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CHSCA FRED STEINMARK AWARD
2009 & 2010 AWARD WINNERS' ARTICLES
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2010 Winners Announced-
Clare Gallagher- Cherry Creek High School
Kyle Pollock- Wiggins High School
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Clare Gallagher- Cherry Creek HS
By Scott Stocker
Clare Gallagher said she was in shock when told she was the winner of the 2010 Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award.
"No way," was Gallagher's first response. "Oh, my gosh. I'm so honored. I know of Fred Steinmark and his life is so inspiring for young people. Just to be mentioned with him in the same sentence is so exciting. After I was nominated I read more about his life and just how he had been an inspiration to so many in his short life.
"For me, the Steinmark epitomizes the student-athlete standard that I have worked so hard to embody during my high school career," Gallagher said. "It is also one of the highest indicators of overcoming adversity. Fred's life is so inspiring for such a talented student-athlete to have expected life plans stripped from him over the course of days. In transferring the fervor that he used on the football field to spreading cancer awareness and fighting his own cancer, he set the standard for hardworking and selfless student-athletes."
Gallagher is the 37the winner of the girls Steinmark Award and the third girl from Cherry Creek to win. The previous Bruins to win were Dee Binning in 1989 and Stephanie Pepper in 2008. Last year's winner was Laura Trembly from Thompson Valley. The first girl to win the award was Anne Vento of Pueblo Centennial in 1974. The award is sponsored by the Colorado High School Coaches Association and Colorado Sidelines.
"The other girls are so outstanding, too," Gallagher said. "Any one of them would have been wonderful representatives of the award."
Gallagher earned her All-state honors in cross country and track. Not only that, she swam for the Bruins and played lacrosse. She also was a member of the 2007 and 2008 state champion lacrosse teams at Cherry Creek.
When it came to cross country, Gallagher was a hard competitor to run down. She won the Centennial League championship three times, was a two-time region champion and was second in the 2008 state championships. She was named to the All-Midwest cross country team and competed, as well, in the Footlocker Regional in Kenosha, Wisconsin where she finished 15 and 16th, respectively, in 2008 and 2009.
Outside of high school competition, Gallagher made her mark as well, winning her age group division of the prestigious Bolder Boulder in 2009. However, she was unable to defend her title in last week's Bolder Boulder as she was out of town with her family.
Gallagher has served as the Cherry Creek captain on the Bruins track team the past two seasons. On the track she has won individual conference titles in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 (twice) events and is the Bruins record holder in the 1,600, 3,200 and as member of the 3,200 relay team.
In the state meet two weeks ago she placed fourth in the 3,200 and ran on the Bruins state championship 3,200 relay team. She also had finished fourth in the 1,500 and fifth in the 3,200-meters at the Great Southwest Meet last season.
Gallagher graduated No. 20 in a class of 855 at Cherry Creek with a 4.506 weighted grade point average and will continue her education at Princeton University. A pair of B+ marks were the only ones she received below A's in her high school career, both in AP courses. When it came to the ACT's, she scored in the top 96%.
"My academic, athletic and citizenship accomplishments should speak for themselves," said Gallagher, who wants to major in Biology and Environmental Studies at Princeton. "However, overcoming Celiac disease is a quieter accomplishment that I take pride in conquering."
Throughout her junior year, Gallagher encountered severe stomach pains that prevented her from doing full training and eating. She was forced to adopt a completely new diet bereft of all wheat, barley and rye products.
"It was a difficult adjustment, but within months I was healthier and pain free," wrote Gallagher in her personal letter to the Steinmark committee. "I feel that I fought through my Celiac distraction and was still able to compete at a competitive level. This accomplishment is what the Steinmark Award also means to me, performing through adversity."
Gallagher has had big footsteps to follow in her own family. Her oldest brother, Scott, received a Boettcher, and Eric is finishing his sophomore year at West Point. Now she is set for the college challenge and will compete in cross country and indoor and outdoor track at Princeton.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," Gallagher said. "I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm looking forward to the opportunities it presents."
Gallagher has been active in Speech and Debate and won a Degree of Distinction competing in Humor. She is also a member of the Spanish Honor Society, a peer counselor and mentor to youth and Cherry Creek students, and was President of the Recycling Club, member of the school wide President's Club that correlates diverse school events.
"Clare is such a positive and supportive team member," wrote cross country coach Steve Dertinger. "She is known for providing motivation and encouragement in all of her activities, specifically helping ELA students as a member of Peer Ambassadors, and tutoring at all levels during one of her free periods. She goes above and beyond and is happiest when helping others and giving 100%."
