In its 38th year for boys and the 36th for girls, the Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award is widely regarded as the most prestigious high school award Colorado. The award honors Fred Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the late 1960s. Steinmark also was a standout student and active in the community before attending the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns to the national football title in 1969. Steinmark died from cancer in 1971 at age 22.
With the blessing of the Steinmark family, Stocker started the award at Colorado Sidelines in 1972, before bringing it to the Rocky Mountain News, which closed in February. Stocker and the Colorado High School Coaches Association are sponsoring the award this season, in conjunction with MaxPreps.
Here are the 2009 winners:
Bryan Peters, Rocky Mountain
BRYAN PETERS, ROCKY MOUNTAIN
There was a moment of silence when Rocky Mountain’s Bryan Peters received the phone call telling him he was the boys winner of the 2009 Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award, which is presented annually for excellence in athletics, academics and citizenship. Then came his response.
“I can’t believe it,” Peters said. “I was just happy to be nominated. There are a lot of great athletes before me, and it’s crazy to be with them. This is such a huge honor.”
Peters is the third winner from Rocky Mountain, which is located in Fort Collins. The others were Shelly Greathouse (1994) and Sara Hunter (2004).
“I owe all my success to my parents, teammates and coaches who have always been by my side, guiding me through all my accomplishments,” said Peters, who excelled in baseball, basketball and football. “My sincerest thanks to all. Although sports are my biggest passion in life, I have greater expectations for myself in the classroom.”
And excel in the classroom Peters did. He graduated 24th of 564 students in his class with a 4.06 grade-point average. He earned honor in Advanced Placement calculus, statistics, geography and environmental studies, among others.
Peters, whose only ‘B’ came as a sophomore in Spanish Level III, is a member of the National Honor Society, scored a solid 27 on the ACTs, is a National Technical Honor Society member and was a state finalist for the Wendy’s Heisman, which also recognizes athletics and academics.
“Sports have been a stepping stone to many other aspects of my life such as my close group of friends, my work ethic and my perseverance,” said Peters, who will enroll at the University of Nebraska in the fall. “On the field, I am not the biggest, most robust player out there, but my hard work and determination makes up for some of my weaknesses.”
After a three state championships in baseball, coach Scott Bullock said Peters will be hard to replace.
As a pitcher he went 21-0 in his career and he never batted less than .436 while earning his All-Colorado honors.
Peters, who played third base when not on the mound, set six school records, was selected a preseason All-American by several services, including Louisville Slugger, Rawlings, Rivals and MaxPreps. This week he was selected as Gatorade’s state player of the year.
“As a student-athlete Bryan has been outstanding to coach,” Bullock said. “It really is hard to imagine Rocky Mountain athletics without him. He has been phenomenal for us in three sports and more importantly has done it with class at all times. As an athlete Bryan is obviously very athletic, but his athleticism is second to his toughness and leadership.
“I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever coached a more complete package on the field,” Bullock said. “He really just has a knack in willing his teams to victory. He has had tremendous success in his time at Rocky Mountain, but as a person is extremely humble.”
Peters’ efforts on the football field are likewise quite impressive. He was a team captain for three seasons under coach Mark Brook, was the All-Colorado quarterback for both the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post, the Front Range Player of the Year, the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year. He capped his football career by winning the Denver Post Gold Helmet Award.
“Having the opportunity to coach Bryan the past four years has been a tremendous pleasure,” Brook said. “He has given me the chance to understand just exactly why I coach. He is the type of young man to put others’ needs and desires in front of his own, and his leadership is second to none. He does not lead by passionate speeches or cheers, yet by example of hard work, discipline, caring and tenacious competitiveness.”
Peters also earned honorable mention all-league honors and was named academic all-state in basketball.
Off the field, Peters has been active in Rocky Mountain’s Lobo Angel Fund, the school’s Link Crew and Adopt-A-Family Program.
