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Hayden athletes honored at fall banquet

Danie Harrelson

— Hayden High School honored its athletes Tuesday night at its fall sports banquet.

The evening topped off a memorable football season filled with highs and lows, Hayden football coach Kevin Kleckler said.

The team made it to the playoffs two years in a row for the first time since 1981, but fell to the Dolores County Bulldogs.



“That’s the way life goes,” he said. “We just happened to lose. But it was still a great season.”

Kleckler handed out 26 letters to his players, who came together, he said, remarkably well and discovered how to work in unison on and off the field.



“We learned about unity more than anything,” he said.

Seniors Kevin Miller, Glenn Frentress, Riley Whiteman, Clayton Neumiller, Derek Stephenson, Tanner Copeland and Jacques Denker, and junior Kelly Bruchez, received All-Conference designation. Junior Alan Stark received an All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Klecker will end nine years of coaching the Tigers when he returns next year as Hayden’s athletics director.

Although he will not be coaching the team, he said he expects great things from his returning players.

“I’m exited about the future of the program,” he said.

Hayden volleyball coach Kipp Rillos said he also expects his younger players to step up next season.

Nine seniors will fill the Tigers’ roster next year.

“We’re looking forward to seeing these girls really perform well next fall,” Rillos said.

Senior Kristin Brown received the team’s only All-Conference designation and juniors Diane Hull and Adriana Svoboda received honorable mentions.


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