The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) presented the 2016 Winter Youth Sportsmanship Awards to four neighborhood park sports coaches and their teams, and five individual youth at the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 4.
Teams were recognized for its players’ outstanding display of positive attitudes, commitment, dedication, persistence, and overcoming adversity. 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.
The 2016 Winter Youth Sportsmanship Awards were presented to the athletes and coaches of the following teams: 11U Whitter Wolves (open basketball), 11U Webber (girls basketball), All Ages Lynnhurst (wrestling), and Lynnhurst Polar Bears (open and girls hockey).
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 Jordan Holt Most Improved Basketball Player Award: Lily Balk of 11U Keewaydin Lakers, Haugen Stamps of 11U Pearl, Darren McCurry of 11U Creekview Knights and Rose Zaremba of 11U Armatage-Kenny.
And the following athletes were awarded the Most Improved Hockey Player Award: Edy Zambrano of Squirts DinoMights, Owen Boss of 11U Pearl, Greta Wilbur of 13U Linden Hills Skaters, Eleazar Rott of 15U North Commons Bulldogs and Maia Merims of Lynnhurst Polar Bears.
The awarded teams were chosen among 200 MPRB basketball, wrestling and hockey youth sports teams for demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship throughout the winter season. The awarded individual athletes were chosen among 2,133 youth athletes that participated in one of the three winter sports in 2016. A total of 397 coaches dedicated just over 28,500 hours to their teams.
Open Basketball – 11U Whittier Wolves
Coach Jasha Johnston
Front, left to right: Kaden Croon, Nicole O’Connell, Abdi Mohamud, John Outlaw
Back Row (right to left); Commissioners Steffanie Musich, Jon Olson, Annie Young, Scott Vreeland, President Liz Wielinski, Commissioners John Erwin, Brad Bourn, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Anita Tabb.
Girls Basketball – 11U Webber
Coach Francein Williams-Sanders
Front, left to right: Sarah Rossman, Taren Austin, Emakay Dyson, Mickayla Tripp, Molly Minnema, Alyssa Riley, Francein Williams-Sanders, Maaliyah Mars, Queenessa Hill
Back Row (right to left); Commissioners Steffanie Musich, Jon Olson, Annie Young, Scott Vreeland, President Liz Wielinski, Commissioners John Erwin, Brad Bourn, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Anita Tabb.
Wrestling – All Ages Lynnhurst
Coach Jim Waggoner
Front, left to right: Joaquin Olson, Dawntae Cook, Matt Nelson, Dominic Viazan, Noah Kamrath, Lincoln Johannsen, Pria Ammerma, Atticus Johannsen, Dietrich Johannsen, Xavier Viazcan, Peyton Ammerman; Back Row: Coaches Jon Kamrath, Andy Granh, Sok Ung, Nelson Evenrud
Back Row (right to left); Commissioners Steffanie Musich, Jon Olson, Annie Young, Scott Vreeland, President Liz Wielinski, Commissioners John Erwin, Brad Bourn, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Anita Tabb.
Open Girls Hockey – Lynnhurst Polar Bears
Coach Emmett Mullin
Front, left to right: Coach Emmett Mullin, Gina Cassellius, Marie Landelle, Grace Conroy, Greta Lahm, Margaret Mullin, Tamaryn Wiggins, Grace Lage, Maia Merims Johnson, Coach Steve Cassellius
Back Row (right to left); Commissioners Steffanie Musich, Jon Olson, Annie Young, Scott Vreeland, President Liz Wielinski, Commissioners John Erwin, Brad Bourn, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Anita Tabb.
Front row (left to right)
Rose Zaremba – 11U Armatage-Kenny
Lily Balk – 11U Keewaydin Lakers
Haugen Stamps – 11U Pearl
Darren McCurry – 11U Creekview Knights
Back Row (right to left); Commissioners Steffanie Musich, Jon Olson, Annie Young, Scott Vreeland, President Liz Wielinski, Commissioners John Erwin, Brad Bourn, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Anita Tabb.
The following are excerpts from coaches on nomination forms.
Rose Zaremba
11U Armatage-Kenny
“Rose began the season as a first time player. She had never played basketball before, nor been on a team sport before. Rose was undaunted. She never got down on herself. She always cheered on her teammates. Every practice she worked hard to improve.
