Navajo Times All-Stars for fall sports represent the best
The recipients for the coaches and player of the year include (bottom from left to right) Monument Valley’s Rennell Gilmore (volleyball), Navajo Pine’s Annoesika Laughlin (cross-country), Window Rock’s Chamique Duboise (cross-country), Monument Valley’s Ohiyah Shirley (volleyball), Navajo Prep’s Jasmine Coleman (volleyball) and Ramah’s Deana Larson (volleyball). Top row, from left to right, Window Rock’s Delano Walker (football), Miyamura’s Niles Thomas (cross-country), Miyamura’s Josiah Shank (football), Miyamura’s Wes Shank (football) and Piedra Vista’s Joseph Denney (soccer).
SHIPROCK
With over a hundred local athletes in attendance at the Phil L. Thomas Performing Arts Center Monday morning for the Navajo Times All-Star Awards, the recognition of their athletic performances were the center of attention.
“Everyone has a story, that is one of the great things about being a sportswriter,” said Navajo Times Sports Editor Quentin Jodie to the crowd of athletes, coaches and parents in attendance.
Jodie introduced the rest of the Navajo staff and former Wingate High School coach Donald Pine, who served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
“Don’t let this be the highlight of your life,” said Pine. “Use this to spring board yourself further.”
Pine is currently the acting principal at Lake Valley Navajo School, and has coached the girls’ basketball team for Chooshgai Community School in Tohatchi, N.M., served 10 years as an assistant football coach and three years as the head football coach for the Wingate Bears.
Pine talked about his philosophy about the four pillars every athlete should acknowledge. To be successful in sports it begins with the athletes’ attitude. He also encouraged the athletes to keep working hard and to keep pursuing goals as a young athlete.
The athletes were then named off one by one to the stage and collected their awards and certificates.
Ohiyah Shirley, a senior for Monument Valley, took home an all-star certificate and the award for athlete of the year in volleyball.
“It’s a great feeling and an honor to win this award,” said Shirley, who will attend Northern Arizona University next fall where she plans to play volleyball.
She overcame an ankle injury and helped her team to the state semifinal and championship game, where the Monument Valley Lady Mustangs won the 2A state title.
“I’m thankful for my teammates,” said Shirley. “It was the best season throughout high school, knowing that I ended my senior year as a state champ.”
Also receiving the player of the year award in volleyball was Navajo Prep’s Jasmine Coleman.
“I feel great and I wouldn’t have been here without my Navajo Prep teammates who were there to push me,” said Coleman, who also mentioned that her coach, Rainy Crisp, encouraged her to never give up.
Coleman said she is looking forward to another year of volleyball and hopes to attend the University of Connecticut as a basketball player when she graduates from Navajo Prep.
Coach of the year for football went to Miyamura head coach Wes Shank, who had an overall record of 9-2.
“It’s a reflection on the kids we had this year,” said Shank. “We got a great bunch of kids that worked extremely hard, they were committed.”
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow