Gulley, Szymoniak named Onaway High School’s outstanding athletes for 2025-2026
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
Onaway High School athletic director Steve Watson and the spring coaches put the finishing touches on the 2025-26 year in sports with a final awards’ assembly.
The climactic moment of the more than one-hour event in the cafetorium Tuesday night was the awarding of the outstanding athletes of the year that went to seniors Marley Szymoniak and Andrew Gulley.
“Consistency is going to be one of those things that’s a hallmark of this award. They are the kid that when they leave your team, there’s a big, big hole. On top of that, I know one of the recipients of this award is, to my knowledge…might be the only athlete that has played three sports for all four years,” Steve Watson said of Szymoniak, who was a major contributor in volleyball, basketball and of course softball, where she will continue her career on the diamond at MidMichigan College in Mt. Pleasant.
“And I’m sure the other one would have, if he could,” Steve Watson said of Gulley, who battled injuries, including torn knee ligaments his senior season. He shined in wrestling, football and baseball.
Before that, the athletic director handed out other, end-of-the-year awards chosen by the athletic staff, starting with the sportsmanship award that went to Andrea Ruppert and Gulley.
“These two athletes are widely recognized for their sportsmanship, for positivity on the playing surface and away from it,” said Steve Watson. “They’ve represented our school very, very well.
Up next was the Fred Elowsky/Charlie Schaar award that goes to a couple of “great Cardinals,” Steve Watson said. “It has over the years gone to athletes who give back something to the school and community.” It went to Szymoniak and sophomore Keagan Beyer for the contributions to the Presque Isle Basketball Association. Beyer volunteered as an official, while Szymoniak coached a team.
The Dick Dunn award went to Amaya Januski and Gabe Watson. The award is based on dedication outside of the arena in a single sport.
Receiving the Maris Spaulding award were Toby Pike and Carley Karsten. It’s an award that goes to athletes throughout the Ski Valley Conference to honor the Central Lake athlete who died nearly 10 years ago following a battle with leukemia. Athletic directors from the conference recognize these athletes for showing certain character traits that stand out.
The Claude Morrison award goes to a graduating senior with a 3.50 grade point average or higher who contributes to their respective varsity sports and letters in more than one sport.
“It’s not just done in a year and it’s something that requires these athletes to be on their game every day for four-straight years,” said Steve Watson. It went to Jonas Benson and Lillyann Cooksey.
Special awards in each individual sport are as follows:
• Track and field: group leader, Cassidy Karsten; dedication award, Keagan Reece; female athlete of the year, Cooksey; and male athlete of the year, Benedict Suess.
• Baseball: coach’s award, Ben Estep; most improved, Casey Kindt; gold glove, Matt Russ; and Mr. Baseball, Brody George.
• Softball: offensive player of the year, Szymoniak; teammate of the year, Carley Karsten; roadrunner award, Natalee Hyde; and most improved, Jerzie Garms.