“Like Steinmark, I have always felt that it was essential to volunteer and give back to the community,” Peters said. “Some of my most rewarding volunteer work has been the experiences I have had with the kids at the Respite Care Center and our car wash to raise money for the victims of the Windsor tornado.”
Said Brook in conclusion, “Bryan has a future filled with excitement and success. His positive approach and competitive nature towards life will yield him many great things in and out of the classroom.”
Laura Tremblay, Thompson Valley
LAURA TREMBLAY, THOMPSON VALLEY
Thompson Valley’s Laura Tremblay looked at the finalists for the 2009 Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award, saw their accomplishments and figured it was going to be difficult to win. True, it definitely was a difficult choice to be made by the selection committee, but one that went her way this year. She is the first athlete from Thompson Valley, located in Loveland, to win the award.
“They were all solid candidates and all cool,” said Tremblay, who will continue her college education at the University of Colorado. “I was not expecting this, it is such an honor. I just thank the committee for their work and recognition. Being awarded the Steinmark reflects the hard work and determination of the many with whom I have worked with during my high school career.
“It is an honor to represent the ideals of such a community-minded individual as Steinmark,” added Tremblay, who is also a member of the Thompson Valley student council. “It is with a debt of gratitude to my coaches, my teams, my teachers and the Loveland community who have helped with my success.”
In the venues of cross country and track, Tremblay has been solid. During her career she has been a team captain, and earned All-American, all-state, all-region and all-league honors in both. She is a state individual champion in the 800 meters, won back-to-back titles in the 1,600 meters and state titles on several Thompson Valley relay teams in track.
It should be noted that Tremblay’s twin sister, Elizabeth, was also a nominee for this year’s award.
Tremblay capped her senior season by helping lead the Eagles to the Class 4A track title. In all, she has been a part of four state team titles in cross country and track, as well as three state runner-up squads.
In the classroom Tremblay has compiled a 4.175 grade-point average and graduated No. 5 in her class of 335. Her course level has been filled with Advanced Placement classes in chemistry, physics, Spanish and English language composition, among others. She graduated with a lone ‘B-plus’ in AP Geography when she was a sophomore.
“I am the type to never accept any grade lower than an ‘A’,” Tremblay said. “These past four years have given me so many opportunities to earn an outstanding education, invest myself in volunteer service, expand on my musical capabilities and run for one of the best cross country and track programs in the state.”
And while Tremblay can turn a good tune on the cross country and tracks around the nation, she is not bad on the cello. She was a University of Northern Colorado Honor Orchestra participant, scoring top honors in Solo and Ensemble and served as on the Chamber Orchestra.
As an athlete, Tremblay represented Thompson Valley from coast-to-coast. She excelled in meets in North Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho and Oregon. She anchored the second-fastest 3,200 relay in the U.S. in April (9 minutes, 0.7 seconds), combined for seven individual and state relay titles and won the 2008 Nike Southwest Regional cross country championship by beating several of the nation’s finest runners.
“Laura has represented the best this community has to offer,” cross country and track coach Matt Norton said. “She has great talent, great purpose and great character. You can never tell when Laura is having a bad day because she’s always ready to work and does so with a smile - far better than me in that regard. People in the track and cross country media and community now know about Loveland, Colorado, in large part because of Laura.
“How she has balanced the workload I placed on her with her exceptional academic and musical work, not to mention that entirety of her young life, constantly amazes me,” Norton said. “Her focus is an example for me to follow.”
When it comes to community involvement, Tremblay, who was nominated as Miss Loveland Valentine, also has made her mark. She works at Hearts and Horses, a therapeutic riding center as a side walker for disabled people, packages food and clothing for the needy with the Jaycees, Rotary and House of Neighborly Service, as well as helps tutor young people.
“Along with her athletic prowess, Laura is an altruist,” teacher Bernadine Knittel said. “There are no big headlines speaking of Laura’s compassion to help others; she serves unconditionally. One example of Laura’s love for people is the time she spends working with a child with brain trauma.”