The best example of Rose’s determination was coordinating jumping with shooting into one fluid motion. We worked on the shooting motion against the ball. Then putting jumping and shooting together close to the basket, then the free throw. Seeing her success made them try harder. And I could see her confidence climb.
During the tournament Rose entered the game and one of our players remarked “I hope Rose gets fouled when she shoots so she can shoot her free throws.” She immediately was fouled in the act of shooting. She confidently stepped to the line and took two perfect free throws that barely rolled off the rim – but they were the absolutely best misses I have ever seen. I was so proud of her for all the progress she’d made. I think she was too. Her teammates cheered her on as did the crowd. Her confidence continued to blossom and she got a chance to Jump at the jump ball in the next playoff games and continued playing her scrappy defense.
She was /is a fantastic friend, teammate and player on the team. She always had a smile and was an excellent example for the rest of the girls (and her coaches) about perseverance and staying positive and enjoying the process to become a better player.”
– Coach Randy Tatum
Lily Balk
11U Keewaydin Lakers
“Lily is a very athletic girl. She is active in softball, soccer & basketball. She loves to compete and is an excellent relationship builder. I’ve seen her excel in soccer & softball where physical size is neither a hindrance nor an advantage.
Lily is our shortest player. Getting the ball up to the rim proved challenging since she didn’t quite have the strength & size while learning proper shooting technique.
Lily’s drive to compete meant that she became a consistent practice attendee. She hustled, soaked up instruction from coaches, and was spurred on by her teammates while effectively studying their skills. Because of her positive nature she equaled the effort put forth in her basketball skills with those of being supportive of her teammates as she quickly found out the power & importance of a positive team support system.
By the end of the season she was using her new skills to her advantage. She became a fast, dribbling guard frequently creating the proper space for her to get shots off. This became more consistent as the season progressed and she was able to make baskets in games.
I was very impressed with how she was determined to not let physical barriers keep her from enjoying a team sport. Basketball became another opportunity for her to challenge herself and continue creating lasting & meaningful relationships through athletics.”
– Coach Matt Maly
Haugen Stamps
11U Pearl
“Haugen was nothing short of dedicated, team-oriented, and a hustle champion this season. When Haugen walked into the gym for the first time, it was hard to predict that this barely-more-than-4’0’’ spitfire of energy would be such a quiet inspiration to his teammates – – and never know he was doing it!
Haugen did not know many people on the team when he first arrived, being one of the younger players. Instead of being shy and nervous, however, Haugen put his head down and got right to work, wanting to learn, grow, and improve.
During the first game, the main coaching direction we gave to Haugen was, “Haugen, you have to remember to dribble when you run!” feedback from coaches and teammates, alike. By the end of the season, Haugen was leading our team in steals and rebounds (remember – – he is barely over 4’0”). Haugen was a true asset to our team this year and we saw marked improvement in his play and understanding of the game. I would love to nominate Haugen Stamps for the 2016 Jordan Hold Most Improved Basketball Player.”
– Coach Jaimee Bohning
Darren McCurry
11U Creekview Knights
“Darren may be small in stature, but he makes up for it in grit, determination, hustle and character. Had had never played basketball before this season. When he started, he could barely get the ball up to the hoop. Now he can not only get it up there, he is consistently contributing during games! His defensive style is ruthless, getting steal after steal. His dribbling has improved as well! He encourages his teammates and is a joy to be around. I consider myself blessed to be his coach.”
– Coach Nicole Charles
Front Row (left to right)
Greta Wilbur – 13U Linden Hills Skaters
Owen Boss – 11U Pearl
Edy Zambrano – Squirts DinoMights
Maia Merims-Johnson – Lynnhurst Polar Bears
Eleazar Rott – 15U North Commons Bulldogs
Back Row (right to left); Commissioners Steffanie Musich, Jon Olson, Annie Young, Scott Vreeland, President Liz Wielinski, Commissioners John Erwin, Brad Bourn, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Anita Tabb.
The following are excerpts from coaches on nomination forms.
Greta Wilbur
13U Linden Hills Lakers
“Greta is a great kid and a typical Park Board hockey player: at the beginning of the season she could skate a little, but needed to knock some off-season rust off her skill set. She liked to play hockey but didn’t revolve her life around it like some of the boys zooming around the ice…and as the only girl on the team and one of the few in the league, she also faced that challenge. Greta’s spirit and dedication was infectious. She attended almost every practice and game, and improved her skills while exemplifying the MPRB ethos of having fun while working hard.
