The annual athletic banquet brought together student-athletes, coaches, and families to celebrate a year defined not only by wins but by growth, resilience, and leadership across every sport at the school.

Athletes from baseball, basketball (JV White and JV Blue), football, softball, swim, track, cheerleading, golf, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and volleyball were recognized throughout the evening. Coaches nominated athletes for awards within each program, with the coaching staff meeting to discuss and determine each recipient. Major honors such as Senior Athlete of the Year, the Jag Award, and the banquet speaker were selected by the athletic department as a whole.

Coach Ko, who helps organize the event alongside the parent club, said the banquet is designed to celebrate more than athletic performance.

“The banquet is about celebrating the student-athletes and the students,” Coach Costello said. “The lowerclassmen get to look at the seniors finishing their time here and see how they can grow to be similar to them.”

Ko works closely with the parent club to create the banquet’s theme and atmosphere while also coordinating coaches and organizing awards for the event.

This year’s ceremony followed a different format from previous years. Instead of presenting awards chronologically by season, individual sports were recognized first, followed by team sports.

Throughout the night, coaches reflected on the growth many teams experienced during the year. Coach Costello highlighted the progress made in football, particularly the younger players who stepped into larger roles and gained valuable varsity experience.

“There was a lot of growth,” Costello said. “We had guys step up, get quality varsity time, and senior leaders really finish out the group well.”

Track and field also faced significant challenges throughout the season, particularly due to injuries, but athletes persevered. Despite the adversity, the team delivered its strongest district performance yet.

“We had more injuries than we would have liked,” Costello said, “but the athletes kept pushing through adversity.”

Among the team’s standout performers was Julia Brooks, who placed seventh at the state meet in the 300-meter hurdles and also competed in the 100-meter hurdles.

When discussing what defines a successful season, coaches emphasized that victories alone are not the athletic department’s focus.

“Wins are not what make a successful season or year,” Costello said. “It’s about growth and developing skills and habits that help kids while they’re young.”

According to the coaches, the qualities most consistently demonstrated by award winners and team leaders were leadership, humility, hard work, and discipline.

The banquet also highlighted how athletics continue to strengthen the school community as a whole. Coaches noted that the school’s SEC program has grown significantly over the past several years, with increasing attendance in the weight room and the addition of softball and swim programs within the last five years.

Ko said athletics help unify students across different programs and grade levels.

“It brings all the student-athletes together,” Ko said. “When they are together, it strengthens and unifies the entire community.”

One of the athletic moments that best reflected the school’s values came from the girls’ soccer team. Despite injuries and difficult circumstances throughout the season, the team battled adversity to finish second in the district, play, and advance to multiple playoff rounds.

Their perseverance became a central example of the resilience and teamwork celebrated throughout the banquet, qualities coaches hope younger athletes will continue carrying forward in the years ahead.