Outside of athletics, Gallagher's teachers speak highly of her quality and accomplishments.
"Despite having all these credits to her name, Clare is very modest and grounded," wrote science teacher Ethan Dusto. "She even finds times to help her dad, Mike, raise chickens in the backyard of their suburban home. This is not the typical 'Cherry Creek' extracurricular activity of which she is very proud."
And, it certainly brings a chuckle to Gallagher when she discusses this back yard activity.
"We just raise hens," she said. "We had a rooster, but dad quickly got rid of him. We're just not used to being wakened at 3 a.m. in the morning. It's a lot of fun, just like a lot of kids who work on their farms."
"Clare is a natural leader," writes AP Language/Composition teacher Kathy McInerney. "I've never met a more sincerely humble intellect. She took a young man who was struggling in my AP class under her wing, so to speak, and nurtured his confidence to the point where at the end of the year he was almost as courageous in his risk-taking as Clare herself. In short, she was a boon to my class."
Said Counselor Susan Swisher, "Clare combines tenacity and self-discipline with a strong work ethic, natural intellect and social grace. When she decides to do something, she is 'all in.' Whether it is balancing sports, activities or schoolwork, she never gives less than a full effort."
As a winner of the Steinmark, people should expect nothing less.
2010 Finalists
Lindsey Boyd, Standley Lake; Samantha Cure, Idalia; Lindsey Hubbard, Valley; Aniecia Lujan, Bennett; Jordan May, Stratton; Jordyn Rienks, Paonia; Andi Slouka, Heritage.
2010 nominees: Megan Abman, Colorado Academy; Savana Garcia, Valley; Morgan Griffin, Lewis-Palmer; Kaitlin Hanenburg, The Classical Academy; Erica Hinchcliffe, Greeley West; Beth Jones, Eaton; Paige Livingston, Fort Collins; Anna Marshall, Pueblo West; Elise Miller, St. Mary's Colorado Springs; Quincey Noonan, Legacy; Lauren Policky, Salida; Whitney Prior, Rock Canyon; Johanna Reed, Paonia; Carmen Whitehead, Greeley West.
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KYLE POLLOCK-- Wiggins High School
By Scott Stocker
"This is wonderful," said Kyle Pollock when he was informed he was the winner of the 2010 Fred Steinmark High School Scholar/Athlete of the Year Award. "The level of competition is great and it means a lot to me to be included with such a fine group of athletes."
Pollock is the 39th winner of the Steinmark Award, named after Freddie Steinmark of Wheat Ridge who passed away from cancer in 1970. Now he can add the Steinmark Award to an already very impressive list of honors, athletic, scholastically and for community service.
Pollock is the first athlete from Wiggins to win the Steinmark and follows last year's winner, Bryan Peters of Rocky Mountain. The Award is sponsored by the Colorado High School Coaches Association and Colorado Sidelines. Dave Logan of Wheat Ridge, now the voice of the Denver Broncos on radio and football coach at Mullen High School, was the first winner in 1972.
"I just thank the coaches on the panel for this honor and my best to all the other finalists and nominees," said Pollock, the Wiggins athlete of the year. "Just look at the competition in Colorado and you look at the kids on the list and your really feel what an honor it is to be mentioned with them."
Academically, Pollock is ranked No. 1 in his class with a perfect record of never having received a grade lower than an A. He was the Wendy's High School Heisman National Male Winner, selected for the honor from 55,000 applicants. And, what he considers a fun award, one of 25 selected for the SAMMY, Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year. We bet - as even being the Wiggins Class President - he looks good with a milk mustache.
Pollock was a winner of the Boettcher Foundation Scholar Award, but could not accept the award because a recipient must use it to attend a Colorado based college. But he certainly will be able to put his academic skills to good use as he will enroll at Stanford University in the Fall. He scored in the 98% on his ACT, which should sit pretty good with going to Stanford.
"When someone in the state of Colorado hears the mention of the Steinmark Award, many things instantly come to mind: excellence in everything, prestige, honor," said Pollock, who has completed 42 college credit hours at Morgan Community College. "The Steinmark offers an opportunity to inspire many young people. It motivates students and adults alike to excel not only in one area of life, such as just academics, just athletics or just citizenship, but to truly give one's best in everything they do.
