Allison chosen All-American; others receive honors

Allison chosen All-American; others receive honors

May 26, 2001

COLE ALLISON is shown standing on the awards podium and holding his bracket sheet after winning the 171-pound weight division at the 2001 Colorado High School Wrestling Championships held this past February in the Pepsi Center in Denver. Allison was named a High School Academic All-American by Wrestling USA magazine. He was graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School Thursday night and is now headed to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley where he has an athletic and academic scholarship. He is the son of Mike and Carolyn Allison of Cortez.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

The post-season honors for prep winter and spring sports are still coming and more awards will still be presented later on as well.

Cole Allison, who has already received several awards including All-Southwest League and First Team All-State and All-Colorado honors in wrestling, has earned yet another. This time he was named an Academic All-American by a national magazine, Wrestling USA.

Allison, who was graduated this past Thursday night from Montezuma-Cortez High School, was the 2001 senior class valedictorian. He had a 4.0 grade point average. He finished his wrestling career by winning the 4A State titles at 160 (junior) and 171 (senior) and finished with a 137-17 overall record including a perfect 41-0 as a junior.

His selection, along with the other scholastic wrestling All-Americans from across the country, was made after being nominated by his coach (father Mike Allison), sportswriters, and Wrestling USA state editors. After a screening process, Allison was chosen for the national honor.

"His record and citizenship made him a true All-American," a letter from the magazine said. "Wrestling USA is proud to name Cole Allison to this honor."

Allison is he first athlete (wrestler) from MCHS to attain this coveted honor, according to MCHS Athletic Director Mike Allison. He has signed an athletic scholarship and will also receive an academic scholarship to the University of Northern Colorado.

Panther baseball player Josh Knapp, who batted better than .450 this past season, was chosen First Team All-Conference (Southwestern League).

A pair of junior girls soccer players were honored. Nikki Fuchs, who spent time in the goalie crease and out in the field, earned First Team All-Conference, while Nicole Stephens was named Second Team All-Conference.

The 2A San Juan Basin League All-Conference Track and Field Team was named and MHS athletes dominated. The honor bestowed is based on points and not chosen by coaches, except for male and female athletes of the year and coach of the year. Blue Jay girls making the elite team were Amanda Kennedy, Kerri Morgan, Lacey Morris, and Jori Yeomans with Kennedy being named Outstanding Female. Blue Jay boys chosen were Philip Wilson, Jakob Tallent, Chase Davis, Doyle Edgerton, and Kent Russell. Cody Beaver of Dolores was named Outstanding Male. Kati Banks of Dolores County was named Coach of the Year.

The 4A Southwest League does not name All-Conference teams for boys and girls track and field, girls tennis or boys swimming.

Several Dove Creek players were chosen All-Conference in baseball by the SJBL coaches. They were: Dallas Daves (pitcher), Keith Pierce (outfield), Kyle Krafka (designed hitter), and Terence Gardner (utility). The only Dolores player to be chosen was Cullen Zion (outfield).

Nucla dominated the selections. They were: Jason Mock (pitcher), Michael Epright (catcher), Shawn Ficklin (first base), Chris Robuck (second base), Josh Hainey (shortstop), Brian Hibbert (third base), Travis Miller (outfield), and Sabin Mock (honorable mention outfield). Mike Epright of Nucla was named Coach of the Year.

Brandon Neely, a sophomore at Dolores County High School, was recently named the State Farm Most Valuable Participant. The State Farm MVP award is given to two students in Colorado each week for their academic record and achievements in Colorado High School Activities Association-sanctioned activities. Neely participated in football, basketball and most recently baseball. He maintained a 3.85 grade point average. Cortez State Farm agent Tom Ervin presented him with the award.