MPRB presents Winter Youth Sportsmanship Awards

MPRB presents Winter Youth Sportsmanship Awards

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) presented four neighborhood park sports coaches and their teams and 13 individual youth with 2014 Winter Sportsmanship Awards at the April 16 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

The 2014 Winter Youth Sportsmanship Awards were presented to the coaches and athletes of the following teams: Longfellow Bulldogs – 11U Open Basketball, Van Cleve Vipers – 11U Girls Basketball, North Commons Bulldogs – 11U Open Hockey and Northeast – Wrestling. The teams were chosen among 198 MPRB winter youth sports teams for demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship throughout the winter 2014 season. Each winning team was recognized for its players’ outstanding display of positive attitudes, commitment, dedication, overcoming adversity and persistence. Coaches were recognized for being positive role models, loyal to the program, emphasizing team work, demonstrating strong work ethic and passion and engaging players and parents to have fun.

In memory of Jordan Holt, MPRB 11U basketball players are awarded with the Jordan Holt Most Improved Basketball Player Award. Holt began playing team sports as a young child. Once he stepped on a basketball court and picked up the ball he was hooked for life. He loved the camaraderie and spirit that came alive when kids came together as a team. He thrived on practice and the excitement of the games and always tried to do his best. That enthusiasm stayed with him throughout his life. Jordan wanted to help others share in the happiness that comes from being a part of a team and working on the skills needed to be the best you can be.

The following athletes were awarded the Jordan Holt Most Improved Basketball Player Award: Jose Dominguez, Waite Wildcats Blue; Chloe Garcia Grafing, Powderhorn Eagles; Caitlin Hyatt, Pearl Pumas; Willie Hynes, Farview Cardinals; Oliver Johnson, Waite Wildcats Grey; Nikolas ‘Niko’ Lopez, Kenwood Lakers; Malik Mestas, Roosevelt Teddies; Glen Norvell, Pearl Hardwood Hammers; and Olga Schierkolk, Van Cleve Vipers.

The following athletes were awarded the Jordan Holt Most Improved Basketball Player Award: Jose Dominguez, Waite Wildcats Blue; Chloe Garcia Grafing, Powderhorn Eagles; Caitlin Hyatt, Pearl Pumas; Willie Hynes, Farview Cardinals; Oliver Johnson, Waite Wildcats Grey; Nikolas ‘Niko’ Lopez, Kenwood Lakers; Malik Mestas, Roosevelt Teddies; Glen Norvell, Pearl Hardwood Hammers; and Olga Schierkolk, Van Cleve Vipers.

More than 6,000 youth participate in sports programs and countless organized groups and other neighborhood youth use MPRB sports facilities and athletic fields. Annually, more than 900 volunteer coaches devote their time and leadership to MPRB youth sports. With 197 park properties totaling nearly 6,744 acres of land and water, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment. For more information about MPRB youth sports, visit the MPRB youth sports page or contact your local recreation center.

2014 Winter Youth Sportsmanship Awards

11U: Open Basketball
Longfellow Bulldogs

11U: Girls Basketball
Van Cleve Vipers

11U: Open Hockey
North Commons Bulldogs

Wrestling
Northeast

2014 MPRB Most Improved Hockey Award Recipients

Savannah Guertin, Squirts – Pershing/Linden Hills Angry Hippos
“Throughout the year [Savannah] consistently attended games and practices and never had a bad attitude. She always had a smile for her teammates, coaches, and opposing players. From not knowing how to skate to learning all six positions on the ice, Savannah ended the season with a great attitude.” – Coach Greg Wenz

Ean Laird, 11U: Pearl White Lightning
“Ean was at every practice, working on his skating. I understand he spent many of his own hours at Pearl Park playing pick-up hockey and skating. This perseverance showed on the ice. By the end of the season Ean was skating as fast as some kids who’d been skating for 2-3 years (sometimes too fast – for a couple games I nicknamed him ‘Mr. Offsides’). But by the end of the season he was ‘Mr. Man in the Middle’ – winning face-offs and planting himself in front of the opponents net, keeping on his feet and knocking in goals.” – Coach Darren Selbert

