SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Seniors Sydney Vandegrift and Molly Wilson were named the SFHS Booster Club Scholar Athletes of the Year at the school’s annual awards banquet. Marlee Nicolos and Emily Bartylla received the SFHS Booster Club Leadership Award.

Vandegrift was six-time letter winner in track and field and cross country. She helped the Troubadours to three consecutive top-10 finishes at the CIF State Cross Country Championships and back-to-back section titles. She has also ran in the final of the 3200 at the state track and field meet as a sophomore. She was a three-time All-Delta League selection in cross country and has signed to run at UC-Berkeley in the fall. She posted a 4.24 cumulative weighted grade point average and was the school’s Dale Lackey Scholarship nominee.

“It is really great to receive this award,” said Vandegrift. “I have looked up to the girls who have received this award in the past including Troubies like alumna Arianne Arndt ‘16 (UC-Berkeley). It means a lot to me to be honored.”

Wilson recently competed at her third consecutive CIF State Diving Championships, finishing 13th overall. She won her second consecutive Delta League title this season and was the Sac-Joaquin Section runner-up after winning the last two individual titles. She has a 4.31 cumulative weighted grade point average.

“I have worked really hard over the last four years in diving and in my school work,” said Wilson, who will compete for Cal Poly. “I have wanted this award since freshman year. I have sought this medal. I am really happy.”

Nicolos was a standout for the basketball program, earning four varsity letters. She helped the team to three consecutive Delta League titles, three Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berths and two CIF Northern California regional appearances. She was an All-Delta League performer and was named to the Sacramento Bee All-Metro and Optimist All-Star teams.

“I am really honored to receive the Leadership Award,” said Nicolos. “I love the sports program here at St. Francis. It has done a lot for me and I am so thankful for the friends I have made and people I have met.”

Nicolos will play for the Santa Clara University soccer program in the fall.

Senior swimmer Emily Bartylla was the second Leadership Award recipient. She was a two-time captain for the swimming and diving program and Sac-Joaquin Section finalist all four years. She served as the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as a senior and was one of the original representatives on the group. She was instrumental in establishing the group’s charter and the group’s the National Girls and Women in Sports Day event.

“I am really proud of the growth of the swimming program during my time at St. Francis,” said Bartylla. “We have grown from 130 girls on the team to 230 over the last four years. My participation on the SAAC also opened me up to how sports changes girls and helps them grow. Our athletics program is really strong and I am proud to be part of it.”

She will swim for Occidental University next year.

The Scholar Athlete award is given to the senior athlete that exemplifies the Spirit of SF through exceptional achievement in the classroom and athletics, while the SFHS Booster Club Leadership award recognizes a senior who exemplifies the Spirit of SF through leadership in athletics.

The Booster Club has established two new awards that will be announced this week, including the Athletics Team GPA Award and the Charles Chan Athletics Service Award.