Bode, Vigil named Athletes of the Year at Logger ESPYs

By barstoolfanatics on May 18, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Bella Vigil and Hayden Bode with their Athlete of the Year awards.

By Ray Hamill — Eureka seniors Bella Vigil and Hayden Bode were named Athletes of the Year at Monday’s Logger ESPYs, held outside the Jay Willard Gymnasium.

The annual awards ceremony honor the top senior athletes at the school, with students, coaches and parents dressing up for the occasion.

Bode and Vigil were the big winners on the night.

In addition to being named Male Athlete of the Year, Bode also took home the Most Outstanding Individual Performance by a male athlete for his big performance in football against Arcata, as well as winning the Jay Willard Award.

The Jay Willard Award is the longest standing and one of the most prestigious annual sports honors at the school, going to one male and one female student athlete.

The award is based on an athlete’s long-term contribution on multiple Loggers teams, as well as their character, attitude, academics, involvement in campus activities, outside activities and work ethic.

In addition to her Athlete of the Year award, Vigil was also named Most Inspirational Female Athlete, as well as being recognized as one of four senior student athletes to have played 10 or more seasons of high school sports, competing this year in cross country, volleyball, track and field and basketball.

Wrestler Kelli Johnston also took home two awards, winning Most Outstanding Individual Performance and Most Scholastic Female Athlete.

Johnston won the Most Outstanding Individual Performance for her performance in the North Coast Section tournament last year, when she overcame a big early deficit to beat the No. 2 wrestler in the section in the semifinals.

The Eureka girls soccer team was named Team of the Year.

Keeb Her was named Most Inspirational Male Athlete for his performance on the football fields this spring, with the football team getting the nod for Game of the Year for a thrilling performance at Fortuna in the season finale.

Breakthrough Athletes of the Year went to Nolan Jacobus and Salina Socha Wright, while girls wrestling coaches Cecil Wilson and Thomas Gowing were named Coaches of the Year.

The girls soccer team was named Team of the Year after its undefeated exploits this spring, when the Loggers dominated the rest of the league.

Gavin Brooks was named Most Scholastic Male Athlete, while Klayre Barres took home the Woman of Will Award.

Bella Vigil, KyleeAnna Clinton, Ian Bennett and Ethan Pesch were all recognized for having played at least 10 seasons of high school sports in their careers.

Keylei Carroll won the female Jay Willard Award, while Parker Rodgers and Anya Collingwood won the Best Dressed Athlete awards.

Ian Bennett, KyleeAnna Clinton and Ethan Pesch were each also recognized for having competed in 10 or more seasons of high school sports

And finally, the Fan of Year was awarded to yours truly, and I would to express my gratitude to the Loggers for that.