The Sportsmen of Stanislaus club has been recognizing athletic achievements in the form of the Outstanding Athlete Award for several decades, celebrating and rewarding athletes from Stanislaus County for their success and ability in their respective sports. Players, coaches, teams and community contributors from all over the county have had the honor to win an OAA award, and tonight, at the 48th annual OAA banquet, four athletes from Turlock have the opportunity to be added to that list.

“These are the best of the best of Stanislaus athletes,” SOS committee member Andrea Zipser said.

The odds are high that at least one of the four will walk away with the win with the four spread out across three categories. Pitman High volleyball teammates Maddy Halteman and Lindsey Vander Weide are both up for the girls prep award while former Turlock High baseball players Brett Cumberland and Vince Wheeland are up for the boys prep award and men's open award, respectively.

“The Turlock area is well represented,” Zipser said.

Halteman and Vande Weide are nominated alongside Danielle Froedrich of Central Catholic High and Hannah Chappell and Shelby Stender of Oakdale High. Cumberland is nominated alongside Nate Phillips and Israel Saavadra of Modesto High and Tyler Janitz of Gregori High. Oklahoma State University alum Vince Wheeland is in a tighter race as an adult, competing for the award alongside Anthony Cora of Modesto Junior College and Matt Galas of the University of Reno.

But whether these athletes win or not, they will still be treated with the presence of NFL Hall of Fame recipient Erick Dickerson who will be present to celebrate with the Stanislaus athletes.

The awards ceremony will be held at the SOS club in Modesto tonight with dinner served at 7 p.m. and awards immediately following. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for students. For more information regarding the event contact the SOS Club Catering Department at 578-5801.