Loudon Pearlman, 11U: Sibley Eagles
“Loudon volunteered for the [goal tender] position and was integral to our team. He never lost sight of working on his skating out skills. In the face of adversity Loudon truly shined. By the end of the season he had learned how to cross over (and that’s a big deal). I look forward to the opportunity to coach him again next year and I hope he stays involved with the sport and his teammates during the off season.” – Coach Jack Welu

Tremayne Davis, 13U: North Commons
“With more puck touches and ice time each game, Tremayne exponentially increased his impact on the game. He was constantly willing to improve and was very coachable. By the end of the year Tremanye had become a clear contributor to the team, scoring two goals in the last competition of the season. It was very satisfying to watch Tremayne persevere this season.” – Coach Martin Loso

2014 Jordan Holt Most Improved Basketball Award Recipients

Malik Mestas, Roosevelt Teddies
“Malik took on the responsibility of becoming the team’s hardest worker and best defender. He was always the kid at practice who asked if he could come early and shoot late. The team, which was full of young players, looked at him as a leader and for guidance during games and practices.” – Coach Kelly Root

Jose Dominguez, Waite Wildcats Blue
“Jose has grown from a player who didn’t see a ton of minutes his first year to a starter his second season who provided the team with that much needed spark. Jose’s growth can be seen by the fact that he made Waite Park’s Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (M.Y.A.S.) tournament team. This goes to show that hard work does in fact pay off.” – Coach Kyriacos Hadjiyiannis

Glen Norvell, Pearl Hardwood Hammers
“We challenged Glen to get some stats next to his name – we told him we needed a few defensive take-aways and a few rebounds out of him every game. Glen met the challenge. Every game this year he would dive for loose balls and jostle around under the basket, positioning for rebounds with the tall boys. Glen has shown perseverance, tenacity, dedication and a love of the game.” – Coach Kevin Yellick

Nikolas ‘Niko’ Lopez, Kenwood Lakers
“Because of his good nature and positive attitude, Niko was well liked and supported by his fellow team mates. His ball handling and shooting skills progressively developed during the season, but it was his rebounding that really helped the team later in the season.” – Coach Daniel Aronson

Chloe Garcia Grafing, Powderhorn Eagles
“Chloe was a dedicated player and teammate throughout the year. She was also a supportive and encouraging teammate and helped our team have a great bond. Her positive attitude and hard work ethic were great examples for the other players on our team.” – Coach Brian Reichert

Oliver Johnson, Waite Wildcats Grey
“As Oliver worked hard in practice, I could see his confidence beginning to grow and his effort starting to pay off in his increased comfort and proficiency on the court. I can only attribute it to Oliver’s tireless work to improve his game and his deep love for the sport of basketball. His hard work and great sportsmanship set a shining example for all of us.” – Coach Todd Bennington

Caitlin Hyatt, Pearl Pumas
“This year Caitlin worked very hard, listened attentively and averaged about 8 points per game. She had the best shooting percentage on the team and her rebounding and defense dramatically improved.” – Coach Michael Hyatt

Olga Schierkolk, Van Cleve Vipers
“Olga is recognized and respected as a ‘quiet’ leader by her peers and teammates because of her interest in basketball and her determination to grow as a player. Overall, Olga has shown that under pressure and under the stress of a game, she can lead her team and maintain her composure, representing her team and the Minneapolis Park Board well.” – Coach Jacqueline Dekker-Travis

Willie Hynes, Farview Cardinals
“Willie found a place where he could be the best, if only for one play. As the season went on he continued to have many more great moments. It was wonderful to see the smile on his face every day.” – Coach Walter Jones

Contact

Mimi Kalb 
Athletic Program & Facility Manager 
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board 
612-230-6482
mkalb@minneapolisparks.org