Zoe Martin, Colorado Academy, recipient of 2024 CHSCA Freddie Steinmark Award

Zoe Martin, an exemplary dual-sport athlete from Colorado Academy, has won the prestigious Steinmark Award, a recognition that celebrates outstanding achievements in athletics first, along with academics and community service. Zoe's commitment to excellence both on and off the field has set her apart as a remarkable individual.

Reflecting on the significance of the award, Zoe stated, “Winning this award would be an incredible honor validating all my efforts to succeed as a dual sport athlete. More importantly, it would connect me to Freddie Steinmark's powerful legacy and the enduring values he embodied of perseverance, sportsmanship, and using one's talents to make a positive impact.”  When she found out she had won she stated that “this is super cool as it is just proof of all the hard work and dedication because playing multiple sports is not easy!”

Zoe maintains a 3.88 GPA at Colorado Academy, a school known for its rigorous academic standards. She has committed to the University of Michigan, where she will continue her athletic career in both lacrosse and field hockey, a rare achievement for a Division 1 dual-sport athlete.

Accolades flow to this amazing student-athlete including: High School All-American in both lacrosse and field hockey, Colorado Player of the Year in both sports, Competitor in the 2022 Women’s Lacrosse World Championship for Team Israel at just 16 years old and Winner of six state championships (four in lacrosse and two in field hockey) to name a few. Next Zoe will head to Portugal to play with the Israeli National team before heading to Michigan.

Zoe's impact extends beyond personal achievements. Assistant Coach Stacy Birlson remarked, “During tryouts, Zoe shared her goals for her Senior year. Her first statement was she wanted to be more dedicated to making her teammates better and leave a positive legacy.” Throughout the season, Zoe not only continued to score prolifically but also doubled her assists from the previous year, demonstrating her commitment to her team's success.

Zoe's inspiration is deeply personal. She shared, “If I win this prestigious award, I intend to dedicate it to my older sister – Laney – who lives with a rare genetic condition… Because of her, I have gained strength, resilience, patience, and persistence, which have helped inspire me in my own athletic and academic goals. Laney, like Mr. Steinmark, makes the people around her better, stronger, and driven to make a difference.”

Teachers and coaches describe Zoe as joyful, infectious, and sportsmanlike, with a love for the game that is contagious. Away from the field she is a part of the Children’s Hospital Club, a H.O.P.E. Director, Model United Nations, a youth coach and a volunteer at The Joshua School.  Her dedication to her sports, her academics, and her community exemplifies the values that the Steinmark Award seeks to honor.  Zoe Martin’s achievements and character make her a deserving recipient of this distinguished award.

The Steinmark Award was established in 1972 and honors Freddie Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the 1960s. He was also an outstanding student and was active in several school and community-oriented endeavors before attending the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns to the national football title in 1969. Freddie died from cancer in 1971 at the age of 22. Students athletes nominated for the award must be seniors who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.0 and participated in at least two varsity sports, having earned at least All-Conference in one sport and All-State in another.

Zoe is the 52nd winner of the girls Steinmark Award since it was first presented to girls in 1974. The first girl to win the Steinmark Award was Anne Vento of Pueblo Centennial in 1974. There were two winners of the award in 1984. Dave Logan of Wheat Ridge High School, and now the extremely well-known sports announcer for the Denver Broncos and other sports endeavors, was the first boys’ winner of the award in 1972.

In 2023, Mason Rowland of Durango High School received the girls’ Steinmark and Joseph Capra of Denver South was the recipient for the boys. The Colorado High School Coaches Association is proud to be the sponsor of the Freddie Steinmark Award and congratulates the athletes, and their coaches, who were nominated for this award.

Finalists for the 2024 Steinmark Award: Sarah DeLaCerda- Alamosa, Julia Hodell- Holy Family, Jenna Krise- Briggsdale, Eboselulu Omofoma- Dayspring Christian, Macy Scheer- D’Evelyn.

Cole Gaddis, Longmont HS, recipient of the 2024 CHSCA Freddie Steinmark Award

“I know the world’s definition of accomplishment and success, but is there a higher aspiration that brings out the best in ourselves and those around us? I think that may be what we call greatness. And that’s the path Cole has chosen for himself” says Coach Jim Griffey.

Cole Gaddis, an exceptional student-athlete from Longmont High School, found himself humbled as he delved into the life of Freddie Steinmark, the inspirational figure after whom this award is named. Reflecting on Steinmark’s legacy, Gaddis admitted, “With each click of the mouse, one thing became clear: I am not worthy of this nomination, let alone winning it.” However, his teachers, coaches, community members, and the Steinmark selection committee vehemently disagreed.

The 2024 CHSCA Steinmark winner, Cole embodies the quintessential student-athlete, having lettered in four sports. He is a four-year letter winner in football (earning first-team all-state honors), a three-year letter winner in basketball, a three-year letter winner in track & field, and a one-year letter winner in soccer (which he got to play due to COVID moving the season). His commitment to athletics is matched by his dedication to academics, making him a role model for what is considered the "ultimate student-athlete."

Cole’s academic record is impeccable, maintaining a 4.43 weighted GPA (4.0 unweighted), earning all A's in over 48 classes taken throughout high school. He is a Boettcher Scholar, recipient of the Colorado National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award, and a Gold Helmet Finalist. He has also earned First Team Academic All-State honors every eligible year and has received the Principal’s Award four times. Additionally, Cole is a four-year member of the LHS Medical and Biosciences Academy, with a completed Capstone project and numerous discipline-specific academic honors. 

At school, Cole is a peer tutor, two-time editor of the school yearbook, and a three-time Link Crew member, welcoming incoming freshmen students. His community service includes volunteering as a coach for youth camps and teams, currently coaching a co-ed 6th grade flag football team. He also volunteers regularly for several community organizations, including A Woman’s Work, the Weld County Food Bank, and the United Way.

When informed that he was selected as this year’s recipient he was so excited and couldn’t wait to share it with those who influenced and mentored him, and the first question out of his mouth was “Does Coach Kloster know, or do I get to tell him?”  He went on to let the committee know about the great relationships he has built throughout high school with his coaches, teachers, and school staff, and how that was so meaningful to him.

Away from school life, Cole’s greatest source of inspiration is his brother and best friend, Ty. Ty's daily decision to face his battles profoundly influences Cole. “And because of his example, I choose grit and hope,” says Cole.

Next year Cole will attend the Colorado School of Mines and will play football for the Orediggers.

Cole is the 54th recipient of the Steinmark Award, which was established in 1972 (there were two winners in 1976 and 1979). The Steinmark Award was established in 1972 and honors Freddie Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the 1960s. He was also an outstanding student and active in several school and community-oriented endeavors before attending the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns to the national football title in 1969. Freddie died from cancer in 1971 at the age of 22. 

Dave Logan of Wheat Ridge High School, and now the extremely well-known sports announcer for the Denver Broncos and other sports endeavors, was the first winner of the award in 1972.

In 2023, Joseph Capra from Denver South received the boys’ Steinmark and Mason Rowland from Durango High School was the recipient for the girls. The Colorado High School Coaches Association is proud to be the sponsor of the Freddie Steinmark Award and congratulates the athletes, and their coaches, who were nominated for this award.

Finalists for the 2024 Steinmark Award: Jordan Leslie- Mullen HS, Jordan Rockwell- Limon HS, Josh Snyder- Columbine HS, Wyatt Sprague- Holyoke HS and Liam Szarka- Grandview HS.