As the season went on, Greta worked her way into the starting lineup. Hard work paid the ultimate dividend when preparation met opportunity in the Championship Game; Greta found herself wide open in front of the net and lit the lamp on a rebound for her first goal of the season. The bench and stands erupted as her teammates and their families cheered, all of them feeling proud of our Most Improved Player. Greta is a wonderful example of exactly what Park Board hockey is supposed to be. It was a great season, made even better by Greta’s quality of personality, and we were lucky to coach her.”
– Coach Paul Pirner
Owen Boss
11U Pearl
“Owen entered the season as a first-year player at an age when a lot of Minnesota kids have been playing hockey for several years. In a matter of a few short months, his skating and puck handling skills improved incredibly. But more than that, Owen displayed a good sense for the game from day one and is a joy to coach. He is always eager to be at the rink, displays a great sense of sportsmanship and upbeat attitude regardless of circumstances, and a steadfast supporter of all his teammates. Besides all that, he loves playing defense, possibly the most under appreciated role on a hockey team. It was with pleasure and privilege to coach and get to know Owen this winter.”
– Coach Dennis Pernu
Edy Zambrano
Squirt DinoMights
“Edy is a second-year squirt playing for the DinoMights. Edy took an enormous step forward in his second year. He is a strong candidate for the Most Improved Player Award for two reasons: one based on skill and one based on attitude.
First, Edy improved his stick handling skill and learned to slide the puck from side to side to avoid defenders and advance the puck without just shooting it towards our opponents’ end. This skill made Edy an incredible asset to our team.
Second, and more importantly, Edy improved his attitude. Edy did not have a bad attitude as a first-year squirt, but his attitude was typical of other players on the team. Edy took a major step forward as a second-year player. He was ready to take advice from coaches and to implement that advice into his game. He was more mature, embracing challenge and looking to overcome adversity rather than getting frustrated. Edy was a better teammate, encouraging his fellow players and bringing leadership to our team. The step forward in Edy’s attitude will serve him well as a hockey player, though I suspect it will have a greater reward in Edy’s life.
I have been coaching in Minneapolis for seven years and have seen many players improve their skills. Edy improved as much as anyone I have seen over that time. Edy is worthy of the Most Improved Player Award.”
– Coach Michael Ervin
Maia Merims-Johnson
Lynnhurst Polar Bears
“Maia Johnson is a long-time player with the Lynnhurst Penguins and Polars program. She has steadily grown as an individual player over the last five years. This past season Maia grew not only stronger with her individual skills, but she emerged as a team leader.
Maia’s teammates relied one her as a steady force for the Lynnhurst Team. She always encouraged her teammates throughout the season to play hard and have a positive attitude. Maia herself possessed a stellar attitude.
Maia’s good attitude and leadership payed off, when in the final game of the season, the Lynnhurst girls won in double overtime – our first and only victory over Pearl during the entire season!
Maia demonstrated a willingness to play whatever position we asked her to, but she especially thrived at defense. Maia plays hard every game and she is a very coach-able player. She listens and is an excellent teammate. One big growth area for Maia this season was her willingness to start putting shots on the net! And it paid off – with Maia scoring key goals throughout the season.
For these reasons, I recommend Maia Johnson receive this year’s Most Improved Player award for 2016!”
– Coach Emmett Mullin
Eleazar Rott
15U North Commons Bulldogs
“Eleazar has shown great improvement as a hockey player this year. His stick handling and passing skills have both improved a great deal, but his improvement in shooting has been especially noticeable. He can really unleash powerful shots when he gets in the right hockey position, something he has worked on a lot this year.
While his physical hockey skills have visibly improved this season, his attitude has stayed the same, which is intended as a compliment to him. There really just isn’t any room for an attitude improvement; he comes to the ice rink ready to work hard every day, and is willing to do whatever the coaches ask of him. While we had a very good group of kids on the team this year, Eleazar still stood out in terms of his positive mindset and work ethic.
He has become a very important defensive player on our team, and has increasingly shown an understanding of the responsibilities of his position on the ice. He often bailed our team out when we got in trouble in our own zone, and should be proud of his efforts this year.
He is very deserving of this MIP award.”
– Coach Dan Grabow
Youth Sportsmanship awards are presented by the MPRB athletics staff for fall/winter sports and spring/summer sports.
With 251 park properties totaling nearly 6,790 acres of parkland 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.