RCS Names Outstanding Senior Athletes

Ripley Central School senior athletes Samantha Eimers and Trent Johnston were honored as the 2008 recipients of the Wallace L. Johnson Senior Athlete Award. This award, which is given to the RCS female and male senior athletes who have made the greatest contribution to the success of Ripley Central School sports, was presented to Eimers and Johnston at this school’s athletic awards ceremony on June 20.

Head coaches of Ripley Central School sports teams nominated senior female and male athletes for this recognition. The criteria for selection as an award nominee include the following: a strong emphasis on the recipient being a good representative of Ripley Central School and its athletic program; outstanding success as evidenced by the senior’s athletic statistics; multi-sport participation is considered important; and the athlete should exhibit good sportsmanship both on and off the field or court.

Samantha Eimers earned this award for her many contributions and good sportsmanship while playing with the Ripley Eagles volleyball, basketball and softball teams throughout her high school career. Eimers was named as the Division III Volleyball Player of the Year in 2008; Division III Basketball Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008; the Division III Softball Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008; First Team All-State Softball; and First Team All-State Basketball in 2008. Eimers played volleyball in grades 8 through 12; basketball in7-12; and softball in grades 8-12. She earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award in numerous years. Her future plans are to attend Mercyhurst College in North East, PA, where she will major in secondary education and also where she will play softball.

Trent Johnston was honored with the senior athlete award for his athletic accomplishments and good sportsmanship while participating in wrestling (grades 7-12), volleyball (9-10), soccer (9), cross country (10 & 12), football (11), and baseball (9-12). Johnston earned a spot on the Division III Wrestling First Team each year from 2004 through 2008, and his career record was 157- 43. In both 2007 and 2008 Johnston was named as the Wrestling Section VI state representative, and in 2008 he achieved fifth place in New York State in his weight class. Also, he received the Golden Eagle Award, Wrestling Coaches Award, Volleyball Coaches Award (2005 & 2006) and the Presidential Physical Fitness Award for 9 consecutive years. Johnston is attending SUNY Brockport in the fall, where he will major in physical education.

Ripley Central School recognizes Samantha Eimers and Trent Johnston for their many athletic and academic accomplishments during their high school careers and wishes them much success in college and the future.