Ben DeJarnett

By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Ben DeJarnett, a Wellington High School senior, was the recipient of the 2013 Giff Award which was presented at the year-end WHS football banquet held last week.

The Giff Award was one of the many events featured at the annual year end event that celebrated Wellington’s first winning varsity football season since 2009. The Crusaders finished 5-4 this year with victories over Goddard, Concordia, Augusta, Circle and Clearwater.

The team reviewed video highlights from the season and Coach Tyler Ryan recognized the seniors.  The post season honorees were announced.  Also, the Coach Giff Award was presented.

The “COACH GIFF” True Crusader Award is given annually to a senior who best exemplifies the characteristics of the Wellington football. This recipient must demonstrate the following: a good student, a hard worker, committed 100 percent to the football program, dedicated, and a team player with a positive attitude. The award is in honor of John Gifford, a longtime Crusader coach who has dedicated his life to Wellington football. He retired at the end of the 2013 season.

DeJarnett is the son of Shawn and Kristan DeJarnett and the grandson of Tim and Susan Nance, and Bob and the late Verla DeJarnett.  Ben started his career in Wellington Youth Football when he was a first grader and continued each year through the middle school and high school.