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Sunnyvale athletic program continued to make strides during 2011
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@acnpapers.com
The new year is fast approaching this week, and if the last 12 months are any indication, there is plenty to look forward to in 2012 for the Sunnyvale athletic program.
The Raiders are still one of the youngest programs in the area, but many of the teams laid the groundwork for success in the future in 2011.
It started back in February as both the girls and boys basketball teams enjoyed successful campaigns.
The Raiders would post a 24-9 overall mark and advanced three rounds deep in the playoffs before suffering a heart-breaking one-point loss to Grandview.
The Sunnyvale boys basketball team matched that accomplishment, going 12-0 in 13-2A play en route to their first district championship.
Led by co-district most valuable player Yousef Hamideh and first-team all-district selections Emeka Okafor and Garrett Shafer, the Raiders posted a 25-7 record before being knocked out of the playoffs in a 55-43 loss to Hearne in the area finals.
The Sunnyvale softball team extended its streak of playoff appearances to three in a row in April.
The Raiders posted a 10-1 record in 13-2A to earn a share of the district championship, as well.
There were plenty of honors for the team, as Megan Flores was named most valuable player, Sarah Mullican was the catcher of the year, Mahlee Laird was the co-defensive player of the year and Allison Freeman, Kimbo Gardner and Mali Crumpton were named to the 13-2A first team.
Sunnyvale won its opening round playoff game before falling in the area finals.
The Raider baseball team also had a strong season, as they posted a 22-11 record. Sunnyvale was 8-2 in district play and swept Jewett Leon in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
The end of the road came in tough fashion in the area finals. After a 13-3 loss to Franklin in the first round, the Raiders evened the series with a 5-4 win. However, in the deciding game, Sunnyvale was edged out in a 5-4 loss to end their season.
Among the standouts for the team was Zach Metzger, the district's offensive player of the year who was also named to the all-state first team at catcher.
Ryan Cottingame was named newcomer of the year, while Brock Taylor, Josh Wendt, Will Moss and Colin Cange were honored on the 13-2A first team.
As the fall arrived, the volleyball and football teams picked up where those others had left off.
The Raider volleyball team once again captured the 13-2A championship before falling in the second round of the playoffs to Franklin.
Sunnyvale was led by 13-2A most valuable player Abby Whitehead, hitter of the year Mali Crumpton and first-team all-district selections Delanee Clark and Alex Lally.
The Raider football team narrowly missed out on the program's first playoff appearance this season under first-year head coach John Settle.
Sunnyvale, which was 3-7 the previous season, posted a 7-3 record, which was one game out of the postseason picture.
Sunnyvale had five players named to the all-district first team, including one superlative award winner in Josh Quinn, who was named 6-2A Newcomer of the Year. Quinn, a wide receiver, caught 52 passes for 948 yards in his sophomore campaign.
Among the first-team honorees was quarterback Tanner Tutle. The senior completed 167-of-245 passes for 2,632 yards and 29 touchdowns. Tutle added 373 yards on the ground.
Wide receiver Mason Goodin was also a first-team selection after recording 40 receptions for 812 yards.
The Raiders had a pair of players named to the first-team defense in linebacker Brandon Garza, who led the team with 173 tackles, and linebacker Danny Thomas, who had 104 tackles.
As the year comes to a close, the girls and boys basketball teams are already off to promising starts as they look to once again set the tone for the rest of the athletic program for 2012.
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