The Richmond Hill High School Athletics program hosted their second annual ‘Catspys’, the school’s take on the ESPYs, which stands for ‘Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly’.

Similar to the ESPYs’ format, where fans are able to vote on the winners, the athletes and parents of Richmond Hill were able to share a link to vote for who should receive each award from the year. 

Richmond Hill’s athletic programs had a successful year, winning the Region 1-7A All-Sports Trophy as they edged Lowndes High School 140-138, which led to several athletes being recognized last night. 

The event kicked off with guest speaker and alumni Shaquille Walker addressing those in attendance. He was a state champion in 2010 and 2011 at Richmond Hill, graduated at BYU, where he holds a record in the 800-meter still and also competed in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials. 

Senior standout Nick Bliss would take home the Sportsmanship Award for the year he had in football. Bliss recently signed to play football at nearby Georgia Southern. 

The Comeback Player of the Year Award would go to senior Jayla Lawrence, who participated in track and field. She assisted three teammates in breaking the school record in the 4x1 relay. 

Rising senior Lee Johnson would take home the ‘Build the Hill’ award. Lee participates in both football and baseball. 

Rising senior Gabe Bauman earned the Wildcat Award for the year. Bauman is a linebacker for the football team and has been generating college interest. 

Head football coach Matt LeZotte would take home the Coach of the Year award. He led his team to a victory over powerhouse Lowndes High at home that led them to a playoff berth. 

The Community Service Award was presented to Richmond Hill Cross Country and Track and Field programs. The boys’ track program were runner-up in the region and the girls were the region champions for 1-7A. 

The best team GPA Award was presented to the girls’ tennis program. 

Memphis Rich would take home the award for the Fall Male Athlete of the Year for Cross Country. Rich became a state champion in Cross Country for the 22-23 school year. 

Senior Carson Reeves, and Wingate volleyball signee, would take home the award for Fall Female Athlete of the Year. 

Wrestler Caden Whitaker won the Winter Male Athlete of the Year Award, helping lead his team to a state championship berth. 

Senior leader MaKiyah Matthews went on to win the Winter Female Athlete of the Year Award. She notably went over the 1,000-point mark in her career in her final game. 

Memphis Rich took home the Spring Male Athlete of the Year award in track. 

Mmekom Inyang took home the award for Spring Female Athlete of the Year. She broke several school records in track, in addition to being the Region 1-7A Defensive Player of the Year in basketball.