Girl) — Janae Robertson
Most Improved (Boy) — Eric Carson

Special thanks to Jane Medrano, Flossie Gowin, Robbie Jones, Lisa Jacinto, Heidi Crawford, Karen Mathiowetz, Birdie Bell and Kelly Lewis.

And the Tradition continues…

[[ Click here for additional images ]]

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Tyler Anderson is introduced while being escorted by his parents. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Khumbo Bailey is introduced while being escorted by Coach Bobby Campbell. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Zain Byers is introduced while being escorted by his father. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Eric Carson is introduced while being escorted by his mother. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, cousins Ryisha Copeland and Kendra Copeland are introduced while being escorted by family. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Monserrat Figueroa is introduced while being escorted by her mother and nephew. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Jessica Garcia is introduced while being escorted by Jane Medrano. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Darol Mayberry is introduced while being escorted by his mother. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Cody Medrano is introduced while being escorted by his parents. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Shadrach Newman is introduced while being escorted by his mother. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Trevon Robertson is introduced while being escorted by Larry Mayberry, Sr. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Kevin Roldan is introduced while being escorted by his mother. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, TaMarcus Sheppard is introduced while being escorted by his parents. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Taylor Turner is introduced while being escorted by her mother. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Bailey Walton is introduced while being escorted by his mother. (Barry Byers)

In recognition of Italy’s 2013-2014 senior student-athletes, Paige Westbrook is introduced while being escorted by her parents. (Barry Byers)

Shad Newman and Kendra Copeland are the first recipients of the Marty Haight Scholarship which was presented to them by Marty’s daughter, Hannah Haight. (Barry Byers)

Taylor Turner and Zain Byers are presented certificates for having the highest GPAs among senior athletes by Italy ISD Principal Lee Joffre. (Barry Byers)

In honor of his uncle, David Henderson presents the 2013-2014 David Henderson Scholarship to Zain Byers. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Athletic Booster Club President Flossie Gowin presented scholarships to Ryisha Copeland, Bailey Walton, Eric Carson and Taylor Turner. (Barry Byers)

Booster club representatives Flossie Gowin and Robbie Jones selected Ann Byers as the Gladiator Fan of the Year and presented her sons Barry Byers and Brentley Byers with the official T-shirts to wear in her honor. Guess it’s first-come-first-serve to the reserved parking spot… (Barry Byers)

Kendra Copeland is named Lady Gladiator of the Year and is presented the award by coaches Tina Richards, Morgan Mathews and Melissa Fullmer. (Barry Byers)

TaMarcus “T” Sheppard is named Gladiator of the Year for 2013-2014 by the Italy Coaching Staff as Charles Tindol, Jon Cady, Brandon Ganske, Wayne Rowe, Jackie Cate and father/coach Bobby Campbell stand with pride around the chosen one. (Barry Byers)