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Central High School students honored by mayor

George Hargrove (left) and Felicia Barron (right) listen to Mayor Domenic Sarno read proclamations honoring the two students. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD Two Central High School students had to share a day in the spotlight last week, but neither seemed to care.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno declared April 1 as both "Felicia Barron Day" and "George Hargrove Day" in recognition of the accomplishments of these two student athletes at a ceremony conducted in the Central High School library.

Barron was recently named the Gatorade Massachusetts Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Hargrove, a wrestler, football player and member of the track team, was named the 2008 recipient of the Francis X. Keating Award for a football player overcoming adversity. The Keating Award is given annually at the Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. Hargrove had a family tragedy as a young man.

According to a press release at www.risemag.com, the co-sponsors of the award, Barron "led the Golden Eagles to a 21-2 record and the Division 1, West Regional championship game, averaging 20 points, 6.8 steals, 6.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 74.5 percent from the free throw line.

"The 5-foot-7 Barron was the 2007 Vi Goodnow winner as a junior, recognizing the best girls' basketball player in Western Massachusetts, as well as the MVP of the 2007 Division 1 state championship game."

Bill Ross, Barron's coach said at the ceremony, "It's a great pleasure to watch her play. She helped make us a state champion."

A tearful Barron thanked her teammates and her family for supporting her. She will be attending Quinnipiac University in the fall.

Wrestling Coach Tim O'Donnell noted how well Hargrove did at a recent national wrestling event. Out of 75 wrestlers in his weight class, he finished 24th. O'Donnell noted that was a big accomplishment for someone who has only been wrestling three years.

"He didn't do well, he did great," O'Donnell said.

Although noting his strength, O'Donnell said, "It's not his strength that got him here, it was his focus."

Hargrove thanked his coaches and teammates and said, "I didn't' do it by myself."

Assistant Principal in charge of Athletics Tad Tokarz said Hargrove has several colleges considering recruiting him, especially the University of Massachusetts.

Sarno said, "Don't let anyone tell you you can't reach your dreams by going to the Springfield Public Schools."