Top-Notch Coaches - Leading their team to victory at the New York State District 2 championship are coaches, seated, from left: Dave Mercado, Jeremy D'Amaro and Dave Steves. Standing are Gerry D'Amaro, Ross John and Karl Brown.

By Mary Pankow

It may have been the ninth annual, but this year's Gowanda-Area All-Sports Award banquet was different from the rest. For the first time ever, an entire team was honored for its achievements.

Held at the Gowanda VFW Post 5007 last Saturday, the banquet paid tribute to those whose dedication and longevity in a particular sport have been exemplary, while providing role model qualities for others to follow. These individuals are not armchair athletes; they know the rough and tumble of a playing field, the unforgiving surface of a 5k run course and the competitive spirit that is part of all events. Such are this year's winners.

Emcee Mark Benton, who established the awards program in 1994 and has organized every banquet since, opened the program with an announcement and presentation to Jennifer Gernatt, who organizes the Dennis Crouse 5k Run on Pioneer Days weekend. Benton announced the awards for this year's run would be purchased using proceeds from the banquet.

Another announcement and presentation followed as Benton presented Gowanda Village Trustee John Dedloff with a check for $100 toward a new play structure for St. John Park. Mention was made that anyone who would like to make a donation for the play structure can do so at HSBC - Gowanda branch. It was then time to spotlight the athletes.

Receiving the award for archery was James Barnum Jr. An aficionado of the sport since 1986, Barnum furthered his interest in 1993 by learning the complexities of the compound bow after an injury had him concerned about maintaining his upper body strength. In 1996, he was named archery coordinator for the Buffalo Bowhunters and, for the past four years, has been the Collins Conservation Club Archery director. During the trophy round of the 2000 IBO World Championships in West Virginia, Barnum placed in the top 25.

In the keglers category, Doris Martin and Jack Frost Sr. were recognized.

Martin has been bowling since 1963; scoring many 200 games and several 500 series. The most mature member of the Skirt Keglers League, Martin has been part of the lineup in three championship teams over her 40-year career. According to a story told by plaque presenter and K&L Lanes owner Lew Gabel, Martin's biggest challenge appeared to be a new pair of bowling shoes. Like a wild mustang, the shoes refused to be broken, tossed her to the ground and it was back to the search for a pair that could be "tamed."

Attaining the perfection of a 300 game last year, Jack Frost has been bowling over 50 years, 45 of those years at K&L Lanes. Gabel noted that Frost's game has picked up over the years rather than slowed down with age. Bowling apparently builds appetites and a middle-of-the-night pizza some years ago hit the spot for Frost and his buddies, thanks to his accommodating and understanding wife.

The recognition of an entire team was not the only first Jan. 24. The martial arts award to Margaret Moritz set the precedent of a mother, son and daughter as recipients of sports awards.

Derek Moritz, who was previously recognized for his martial arts achievements, made the presentation to his mother. (His sister, Charisse Sprague, was honored at a past banquet for cheerleading.)

Margaret Moritz began learning karate 12 years ago as a means of self-defense. Although the oldest student in class, her perseverance and persistence earned her a Brown Belt, a feat only 17 of over 2,000 students of Derek Moritz have attained. She hopes to reach the rank of Black Belt.

"At one time I was a real wimp," Margaret said. "I feel better today than 12 years ago when I started."

Currently acting postmaster in Gowanda, Fred Whipple is no stranger to the sport of motorcycling. His first year on the road, 1972, he traveled 28,000 miles, covering a number of states. In 1987, Whipple and his wife, Irene, rode their bikes from coast to coast - Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon - logging 8,500 miles. Whipple is also a participant in the annual Memorial Day ride from Gowanda to Sprague Brook Park to honor veterans.

Whipple was presented the motorcycling award by Alan Hall, and although he returns to his own post office in Boston in less than a week, he noted how much he likes the Gowanda community.

A sport that was big in Gowanda in the 1970s and 1980s continues to have many fans.