Said Tremblay, “The time spent with Triston has taught me perseverance. He has enormous obstacles to overcome, yet he has the positive attitude and tenacious drive that I want to have in my life, too.”
Peters and Tremblay will be profiled by Marcia Neville on Fox 31 on May 30. They also will be honored at the CHSCA All-State Games banquet June 12 in Greeley.
For a complete list of 2009 finalists and nominees, click here.
Past recipients of the Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award
BOYS
1972: Dave Logan, Wheat Ridge
1973: Gary Washington, Colorado Deaf & Blind
1974: Darryl Monasmith, Burlington
1975: Tim Roberts, Arvada West
1976: Mike Edwards, Kennedy and Tom Reed, Fruita Monument
1977: Mike Hendricks, Burlington
1978: Steve Needens, Brush
1979: Kevin Baird, Cherry Creek and Craig Kaiser, Merino
1980: Jerry Kersey, Rye
1981: Tom Southall, Steamboat Springs
1982: Stein Koss, Durango
1983: Rick Wheeler, Cherry Creek
1984: Todd Tyrell, Arvada West
1985: Terry Taylor Jr., Rangeview
1986: Pat Manson, Aurora Central
1987: Brett Quigley, Lakewood
1988: Fred Harris, Montbello
1989: Scott Phillips, Lewis-Palmer
1990: Kent Kahl, Fort Morgan
1991: Justin Armour, Manitou Springs
1992: Greg Jones, Kennedy
1993: Jeff Singleton, Broomfield
1994: Scott Elarton, Lamar
1995: Brad Schick, Gunnison
1996: Matt Rillos, Golden
1997: Kyle Howell, Kent Denver/Grand Junction Central
1998: Derek Applewhite, Brighton
1999: Kevin Singleton, Broomfield
2000: M.J. Flaum, Northglenn
2001: Tom Hubbard, Limon
2002: David Hall, Akron
2003: Dustin Sprague, Holyoke
2004: Jeff Byers, Loveland
2005: John McGuire, D’Evelyn
2006: Dex Cure, Wray
2007: Brian Hendricks, Burlington
2008: Kevin Williams, D’Evelyn
GIRLS
1974: Anne Vento, Pueblo Centennial
1975: Donette Fischer, Alameda
1976: Lou Piel, Prairie
1977: Brenda House, Wray
1978: Jayne Gibson, Arvada West
1979: Janet Winter, Windsor
1980: Tanya Haave, Evergreen
1981: Armella Kanski, Machebeuf
1982: Deana Simpson, Highland-Ault
1983: Tracy Hill, Ridgway
1984: Michelle Bostrom, Brush, Sheila Quillen, Fowler
1985: Katie Salen, Pomona
1986: Lori Shalberg, Plainview
1987: Cindy O’Connor, Lyons
1988: Jen Tubergen, Denver Christian
1989: Dee Binning, Cherry Creek
1990: Cruz Zarco, Sargent
1991: Tricia Bader, Roaring Fork
1992: Kayci Emry, Lewis-Palmer
1993: Wendy Braye, Arvada West
1994: Shelly Greathouse, Rocky Mountain
1995: Jenny Coalson, Ellicott
1996: Rebekah McDowell, Wheat Ridge
1997: Sarah Law, Ponderosa
1998: Britt Hartshorn, Lamar
1999: Ashley Augspurger, Wheat Ridge
2000: Cari Jensen, Fowler
2001: Mary McDowell, Wheat Ridge
2002: Laura Probst, Arvada West
2003: Jasmine Oeinck, Arapahoe
2004: Sara Hunter, Rocky Mountain
2005: Maddie McKeever, Heritage
2006: Danielle Kachulis, Kent Denver
2007: Annie Perizzolo, Smoky Hill
2008: Stephanie Pepper, Cherry Creek