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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Harison Brockway makes contact with a ball Thursday, May 22 against the Brock Eagles. Brockway earned co-defensive player of the year honors for his efforts at Shortstop this season for the Steers. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Ryder Taylor up on the bump for the Steers Thursday, May 22. Taylor earned co-pitcher of the year honors from the district for his efforts this season.
Graduation may have passed, but Graham athletes are still being recognized for their efforts this past season and academic year. Several members of the Steers baseball team were recently presented their district awards.
Despite the Graham Steers athletes being honored already at their spring sports banquet, they had not actually received their official district awards yet as they were still competing in the postseason.
After weeks of anticipation, those awards were finally announced Saturday, May 31.
A total of nine athletes received awards and acknowledgments from the district.
Ryder Taylor was named co-pitcher of the year and Harison Brockway was named co-defensive player of the year.
Their teammates Tanner Hurford, Tripp Mahaney, Ty Thompson and Bruin Wright also received first team all district honors for their efforts in the field.
Mike Garcia, Mason Milton and Colter Johnson rounded out the talented bunch with second team all district nods and an honorable mention for Johnson respectively.
“The team success translates into individual accolades,” Steers head coach Allen McGee said. “If we didn’t have success as a team, we wouldn’t have those individual accolades.”
Each of these players earned these awards at various positions at every level of the field.
Taylor was a pitcher but also served time in the outfield. Brockway was the primary shortstop for the team but also served as a relief pitcher.
Hurford was the everyday second baseman while Mahaney commanded the pitching staff with his efforts behind home plate at catcher.
Thompson and Wright both made their names this season for their services in the outfield along with Garcia.
Johnson and Milton manned the corner slots for the Steers at first and third base respectively.
McGee said he’s excited about the fact that three of these honored athletes will be returning to the team next season in Hurford, Garcia and Mahaney.
However, with many seniors departing the team, McGee also placed a challenge on some of the up and coming starters.
“Those are going to be three solid guys we can build around next year,” McGee said. “Guys who had some role playing, next year are going to have to step up and be big contributors.”
The Steers will have a chance to test their metal during the summer league tournaments June 7-8 at 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
