CULLMAN, Ala. — St. Bernard Preparatory School celebrated its spring sports athletes on Wednesday, May 10, for their hard work and dedication to the athletic program. The highest honor of the night, the Fr. Luke Fazi Award, went to senior Cole Bissot.
The Fr. Luke Fazi Award is named after a former teacher and coach who expected excellence from everyone around him in all aspects of life. The award recognizes student athletes who excel in athletic accomplishments, commitment to the program, and represent the school and community well.
Athletic Director Tim Burleson said Bissot has played multiple sports during his time at SBP. “He has played soccer for six years (five of which on the varsity) and selected team captain for two years, leading the team in assists for two years. Cole was on the cross-country team for six years where he had multiple top 10 finishes. He was a member of the 2021 cross-country state championship and was a fifth-place finisher at state in 2023.”
Other teams that were honored included girls’ soccer, tennis, track and field and archery. Coaches from each program praised their players individually and thanked them for their team efforts.
The boys’ soccer team honored the following players:
- Golden Boot: Emmanuel Santiago
- Silver Boot: Cole Bissot
- Golden Gloves: Charles Gil
- Defensive Player of the Year: Cesar Hernandez
- Most Improved Player: Will Lyons
- Captains: Cole Bissot and Jiovany Arriaga-Aguilar
The girls’ soccer team honored the following players:
- Golden Boot: Amelia Tafazoli
- Silver Boot: Madilyn Kerber
- Golden Gloves: Violeta Castro
- Defensive Player of the Year: Sarah Woods
- Most Improved Player: Ella Cron
- Captains: Madilyn Kerber and Sarah Woods
The tennis team honored Elle Tillitski as the team captain.
The archery team honored the following archers:
- Middle School Girls MVP: Yesenia Aburto Santiago
- Middle School Boys MVP: Eugene Byrd
- High School Girls MVP: Amelia Tafazoli
- High School Boys MVP: Charles Gil
Yesenia Aburto Santiago received special honors for qualifying for the national tournament and achieving a high score of 281. She placed fifth in the middle school girls’ division at the state championship and second at the Walker County regionals.
The archery team also honored the following seniors:
- Allison Stidham – Four years on the team, highest individual score of 271
- Natalie Garcia – Three years on the team, highest individual score of 267
- Charles Gil – One year on the team, highest individual score of 253
The track and field team honored the following athletes for their outstanding performances in running and field events:
- Jiovany Arriaga Aguilar – Part of the 4x800m relay team that placed fourth at the 2A state meet with a time of 9:08.46
- Parker Guthery – Part of the 4x800m relay team that placed fourth at the 2A state meet with a time of 9:08.46
- Cash Daly – Part of the 4x800m relay team that placed fourth at the 2A state meet with a time of 9:08.46
- Sean Daly – Part of the 4x800m relay team that placed fourth at the 2A state meet with a time of 9:08.46
- Xavier Pautler – Placed tenth in discus at the 2A state meet with a throw of 111’03”, fourth in javelin at the 1A-3A Andy Page Memorial with a throw of 133’3”, and seventh in shot put at the 2A Section 4 with a throw of 36’5.5”
- Madi Kerber – Part of the 4x800m relay team that placed third at the 2A state meet with a time of 11:01.20
- Tessa Sanders – Part of the 4x800m relay team that placed third at the 2A state meet with a time of 11:01.20
- Mary Ella Cockerham – Part of the 4x800m relay team that placed third at the 2A state meet with a time of 11:01.20
- Bruna Parolin – Part of the 4x800m relay team that placed third at the 2A state meet with a time of 11:01.20
- Abby McBride – Placed fifth in high jump at the 1A-3A state meet with a jump of 4’08” and second in triple jump at the 2A Section 4 with a jump of 31’10”
Senior Awards: St Bernard Track and Field 2023
Lastly, the track and field team of St Bernard High School announced the senior awards for the year 2023. The awards recognize the outstanding performance and achievements of the senior athletes in various events. The recipients of the awards are:
Xavier Pautler
Pautler is a three-year letterman who qualified for the 2A State Meet in discus and javelin in 2023. He also holds the personal and school records for javelin (133 ft. 3in.), shot (36 ft. 51/2in.) and discus (111 ft. 3 in.).
Mary Ella Cockerham
Cockerham is a two-year letterman who qualified for the 2A State Meet in 800m, 1600m, 3,200m and 4x800m relay in 2021, and 1600m, 3200m and 4x800m relay in 2023. She also earned the bronze medal in the 4x800m relay (11:01.20) in 2023.
