Ten top student-athletes from the 2009-10 school year will be honored along with the Broncos’ Champ Bailey and baseball Hall of Famer Rich “Goose” Gossage at the Denver Athletic Club’s annual athlete of the year banquet tonight.
Ultimately, one boy and one girl will be named student-athletes of the year, and donations to charity will be made in the winners’ names.
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the banquet will start at 7 p.m. For more information, contact The DAC at 303-534-1211.
Post Preps/Student-athlete honorees
BOYS
Matt Brown, Limon: 2009 Gold Helmet winner by The Denver Post; quarterback- linebacker; all-state basketball player; Class 2A baseball championship series MVP, threw complete game and hit game-winning two-run single; track competitor; 4.0 GPA. College: Colorado School of Mines.
Marco Gonzales, Rocky Mountain: Winning pitcher in the Class 5A championship game in four consecutive seasons; hit .486 as a senior with seven home runs and 36 RBIs, 11-0 on the mound; 3.4 GPA; College: Gonzaga.
Mitch Griebel, Heritage: All-Colorado football by The Denver Post; QB-DB led team to 2009 Class 4A championship; also played basketball and baseball; 3.6 GPA. College: Air Force.
Darragh O’Neill, Fairview: 2010 All-Colorado basketball by The Denver Post; guard led Knights to state runner-up finish; all-state soccer player; native of Cork, Ireland; 3.75 GPA. College: Colorado.
Shane Opitz, Heritage: Star shortstop, could be high draft pick next week; starter in basketball and football (set state single-season TD receiving record with 21); 3.2 GPA. College: Nebraska.
GIRLS
Shelby Babcock, Legacy: Star pitcher led team to three consecutive Class 5A titles; three-time All-Colorado player of the year by The Denver Post; 3.3 GPA: College: Arizona.
Natalie Dunn, Poudre: Two-time 5A No. 1 singles champion; three-time Front Range League player of the year; 3.86 GPA; College: Denver.
Jenna Gregoire, Rampart: Outstanding freestyle swimmer; three-time All-Colorado selection by The Denver Post. 4.8 GPA. College: Harvard.
Kaitlin Hanenburg, The Classical Academy: Colorado’s premier female distance runner; captain of basketball team; 4.03 GPA. College: Colorado State.
Amy Kame, Central (G.J.): 2010 All-Colorado basketball by The Denver Post; averaged 25 points; competed in volleyball and track; 3.8 GPA. College: San Diego.
