Vickery, Wittenborn nab top Notre Dame athletic honors

Two three-sport athletes received top honors at the annual Notre Dame Regional High School Athletic Booster Club Awards Banquet Sunday.

Courtney Vickery and Scott Wittenborn were honored as Lady Bulldog and Bulldog, the ultimate sports' awards presented by Notre Dame.

The 2002 Class 2A state champion girls' basketball team and Coach of the Year Jerry Grim were introduced to a standing ovation with a soundbite of the last minutes of the championship game playing in the background.

Deana McCormick, Notre Dame's all-time scoring leader, and Lisa Millham, who ranks second in career scoring, were named co-MVPs.

Vickery and Wittenborn, who possess similar styles and qualities, are unselfish athletes who put team first and both played significant leadership roles for their respective squads.

Vickery, a four-year letter winner in basketball and soccer and two years in volleyball, was a key component to the highly successful girls' programs at Notre Dame over the past four years.

She was the assist leader as a point guard on the basketball team, as well as the most valuable player on the volleyball team that advanced to state for the first time.

"There are so many other deserving athletes, who worked just as hard as I did, that could have won the award," said Vickery, who will play basketball at Rend Lake College in Illinois next season. "It's tough going in every day as one season runs into the next, so it's nice to be honored for all the hard work."

Wittenborn, who lettered three years in soccer and two each in basketball and baseball, led the Bulldog basketball team in assists as well. He also holds the single-season soccer scoring record.

"My teammates, most are my best friends, helped me get this award," said Wittenborn, "and I owe a lot to my dad who taught me everything about every sport I know."

Wittenborn's father is Notre Dame soccer coach Brad Wittenborn.

Outgoing booster club president Tony Buerhle was presented the Bob Miller Booster Award for his contributions.

Notre Dame volleyball coach Helen Payne announced she is stepping down and handing the reigns to her assistant, daughter Tara Stroup.