By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

After claiming three district titles during the 2008-2009 winter sports season, the Crane Mustangs celebrated all of the participating athletes accomplishments during an awards presentation last Thursday.

In addition to the wrestling, boys basketball and girls basketball team awards, special recognition was given to High Desert League scholar athletes, and two special award recipients.

Receiving special awards were Mustang athlete, Dallen Davies and Mustang fan, Mary Otley. Davies was honored by George Riberio, of McDonald’s Restaurants, as a McDonald’s All-American. Davies was one of only 26 high school boys in Oregon to be nominated for the McDonald’s All-American team. Said Riberio, only six were then selected as All-Americans, including Davies.

Otley was given special recognition from the girls basketball team. Representing the girls, Brooke Nyman said the team appreciated all of the support Otley gives the Mustang athletes during every sport, during every season.

High Desert League scholar/athletes

Savannah Duff, Pete Joyce, Delilas Korth, Iris Gunkel, September O’Crowley, Gus Titus, Michael Rothgeb, Alex Borelli, Natalie Bentz, Dallen Davies, Milton Merritt, Lily Valentine, Brooke Nyman, Lindy Steeves.

Wrestling

Most valuable — Greg Thompson.
Most improved — Dan O’Crowley.
Most inspirational — Gus Titus.
Varsity letters — Kayleen Macomber, Mitch Willson, Dan O’Crowley, Gus Titus, Lewis Whiting, Zach Cody, Greg Thompson, Matt Davis, Cody Davis, Kenny Willsey, Kenny Haworth, Josh Williams, Jacob Brennan, Matt Bunch, Justin Davis, Alan Robertson, Jake Campbell, Donald McDermond.
JV letters — Wyatt Land, Andrew Fink, Ben Huerta.

Girls basketball

JV most valuable — Brenda Otley.
JV most improved — Jessica Cronin.
JV most inspirational — Iris Gunkel.
Varsity most improved — Emilee O’Toole.
Varsity most inspirational — Hannah Buermann.
Defensive players of the year — Brooke Nyman and Lindy Steeves.
Offensive player of the year — September O’Crowley.
JV letters — Savannah Duff, Iris Gunkel, Jessica Cronin, Brenda Otley, Brandi Carlon, Cassidy Corrigan, Shayla Lundy, Nichole Bentz, Shannon Norris, Tana Marquez.
Varsity letters — Hannah Buermann, Lindy Steeves, Alex Borelli, Natalie Bentz, Emilee O’Toole, Brooke Nyman, September O’Crowley.

Boys basketball

JV most valuable — TJ Potter.
JV most improved — Cole Maupin.
JV most inspirational — Michael Rothgeb.
Varsity most valuable — Jordan Conaway and Dallen Davies.
Varsity most improved — Jeran Conaway.
Varsity most inspirational — Pete Joyce.
Defensive player of the year — Raymond Thompson.
JV letters — Wilson Witzel, Raymond Peterson, Levi Miller, Helge Bjerck, Michael Rothgeb, Lance Moser, Jesse Northrop, Ty Harris, Cole Maupin, TJ Potter.
Varsity letters — Ryan Opie, Max Miller, Blake Steeves, Jeran Conaway, Raymond Thompson, Milton Merritt, Pete Joyce, Dallen Davies, Jordan Conaway, Royal Henricks.