West Potomac Honors Student Athletes

West Potomac High School honored dozens of student athletes last night for their work on and off the field at the school's fall sports awards night.

The awards ceremony gave the entire "Wolverine family" the opportunity to celebrate each other's achievements.

"So many of these athletes are doing their own thing, they don't always get to see what other teams are doing," said Aaron Helmick, the school's director of student activities.

Each of West Potomac's six fall athletic programs presented coach's awards for each sport level – varsity, and junior varsity and freshman team – as well as a varsity team Most Valuable Player award.

The silent partners in the event were the Wolverine Booster Athletic Club, an organization that contributes upwards of 70 percent of West Potomac's athletic budget.

"We couldn't meet all the needs of our student athletes without their support," Helmick said.

The boosters organization annually gives the athletic program $50,000. It also contributes in other ways, too, including most recently raising $70,000 for upgrades to West Potomac's football field.

"The crucial ingredient to the boosters is the parents," said Lee Harrington, co-president of the booster club.

Cross country runner Mark Hanak and field hockey player Toni O'Boyle won the coveted fall "Scholar Athlete" awards.

Criteria to be eligible for the Scholar Athlete Awards include being a senior, having a grade-point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, earning a varsity letter, and must contributing to the school community away from the field.

Hanak, a second-team all-district honoree, finished the first quarter with a 4.572 GPA. He is taking three Advanced Placement courses. He also volunteers at Mount Vernon Hospital and has a fellowship at Georgetown Hospital.

O'Boyle, a first-team all-district selection, had a 4.71 first quarter GPA and is enrolled in five Advanced Placement courses. She also was the field hockey team's captain.