Receiving various athlete awards were Trotwood-Madison High School senior running back Ra’veion Hargrove, University of Dayton senior women’s basketball player Jenna Burdette, Wright State senior men’s basketball player Grant Benzinger, Notre Dame senior basketball player Kathryn Westbeld, Miami junior field hockey player Paula Portugal and Alter tennis coach Charlie Painter.
The event was emceed by NCAA executive Oliver Luck, former a quarterback with the Houston Oilers. He’s a Cleveland native and father of current Colts QB Oliver Luck.
Beno Keiter/Russ Guerra Memorial Award: Hargrove concluded a spectacular Rams career by being named Ohio's Gatorade player of the year, rushing for 2,264 yards and 30 touchdowns and leading the Rams (15-0) to the Division III state championship.
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Just 5 feet 7 and 160 pounds, Hargrove totaled 7,364 rushing yards and 100 TDs at Trotwood from 2014-17. His 3,039 yards rushing as a sophomore in the 2015 season is an all-time area best and ranks among the top 10 all-time in the state. He has signed with Bowling Green.
The Keiter/Guerra award recognizes an area high school athlete.
Joe Gavin/Joe Quinn Memorial Award: Burdette was a four-year starter at the point for UD. As a senior she led the Flyers in scoring (16.5) and had 97 assists. She had a .471 shooting percentage average and converted 81 percent of her free throws. She also was named first team All-Atlantic 10.
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The Gavin/Quinn award recognizes a UD athlete.
Dr. Dave Reese Memorial Award: Benzinger was a key reason why WSU won the Horizon League tournament and advanced to the NCAA tournament. He ranked eighth in the league in scoring (14.6), was first in free throw percentage (89.1), third in 3-point percentage and fifth in minutes played. He also was first team All-Horizon League.
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The Reese award recognizes a WSU athlete.
Dave Hall Memorial Award: Westbeld was a three-year starter and played in every game for the Irish. She capped her career by helping ND win the NCAA championship this past season. A Fairmont grad, she hit double digits in scoring 34 times.
The Hall award recognizes a Dayton-area athlete who attends school outside the area.
Bill Gunlock Award: A junior for the RedHawks, Portugal was the Mid-American Conference player of the year and a second-team All-American. She had 20 goals, 12 assists and 52 points this past season, one of only six players in the nation to reach 50 points. She also ranks fourth all-time in Miami scoring.
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The Gunlock award recognizes a Miami athlete.
Mike Kelly/Don Donoher Coach's Award: Painter has coached boys and girls tennis at Carroll, Franklin, Fenwick, Oakwood, Beavercreek and currently Alter since 1982. He also was WSU's women's coach for 10 seasons.
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He owns 729 career wins and was named the USPTA Midwest High School coach of the year in 2012. He also won the Ohio High School Athletic Association Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award in 2014.
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