St. Bernard Preparatory School (SBP) celebrated its spring sports athletes on Wednesday, May 10, for their hard work and dedication to the athletic program. The highest honor of the night, the Father Luke Fazi Award, went to senior Cole Bissot.

The Father Luke Fazi Award is named after a former teacher and coach who expected excellence from everyone around him in all aspects of life. The award recognizes student athletes who excel in athletic accomplishments, commitment to the program, and represent the school and community well.

 Athletic Director Tim Burleson said Bissot has played multiple sports during his time at SBP. “He has played soccer for 6 years (5 of which were on the varsity team) and selected team captain for 2 years, leading the team in assists for 2 years. Bissot was on the Cross Country team for 6 years where he had multiple top ten finishes. He was a member of the 2021 Cross Country state championship; and was a fifth place finisher at state in 2022.”

Other teams that were honored included girls soccer, tennis, track and field, and archery. Coaches from each program praised their players individually and thanked them for their team efforts.

The boys soccer team honored the following players: Golden Boot, Emmanuel Santiago; Silver Boot, Cole Bissot; Golden Gloves, Charles Gil; Defensive Player of the Year, Cesar Hernandez; Most Improved Player, Will Lyons; and Captains, Cole Bissot and Jiovany Arriaga-Aguilar.

The girls soccer team honored the following players: Golden Boot, Amelia Tafazoli; Silver Boot, Madilyn Kerber; Golden Gloves, Violeta Castro; Defensive Player of the Year, Sarah Woods; Most Improved Player, Ella Cron; and Captains, Madilyn Kerber and Sarah Woods.

The tennis team honored Elle Tillitski as the team captain.

The archery team honored the following archers: Middle School Girls MVP, Yesenia Aburto Santiago; Middle School Boys MVP, Eugene Byrd; High School Girls MVP, Amelia Tafazoli; and High School Boys MVP, Charles Gil.

Yesenia Aburto Santiago received special honors for qualifying for the national tournament and achieving a high score of 281. She placed fifth in the middle school girls division at the state championship and second at the Walker County regionals.

The archery team also honored the following seniors: Allison Stidham, four years on the team and highest individual score of 271; Natalie Garcia, three years on the team and highest individual score of 267; Charles Gil, one year on the team and highest individual score of 253.

The track and field team honored athletes for their outstanding performances in running and field events. Jiovany Arriaga Aguilar was part of the 4x800m relay team that placed fourth at the 2A state meet with a time of 9:08.46. Parker Guthery was part of the 4x800m relay team that placed fourth at the 2A state meet with a time of 9:08.46. Cash Daly was part of the 4x800m relay team that placed fourth at the 2A state meet with a time of 9:08.46. Sean Daly was part of the 4x800m relay team that placed fourth at the 2A state meet with a time of 9:08.46. Xavier Pautler placed tenth in discus at the 2A state meet with a throw of 111’03”, fourth in javelin at the 1A-3A Andy Page Memorial with a throw of 133’3”, and seventh in shot put at the 2A Section 4 with a throw of 36’5.5”. Madi Kerber was part of the 4x800m relay team that placed third at the 2A state meet with a time of 11:01.20. Tessa Sanders was part of the 4x800m relay team that placed third at the 2A state meet with a time of 11:01.20. Mary Ella Cockerham was part of the 4x800m relay team that placed third at the 2A state meet with a time of 11:01.20. Bruna Parolin was part of the 4x800m relay team that placed third at the 2A state meet with a time of 11:01.20. Abby McBride placed fifth in high jump at the 1A-3A state meet with a jump of 4’08” and second in triple jump at the 2A Section 4 with a jump of 31’10”.

Lastly, the track and field team of St. Bernard High School announced the senior awards for the year 2023. The awards recognize the outstanding performance and achievements of the senior athletes in various events. Xavier Pautler received the male senior award. He is a three-year letterman who qualified for the 2A State Meet in discus and javelin in 2023. He also holds the personal and school records for javelin (133 ft. 3in.), shot (36 ft. 51/2in.) and discus (111 ft. 3 in.). Mary Ella Cockerham received the female senior award. She is a two-year letterman who qualified for the 2A State Meet in 800m, 1600m, 3200m and 4 x800m relay in 2021, and 1600m, 3200m, and 4 x 800m relay in 2023. She also earned the bronze medal in the 4 x 800m relay (11:01.20) in 2023.