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Good sports: Moffat County High School awards ‘Dude’ Dent, Outstanding Female Athlete

Andy Bockelman
Moffat County High School student-athletes Keenan Hildebrandt and Mattie Jo Duzik raise their honors high Thursday at Clarion Inn & Suites. Hildebrandt won the Lewis "Dude" Dent Memorial Award and Duzik Outstanding Female Athlete for the time in MCHS sports and academics.
Andy Bockelman

Decades down the road, few will remember the exact statistics of the Homecoming football game or the number of fouls a player accrued during their final basketball match of the season.

Still, the winners of Moffat County High School’s biggest athletic awards will look back on their achievements and smile not because of the numbers but the memories made.

Thursday was a big night for MCHS’s athletics department with the presentation of the Lewis “Dude” Dent Memorial Award and Outstanding Female Athlete.

The honors for the Class of 2017 went to graduating seniors Keenan Hildebrandt and Mattie Jo Duzik in celebration of their superior sports skills, classroom dedication and overall integrity, in keeping with the Craig native who was well-rounded in athletics and academics in high school and college before perishing in World War II.

Keenan is the second generation to receive the “Dude” Dent accolade, his father Todd taking home the award in 1985.

The younger Hildebrandt took home 11 varsity letters during the course of four years, which included a senior season on the gridiron as the Bulldogs’ quarterback and leading rusher, top rebounder for basketball and dual Western Slope League championships in track and field for shot put and discus.

In addition to being part of the “Dude” Dent plaque, he’ll also be on the record board for a new school best in the discus at 170 feet.

“I’d just like to thank God for all the great things that have happened to me,” he said during his acceptance speech, also acknowledging coaches, teammates and family for how they’ve contributed to his life.

Trainer Marshall Kraker spoke on behalf of Keenan, testifying to his hard work and personality.

“His actions stand out, his character respected and treasured, his achievements stellar and unsurpassable, his faith notable and valued and his friendship welcomed and embraced,” Kraker said.

While Keenan will continue in sports at Kansas Wesleyan University in football and track and field, Mattie Jo will end her time in sports before attending Chadron State College in Nebraska.

Still, it’s been quite a run.

In the past year, she was a leader in volleyball, hoops and track, ending the school year on the podium at the state track finals in both the 4×400- and 4×800-meter relays.

Girls basketball coach Kenley Nebeker alluded to the district championship game in which Mattie Jo stubbornly kept her hands up even when Grand Valley opponents were doing all they could to stall for nearly five straight minutes, staying ready for whenever they’d make a move.

“She kept her hands up in the classroom as she continually reached for learning, she kept her hands up as she continually blocked opponents’ attacks on the volleyball, and she kept her hands up as she crossed the finish line in track,” he said.

Mattie Jo, who will also serve as the class salutatorian Saturday, also gave coaches and family their due, in addition to the young women with whom she’s shared the past several years.

“I am so glad I got to spend these four years with you all, so many memories,” she said.

The décor at Clarion Inn & Suites for the ceremony was of course decked out in white and blue but also featured photos and clips of the past year in Bulldog sports, as well as words of wisdom from sports figures ranging from Babe Ruth to Vince Lombardi to Mia Hamm.

Coaches also spoke on behalf of the other nominees, starting with wrestling coach Tanner Linsacum commending Hugo Hernandez for a comeback year, going from a fractured leg incurred during football season to making it all the way to the state finals in grappling, contributing to a team regional title along the way.

Speaking for Connor Scranton was father Lance, noting that one of his son’s best attributes is his desire to share victory with a team, whether in football, cross country or track.

“He serves that others might do better and is the first to congratulate someone on a great performance,” Lance said.
Former coach Tony Maneotis likewise said of Eddie Smercina — who has engaged in baseball, golf, basketball, track and more in the past four years — that even with an appearance at the All-American Bowl hosted by Blue-Grey Football, many of his greatest attributes are in his everyday demeanor.

Kip Hafey stated that nominee Emma Samuelson’s litany of honors — including three state track relay championships — can be traced to the kind of person she is, inspiring the best in all around her.

“She is a life-giver — she lifts everyone around her up,” Hafey said.

In discussing Josey King, assistant basketball coach Joe Padon recounted meeting her at age 12 as she practiced nonstop on her jump shot, thinking to himself at the time that she would be an excellent player to coach.

Krista Schenck, head of the DECA and Future Business Leaders of America programs, used the following words to describe distance runner Kaylee Durham for both her athletic and academic prowess: “Drive, motivation and determination.”

Durham — who also picked up an associate’s degree from Colorado Northwestern Community College — and Connor Scranton each also received Colorado High School Activities Association Active Scholar, an award for upcoming graduates with a 3.5 GPA or higher in two or more CHSAA activities in the past three years.

The award for four-year scholar — 3.6 GPA, one or more varsity letters per year — went to the following: Riley Allen, Mattie Jo Duzik, Alex Hamilton, Keenan Hildebrandt Marisa Hulstine, Josey King, Isaac Montoya, John T Peroulis, Micajah Prescott, Connor Scranton, Eddie Smercina and Ryan Zimmerman.

Several younger students were also on the list for three-sport athletes as well as seniors — 3.5 GPA and three letters during the school year — Mattie Jo Duzik, Hugo Hernandez, Keenan Hildebrandt, Emma Samuelson, Eddie Smercina, Cale Scranton, Miki Klimper, Tiffany Hildebrandt, Greg Hixson, Josie Timmer, Kasen Brennise and Chace Marshall.

With a plethora of awards going out, Nebeker said it best in his summation of the evening — “It’s a great day to be a Bulldog.”

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.


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