Aberdeen,  WA - The Grays Harbor Athletic Department would like to recognize the recipients for the 2021-22 Charlie Choker Awards. Tom Sutera, Athletic Director, presented the awards at a recent event for Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Academic Achievement Athlete of the Year, and Community Service Athlete of the Year.

The P. Craig Wellington Award goes to Tatum Pine.  The award is presented annually to the most outstanding sophomore female athlete at Grays Harbor College. This award was named to honor Craig Wellington, former Dean of Students and Athletic Director. The recipient this year is a young lady who was a member of our wrestling team. This past year she graduated with an Associate of Arts degree. 

Pine set a school record for most season and career wins, and most season and career pins. She won the NW Conference Title and was voted the events Most Outstanding Wrestler. She went on to win the NCWA National Women Championship and was runner up at the Junior College Women's National Tournament. She also earned Academic All-American status at the Junior College National Tournament. 

The Doctor O.R. Austin Memorial Award recipient is Sione Halo. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding male athlete at Grays Harbor College. Halo is a member of our Men's Wrestling team.  He is graduating with an Associates in Applied Science and a certificate of completion for business management, He was a 2 time All American for GHC. He was also a National Runner up in 2022 and finished 4th place in 2020. He just placed 3rd at the 2022 U23 Greco Roman World Team Trials this last weekend in Ohio. He also placed 8th recently at the USA Senior Greco Roman National Open in Las Vegas.

The Neal A. Eddy Memorial Award goes to Aidan McMurdo. This award is presented annually to an athlete who shows consistent performance in both athletic and scholastic endeavors. The winner of this award is a member of our Men's Baseball team. He was a team captain and also won an NWAC Gold Glove Award. His current GPA is 3.89 and he will be a graduate this year. I had only been able to watch the team the last few games. In this time this player was a huge part of the Chokers qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since the program has been brought back in 1999.

In the final series with Centralia and including the playoff game he was 9-17 at the plate, a .529 average, scored 5 runs and had 4 runs batted in. As leadoff hitter in the playoff game, he was 3-4 against the NWAC Pitcher of the year. Coach Panch had this to say about him. "He is what it means to be a student-athlete. He sacrifices everyday for the betterment of not only the baseball program, but also for our institution. He is a true Choker, relentless to his core. We love having him in our program and look forward to having him back next year."

The George Caldwell Community Service Award goes to Mason Dineen. This award is presented to the student-athlete that has given the most back to the community, through community service. This recipient was a member of our men's basketball team. Coach Vargas said, "Mason Dineen is a kind thoughtful and disciplined young man.

I have never had a student athlete that was committed to "team" as much as Mason.

has been an honor to be associated with Mason over the last couple of years. Mason brings a selfless attitude to the athletic department that is unmatched. If ever you were to need a helping hand Mace is always there. He cares genuinely about others and gives so much of his free time to the benefit of not only the basketball program, but all programs. Mason has coached at basketball camps on the Quinault Indian nation, spoke at community events, volunteer refereed at youth leagues, been multiple sport programs photographer and is amazing with his video making. Thank you Mason for all you do and how you represent yourself and the school.