The girls winner of the 2015 Freddie Steinmark Award is Jordan Baer, who was a standout at Akron in volleyball, basketball and in the classroom. The prestigious award is sponsored by the Colorado High School Coaches Association.
File photo by Matt Daniels
Shaking with excitement.
That was the first thing
Akron's Jordan Baer felt when she received her call from the
Colorado High School Coaches Association, letting her know she was the girls winner of the 2015 Freddie Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award.
"I am shaking with excitement right now," Baer said. "I'm so honored. I know a couple of the other girls that were nominated. This is such a great accomplishment and I can't seem to describe this thrill right now. Thank you so much."
Baer will be presented with the Steinmark Award at the CHSCA All-State Games in Alamosa on June 12, where she also will be playing in the basketball games.
This is the 42nd year for the girls award, but the 43rd trophy, as two student-athletes were honored in 1984. The first winner for the girls was Anne Vento of Pueblo Centennial in 1974. Vento was the first girl to fashion an undefeated season playing tennis, and she also was a standout in swimming and track.
The award honors Steinmark, who was a brilliant scholar, athlete and citizen who graduated from
Wheat Ridge and earned All-State and All-American honors while competing for the Farmers in football, basketball and baseball. At the University of Texas, he helped the Longhorns win the national title in football in 1969, but his life was cut short when he died of cancer in 1971.
Jordan Baer, Akron.
File photo by Jeffery Tucker
To be considered for the Steinmark Award, a senior student-athlete must have played at least two sports during their career and must have been selected All-State in one and at least All-League in another. A 3.0-grade point average is required, and nominees must have been active in their school and community.
It is an all-classification award and any coach or athletic director may nominate athlete. The Steinmark Award is recognized as the most prestigious athletic/academic award in Colorado and is sponsored by the CHSCA.
"The Fred Steinmark Award stands for faith, courage, heart and determination through academics, athleticism and citizenship," Baer said. "He set incredibly high goals for himself and worked diligently to achieve them."
Academically, Baer graduated as the valedictorian at Akron with a 4.1188 grade-point average. And, of course, she was just as outstanding on the athletic courts in basketball and volleyball, where she started every varsity game in both sports during her career.
Baer was a three-time first-team All-State selection in basketball and was selected as The Denver Post 2015 Class 2A Player of the Year. She also earned first-team All-State honors in volleyball as a junior and senior.
And like all other Steinmark winners over the years, she was very involved in her school and community activities. She will be headed to Colorado Christian University in the fall.
Akron teacher Britney Weers also speaks highly of Baer and her accomplishments.
"Jordan's character and integrity far exceeds any other student I have taught," Weers wrote in her recommendation later. "She will go above and beyond what is asked of her without batting an eye. This is shown through her success in both sports and academics. When students see her attention to detail, they begin to follow in the same direction."
A panel of high school coaches and administrators select the Steinmark winner. The group of finalists included:
Cori Aafedt of
Valley (Gilcrest),
Courtney Clark of
Lamar,
Riley Cooney of
Mountain View (Loveland), and
Jordyn Colter from
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village).
Other student-athletes receiving nominations this year:
Alex Dufour of
Frederick,
Savannah Heebner of
Castle View (Castle Rock),
Anna Schwecke of
Clear Creek (Evergreen),
Payton Shahan of
Pagosa Springs and
Jordan Williams of
Norwood.
