FWCD Athletes and Team Honored 

Two individuals and one team earned Southwest Preparatory Conference Fall 2023 Sportsmanship Awards. Shamya Freeney ’24 (girls volleyball) and Jack Cimo ’24 (cross country) are FWCD’s individual winners, and the girls volleyball team was a co-winner, along with Greenhill School, of the SPC North Zone Girls Volleyball Sportsmanship Award. 

Each SPC school and the conference bestow a Sportsmanship Award each season for teams and individuals. SPC coaches select team awards. The individual athletic awards are determined by the school’s Athletic Department, with two student-athletes (one male, one female) earning them each season. 

"I have enjoyed getting to know Shamya over the last two seasons. She is a kind, caring, selfless person. She is a great leader for our team and deserving of this award,” said Akia Warrior, Girls Volleyball Head Coach. “For the team to also be honored is exciting. In the heat of the game, when tension is high, it can be challenging not to let frustrations take over. After every point we played, every single girl on our team was incredibly supportive of their teammates, continued working together, and was respectful toward the match work staff and our opponents. I couldn’t be more proud of this group!”

Cross Country Program Director and Head Coach Jared Connaughton shared his pride. “In 10 years of coaching, I can say without hesitation that Jack Cimo is the kindest, most honest and humble student-athlete I’ve ever coached. He’s been an integral part of both the cross country and track & field teams for the past six years [four in high school, two in middle school], and he’s shown grit, leadership, enthusiasm and heart in each of those seasons!”

For Athletic Director Leigh Block, a team mentality is essential. “Shamya and Jack are terrific ambassadors for FWCD in all that they do. They’re excellent students and terrific competitors – but most importantly, they’re amazing teammates,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have these kids at our school.”

“We’re very proud that girls volleyball is a co-winner for the team Sportsmanship Award. This is an award that North Zone coaches vote on, so it’s really a special honor to be recognized for this. This award is well-deserved!”