And the "Robby" goes to...
The single greatest, most prestigious award a Laramie County Community College athlete has the honor of receiving isn’t just for basketball players anymore.
That’s right, this year’s rendition of the “Robbys” is bigger and better than ever. Instead of basketball players being the only athletes eligible for this monumental, life-changing award, as I did last year, I will give at least one “Robby” to an athlete from each sport at LCCC.
Of course, I won’t allow just any athlete to take one of these “Robbys” home to cherish forever. These recipients are only those who have shown they can perform well on the court, field or arena as well as in the classroom. Plus, I will certainly take a few sophomores’ two-year career into consideration and will give the edge to those who have made a positive impact on LCCC and most importantly—me.
Don’t worry about congratulating these players in the hallway or letting them know how proud you are of them for receiving a “Robby.” They won’t need those words because they will already be eternally basking in the warmth and the glory that comes along with being a “Robby” recipient.
And now for the moment you’ve all been anxiously waiting an entire year, I present you with the “Robbys.” Enjoy the show.
Most Valuable Basketball Player
Bret Barnes
On the court, and off, Barnes proved to be the most productive basketball player in a season full of ups and downs. In play, the sophomore from Cheyenne stayed as cool as the other side of the pillow and nailed three-pointers at will down the stretch in games when the Golden Eagles needed it most.
In the classroom, the success didn’t stop, as Barnes, a pre-pharmacy major, was able to pull off a 4.0 GPA for last fall’s semester. Basketball Head Coach Jason Ficca often referred to Barnes as a player any coach would love to have, adding it’s hard to find players who are “grounded and solid in all areas of life at that age.” Barnes’ presence on the court and on campus will surely be missed, making it that much harder for Ficca to recruit a replacement during the offseason. Barnes has been accepted to the University of Wyoming’s pharmacy program but will not continue his basketball career in Laramie.
Most Valuable Horse Show Team Member
Leigh Ann Skurupey
I’ve coined her the ag department’s “diva,” and it certainly fits. Not only has Skurupey thrived on the Horse Show Team but she has also played a huge factor in the success of the new Ranch Horse Versatility Show Team. Even more, she also was the performing artist of the “National Anthem” at LCCC’s first “Showdeo,” in which she also competed.
No matter for which team she has competed, or activity she’s participated, success has always been sure to follow. Last May, as a freshman, she came away with an 11th place finish in advanced walk/trot/canter at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association hunt seat national competition and came within two spots of making it back to the national stage this year.
With Skurupey graduating this May, it will most likely be a rebuilding year for the ag teams with which she has been involved. Skurupey will attend Colorado State University in the fall, which does not have a competitive show team.
Most Valuable Men’s Soccer Player
Conrrado Deniz
On a LCCC soccer squad coached solely on the basis of teamwork, Deniz certainly stood out as one of the team’s many star players who ultimately led them to an impressive Region IX title. Serving as one of the sophomore leaders on the field, he proved to be one of the greatest players in LCCC’s men’s soccer history as he absolutely shattered the college’s previous goals, assists and total points records.
On a team that relied so heavily on the defensive side of the game, Deniz was sure to give his team the edge needed offensively to win games, forcing former Interim Head Coach Juston Taylor to say, “Conrrado is just an overall sound player with great vision and a great sense of the game.” New Head Coach Vince Gibson will definitely need to recruit a player with abilities similar to Deniz’s in order to be successful this fall. In the fall, Deniz will play for Denver University and study real estate and construction management.
Most Valuable Women’s Soccer Player
Shauna Fuentez
When a team is as successful as LCCC’s women’s soccer team, it’s hard to pick one clear MVP, but Fuentez showed she had the heart, determination and ability to take home the prize. As a sophomore outside midfielder, Fuentez earned the honor of being selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas All-American first team, showing coaches across the country thought highly of her play as well.
One of four sophomore captains, Fuentez was constantly a scoring threat and was essential in leading her team to a fourth-place finish at this year’s National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association national competition. It was the team’s third consecutive appearance, and second with Fuentez on the squad. With Fuentez, and many other key sophomores leaving, Head Coach Jim Gardner’s hands will be full during offseason recruiting. For the fall semester, Fuentez will transfer to Cumberland University, a private college in Lebanon, Tenn., where she will continue playing soccer.
Most Valuable Men’s Rodeo Member
Tyler Shelstad
In a sport dominated by individual performances, it’s been a pleasant surprise to see a rodeo athlete like Shelstad, who is dedicated to the wellness of his teammates. Not only has he been able to perform well as a bull rider, sitting in the top 15 in the Central Rocky Mountain Region, but rodeo coaches Bill Vossler and Amy Jo Farella said Shelstad also goes out of his way to try to help everyone on the team, men and women alike. Vossler went so far to say Shelstad has grown as a bull rider this semester and now has a better understanding of his capabilities when he steps into the arena. Despite the recent success, it would be difficult for anyone to catch Shelstad bragging about himself. Instead, those who talk to him will hear only supportive comments about his teammates and fellow competitors. According to his coaches, Shelstad, a sophomore, plans to return to LCCC in the fall.
Most Valuable Women’s Rodeo Member
Katy Pfleger
Readers might have trouble pronouncing this Robby recipient’s last name, but there’s absolutely no confusion when it comes to Pfleger’s hard work, dedication and results as a LCCC rodeo athlete. During the fall, coaches Vossler and Farella said the sophomore gave it her all but just didn’t seem to pull off results at the end of the weekend. However, since the beginning of the rodeo season this spring semester, Pfleger has released her freshman jitters and has reached, or come close, to reaching the short round as a barrel racer and breakaway roper. Farella said, “She’s really worked hard all year, and it’s all clicking a lot better for her.”
The freshman out of Rapid City, S.D., will transfer to Dickinson State University in North Dakota for her sophomore year.
Volleyball Player of the Year
Amanda Goodrich
As a freshman athlete on a volleyball team with a tough season and a record to show for it, Goodrich was definitely one player who stood out among her teammates. No matter whether her squad won or lost, Goodrich could be counted on to contribute the most assists, showing her unselfish playing abilities. Former Head Coach Geri Wagner called Goodrich, out of Utah, a silent leader on the court who chose to lead by example. Many staff, students and community members who watched volleyball matches considered Goodrich a fan favorite, and some even went as far to say she wasn’t just a pretty face on a team full of pretty women, but also an athlete who could perform when her team needed it the most. With the departure of Wagner, it will be interesting to see if Goodrich will return and play for LCCC in her sophomore year.
Coach of the Year
1a. Juston Taylor
Despite the controversy involved since his departure, credit must be given where it’s due for someone who stepped in as interim head coach a week before the men’s soccer season started and still led his team to a Region IX title and a 13-5-2 regular season record. When former Head Coach Adam Buseck accepted an assistant coaching position at the University of Denver, assistant coach Taylor quickly took over as the team’s interim head coach, and the rest was history. The team’s 13 wins tied LCCC’s record for the most in a season, and players broke many of the college’s previous offensive and defensive records. When the season was over and Athletic Director Ficca posted the position, Taylor was not retained. Still, with Gibson under the helm now, last year’s sophomores will continue to play in Taylor’s honor.
1b. Jim Gardner
By taking his team to the national tournament every year, it’s hard to make sure Gardner isn’t included on this prestigious list. With the constant “recycling” of sophomores every year at a two-year college like LCCC, he has still been able to recruit and coach women with the same successful mindset. In November, Gardner led his women to a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA national tournament after earning a 13-3-1 regular season record, a Region IX title and another District B championship.