In recognition of outstanding individual accomplishments, team contributions and service to each athlete’s school; each of the central peninsula’s three public high schools select an Athlete of the Year, both male and female, for the 2019-2020 school year.
KCHS graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Wednesday, May 20th. The annual award is voted on by the school coaches and recognizes a senior female and male athlete for exemplary athletic careers during their time at Kenai Central High School.
Representing Kenai Central High School as Female Athlete of the Year
Kailey Hamilton
Earning all-conference honors in volleyball, basketball and soccer, Kailey Hamilton has been a senior leader for the Kardinals.
Volleyball
In 2019, Kailey lead the Kardinal girls to their first state tournament appearance since 2005 as Kenai advanced to the championship game against Homer. The Kards fell in a 30-point, winner-take-all final game to the Homer mariners. Kenai also finished second at the Southcentral Conference Volleyball tournament. Kailey earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors in 2019.
Basketball
Kailey served as the anchor for the Kardinals basketball team performing as a leader in scoring and rebounding. At the Southcentral Conference tournament, Kailey scored 9 points in the 3rd -place game. Kailey was named to the 1st-Team All-Southcentral Conference Team.
Soccer
The Kardinal girls,with Kailey in goal, advanced to championship game at the Division II Soccer State Championships in the spring of 2019. Kenai finished 5th in the Kardinals fourth-straight state appearance in Kailey’s four years at Kenai.
Kailey was named to the 2nd Team All Peninsula Conference Team.
Representing Kenai Central High School as Male Athlete of theYear…
Braedon Pitsch
The Kenai senior produced memorable moments for the Kardinals in football, basketball and soccer in his athletic career at Kenai Central High School.
Football
Playing on both sides of the football, Braedon earned Division II All-State honors in 2019. Braedon was named to the 2nd Team as wide receiver and as defensive back. For the Division II Northern Lights Conference, Braedon earned 1st Team Offense honors as a wide receiver and 1st Team Defense selection at defensive back.
Basketball
On the Kardinal boys basketball team, Braedon helped the Kenai boys to a back-to-back victories at the Southcentral Conference tournament in early March. Braedon was named to the 1st Team All-Southcentral Conference.
Soccer
With the spring sports seasons cancelled, Braedon will have to reflect on the two Division II State Soccer Championships won by the Kardinals boys in 2018 and 2019.
In 2019, while playing goalie for the Kenai boys in the championship game, Braedon charged out of goal, downfield and scored the game-tying goal in the final seconds to push the Kards to overtime and a second, straight state championship in Division II soccer.
Braedon Pitsch has signed a national Letter of Intent to play collegiate soccer at Oklahoma Baptist University.