"This award also gives validation and reward for all of the hard work and efforts that the recipient has completed," said Pollock, who has displayed his talents on the stage in school plays such as 'The Pink Panther Strikes Again' and 'The Squad Room.' "It is my full and honest belief that everyone is a role model in every situation. It is simply our choice if we are good ones or bad ones."
When it comes to athletics, Pollock excelled in football, wrestling and track earning All-state honors in all three. He has been a two-year, first team All-state on the gridiron, a Colorado Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award winner, and a nominee for the Denver Post Gold Helmet.
On the wrestling mats, he became the third wrestler from Wiggins to be a four-time state place winner, all at 285-pounds. While he finished his prep career with a 116-10 record, that included 74 pins, the state title eluded him. He finished third as a freshmen and a runner-up as a sophomore, junior and senior.
In track, he was a seventh-place state finisher in the discus in 2009 and has helped lead Wiggins to three region titles and a state championship in 2007.
"A key for me has been the people you get to meet and the association you have with your coaches, teachers and classmates," said Pollock, who has the most tournament championships in wrestling in Wiggins history. "They will always be thanked for what they have helped me achieve. Also a key is the lives that I have been able to touch and the possible impact that I've been able to make on them and projecting good morals and values."
Those sentiments weigh heavily on the mind of Wiggins Principal, Archie Shipp.
"The other thing that will set Kyle apart from other applicants is the impressive amount of character the young man has," Shipp wrote. "Suffice it to say that he won the National High School Heisman, a feat unparalleled by any student/athlete in Colorado History. It is an award based on academics, athletics and community service. The last category separated him for the other finalists of an original pool of 55,000. The other applicants had done community service with groups with which they were affiliated...Kyle did his community service on his own."
Indeed, his community service list is extensive, but to name a few: he has worked on city cleanup crews, was a drive director for Toys of Tots, a Salvation Army Bell Ringer, was a Tigers for Tanzania drive, volunteers at the Valley View Villa Retirement Home, has been a Wiggins Vacation Bible School instructor, is a elementary school mentor and coaches in the Wiggins youth athletic programs.
"Kyle strives for perfection in everything that he does and it shows in how successful has been in and out of the classroom," said Wiggins wrestling coach Dave Croissant. "Kyle is a leader in our school, and is a person that everyone looks to for guidance, support and to do the right thing. He is an awesome young man, one that comes along once in a lifetime and I have had the pleasure to work with him for six years."
Pollock has been a member of Future Business Leaders of America throughout high school and Croissant is proud to point out his accomplishments. He has attended fall conference in district, state and the national in Nashville.
"The one quality that never ceases to amaze me is Kyle's humility," wrote English/Journalism teacher Cassie Sonnenberg. "There are few students with Kyle's range of skills, talents, and blessings, and it would be easy for Kyle to allow his head to grown in unison with his list of achievements. Never once have I heard Kyle brag about his accomplishments or demean other students. He remains humble and is always first to credit others rather than absorbing the glory himself."
Wrote math teacher Greg Whisler, "Kyle embodies what it means to be a true team player, continually giving his all, yet nurturing his individual talent as well, only to sacrifice personal glory for team success. His love of life, hard work and success is extremely contagious and always brings out the best in not only his teammates."
In the spring of 2009, the University of Colorado named Pollock with its Outstanding Junior Award. He, of course, went on to have an outstanding senior year that should springboard into a successful career at Stanford.
"The Steinmark Award illustrates the fact that it is possible to live one's best as a lifestyle rather than an act performed to the fullest from time to time," Pollock said in conclusion. "It does not only honor young achievers for their current achievements, but motivates them and many others to continue on down the path of excellence throughout the rest of life."
And, Kyle Pollock is well on his way to excellence the rest of his life.
Finalists:
Matt Brown, Limon; Justin Castor, Arvada West; Kyle Engelhardt, Lewis-Palmer; Mitch Griebel, Heritage; Kendall Monasmith, Akron; Austin Scheufele, Centaurus; Connor Tedstrom, Battle Mountain.
The following boys also received nominations for the 2010 Steinmark.
Heath Benker, Florence; Connor Davis, D'Evelyn; Matthieu Caldwell, Smoky Hill; Oakley Hays, Ignacio; Wes Mckenzie, Liberty; Mark Neely, D'Evelyn; Shane Opitz, Heritage; Walter Schafer, Cherry Creek; Rafe Schroeder, Campo; Billy Sprague, Thomas Jefferson; Connor Stevens, Pine Creek; Tucker Tharp, Fairview; Hagen Turner, Walsh; Stuart Williams, Nederland; Brett Wright, Silver Creek.
