As winter turns to spring, (that is going to happen eventually right?) so too does our attention to spring sports.

However, the focus this week will remain one final time on winter athletes.

The Marion County Record (OK, it’s just me) has decided to hand out some awards to deserving winter athletes.

Without further ado:

Most-inspirational athlete — Adam Regnier

The senior wrestler proved resilience is a great asset to have.

He was a talented, yet raw, wrestler his freshman season, and deserved to go to state his junior, and maybe even sophomore, seasons.

He came up just short during that junior season, but didn’t complain.

Regnier worked hard his entire senior year, and reached the state tournament with a third-place regional finish.

He did not win a medal, but he earned a state victory, and will look back on that accomplishment with pride.

Breakthrough athlete – Eric Vogel

The junior finished the season averaging 12 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

The numbers were up four points and three rebounds from a year ago.

If he were to continue that trend next year, he would finish at 16 points and 9.4 rebounds.

He finished the season on a high note recording 23 points and nine rebounds in a sub-state loss to Hillsboro.

That could give him momentum heading into next season. Look for the senior-to-be as one of the top players in the league next season.

Senior MVP - Regnier

His above attributes and contributions make him the top senior during the winter sports season.

Freshman MVPs – Cole Lewman and Whitney Gordon

The pair had impressive years despite it being their first time in varsity competition.

Lewman, who wrestled in the 112-pound weight class, recorded 19 victories during the season and was just one away from heading to the state tournament — an overtime loss in the regional consolation semifinals.

Gordon, the sixth man on the varsity basketball team, averaged 5 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game for the Lady Warriors.

She even chipped in 1.1 steals per game.

Most improved athlete – Elliot Hett

The senior capped off his impressive season by being named to the Mid-Central Activities Association honorable mention team.

Hett averaged 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals per game. He also led the team in free throws made with 45.

Those numbers were up from a year ago when he averaged just 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

All-MHS basketball team

Starters

Lindsay Hett – 13.2 ppg, 4.5 rpb, 3.0 spg.

Eric Vogel – 12 ppg, 6.4 rpg.

Julia Zeiner – 16.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.6 spg

Elliot Hett – 11 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.9 apg

Kayley Heerey – 12.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.2 apg.

Sixth-man

Luke Gordon – 7.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.4 bpg.

That’s a pretty good co-ed team to put on the floor. The starters alone would average 65 points per game.

2008-09 MHS winter sports MVP – Cody Wildin

It’s hard to top someone who accomplishes a school first.

Wildin wrapped up the most successful Warrior wrestling season Feb. 28 with a second-place medal at the 3-2-1A state wrestling meet.

The junior was 32-4 on the season, led his team in takedowns, three-point near falls, and winning percentage.

He also became just the third MHS wrestler to earn a medal at the meet, and the first to finish as runner-up.

Wildin met and exceeded season expectations, and set records in the process.

His year will go down in the Warrior record books.