For the second straight, Bridgeport High School multi-sport athlete Dante Bonamico was named the top male athlete in Harrison County at Sunday's BB&T Sports Award Banquet that was held at the Village Square Conference center in Clarksburg. The award, and all others Sunday, is chosen by the staff of The Exponent Telegram.

 

The selection secures that Bonamico not only goes down as arguably one of the top athletes in Bridgeport history, but in Harrison County history as well. And for good reason.

 

The standout Indian graduate leaves the program with six state championships to his credit - three in football and three in baseball. He also helped get the basketball team to the state tournament three consecutive years, including two appearances in the Class AA semifinals.

 

Bonamico is now hoping to find success at the collegiate level. He's a preferred and invited walk-on at West Virginia University.

 

While Bonamico landed the male top honor, the female athlete of the year award went to a student from Lincoln. Lincoln's Josie Payton earned the nod after a banner year in softball, basketball and volleyball.

 

Bridgeport also landed a bevy of additional honorees in individual sports as well as academics. Senior Jack Funk was named the Indians' scholar athlete, while the other BHS honorees included: Mason Williams, golfer of the year; Jimmy Lacaria and Timmy Kinney, co-cross county male athletes of the year; Dante Bonamico football athlete of the year; Tanner Furbee male soccer player of the year; Emily Griffith female volleyball player of the year; Noah Markley wrestler of the year; Woody Cavallo boys swimmer of the year; Bryce Williams male tennis player of the year; Taylor Abraham female tennis player of the year; Emily Riggs softball player of the year; and McKenna Smith girls track and field athlete of the year.

 

The banquet also honored the various all-Harrison County teams and the BB&T athletes of the week. Those honors are also chosen by the staff of The Exponent Telegram.

 

Editor's Note: Photos of Dante Bonamico by www.benqueenphotography.com.