The Reagan Wrestling team gathered last Wednesday to celebrate the achievements of their season, award some very deserving athletes and to thank Head Coach Paul Miller and Assistant Coaches Ryan Noland and Erin McAlpin for their dedication and time that they pour into the athletes.
The Coach Hernandez Award, named for the late Assistant Wrestling Coach Kevin Hernandez, was first awarded in 2022 and is given to the Senior that embodies citizenship, character, work ethic and service. These are all qualities that Coach Hernandez not only had, but modeled and encouraged his athletes to embody. This year’s recipient is Senior Sebastian Diaz who Coach Miller said, “is always helping his teammates and team, I could not ask anything more from this guy.”
The Gillespie Award, named for Bill Gillespie, the founder of San Antonio wrestling, is given to the athlete who has worked through adversity and come out stronger on the other side. This year’s recipient is Senior Captain Kayla Baker who had a season ending injury and yet “came back and did everything she could to finish her Senior year and do great things for our team” according to Coach Miller.
The Gable Award, named for wrestling great Dan Gable, is given to a male and female wrestler who shows leadership and character on and off the mat. Junior Captain Mikayla Garcia is the recipient for the girls’ team for “how she represents herself, her team and the Reagan community on and off the mat,” said Coach Miller. Senior Captain Max Pechman is the recipient for the boys’ team because of his “leadership, toughness, reliability, guts and determination,” according to Coach Miller.
The Wrestler of the Year Award is given to the male and female wrestler who had the most success on the mat. Junior Captain Shobhana Spielmann is the recipient for the girls side and Senior Captain Grant Schnieders is the recipient on the boys’ side.
Other recognitions:
Academic All-District: Kayla Baker, Tommy Benne, Matthew Blattner, Ben Brown, Katie Chacon, Miguel Chavez, Sebastian Diaz, Eliel Flores, Daniella Garcia, Miguel Gutierez, Ethan Hamlin, girl Kashious Keams, Isreal Jiminez, Nyla Kazzi, Dreyson Majuta, Sophia Melendez, Reed O’Connor, Max Pechman, Sebastian Rangel, Athena Rodriguez, Libertad Rodriguez, Grant Schnieders, Shobhana Spielmann, Luke Vo, Abdi Wirkus-Camacho, Jacob Young.
Academic All-State Second Team: Luke Vo, Max Pechman, Miguel Chavez.
Academic All-State Honorable Mention: Ben Brown, Sebastian Diaz, Sophia Melendez.
Twenty-Pin Club (Win by pin 20+ times in a season): Shobhana Spielmann (29 pins), Hannah Dunn (27 pins), Sebastian Rangel (22 pins), Grant Schnieders (21 pins), Ethan Hamlin (21 pins), Mekyela Garcia (21 pins), Caedmon Garcia (21 pins).
100 Win Club (100 Reagan High School wins): Shobhanna Spielmann (126 wins), Grant Schnieders (115 wins), Max Pechman (100 wins).