Published: May 06, 2008 01:36 am         

GCS awards student-athletes at banquet

GREENVILLE — They call them Iron Man and Iron Woman awards.

These awards are earned by Greenville Christian School student-athletes who compete in all three varsity sports for all four years of high school.

Four GCS Eagles were presented with Iron Man awards and one Lady Eagle was awarded the Iron Woman award during the GCS Spring Athletic Banquet on Monday night in the GCS gymnasium.

Brock Dumdei, Kurt Jones, Kyle Rook and Chris Wombaker received the Iron Man honor in recognition of their participation in football, basketball and baseball during the past four years. Only 14 Eagles have earned that Iron Man honors since the award’s inception in 2000.

Jourdan Sullivan earned the Iron Woman award in recognition of her participation in volleyball, basketball and softball during the past four years. She’s only the second Lady Eagle to earn that distinction.

GCS athletic director Larry Uland recognized the accomplishments of the whole athletic program.

“We’ve had a good year,” said Uland, whose Eagles won a TAPPS six-man football state title in the fall. “We’re very proud of these young people.”

The GCS baseball and softball teams advanced to the playoffs this season.

“The ladies did a phenomenal job,” said softball coach Trent Brown, whose team went 6-2 in district play.

“Every win this year was by the (10 or 15) run rule,” he said.

GCS lost to defending state champion Hallettesville Sacred Heart in the regional round of the playoffs.

The GCS Eagles advanced into the TAPPS playoffs for the sixth straight year in baseball. The Eagles lost 3-2 to Fort Worth Bethesda in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

“We were green and growing and played our best baseball at the end of the year,” said Uland, who also serves as head baseball coach.

“I’m very, very proud of this team because of the way that they finished,” he said.

Coach Dave Wombaker noted that the Eagles have advanced into the playoffs in 20 of 23 years in boys basketball but not in recent seasons.

“We’re getting bigger, faster and stronger,” he said.

Coach Rene’ Aja challenged the Lady Eagles’ basketball players and their parents.

“Speaking to the parents, folks I know I can be a success here because of what is here,” said Aja. “I know when God’s hand is in place.

“I think we need to set goals for practice and the season,” he said.

Middle School athletes and their coaches were also recognized as were the GCS cheerleaders.