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The Wildcat boys soccer team held its awards banquet at Trapper’s Monday, November 20.

Head coach Mark Leigh thanked many people, including parents, the players’ youth coaches, assistant coach Travis “T Money” Delzer and Chisago Lakes High School Activities Director Perry Aadland. “Perry did a lot to support our program. In addition to all his work on our behalf as activities director, he was out there himself repairing the field after football games to make sure we had a decent field to play on.”

Leigh singled out volunteer coach and statistician Roy Knafla for praise, who’s helped out for four years even though his son hasn’t played on the team the last couple of years. And he thanked JV coach Andy Brink, who sacrifices a lot – he almost never gets to see the varsity play since they usually play at the same time as the varsity.

Leigh talked about how close this team was. “The players got along better than any team I ever had,” said Leigh. “The older kids were positive and encouraging for the younger players, and the players really worked together as a team, which led to their success. I’m really proud of them for what they accomplished on the field and in the classroom. Being the number one academic team in the state is a testament to the parents, teachers and the players themselves.”

Most of the team awards are voted on by the players, but the Wildcat Award is selected by the coaches. The Wildcat Award is given to the player who embodies the qualities of sportsmanship, encouragement, leadership, hard work and sets a positive example. “One person stood out this year,” said Leigh. “Ross Jones. Ross had to overcome a severe leg injury to even be able to play this year. He didn’t complain at all about how much his leg bothered him or about not getting as much playing time as he would have liked. Ross embodied all of the qualities of a senior leader and a team player and, in so many ways, helped this team to be successful.”

Ben Stanghelle won the Wildcat award for the JV team. “During a game, Ben got an elbow in the mouth,” said JV coach Andy Brink. “When he came off the field, he had his hand over his mouth. ‘Hey coach,’ he said, ‘can they do anything for teeth?’ After he repeated it a couple of times, I said ‘Let me see.’ He took his hand away, and his teeth were a mess. And he’d just gotten his braces off two weeks earlier. I heard they went right back on after that. But Ben didn’t complain about any of it. Ben’s attitude and work ethic make him deserving of this award.”

TEAM AWARDS

Varsity

Rookie of the Year Cameron Bouwens

Most Improved Tyler Bouwens

Mr. Defense Jordan Belleisle

Mr. Hustle Christian Swanberg and Neil Taurinskas

Scoring Leader Chris Golv

Mr. Positive Jordan Belleisle and Ross Jones

Wildcat Award Ross Jones

Captains Tommy Fitzer, Ross Jones, Chris Golv, Jordan Belleisle

MVP Chris Golv

Junior Varsity

Most Improved Ethan Herberg

Mr. Defense Brian Erickson

Mr. Hustle John Gulbranson

Mr. Positive Ethan Herberg

Wildcat Award Ben Stanghelle

MVP Mark Shaleen

North Suburban Conference Awards

All Conference Jordan Belleisle, Chris Golv, Tommy Fitzer

Honorable Mention Neil Taurinskas, Scott Leigh

All Conference Academic Troy Aadland, Jordan Belleisle, Tyler Bouwens, Tom Fitzer, Scott Leigh, Ross Jones

Section Awards

Section Coach of the Year Mark Leigh

State Awards

All-State Chris Golv

Honorable Mention Jordan Belleisle, Tommy Fitzer

AWARDS FOR THE TEAM

All-State Class A Academic Champions (3.56 GPA)*

Section7AAcademic Champions

*The Wildcats had a higher grade point average than the Class AA state academic champions, so they had the highest GPA of any boys soccer team in the state.

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