Jimmy Bartolotta and Abby Waner were named 2004-05 student-athletes of the year Thursday night at The Denver Athletic Club.
Bartolotta, a recent graduate of Heritage High School in Littleton, and Waner, late of ThunderRidge in Highlands Ranch, were chosen from 10 finalists selected from weekly student-athletes that began the past September.
The two received $4,000 from The DAC’s scholarship fund. The nine-year program is backed by The DAC, The Denver Post and 9News.
Bartolotta, a forward in basketball, helped Heritage to a Class 5A championship the past season. The Eagles were 26-1. He also was named to The Denver Post All-Colorado team. He had a 4.72 grade-point average and will attend MIT. He also played doubles in tennis.
“I’m thrilled; I had no idea,” Bartolotta said.
Waner, who was playing with the U-19 national team in San Diego and couldn’t attend, was the second-leading scorer in state girls basketball history (2,670 points); played on three 5A state championship teams; was a four-time all-stater and two-time player of the year. She had a 3.8 GPA and will attend Duke.
Other finalists: Austin Chow, Battle Mountain; Kevin Ellis, Smoky Hill; Tony Mustari, Greeley Central; Jeff Zeller, Cherry Creek; Kristen Lahey, Fairview; Maddie McKeever, Heritage; Kristi Smith, Horizon; and Christie Zinanti, Pueblo West.
DAC awards: Jason Elam, Broncos, Colorado athlete of the year; University of Denver hockey team, collegiate athletes of the year; and Ceal Barry, former University of Colorado women’s basketball coach, career achievement. The DAC also recognized its athletes of the year: Devon Wills, youth female; Noah Aptekar, youth male; Raili Donnelly, female; Richard Hayward, male; Debbie Wilson, master female; and Bob Bush and Ed McWilliams, master males.
Neil Devlin can be reached at 303-820-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com.