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2010 Steinmark Finalists Announced
by Scott Stocker
The eight boys and girls finalists for the Fred Steinmark High School Scholar/Athlete of the Year Award have been determined. And, as always their athletic, academic, school and community activities are extensive.
This is the 39th year the boys award will be presented and the 37th for the girls. The Steinmark is now sponsored by the Colorado High School Coaches Association and Colorado Sidelines.
The Steinmark has become recognized as the most prestigious athletic award a graduating senior athlete can receive in Colorado. Even though the award carries 'Athlete of the Year' designation, it actually recognizes a career. It is an all-classification award and through the decades, all classifications, boys and girls, have had winners.
There are four requirement to receive a nomination, that can be made by any coach or school administrator. An athlete must be All-state in one sport, all-conference in another, carry at least a 3.0 grade point average, and be active in their school and community. The winners of the Steinmark will be presented with their awards at the Colorado High School Coaches All-State Games Awards Dinner, June 11 at the University of Northern Colorado Center Grand Ball Room in Greeley.
There are much to many accomplishments to be listed by the finalists at this time, but here is a quick rundown of a small portion of their accomplishments.
Boys finalists
Matt Brown, Limon: Matt, who is the valedictorian at Limon and headed for the School of Mines, placed fourth in 2A in the state triple jump, then changed to his baseball uniform and pitched the Badgers to the 2A state championship. He was the winner of the Denver Post Golden Helmet in football. He has been four-sport letter winner in football, basketball, baseball and track and earned All-state recognition in each sport. He is the team captain of Limon's Knowledge Bowl team, class vice president, and a volunteer on several community services.
Justin Castor, Arvada West: Justin, who carried a 3.75 gpa, was an All-Colorado selection in football and will carry on his career at the University of Colorado. He was also the No. 2 kicker in the nation according to MaxPreps in 2008. His longest field goal was from 53-yards out and he had a career, 43.42 yards per kick average in punting. He was All-state in track in the triple jump and a two-year starter on the basketball team. He has worked with Race for the Cure and with Special Needs children.
Mitch Griebel, Heritage: Mitch, who will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, has earned All-state recognition in football the past four seasons, was the MVP of the 4A state championship game after leading the Eagles to the state title, and was the 4A Player of the Year last season. He holds 19 school records in football and has carried a 3.6 gpa. He is also all-league in baseball, volunteers for the area elementary school reading programs and is a National Honor Society tutor.
Kyle Englehardt, Lewis-Palmer: Kyle is the valedictorian at Lewis-Palmer and will enroll at Vanderbilt University in the Fall. He was All-state in basketball and named the Player of the Year in the Colorado Springs Metro League and is the third-leading scorer in Lewis-Palmer history. He has also earned all-conference honors in baseball and golf. He has earned high honors in calculus, biology, chemistry and math, has been a Race for the Cure volunteer, peer counselor, and worked for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kendall Monasmith, Akron: Kendall, who carries a 3.833 gpa, will attend Black Hills State University. He helped lead Akron to three state titles in football while earning his All-state honors. He was a state place winner in wrestling, and a state qualifier in track in the sprints and pole vault. He has served with the schools FFA all four years and has been a Heifer Wrangle Gold Award winner, teachers aid, Student Council Treasurer and a Washington County Thrivent Youth Director.
Kyle Pollock, Wiggins: Kyle earned All-state honors in football, wrestling and track and completes his high school career ranked No. 1 in his class, never having any grade lower than an A. He will enroll at Stanford University in the Fall. He was the Wendy's High School Heisman National male winner and one of the country's 25 Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (SAMMY) winners. He also was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America 'Banking and Financial Systems' team champions in 2008 and 2010.
Austin Scheufele, Centaurus: Austin carried a 4.2 gpa, but Centaurus does not rank their students academically. He has been a three-time state qualifier in wrestling and this past season was the state runner-at 285 pounds. He was the 2009 Jefferson County League MVP in football and has been all-league the past three seasons. He scored in the 95 percentile on the ACT and will attend college at Harvard. He has served as a math and science volunteer for elementary students among his several community involvements.
Connor Tedstrom, Battle Mountain: An AP scholar with a 4.27 gpa, Conner will defer a particular college as this point to play ice hockey for the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League. A three-year All-state hockey player, he has already seen international action in China and Europe. He also earned All-state honors kicking the soccer ball and was a state champion in track with the 3,200-meter team. He loves music and has appeared in several musical plays including Grease, Crazy For You and The Boggie Man.
