For four years, they bled blue and gold on every field, every court and every track they competed on from here to all the way to Swartz Creek.
They were always fierce and always determined, yet they never allowed their natural drive to win to take precedence over academics and sportsmanship.
They experienced some once-in-a-lifetime victories and some agonizingly bitter defeats, but no matter what the final score, they always behaved with class and showed respect for their opponents.
They never played for multi-million-dollar salaries or commercial endorsement deals. They played for the simple love of the sport and the rewards they received ranged from a cheering crowd to a mention or photo in the Oxford Leader.
To honor their accomplishments, their commitment and all the pride and joy they’ve brought the community, the Oxford Wildcats Athletic Boosters hosted its annual Senior Athletes Awards ceremony Tuesday evening at the high school Performing Arts Center.
A total of 96 senior athletes ? 60 gentlemen and 36 ladies ? were recognized for all the hard work and long hours they put into their high school sports careers.
Over the last four years, the Class of 2010’s athletes earned a grand total of 387 varsity letters ? the second highest in the school’s history. A complete list of all the senior athletes is on Page 11.
With 11 letters each under their belts, Molly Bonfiglio and Kathryn Wolanin earned the most letters of anyone in the senior class.
Bonfiglio lettered in swim/dive, football cheer, competitive cheer and track, while Wolanin lettered in cross country, golf and track.
The highest honors of the evening went to seniors Gary Wurtz and Wolanin.
Wurtz, who earned eight varsity letters in football, basketball and golf, was presented the George Prince Award, an honor reserved for the Outstanding Male Senior Athlete.
As a junior, Wurtz was named honorable mention FML team member in football. As a senior, he made first team all-conference and all-county. He was also a key contributor to the basketball team.
Wurtz is graduating with a 3.29 GPA.
Wolanin won the Helen Smith Award, which is given to the Outstanding Female Senior Athlete.
Over the years, Wolanin’s been named first team all-conference 10 times as an individual and as part of relay teams. She recently earned all-state (Division 1) in the high jump, finishing sixth (5 feet, 4 inches). She set five track and field records in her time at OHS.
Wolanin’s graduating with a GPA of 3.85.
In the past, recipients of both the Prince and Smith awards were determined by a simple vote of all the senior athletes.
This year, the awards were determined in the following manner ? 50 percent was based on a point system tabulating athletic achievements, GPA and citizenship; 25 percent was based on a vote of the senior athletes; and 25 percent based on a vote of the head coaches in each sport.
The other big honor of the evening, the $1,000 Bud Rowley Scholarship, went to senior Allison Laidlaw. During her time at OHS, Laidlaw earned a total of nine varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and softball.

As a junior, Wurtz was named an honorable mention FML team member in football. As a senior, he made first team all-conference and all-county. He was also a key contributor to the basketball team.
Wurtz is graduating with a 3.29 GPA.
Wolanin received the Helen Smith Award, which is given to the Best Female Senior Athlete.
Over the years, Wolanin’s been named first team all-conference 10 times as an individual and as part of relay teams. She recently earned all-state (Division 1) in the high jump, finishing sixth (5 feet, 4 inches). She’s sets five track and field records in her time at OHS.
Wolanin’s graduating with a GPA of 3.85.
In the past, recipients of both the Prince and Smith awards were determined by a simple vote of all the senior athletes.
This year, the awards were determined in the following manner ? 50 percent was based on a point system tabulating athletic achievement, GPA and citizenship; 25 percent was based on a vote of the senior athletes; and 25 percent based on a vote of the head coaches in each sport.
The other big honor of the evening, the $1,000 Bud Rowley Scholarship, went to senior Allison Laidlaw.
During her time at OHS, Laidlaw earned a total of nine varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and softball.