By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

The 2009-2010 sports season at Burns High School (BHS) came to an official end with an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 10.

Letter-winners and special award recipients for tennis, golf, softball and baseball were announced, as well as the special year-end award-winners.

The Hilanders’ coaches Anne Kness (tennis), Scott Smyth (golf), Melanie Thomas (softball) and Kevin Feist (baseball) each introduced their team and presented the awards.

Special award-winners are as follows:

Tennis — Most Improved, Erika Bentz; Most Inspirational and Most Outstanding, Olivia Palmer.

Golf — Most Improved Female Golfer, Megan Fitzpatrick; Most Improved Male Golfer, Sam Fitzpatrick; Outstanding Female Golfer, Maggie Thompson; Outstanding Male Golfer, Dylan Thompson.

Softball — All-Around Player, Jessica Hodge; Most Improved Player and Most Inspirational Player, Kaytee Parks; Golden Glove Awards, Isabella Cristy, Andrea Herrera, Mariah Hodge, Anna Reid; Silver Slugger Award, Tanzie Bodeen; Home Run King Award, M. Hodge.

Baseball — Most Improved Player, Tyler Cooper; Lynn Brinkley Memorial Award and Lew Herrera Award, Caleb Feist; Most Valuable Player, George Swartzlender.

Coach Feist also announced the Hilanders who had received all-league and all-state honors for the 2010 baseball season.

Swartzlender was named Eastern Oregon League (EOL) Co-Player of the Year.

Also named to the EOL First Team were Nolan Stampke (catcher), Casey Thein (first baseman), C. Feist (infield) and Cooper (outfield). Zach Dobson (utility player) was named to the Second Team, and Zach Adams (infield), Casey Heinz (outfield) and Chance Peasley (outfield) received Honorable Mention.

Swartzlender and C. Feist were also named to the All-State First Team, and Stampke, Thein and Cooper were selected for the All-State Second Team.

Three new school records were set by the Hilanders baseball team this year: Hit By Pitch (individual) —Swartzlender, 14; Stolen Bases — Thein, 14; and Hit By Pitch (team) — 47.

BHS Athletic Director Paula Toney announced the year-end awards and presented the trophies.

Jamie Higle was named the Most Inspirational Female Athlete of the Year, and Dobson received the Most Inspirational Male Athlete of the Year award.

The Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Award went to Maddye Dinsmore, and C. Feist and Swartzlender were both named Outstanding Male Athletes of the Year.