The
Colorado High School Coaches Association sponsors the Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award. The award recognizes excellence in the classroom and on the playing field, as well as in the community. The award honors Steinmark, who was a brilliant scholar, athlete and citizen while at Wheat Ridge High School in the late 1960s. His life was cut tragically short, though, when he died of cancer in 1970.
To be nominated for the award, a student-athlete must have played two sports in high school and have been selected all-state in one and at least all-league in another. A minimum 3.0 grade-point average is required, and the student-athlete must have been active in their school and community. Any coach or school administrator may nominate a student-athlete, regardless of school classification.
The 2013 boys winner is
Koby Close of
Buena Vista, while this year's girls honoree is
Sidney Merrill of
Akron. The winners and finalists were selected by a committee of coaches and administrators that includes former Steinmark winners. Close and Merrill will be recognized during halftime of the football event at the
All-State Games on Friday.
The following information was provided by longtime Colorado high school writer Scott Stocker, who started the award while publishing
Colorado Sidelines. A complete story on each athlete will be posted at the CHSCA web site at
colohsca.org.
KOBY CLOSE, BUENA VISTA "Awesome, just a definite, great honor," were the first words from Koby Close of Buena Vista when he was notified by the CHSCA that he was this year's winner. "I'm shocked. Obviously, this is so large an honor as I'm from a smaller school. I'm very humbled, again, just awesome to be included with all the great athletes before me who have won."
Close is the 43th winner for the boys as there were two winners selected in 1979.
Close was a four-year starter at Buena Vista in football, wrestling and baseball. He was first team all-state at quarterback in football while leading the Demons to a state runner-up finish last season. In the process, he was the Tri-Peaks League Offensive Back of the Year and with it came his selection for this year's All-State Games.
"Koby is a man with impeccable integrity," Buena Vista football coach Matt Flavin said. "It is without reservation that I give Koby the highest respect as a coach or as just a person watching what amazing things he has done and will do. He is very responsible and accepts responsibility for the consequences of his actions, including his mistakes. He has enough confidence in himself that he can accept blame and criticism."
In wrestling, Close was a three-time state place winner, finishing as high as third as a junior, and he compiled a 115-38 record. On the baseball field, Close earned all-league honors in each of his four seasons and posted a career .462 batting average.
When it came to academics, Close again excelled. He graduated fourth in his class with a 4.113 grade-point-average, tallied 33 on his ACT test, while also earning numerous academic and citizenship honors. He is undecided on his college plans.
Close also was involved in student council, helped organize homecoming activities, participated in food drives and fund raisers. In addition, Close served as president of the National Honor Society, helped raise money for the Arkansas Valley Christian Mission, ran three school blood drives and has been a youth official for football and wrestling matches.
Other boys finalists: Ty LaFramboise, Eagle Valley; Brian Mayberry, Columbine; and Ryan Moeller, Rifle.
SIDNEY MERRILL, AKRON "Wow! This is kind of a shock. It's going to take me a little time to settle in."
Those were the first words responded by Merrill when she answered the call from the CHSCA that she is the winner for the 2013 Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award. This is the 39th year for the girls Steinmark, however, Merrill is the 40th winner for the girls. Two girls were honored in 1984.
"To me, this award means that the individual that is selected can proudly be associated with Fred Steinmark and all his accomplishments," Merrill said. "It means that the student-athlete has the passion and drive to achieve not only on the sports field, but in the classroom and community as well."
Merrill was all-state in volleyball for three years and all-state in basketball the past four seasons. She will conclude her high school career on the basketball courts playing in the All-State Games.
Merrill also excelled in track, winning four state pole vault titles. In addition to winning the pole vault, she placed third and sixth in the 100 hurdles, fourth and eighth in the shot put and seventh in the high jump.
In basketball, Akron won the Class 2A state basketball championship in 2012 and 2013, was runner-up in 2010 and the consolation winner in 2011. The Rams also finished second in state volleyball in 2011.
It's a wonder that Merrill, who will head to the University of Wyoming, had any time for athletics. She was the Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook and Photo Editor, student council Vice President, and President of Future Business Leaders of America.
Among her many community efforts Merrill works for the Akron Chamber of Commerce, team teaches at church and is a community food drive volunteer and youth sports coach.
"No athlete in Akron High School sports history has received such diverse and distinguished accolades," Akron track coach Tom Meyer said. "She definitely burns the candle at both ends but is able to demonstrate excellence in all her varied activities. More importantly, Sidney is a wonderful person with impeccable character."
Merrill graduated with a 4.019 grade-point-average.
Other girls finalists: Rachel Chacko, Smoky Hill; Courtney Chacon, Valley; and Haley Hutton, Valley.
