Dan River soccer, track, hold award ceremonies

Recently, Dan River High School's soccer and outdoor track teams each held separate award ceremonies in June.

The Wildcats' girls' soccer team held its ceremony in the school cafeteria. Dan River celebrated their season, one where they set new records in the following: Best record (13-4-1), most shutouts (7), most team goals (67), and most players to score a goal (14).

Girls' coach Tim Saunders also presented four awards to the team. Senior Kathryn Saunders was named the team's MVP after leading the Wildcats in scoring as well as earning All-District and All-Region honors. The Players’ Choice award went to sophomore captain Jenna Fletcher while the Coach’s Award went to junior Zomer Dauthe. Freshman Charlotte Hodnett was honored with the Most Improved Player award.

DR's boys' soccer team held a team pool party where they recognized All-District selections. Senior Nathan Blevins was named the team's Most Valuable Player; Blevins — who will continue his soccer career at Averett — was the 2022 Dogwood District Player of the Year this season. Senior Ryan Fulk was presented the Coach's Award from head coach John Robinson. Fulk was also selected to the All-District First Team. Sophomore Caleb Brown was named the Most Improved Player for 2022.

Dan River's track teams held its awards banquet in the high school cafeteria on June 27. Varsity letters, track pins, and bars, as well as medals from the Region 2C and Class 2 state championships were presented after the dinner. Each team presented four plaques for specific awards.

Seniors swept the four awards for the Lady Wildcats. Jade Marable was named the Most Outstanding Runner. Jade, who will run track at Mary Baldwin, was the team's top runner in the 200 and 400, as well as a leg on the 4x800 and 4x400 relays. Jayla Marable was the Coaches' Award recipient this season as she served as a mentor to the younger hurdlers on the squad. Jayla, who will run track at Christopher Newport University, qualified for states in both hurdles and on the 4x400 relay.

Distance runner Alyssa McFalls was presented the Most Improved Award as she vastly brought down her times in the 800, 1600, and 3200. McFalls, who will run cross country and track at Montreat College, set school records in the 800 and 1600 this season. She was also part of the 2021 state champion 4x800 relay team, along with Emily Saunders, Jayla Marable and Jade Marable. Jasmyn Noble was named the Most Outstanding Field Eventer as she qualified for states in the shot out. Noble competed in the shot, discus, triple jump, and long jump — qualifying for regionals in the shot and triple jump.

For the second year in a row, the Most Outstanding Runner went to Asa Fletcher. The running phenom capped off a sensational sophomore season with Class 2 state titles in both the 800 and 1600, as well as a national title in the one-mile at the Adidas Track Nationals over a week ago. Fletcher now holds the school record in the 800, 1600, and one mile runs.

Junior Jacob Richardson was named the boys' team Most Improved Athlete. In his first ever varsity sport, Richardson became the team's top discus thrower and qualified for states. Coaches Award was presented to sophomore Cameron Finney-Martin. Finney-Martin ran in the sprints and on the 4x100 relay at times, serving as an alternate at state. Junior Owen McMillin was named the Most Outstanding Athlete in Field Events as he qualified for states in the shot put. McMillin placed either first or second all season and had the best shot put throw in the district.