Ottumwa A-Club awards achievements

By KELLY TERPSTRA, Courier sports writer

May 20, 2008 11:58 pm

— OTTUMWA — The Rupe family cleaned house on Tuesday night. The Paulson twins were just happy to share.
The Ottumwa A-Club doled out its awards at Ottumwa High School and the overriding theme was service — by athletes and individuals alike.
Another banner year was put in the books as Ottumwa High School held its honors banquet for its student athletes and supporters of Bulldog athletics.
Kevin Pink, the Sports Information Director at Indian Hills, emceed the event and recognized sport after sport that countless Bulldogs put their heart and soul into.
Chris Rupe was one of those individuals.
Rupe was honored as the Outstanding Senior Male Athlete at OHS. Rupe was a two-time place winner at the state wrestling meet for Ottumwa and senior captain on the football squad. He also competed in track.
Rupe won three other awards in the Gabby Ware Scholarship, OHS Wrestling Club Scholarship and the Phil F. Drumm Memorial Scholarship.
He was honored to receive the prestigious award, but was even happier for his mom, Cindy Rupe. She received the Gene Schultz Volunteer Award for being an active member in the A-Club.
“She’s done a lot for her three boys and everybody else. She’s worked really hard,” said Chris Rupe.
Rupe will attend St. Cloud State University in Minnesota to play football.
Sarah and Kristin Paulson are ending their prolific athletic careers in style. The two valedictorians, who sport a perfect GPA, each shared the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete award. The Paulson twins helped Ottumwa to its fifth state golf title last year. They’re in the process of trying to defend that crown next week.
“Personally, I wanted Sarah to win, because I thought she deserved it. But it’s cool that we both won it, that way there’s no hard feelings,” said Kristin.
Sarah echoed her sister’s sentiments.
“Kristin, I thought deserved it just as much as I did, just for the record,” said Sarah. “It’s awesome that we get to share that award.”
Sarah Paulson led the Ottumwa girls basketball in scoring in ’08 and Kristin was second in points scored on Stan Rupe’s squad. The Paulsons twins were also key members on Steve Green’s cross country team and track squad as sophomores.
The John Link Memorial Award, which honors a senior boy and girl with the highest GPA and has earned letter in a varsity sport, went to Elliott Higgins. Four OHS girls shared it in Elisabeth Archer, Ashley Owens and the Paulson twins.
The Hicks Memorial Award, which is voted on by OHS coaches, went to Kelsey McGuire and P.J. Shaeffer. This award exemplifies athletics both on and off the field.
Frank Tafta won the Bernstein Memorial Award, which honors a football or basketball player.
The Dr. Sidney Brody Memorial Scholarship went to Tricia Bix for citizenship, dedication and team attitude.
The Phill Drumm Memorial Scholarship also went to Tyler Craff and Kurt Hopkins.
Travis Breon was the other winner of the OHS Wrestling Club Scholarship.
Sarah Rutledge was honored for her service and many hours of dedication to the sport of soccer and received the second Gene Schultz Volunteer Award.
The Howard Eslinger Volunteer Award was received by Gaylon Paulson.
Karen Person was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award for her hours of hard work with spaghetti dinners, Friday night meals and numerous Bulldog sports.

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