Slow-pitch softball award winner this year, Kevin Regan, competed on local teams from 1975 to 1998. Six of these teams, including Capella's, Hidi and Collins Correctional, achieved championship status. Nicknamed "Goose," Regan was known as the best defensive pitcher in the area, accomplishing victories "with his glove as well as his arm."

The memorial awards were then presented.

Taking home the Howard Hillis Memorial Award was Gerry D'Amaro, manager of the 2001 9-10-year-olds District 2 championship team and the 2003 11-12-year-olds District 2 champions. In addition, D'Amaro managed the Collins Auxiliary team that won the league and playoff championship.

As he accepted his award, D'Amaro said, "I got involved in Little League just like everyone else. I had an 8-year-old who wanted to get involved in baseball."

Gerald McKeever - The Ultimate Fan - received the "Red" Powers Memorial Award, a new award as of last year and renamed for a former avid sports follower.

McKeever is the consummate fan, in the stands as his grandchildren play their hearts out in soccer, bowling, track, baseball, football, lacrosse, basketball, cheerleading and hockey. Not only is he rooting for family members, he cheers the other players on as well.

His comment as he was presented with his plaque reinforced one of his favorite pastimes, "How do you thank everyone for something you really enjoy doing?!"

Presented with the Henry Huff Jr. Memorial Award was Steve Jolls, whose talent as a pitcher became evident in high school. Aside from his success on the mound, he has also coached various leagues - Little League, Prep and Junior. His most recent accomplishment was as assistant coach for the 2003 Collins Auxiliary championship team.

When referring to his pitching expertise, Mark Benton claimed Jolls had a "bionic arm."

Although she's only a junior at Gowanda Central School, Whitney Nephew's talent, as a distance runner earned her the Chuck Korbar Memorial Award.

Named "Most Valuable Player" for track and cross-country in 2003, Nephew holds three GCS track and field records. In December, competing in the National Junior Olympic cross-country meet in New Mexico, she placed 44th out of 155 runners in her age group.

The George Dispenza Memorial Award was awarded to not one, but two, notable individuals. Brockport State athletes Jeff Wilson and Dave Bolen each received plaques for achievements in their respective sports.

Jeff Wilson, an outstanding baseball player who excelled at GCS by winning MVP honors and being named to the First Team All-Cattaraugus County All-Star -Team, currently holds four records at Brockport. He was selected for the All-SUNYAC first team in 2003 and had the lowest ERA in the nation (.28) during the 2001 season.

Wilson expressed his gratitude to his coaches as he accepted his award.

Dave Bolen - now a Brockport graduate - also began his sports career at GCS and concentrated on distance running once at Brockport. The "Golden Eagle" was a valuable member of the cross-country and track teams, and during his senior year, he finished fourth at the SUNYAC cross-country championship meet and first in the 3,000M steeplechase.

Bolen's claim to fame stems from his positive thinking, he says. One particular thought gleaned from his senior year - "Can I do this? I CAN do this" continues to influence his outlook on life. His final comment was not just for athletes, "Exercise for your health."

It was then time for the big moment, the Special Recognition Award that honored an entire team, the 2003 Gowanda Little League Baseball All-Star Team.

Eleven of the 12 team members came up to accept the congratulations of not only the audience but of each of their coaches, Gerry D'Amaro, Jeremy D'Amaro, Dave Mercado, Dave Steves, Ross John and Karl Brown.

Although the Gowanda Little League All-Star 11-12-year-olds were defeated in the state semifinal tournament in Elmira, Benton pointed out that the champions were only three games away from being on an ESPN broadcast.

Their teamwork and dedication paid off and, for many, it was a second championship moment. In 2001, the 9-10-year-olds won the District 2 championship.

As each coach manned the microphone, one fact came to the forefront, these youths represented the next generation of players. While many things in life may change, there still exists a common thread that weaves through life - the love of the game, no matter what sport it is.