Hutchins receives honorable mention for Garces Tournament play
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Following the 20th annual Garces Holiday Soccer Festival, Dec. 18-19, junior Cassidy Hutchins received a plaque for the 2009 Rick Martinez Sportsmanship Award.
This is the first year Garces officials implemented the award; its stated purpose is to encourage the CIF's goal of "Pursuing Victory with Honor."
Officials named it after San Joaquin Memorial's boys' coach, Rick Martinez. Out of 250 teams this year, Martinez is the only coach to have participated in all 20 Holiday Festivals, always displaying the good sportsmanship the award will honor.
Based on the recommendation of coaches, players, officials and fans, Rogelio Ramirez of Farmersville High School won the initial sportsmanship award.
There were two Honorable Mentions as well. Each received a commemorative plaque from the tournament.
An official in the Girls Bronze Division noted Cassidy Hutchins' good sportsmanship and positive attitude toward teammates, opponents and the officials set the tone for both teams for the entire match, making it an intense but enjoyable game to officiate.
"Cassidy had a great weekend at the Garces Tournament," coach Jennifer Tatum said. "The game that showed most of her sportsmanship was against Righetti.
"This was a very physical team who played tough against Cassidy," Tatum added. "She responded to their 'physicalness' with a 'bigger person' attitude. She did not drop to their level of play. She continued to play the way she knows how, which is physical, but fair. I'm not surprised she won the award."
Hutchins was quick to acknowledge her teammates after hearing of the award.
"This was a very physical team who played tough against Cassidy. She responded to their 'physicalness' with a 'bigger person' attitude. She did not drop to their level of play. She continued to play the way she knows how, which is physical, but fair. I'm not surprised she won the award." --coach Jennifer Tatum
"I was honestly kind of surprised I got the award (honorable mention)," Hutchins said. "It was quite an honor because it's out of the whole tournament and it's a really big tournament. I thought my teammates were especially great against Righetti.
"I thought the girls showed good sportsmanship because they didn't lower their level of play because of the other team's physicality," Hutchins continued. "Instead of retaliating and playing dirty, we continued playing physical yet fair."
The other Honorable Mention was given to Brian Goncalves, the JV Boys Coach of Tulare Western High School.
FC Girls' Soccer '10 from Tyler Duerr on Vimeo.
For more information, read the Girls' soccer sport shorts, 2009-10, and watch the slide show.
Posted by "Teresa Evans" on January 27, 2010 at 7:50 a.m.
Great job, Cassidy! When you play with all you've got and are a good sport too you honor the Lord and that doesn't go unnoticed! You testify to Christ when you do that! Thanks for being a positive testimony!
Posted by "Dawn Hutchins" on January 27, 2010 at 7:50 a.m.
I am so proud of you and the godly woman you are becoming. Opportunities, whether in sports, academics or with people, it is wonderful to watch you seek the Lord's guidance on how to respond.
Not every opportunity is easy to handle, but more often than not, you have handled them with grace. Remember who you reflect first as a CHRISTian. Regardless of the score or outcome of a game, if you can walk off the field saying you gave it your all, played fair and your character was one that pleased the Lord, you have won.
You never know when you may have planted a seed or caused someone else to want what you have-the Lord. This is the greatest victory and one that can last for eternity.
May God continue to give you opportunities to draw others and reflect the Son!
Posted by "Melissa O'Leary" on January 24, 2010 at 7:50 a.m.
You deserve this and I'm so proud of you! Loveee youuu! :)
Ps- Remember Spaghetti team??
Posted by "Jennifer Tatum" on January 28, 2010 at 7:50 a.m.
Hey there chick! I am so proud of you for receiving this award. You were chosen out of the thousands of girls at this tournament. This a huge honor and I am proud to say that I am your coach!
I'll be honest and say I wasn't surprised when the referee asked for your name so he could enter you in for the award. GOOD JOB!