Clare High School Pioneers in 306 Schoolcrest Avenue Education Clare, MI 48617

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May 21, 2021 RE: Clare High School Senior-Athletes of the Year

Clare High School would like to formally announce Jon Bouchey as the winner of the 2021 Rex T. Robinette Outstanding Male Senior Athlete Award, and Bailey Taylor as the Class of 2021 Clare High School Outstanding Female Senior Athlete.

The award, which has honored a Pioneer senior since 1968 on the boys’ side and 1978 on the girls’ side, is voted on by the CHS Varsity head coaches. Their votes account for the athletic accomplishments by the student-athletes while also considering their character, leadership abilities, and impact on their programs.

Bailey Taylor earned 10 Varsity letters as a Pioneer. On the soccer pitch, she was a starter from her freshman year on, was named All-Conference and All-District her freshman and sophomore seasons (Junior year wiped out due to COVID-19), and a captain for the Pioneers this season. She was a 3- year Varsity player, earned first team All-JPC honors twice, named to the All-State Individual Academic team, and helped lead Clare to consecutive district championships while notching more aces and digs than any other player since 2015. And on the court during a 4-year Varsity career, she was a two-time All-JPC selection, named to the Bay City Times Dream Team, and was an Outstanding Student-Athlete Award recipient from the Basketball Coaches Association of . She is planning on continuing her academic and basketball career at Adrian College next fall.

“Bailey’s competitive nature seems to keep her going even when you think pain and exhaustion would slow her down,” said CHS Soccer coach James Bond. “She is tough as nails and one of the most aggressive players on the field.”

“She was always the hardest working and most focused player on the floor in practice or games, and was a pleasure to coach,” added Varsity Basketball coach Dave Maxwell

Shannon Zinser, CHS Volleyball coach, said, “Bailey always put in the work and encouraged her teammates. She was a leader on and off the court.”

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Phone: 989-386-7789 www.clare.k12.mi.us Fax: 989-386-1236

Clare High School Pioneers in 306 Schoolcrest Avenue Education Clare, MI 48617

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Jon Bouchey was also a 3-sport Varsity athlete while at CHS. He starred on the gridiron for the Pioneers as a 3-year Varsity member, earning Detroit Free Press and MHSFCA Division 6 First-team honors as a linebacker his senior season. He was also named All-JPC twice and helped lead the Pioneers to an undefeated 2020 regular season and a 7-1 overall record. On the mat, Jon tallied 113 career wins, won two JPC titles and was a two-time state qualifier, including a 5th place finish as a junior. He was 12-0 his senior season and a season-ending COVID-19 quarantine shut down what almost certainly would have been a 3rd state tournament appearance. And on the diamond, following a junior season wiped out by COVID-19, he is currently the starting 2nd baseman, a team captain, and batting over .350.

“Jon was a relentless competitor and was always attacking. He worked very hard in practice and made other wrestlers better by setting a great example,” said CHS Wrestling coach Dennis Doyle.

Varsity Football coach Kelly Luplow said of Jon, “He isn’t big by stature, but had a huge heart and an overwhelming drive to succeed. Jon had great hands and outstanding speed. Ran sideline to sideline on defense making him very hard to block. Relentless!”

“Jon is a team captain and plays a solid second base in the field. He has a great attitude and has been a main contributor to our team’s success this season,” added CHS Baseball coach Dave Gould.

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Phone: 989-386-7789 www.clare.k12.mi.us Fax: 989-386-1236