IRVINE – A number of the county’s best athletes and coaches were recognized for their accomplishments Wednesday night at the annual Orange County Register/OCVarsity.com awards banquet at Dave & Buster’s.
Calvary Chapel wrestler William “Tank” Knowles and Servite golfer Patrick Cantlay were honored for being selected the Boys Co-Athletes of the Year. (Read more about Knowles and Cantlay)
“I was nervous and I did not expect to win athlete of the year,” Knowles said. “I am definitely honored to have won.”
Knowles finished his season with an undefeated mark of 42-0 and won the state championship in the 215-pound weight class.
The junior took home from the ceremony a total of four awards. Besides Co-Athlete of the Year, he was also selected Boys Small Schools Athlete of the Year, Wrestler of the Year and the Fans’ Favorite Boys Co-Athlete of the Year, an award voted on by fans on OCVarsity.com.
Cantlay, ranked the No. 2 junior golfer in the country by Golfweek, claimed the state individual championship on Monday, and he finished the postseason tournaments at 26-under par.
Newport Harbor’s Kaleigh Gilchrist was named Girls Athlete of the Year after a phenomenal water polo season, leading the Sailors in goals (94), assists (46) and steals (45). Gilchrist is also one of the top-ranked junior surfers in the nation. She will attempt to defend her under-18 title at Surfing America’s U.S. Championships at Lower Trestles in two weeks.
Two-time Olympic swimmer Kaitlin Sandeno was the ceremony’s guest speaker. Sandeno, who graduated from El Toro High, competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, winning four medals.
Awards were presented to all of the athletes and coaches honored during the 2009-10 school year by the Register and OCVarsity.com.
