By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Shawn Garnett continued teaching and coaching at Conner High School after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and didn’t take a leave of absence until his chemotherapy treatments began on Sept. 18.
Shawn Garnett
“He loves kids and didn’t want to quit working,” said Conner athletic director Jim Hicks. “That’s one of the things he was concerned about — what was going to happen to his students while he was gone. That says a lot about who he is and his character. He wanted to make sure the kids are taken care of.”
Garnett will continue to have chemo treatments once every two weeks, according to Hicks. What happens after that, no one really knows. Conner faculty members and students have launched fund-raising projects to help with medical expenses, alternate treatment options and other financial needs.
“He’s touched hundreds of kids’ lives as a coach and in the classroom,” Hicks said. “He’s very well-liked here and once we get everything rolling I know our students will be behind it all.”
Garnett has been a health teacher and coach at Conner for 19 years, according to Hicks. He was an assistant boys’ basketball coach for several seasons and is now head coach of the boys’ golf and boys’ tennis programs.
The parents of one of Garnett’s former tennis players started a gofundme web page to raise money online. The target amount is $15,000 and the current total has already exceeded $7,200. To make a donation, go to https://www.gofundme.com/coachshawnstrong
There will also be fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 6-9 p.m. at Immanuel United Methodist in Boone County. Anyone wishing to donate auction items can send an email to Debra.Garey@boone.kyschools.us.
Hicks said Conner sports teams and other groups will be putting together prize baskets for the fundraiser to help raise money for Garnett so he can return to the classroom.
“His will and determination is there to fight this,” Hicks said. “Mentally, he’s strong. He’s determined he’s going to beat it.”
CovCath wins Diocese of Covington boys’ cross country meet
With six runners among the top 10 finishers, the Covington Catholic cross country team won the Diocese of Covington boys’ team title by a 21-67 margin over St. Henry on Tuesday at A.J. Jolly Park in Alexandria.
The first two runners across the line were CovCath seniors Owen Piatt (16:44) and Will Akin (17:12). The Colonels also had junior Will Tate, senior Nick Eten and juniors Michael Kessans and Aiden Smith among the top 10 finishers.
Notre Dame won the girls diocesan meet by a 34-53 margin over Brossart. The top three finishers in that race were Notre Dame junior Kate Williams (20:58), St. Henry senior Malia Heck (21:19) and Newport Central Catholic freshman Abby Jones (21:36).
The other scoring runners for Notre Dame were sophomore Karen Horner (fifth), freshman Maria Judy (sixth), freshman Lauren Janzurak (10th) and senior Manon Stovik (12th).
St. Henry runner-up in All ‘A’ Classic boys’ soccer tournament
The St. Henry boys’ soccer team was runner-up in the All “A” Classic small-school state tournament last weekend and four Crusaders were named to the all-tournament team.
Louisville Collegiate defeated St. Henry, 2-1, in the title game on Sunday at Capitol View Park in Frankfort and walked off with the championship trophy for the third time in the last four years.
The Crusaders named to the all-tournament team were Carter Kunstek, Josh Bisbee, Jonathon Litzler and Michael Schaefer.
Newport Central Catholic lost in semifinals of the girls’ All “A” Classic state tournament on Saturday and had two players – Erin Bunzel and Jenna Ahlbrand – named to the all-tournament team.
