Jamie Skrapits, Preston High School athletic director, hosted the event, which honored the 12 teams and gave special recognition to each team’s Most Outstanding Player, Most Improved Player, and Coach’s Award. Skrapits also honored the many scholar-athletes who received First or Second Honors or Commended Achievement for three consecutive quarters.
Each year, a valuable player from Preston’s athletic history is inducted into their Athletic Department Hall of Fame. This year the entire JV Basketball Team of 1996, which won the CHSAA championship, was honored as the players and coaches were inducted.
Since the mid-1990s, Preston has presented awards to selected senior athletes, recalling the dedication of two women, Lou McSwigin and Babe Leath, whose vitality kept the Preston Spirit alive in a competitive sports program.
This year’s winner of the Lou McSwigin Award for displaying “outstanding achievement and commitment to student athletics and sportsmanship” was Carolyn Damo, captain of the varsity volleyball and basketball teams.
Katie Dziuma, also captain of the varsity volleyball and basketball teams, was awarded the Babe Leath Award, for “outstanding commitment to the Preston Sports Program, and for the leadership and spirit exemplified by Babe Leath.”
The final award of the evening, the Donovan Award, given to Preston’s most dedicated fan in honor of Richard Donovan, father of four Preston alumnae who attended every game he could during his time with Preston, was awarded to Sr. Lucille Coldrick.
Sr. Lucille has been Preston’s principal for the past 17 years and is retiring at the end of this school year.
Sr. Lucille is known for her regular attendance at sporting events and for her generous support of the players and athletic program.
