Fannin County High School Rebel families celebrated their wrestlers’ achievements at the wrestling team’s end of season banquet Monday, April 28.
“He broke his hand early on in the season, so he was out most of the season and came back at the end and still made it to state. We’re very proud of him,” Robert Pool said of his son, senior Landon Poole.
Poole was among the athletes honored at the event for their achievements this season.
“Success in wrestling cannot be determined just on what the rest of us see,” wrestling coach David Henson said.
The team’s hard work during summer training led to success during the season, he said.
The first award Henson gave out was the letter award.
Noah Thompson, MJ Summer, Landon Poole, Logan Thompson, Braylin Merrell, Conrad Head, Bentlee Jackson, Dalton Stiles, Wyatt Redlhammer, Lake Cantrell, Bridgett Allen, Mikayla Holloway, Venice Oliver, Emma Shaw, Copland Thomas, Jason McDaniel, Carson Heinrich-Towle, Alex Cruse, Makenzie Duvall and manager Shianne Baker all received the award.
The academic awards went to Landon Poole, Venice Oliver, Bentlee Jackson, Conrad Head, Makenzie Duvall and Cooper Born.
These students all achieved GPAs 3.5 and above during wrestling season.
The Rookie awards went to Bentlee Jackson and Bridgett Allen.
Henson said these awards go to students with no wrestling background who “demonstrate a desire to get better, and they practice, they continue to work to get better, and they want to learn at all times.”
The Most Improved awards went to Noah Thompson and Venice Oliver.
These two wrestlers “made some of the greatest strides” during the season, Henson said.
The Rebel award went to Copland Thomas.
This reward represents that “you want to be the best version of you, and that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to find success,” Henson said.
The Forged awards went to Conrad Head and Ethan Sasaki.
This award honors students who have worked to improve each other and their team.
“That’s what it takes, working together, making each other better,” Henson said.
The Most Outstanding Wrestler awards went to Mikayla Holloway, Logan Thompson and Landon Poole. These wrestlers won the most points on the team, Henson said.
The Senior Legacy awards, gardening hats, went to Mikayla Holloway, Emma Shaw, Landon Poole, MJ Summers, Cooper Born and Noah Thompson.
These awards recognized seniors who have contributed to the team’s future, he said.
“The gardener embodies those who invest their time and their effort in a meaningful way, creating something that will continue to grow or flourish long after you are gone,” Henson said