Schools
Purdy Voted Athlete of the Year
State champion diver dwarfs competition like she did at State Meet.
Illinois state diving champion was the runaway winner of Patch’s competition.
Of the 1,763 votes cast by Patch readers, Purdy received 1,025 tallies. Three-sport junior athlete , who is not only a diver but a gymnast and track star as well, was second with 581 votes. Soccer all star was third with 102.
The finished fourth and , a sprinter and hurdler, was fifth.
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While all of these Deerfield High School scholar athletes had outstanding seasons for the Warriors, one Dan Shaltiel felt winning a state title put Purdy above the rest.
“Gotta vote for Erin Purdy= THE 2011 State Champion, diving” wrote Shaltiel. “Any other Deerfield High School Student win a state title? I don’t think so. So, Erin is the most deserving.”
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Whether reader Karen Stitcher is related to Christine Patch does not know, but Karen made a good case for the all around Warrior performer.
“Christine Stitcher was all-conference in track, diving, and gymnastics,” Karen wrote. “She won conference titles in beam, and pole vault. She was top 20 in the state in gymnastics and diving. She was an all-American gymnast and is up for all-American in diving.”
Relative or not, the case is compelling. With Boudreau already in college and both Calistri and Purdy heading there in the fall, Stitcher is the only one in the group who will compete for the Warriors next year.
The selection process was completely reader driven. The nominees came from reader suggestions. The five with the most mentions were the finalists. The unscientific poll showed the readers’ choice.
