The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has announced its list for the 2016-17 Officials of the Year, according to a news release on the group's website.
One official in each of the 20 sports will be officially recognized during the IHSA Officials Banquet on Saturday, July 22, at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria.
Paula Hess
| IHSA.org
Paula Hess, the honoree in competitive dance, will be recognized posthumously. Hess, a native of Glenview, died on Aug. 2, 2016, after battling cancer. She was the tournament manager at the first state final competition in 2013, and also on the committee that helped create the Dance State Series.
“Paula was an incredibly knowledge and respected dance official,” IHSA Assistant Executive Director Tracie Henry said in the release. “But what made her so special was her ability to connect with people. Everyone loved her. She had a way of bringing people together and bringing calm to any situation. She was integral to dance becoming an IHSA sport, and we miss her every day.”
Here is the full list of honorees, with their city and sport:
John Martelin, Rockford, boys soccer
Richard Geati, Arlington Heights, girls soccer
Kevin McMurray, Willow Springs, football
William DePue, Palatine, boys basketball
Robert Brendel, Fairview Heights, girls basketball
Keith Medema, Sterling, baseball
Rick Howarth, Pecatonica, softball
Ruth Holliday, Vandalia, girls volleyball
Stan Wiedeman, Morton Grove, boys volleyball
John Mulsoff, Huntley, boys swimming and diving
Bob Graf, Pekin, girls swimming and diving
Patrick Bauer, Chicago, water polo
John Betteridge, Elmhurst, cross-country
Keith Jacobi, Batavia, boys track and field
Don Hackler, Ridge Farm, girls track and field
Roy Snyder, Rochelle, wrestling
Scott Hagel, Wauconda, boys gymnastics
Carol Myers, Lake Forest, girls gymnastics
Tiffany Michaels, Bloomington, competitive cheer
Paula Hess, Glenview, competitive dance
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