Girls finalists
Lindsey Boyd, Standley Lake: Lindsey has not only earned All-state honors in softball, but has garnered national recognition honors, as well. She was a member of the Triple Crown World Series champions in 2008 and named to the All-star team and a three-time selection to the ASA All-state teams. She has been named the Standley Lake Athlete of the Year the past four years as well as the 5A Jefferson County League MVP in 2008 in track. She will attend Boise State University.
Samantha Cure, Idalia: Samantha, the class president and valedictorian at Idalia, will attend the University of Denver on a Boettcher Scholarship. Her academic honors, as well as her athletic and community awards, are extensive. She was All-state in volleyball, basketball and track as multiple place-winner in the state meet. She has also won state scholastic awards in business and accounting. For the past three years she has been active with several community and state food and restoration projects.
Clare Gallagher, Cherry Creek: Clare was a four-sport participant and earning All-state honors in cross country , swimming and track. She also played lacrosse and was a member of the Bruins 2007 and 2008 state championship teams. She ranks 20th in her class of 855 with a 4.506 weight gpa and will enroll at Princeton in the Fall. She also competes in Speech and Debate and earned her Degree of Distinction in Humor. Her school and community activities are also extensive.
Lindsey Hubbard, Valley: Lindsey, ranked No. 1 in her class, is a Boettcher Scholarship winner and will attend the University of Colorado. She has received numerous awards in biology, chemistry and physics among others. She has been All-state in softball, practically rewriting her teams record book, was All-state in swimming while being named the Northern Conference Swimmer of the Year. She is also a multi-event state champion for the Vikings in track.
Aniecia Lujan, Bennett: Aniecia, who is headed for Baylor in the Fall, is ranked No. 1 in her class. She has received All-state honors in basketball and track and has been all-league in volleyball the past three seasons. This past season on the basketball court, she was ranked second in the state in assists with a 6.5 average. She has won the league title in the 1,600-meters the past two seasons and in volleyball, has been the team's leader in kills the past three seasons.
Jordan May, Stratton: Jordan, the class valedictorian, has received All-state honors in softball and basketball and will enroll at Gonzaga University in the Fall. Like athletics, her academic honors are numerous and she has been taking college level courses this past year. She has served as the president of Future Business Leaders of America and has earned several honors in the Future Farmers of America. To make it interesting, she has been able to operate a combine during the wheat harvests.
Jordyn Rienks, Paonia: Jordyn is also the valedictorian at Paonia and was a Boettcher semi-finalist after scoring in the 98 percentile on her ACTs. She will attend the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and will play basketball after earning All-state first-team honors the past two seasons and being named Ms 2A Colorado Basketball by the Denver Post. She has also been a state place winner in the shot put and discus the past two seasons. She also plays saxophone in the schools concert and marching band.
Andrea Slouka, Heritage: Andrea carries a 4.262 gpa and will attend Gonzaga University in the Fall. She has been a four-year All-state performer in track, this season finishing second in the 100-meters, and has won All-state honors in swimming the past three seasons. A four-year member of the Spanish Honor Society, she has been involved in raising money for the citizens of Sierra Leone through Make A Difference. She has also worked with Project Education Sudan.
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2010 Steinmark Award Nominations
Nominations for the 2010 Fred Steinmark High School Student/Athlete of the Year Award are due by May 7, 2010. The Fred Steinmark Award is sponsored by the Colorado High School Coaches Association after being sponsored for many years by the Rocky Mountain News. Any member of the Colorado High School Coaches Association can nominate an athlete from any school.
There are four requirements for a student/athlete to gain a nomination. The student/athlete must:
1. be a senior
2. have carried at least a 3.0 grade-point average through his/her high school career
3. have played a minimum of two sports each year
4. have been selected all-state in one sport and at least all-league in another.
Please submit a short letter or e-mail stating that the student/athlete has met or will meet the above requirements by the end of the 2010 spring season. The format for the award application will be sent to the nominating coach the student/athlete’s nomination is received. Email nominations to Scott Stocker: sidelines1971@gmail.com
Please include the words “Steinmark Award nomination” in the subject line of the email.
Members of the Colorado High School Coaches Association will be asked to be on the Steinmark Award selection committee. Members from schools submitting nominees are not eligible to be on the selection committee. |
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