Celebrate achievements in inaugural, student organized event
In its inaugural athletic awards night, dubbed “Grit, Grind and Glory: Night of Champions,” Mingus Union High School honored about a hundred students based on athletic performance, academic standing and other region or state-wide achievements.
“We had 90 of our student athletes that have either had some kind of postseason recognition through all region or all conference or qualified for a state championship event,” MUHS Athletic Director Yancey DeVore said. “And that’s remarkable when we have roughly 500 or so plus of our students participating in our athletic events throughout the year.”
Many of these students were part of honorific all-region or conference teams.
“In the 4A conference, we have 48 schools, and within the Grand Canyon region we have seven,” DeVore said. “So we’re in one of the toughest regions in all of 4A, so, when we issue these awards, it is a big deal.”
Among the honored students was junior Maddie Babcock, who won flag football Defensive Player of the Year for the entire statewide 4A conference.
“I can’t remember the last time we had not only a region Defensive Player of the Year, or any Player of the Year, … but for us to have a conference player of the Yearout of all the schools in the state of Arizona, with … 50 sacks this year,” DeVore said.
The girls flag football program, now in its second year, also earned the Program of the Year Award. The team went 11-1 in its season, ending ranked third in the state.
The Marauders lost 1410 to the No. 2 Eastmark Firebirds in the state semifinal game.
“Individually, the team [earned] remarkable recognition as well, including 13 Grand Canyon region all players, six for all conference players,” English teacher Molly Quesada said.
Athletes of the Year
Boys basketball head coach Austin Hudson said one of his favorite things as a coach over the past few years is watching the athletes grow. The boy Athlete of the Year came from his team.
“When I came to Mingus, this guy was a freshman, probably 100 pounds soaking wet, hair below his eyes and couldn’t see anything,” he said. “Couldn’t shoot, couldn’t dribble and just worked his butt off, and has just made tremendous strides as a basketball player, but also as a young man.”
The boy Athlete of the Year was senior Ethan Baird.
“In the 4A conference,
Yancey DeVore
we have 48 schools,
and within the Grand Canyon
region we have seven.
So we’re in one of the
toughest regions in all of
4A, so, when we issue
these awards,
it is a big deal.”
MUHS Athletics Director
“Ethan has a cumulative GPA of 3.5,” Hudson said, adding anyone is eligible regardless of GPA or seniority. “He was a team captain for our 22-7 boys basketball team this season, and he was Grand Canyon All-Region First Team.”
The Athletes of the Year get voted on by all coaches, volleyball coach Chelsey Booth said.
The girl Athlete of the Year was senior Lana Booth, one of the volleyball captains and also the No. 1 girls tennis player.
“She consistently showed up for practice with a positive attitude and coachable mentality. She listened when the coaches were talking and made any changes we asked of her,” Booth said. “She … took her leadership very seriously, communicating great with the teammates and coaches, not only did she work hard herself, butalways found encouraging her teammates to be better as well.”
“She has done an incredible job balancing the 4.0 GPA, which she was such a good leader for academics for our volleyball team,” Chelsey Booth said.
Academics
The benchmark for recognition at the awards ceremony was having a 3.5 GPA or higher.
In the first semester, 98 athletes met the benchmark and six teams had an average GPA of 3.5 or higher. Those teams included girls cross country, swim, freshman volleyball, fall cheer and the boys varsity swim team.
“The GPAs of our second semester of athletes with a 3.5 or higher — we had 151 athletes,” said Gretchen Wesbrock, the swimming coach. “That’s amazing. We had seven teams with an average GPA of 3.5 or higher.”
The second semester teams included varsity girls soccer, varsity, junior varsity and freshman girls basketball, girls track and field and boys and girls tennis.
Also holding a 3.7 GPA through her junior year is Alissa Anderson, who took home the Marauder of the Year award.
“The criteria for this award, they’re dedicated to the program, either someone always shows up and tries to improve, has school spirit; they’re a Marauder through and through,” Principal Dave Beery said. “They’re a natural positive leader who gives good advice and looks out for their teammates. This award is not limited to seniors, it’s based on criteria. Coaches are using discretion in determining this winner.”
Anderson has also helped with Unified Sports since its inception in 2024.
The program joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.
The Sports Medicine Internship Program, in its third year, was also recognized for its accomplishments in educating students and providing care at sport events.
“We had seven interns this year, which was kind of an interesting year, because six of those interns were in their second year in the program,” Head Athletics Trainer Mike Allen said.
Beginning in the fall, the program will be limited to seniors.
“I feel like I couldn’t ask for a better group of students to represent sports medicine in our department,” Allen said.
Coaches
The Assistant Coach of the Year was girls flag football assistant coach Cruz Chavez.
“He can often be found studying film, taking detailed notes and analyzing strategies to improve both his coaching and our team’s performance,” senior Dawson Rice read from Head Coach Dave Moncibaez’s nomination letter. “He pours hours into becoming the best coach he can be, always seeking new ways to elevate the program.”
The Coach of the Year award was voted on by the team captains.
“The captain’s club actually came up with the criteria on what a coach of the Year looks like,” DeVore said. “They exemplify great leadership. They’re motivational, influential, guide individuals and teams toward goals. They’re dedicated, committed to athletes in the program. … They run out of season programs consistently provides opportunities outside of the regular season to promote athletes and programs.”
The Coach of the Year was the swimming coach, Gretchen Wesbrock.
