O’Neal Celebrates Student-Athletes at Annual Varsity Sports Recognition Ceremony
The O’Neal School honored its student-athletes during the annual JV/Varsity Sports Recognition Ceremony on May 19th in the Hannah Center Gymnasium. The event celebrated the achievements of teams across all sports seasons, with coaches presenting team highlights and individual awards for Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player, and the Falcon (Spirit) Award.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of program-wide honors, recognizing exceptional leadership, athletic excellence, and team success.
Coach of the Year was awarded to Varsity Swim Coach Jen Schmitz, whose leadership guided the varsity girls swim team through a dramatic comeback at the state championship. After a disqualification in the first event placed the team last among 23 competitors, the swimmers rallied to finish as state runners-up. “To teach athletes to stay positive when faced with adversity; to develop a strong work ethic and excellent leadership skills in your team is why you coach,” said Schmitz. The award recognizes a coach who exemplifies integrity, achievement, and commitment while fostering individual and team growth.
Outstanding Athlete Awards were presented to Charli Bunder, a senior standout in varsity girls tennis and soccer, and Max Pashley, a multi-sport athlete who competed in varsity boys soccer, basketball, baseball, and golf. Both athletes earned all-conference and/or all-state honors and demonstrated exceptional leadership on and off the field.
The Team of the Year honors went to the varsity boys golf team and the varsity girls soccer team, both of which demonstrated passion, resilience, and competitive excellence throughout their seasons.
The evening was a testament to the dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship of O’Neal’s student-athletes and coaches, highlighting a year of memorable achievements and inspiring teamwork.
The O'Neal School
The O'Neal School admits students of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
© The O'Neal School