Astounding athletes The Marlins Athletic Booster Club held its annual Marlin Athletic Banquet on May 16 at the Civic Center. Receiving awards for male and female athletes of the year were Kelsey Ortiz and Tyler Pate on the left side of the photo. At right are Chris Eggleston and Anna Roberson, who took the Millie Wise Sportsmanship Award. Port Aransas Independent School District Athletic Director Steve Reaves is at center. STAFF PHOTO BY MARNIE PATE Port Aransas’ athletes of the year are Kelsey Ortiz and Tyler Pate. The two were named on Monday, May 16, at the school district’s annual athletic banquet, held in the civic center.

Ortiz advanced to the state level in golf and finished 17th in the 1A golf competition May 9-10 and was named to the district girls’ all-star basketball team. Pate finished third in the regional track contest with a 6’0” high jump and has been a standout on the area champion baseball team and the basketball team, where he was co-winner of the district offensive player of the year award.

The Millie Wise Sportsmanship Award was presented to Anna Roberson and Chris Eggleston. The award honors the late Millie Wise, an ardent fan of the Lady Marlins.

Other awards at the banquet:

Cross country – Megan Forrest, Matt Fries and Corban Marcantel, outstanding runners; Meagan Hardegree and Jason Morris, most improved.

Softball – Kelsey Ortiz, offensive MVP; Savannah Ortiz, defensive MVP; Missy Gilbreath, most improved.

Boys basketball – Pate, offensive MVP; Andrew Groseclose, defensive MVP; Caleb Rogers, newcomer; Mac Owens and Dillon Martin, Marlin award.

Girls basketball – Tarryn Murray, offensive MVP; Kelsey Ortiz, defensive MVP; Anna Roberson, sixth man award; Savannah Ortiz, newcomer.

Track –Fries and Roberson, high point athletes.

Golf – Kelsey Ortiz and Tyler Burns, outstanding golfers; Maddison Shannon and Dakota Cowen, most improved.

Baseball – Alex Groseclose, offensive MVP; Pate, defensive MVP; Andrew Groseclose, overall MVP; Austin Snoddy, most improved. Tennis – Emily Klein, most improved; Jack Goodgion, leadership; Clark Wilson, sportsmanship; Jessica Borden, hardest worker.