As we prepare to say goodbye to 2014, here are a few personal salutes to the local sports year soon to be in the rearview mirror.

Bear in mind that these are my own selections, based on myself alone.

So here we go:

Athlete of the Year — So many names to choose from, but one who stands out for me is Emily LoPresti of Karns City.

This girl doubled her pleasure, averaging 11 points per game in helping the Gremlins roll to a District 9 title in basketball, then scoring 65 goals as the dominant force in KC’s unbeaten run to the District 9 soccer crown.

Coach of the Year — I have to go with Anthony Rebyanski of the Butler BlueSox.

This guy had a revolving door of players all summer — especially in the pitching department — and still led his team to a 40-20 record and the franchise’s first-ever division title and playoff berth.

Dynasty of the Year — Staying with baseball, Mars won its fifth consecutive Eagle County League championship.

Newcomer of the Year — Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic. The new school brought an undefeated football team into Butler County and one of the top girls basketball programs in the state. Stay tuned.

Senior Citizen of the Year — Bob McCarl, 95, of Boyers, who bagged an 8-point buck with a crossbow.

Streak of the Year — The Butler High School girls bowling team, which has now won 53 matches in a row, dating back to its inception.

International Representation of the Year — Former high school hoop coach Joe Lewandowski, who guided the U.S. women to the gold medal at the FIBA 3x3 World Championships in Moscow.

Career Achievement of the Year — Butler graduate Casie Cygan, who shattered the women’s basketball scoring record at La Roche College.

Scrooge of the Year — The Knoch boys basketball team for allowing the fewest points scored in the entire WPIAL.

Ride of the Year — Ryanne Forcht Palermo, the Seven Fields resident who completed the 33rd annual Race Across America on a bicycle.

Transition of the Year — Slippery Rock High graduate Jence Rhoads, who left her professional basketball career in Europe to join the U.S. women’s handball team for the next Olympic Games.

Runners of the Year — The Knoch and Seneca Valley cross country teams for winning WPIAL titles, Les Shoop for running at least one mile every day for 34 straight years and Knoch graduate David Knapp for running 50 marathons in a year.

Farewell of the Year — Mars graduate Austin Miele, who ended a productive football career on both sides of the ball by becoming the first Slippery Rock University player ever to make first team all-conference at two different positions.

He did so at safety and linebacker.

Those are my selections — and there could be plenty of others.

Who knows what lies ahead? It’s time to find out.

Happy New Year!

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle