Walk the red carpet, take a seat in the theater, and enjoy the Fall 2018 Mind of McKrell Awards.
I used to do this awards column in Michigan City, and it’s only right that I dole out some awards for the fall season in this area, too.
Best Athlete to Cover: Zeb Hernandez, Warsaw boys cross country
Hernandez had a tough road ahead of him this year after coming back from a suspension last season. He persevered throughout the year, defying the odds by making it all the way to the state meet. It was a pleasure to watch him progress.
Best Athlete to Interview: Delano Shumpert, Triton football
Mr. Shumpert was a great interview. I spoke to him on several occasions this season, and he became more confident each time. He was always friendly, articulate and good for a great quote.
Best Coach to Interview: Bart Curtis, Warsaw football
There’s no coach around who can switch from hilarious to profound like the man behind “The Tiger Bone.” Curtis will quip that his team can’t “come out and drop a turd on the field.” However, he’ll also provide wisdom like “If your passion is your profession, that’s a good life.” How’s that for duality?
An honorable mention goes to Triton football coach Ron Brown, who was straightforward, candid, and always had quips about his players’ fruit snacks and juice boxes at the ready.
Best Individual Performance: Katie Swanson, Warsaw volleyball
Midway through the season, the Lady Tigers traveled to Syracuse to face Wawasee. Swanson felt like she had something to prove, and did so via her killer, top-spin serve. She racked up 14 of Warsaw’s 24 aces and tallied eight kills and five blocks, inciting enthusiastic “Ka-tie Swan-son!” chants from the bench.
Best Team Performance: Triton football’s sectional championship win
I could feel how badly the Trojans wanted it. They played every snap like it was their last. The most awe-inspiring moment came when No. 75 Billy Smith ran down North Judson quarterback Caden Peretti for a game-changing sack. The result: Triton won 29-17 and captured sectional hardware for the first time in a decade.
Best Sports Center Moment: Gustav Dannevig’s game-winner for Warsaw boys soccer over Concord
Here’s the situation: The Tigers and Concord are tied at no score with 20 seconds left. Blake Burns gets the ball on a throw-in and passes to Dannevig, who spectacularly finds the back of the net with 15 seconds to play. The play itself was breath-taking, and the 1-0 victory showed how perseverance pays off.
Cue the “Sports Center Top 10” music.
Best Fans: Warsaw football fans
This one has to go with the Warsaw Tigers football team. I covered them on the road against Northridge and Wawasee, and each time their exuberance matched that of the home crowds. Sure, they had a lot to root for, with the Tigers playing their best football in years. Yet, they rose to the challenge with “Bart Ball” shirts and continued dedication even as the air grew colder.
Best Press Box Food: Tippecanoe Valley football
Hey, my Twitter handle says I love press box pizza, so you had to know I’d include an award like this. The Vikings lead the way with a fantastic food spread. A big shout-out to Terry Randall, the owner of Viking Foods, who cooks up homemade meals for each home game. A favorite among the press box staff are Randall’s “Atomic Fire Dogs.” They may sound intimidating, but trust me: they’re delicious.
Outside the area, an honorable mention goes to LaPorte High School for a fantastic spread that included savory hot soup at the volleyball regional. I tip my cap to LaPorte Athletic Director Ed Gilliland.
Best Story To Write: “Frankly Wonderful: Warsaw’s Courtois Leads Incredible Life”
I’ve had the pleasure of writing several fun, meaningful stories in the short time I’ve been here. The one that tops them all is the profile I wrote on Warsaw boys soccer coach Frank Courtois. To simply call him a soccer coach doesn’t do him justice, though. I’m extremely grateful for his openness with me about his upbringing in Haiti, his charitable work, and his views on faith, family and futbol. Quite frankly, it’s one of my favorite stories I’ve ever written.
Editor’s Note: These awards are meant to be light, fun and highly subjective. They reflect Aaron McKrell’s coverage this season, which does not include every high school sports program covered by Times-Union.
