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The Marco Island Charter Middle School has come of age in many ways.

It went from the early days of clearing sand and trees to placing portable trailers for its school 10 years ago.

Today it has a middle school that is the envy of most in Collier County. It also has an athletic program that is a model to county schools now advancing just a few of the sports that Charter School has had for years.

The school celebrated its student-athletes as ombudsmen in the community and the county at the 10th annual Student-Athlete Awards Night on Thursday in the school’s new gym.

Upwards of 400 people applauded the best of the best as each sport announced its top athletes.

Kit Fowler and Jackie Hogan topped off the evening, being named the Student-Athletes of the Year.

“I was shocked,” Fowler said of his award. “I thought it might be Matt Gerhardstein who is an awesome athlete, or Matt Browne who is good at tennis and basketball. There were a lot of kids that could have been named, but I was hoping for the best before the announcement came.”

A three-sport athlete with better than a 3.5 grade-point-average on a 4.0 system, Fowler said his parents were extremely happy, claiming they knew he would win.

“I just knew I wanted to finish my last year with a bang and I guess I did that pretty good.”

Hogan, four-sport player, also with a grade-point average above 3.5, said she felt honored to be named.

“I didn’t know if I would be named because there are a lot of talented people at the school,” she said. “It is a great honor.”

When asked what she first thought when her name was announced, Hogan said, “All my hard work paid off. It was a great feeling to be congratulated and kids saying ‘good job, you deserved it.’”

Roger Raymond, athletic director, who also coached both winners, said, “Katie is clearly one of the better athletes in our 10 years. Kit was a leader and stepped up in our first season of track. Both took leadership roles in a new sport for us.”

Hogan placed second in the shot put in the Collier County Middle School Track and Field Championships. She led the girls team in cross country, was the top scorer and rebounder in basketball and top player in volleyball. She was named the top player in girls cross country and basketball.

Fowler was a leader on the baseball, basketball and track teams, winning the top award for track.

In another major award, Marissa Anguilano and Matt Browne won the Michael “Mickey” Mendel Sportsmanship Award.

Both excellent students, Anguilano played in volleyball, soccer and basketball, with each coach speaking of her commitment to do her best.

Browne was named the top basketball player, while also a leader in baseball and cross country.

“None of these winners know their way to the principal’s office,” Raymond said. “It was a tough decision for all the awards because we have so many students that fit the same mold.”

Instead of most valuable, the school chooses to give out sportsmanship awards to the teams’ top players.

Other varsity winners included Amanda Lopez, in soccer and volleyball; Kyle Adams, boys volleyball; Matt Gerhardstein and Sergio Sanchez, boys soccer; Ariel Torres, cheerleading; Alex Barrett, tennis; Luke Bergen, baseball; Michael Mitchusson, golf and Angelo Young, cross country.

Junior Varsity winners included Greg Trzyna, baseball; Franchesca Archaki, girls volleyball; Catherine Remaks, girls soccer; Kevin Sanchez, boys soccer; Brianna Anguilano, girls basketball and Wesley Lancaster, boys basketball.

Teacher Lori Galiana was recognized for her efforts in putting a slideshow together, featuring all the teams and individual photos of every athlete in every sport. When their names were announced a photo was shown, over a graphic that represented their sport, as they received participation medals.

The medals and trophies were provided through a donation by M&I Bank. Kristi Willems, branch manager, took part in presentation of the major awards.

Kretch’s Restaurant put on a cookout for some 200 people before the awards.

“Ellen and Bruce Kretzschmer, owners of Kretch’s, continue to support the school, even after their kids graduated,” Raymond said.

Varsity coaches recognized included Alex Galiana, Bryan Milk and Chris Fowler, baseball; David Johnson and Nina Lane, girls volleyball; Jaclyn Sauter and Tom Garousi, girls soccer; Sauter, boys soccer; Craig Fisher and Mark Scalia, girls basketball; Nikki Prange and Ashley Shea, cheerleading; Connie Kormanyos, tennis; Raymond and Fisher, cross country; Raymond and Chris Adams, basketball; Sauter and Adams, boys volleyball and Raymond, Fisher, Chris Black and Karen Raymond, track.

Junior varsity coaches included Tony Sans and Galiana; Gloria Rengifo and Dale Rod, volleyball; Karen Raymond and Donna Thatcher, girls basketball; Allan Pernas, boys basketball; Sauter and Garousi, girls soccer and Sauter, boys soccer.