By ALAN HOSKINS
Basketball standouts with All-American honors, Dominque Washington and Alexander Blaurock, are Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Male and Female Athletes of the Year for 2012-13.
Announced at the annual KCKCC Athletic Dinner Wednesday, they were joined by baseball coach Steve Burleson, who was named Coach of the Year; and women’s basketball coach Valerie Stambersky, who was presented the first ever Blue Devil Service Award by new Athletic Director Tony Tompkins. In addition, most valuable athletes were named in all sports.
A freshman who played high school basketball at Hogan Preparatory Academy, Washington is KCKCC’s first Division II All-American. Named to the second team, Washington was also All-Region and All-Jayhawk and runnerup for Freshman of the Year honors. He led the Blue Devils in scoring (18.6) and rebounding (9.0) while carrying a 3.39 grade point average.
A two-year starter from Sumner Academy, Blaurock will received Academic All-American honors having compiled a 3.81 grade point average and being named to “Who’s Who” Among American Community Colleges. The Lady Blue Devils’ leader in scoring (8.9) and rebounding (6.0), Blaurock was second team All-Region.
Only the third baseball coach in the Jayhawk Conference to reach 1,000 wins, Burleson will take a 33-21 record this season and a career mark of 1,060-648 into the Region VI playoffs this weekend in Wichita. Stambersky was honored for her work as interim athletic director after Dan Pratt retired Dec. 1, 2012.
One other new award was announced, the “Life’s Tough, Get a Helmet Award” presented in honor of Justin Cothran, a 12-year assistant softball coach who passed away last July. The initial award was presented to sophomore Alyssa Lee while her sister, Monica Lee, and Lacey Santiago, were named co-MVP’s.
A two-year starter on a Lady Blue Devil team that reached the national tournament for the first time ever and finished sixth nationally, Sarah Mertens was named the MVP of the volleyball team while Leah Oehm was named most improved.
Blanca Bueno was named the first ever women’s soccer MVP while Bernardo Rodrigues was selected men’s soccer MVP and Gabriel Betancourt Outstanding Freshman of the Year. Most valuable track awards went to Andrew Pierre and Nakiya Smith.
Zac Butler, who compiled a 10-1 pitching record, was chosen the MVP for the baseball team while two-year outfield starter Andrew Kreiling was presented the Mike Haen Hustle Award. Golf’s MVP award was made to Michael Civitate.
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PHOTO: Basketball standouts Dominique Washington and Alexandria Blaurock (foreground) have been named KCKCC Male and Female Athletes of the Year for 2012-13. Other honorees included (seated, from left) Lacey Santiago and Monica Lee, softball MVP’s; Alyssa Lee, softball Helmet Award; Nakiya Smith, track MVP; and Blanco Buena, soccer MVP; (standing) Valerie Stambersky, Blue Devil Service Award; Andrew Pierre, track MVP; Gabriel Bentoncourt, outstanding soccer freshman; Andrew Kreiling, Mike Haen baseball Hustle Award; Zac Butler, baseball MVP; Leah Oehm, most improved volleyball; Sarah Mertens, volleyball MVP; and baseball coach Steve Burleson, Coach of the Year. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)
