Missouri Military Academy coaches saluted fall sports achievements at an awards banquet Wednesday night in the MMA Dining Hall.
Coach Capt. Ali Syed recognized several athletes for the Class 1, District 4 champion, 17-4 Colonels, including most valuable player midfielder Jose Benites and most improved player goalkeeper Aldo Sanchez, both seniors.
The team’s five seniors were co-captains, including Benites, Sanchez, Devin Lang, Dennis Newman and Kyu Won (David) Lee.
Junior forward Juan Pablo De Esesarte was recognized for most goals and junior midfielder Sung Chan (Daniel) Lee for most assists. Junior midfielder Eduardo Benites was the winner of the “best goal” award, Newman got the senior leadership award, junior Ricardo Ruvalcaba was recognized with the most versatile role player honors, sophomore forward Zach Gustafson was named newcomer of the year, junior Thomas Williams was defensive player of the year, Lang won the most dedicated player award and sophomore Federico Arreola was top offensive player.
The seniors had a soccer ball signed for “team mom” Lt. Marcie Tarbox, who drove to nearly every game from Columbia, Ill., and often bought treats to support the team.
The young Colonels swim team of Maj. Michael Pemberton was led by double award winner Xin Rui Zhao, who was the winner of the Col. Ron Rosendahl Trophy for most improved swimmer, and shared the most valuable swimmer award with sophomore Matt Doughty.
Zhao won the best stroke award for the breast stroke and Doughty for the freestyle. Sophomore Hunter Dock was tops in the butterfly and junior Alex Yeakel in the backstroke.
Swim captains were sophomore Nick Helverson and junior Josh Beyer.
In cross country, coach Maj. Lawrence McClarey recognized freshman Carlos Patino as most improved runner, and senior Thomas Clubb as most valuable runner. Senior Glenn Petty was team captain.
The 3-7 football Colonels of Capt. Brian Maher earned several accolades as well, led by co-most valuable players senior Chris Henderson and junior Robert Carrillo, both running backs and linebackers.
The coaches’ award for dedication went to freshman defensive back Johanan Mansur, and the senior improvement award was won by lineman Anthony Wurl. Junior linemen Tarik Aguilera and James Schwank shared the most improved player honors.
Captains for the grid Colonels were Carrillo, Henderson, Will Judice, Wurl and Derek Wilson.
Football manager Roy “Max” Roberts received a special citation with the Workhorse Award, presented by Capt. Maher, MMA athletics director.
Four cadets were also inducted into the M-Club for two-sport lettermen, including Henderson, Gabriel Villasenor, Eduardo Benites and Carrillo. Villasenot had the unique privilege to honor in soccer and football at the same time as a kicker/punter for the football team and midfielder on the soccer squad.