Danny Johnson was announced as the season’s Outstanding Wrestler at the Huskies’ awards dinner on Friday, March 2.
Johnson, who led the team to a 4A state championship with a second-place finish in his weight bracket at the state tournament two weeks ago, also won awards for the most initial takedowns (32 in 39 matches) and the most falls (30, which established a new school record for a season).
“That’s really impressive for a 112-pounder,” noted Sweet Home Coach Steve Thorpe, in presenting the award, adding, “You know what you get better at if you do nothing – nothing.”
That was the main message during the night’s activities as the Huskies celebrated their season, in which Sweet Home won its third state team title. Thorpe several times during the evening urged his wrestlers to stay focused on the upcoming season.
“Just because this season has ended doesn’t mean it ended,” he said. “I want to challenge some of you guys to win some matches that you shouldn’t this (next) year.”
The Iron Man Award, which goes to a wrestlers who has exhibited grit in the face of severe obstacles such as injuries or other difficulties during the course of the season, went to two Huskies: Brandon Lawson, who has suffered from a dislocated collarbone, a bad hip and more, but still managed to win his opening match in the state tournament, and Jack Perry, who “cut a lot of weight this year” and who “didn’t get just average nosebleeds,” Thorpe said.
“He kept going through it,” the coach said. “He wrestled every match.”
The Workhorse Award, which goes to a wrestler who puts maximum effort into his preparation, went to Rob Helfrich.
“He’s probably one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” said an emotional Thorpe, observing that Helfrich was the last of five brothers he has coached at Sweet Home. “He is going to be missed.”
He said that Helfrich started training for his senior season immediately after the 2005-06 season ended and he led the team in wins this year with 40.
The Extra Mile Award, for someone who “unselfishly contributes to the program,” went to Dr. Tim Hindmarsh, who has provided medical care and evaluations for the team.
The Fan Appreciation Award was given to Ernie and Pat Baxter, who, Thorpe said, “have been part of Sweet Home wrestling since 1952 when Ernie joined the team in its first year.” Baxter went on to place second in the state tournament.
Letter winners were: freshmen Anthony Albright, Brock Crocker, Matt Grove, Mitch Grove, Tyler Holly, Brad Pitts, Ethan Rowe and Taylor Tagle; sophomores Marc Callagan, Robert Callagan, Logan Clark, Chris Farris, Jack Perry and Nikki Smith; juniors Casey Johnson. Danny Johnson, Joe McCaslin, Nick Pitts and Derrek Sharp; and seniors Sawyer Anderson, Casey Hanscam, Rob Helfrich, Andrew Knight, Brandon Lawson, Cory Ottre, Matt Parker, Daniel Smith, Jake Smith and Kevin Yeung.