Niwot's Elise Cranny honored with 2014 Girls Steinmark Award

Niwot's Elise Cranny wasn't at home when the first call was placed to tell her she was the girls winner of the 2014 Fred Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year. But the second call was right on the button.

"I was so surprised," Cranny said when she found out she was the winner. "There are so many girls who have excelled, and I'm so honored to have won. The list of previous winners is marvelous and to be now included is precious."

Even though the Steinmark carries 'Athlete of the Year' designation, it actually recognizes a high school career. It is an all-classification award that has become recognized as the most prestigious athletic award a graduating high school senior athlete can receive in Colorado. It is sponsored by the Colorado High School Coaches Association.

This is the 41st year for the girls award, but Cranny is the 42 nd winner, as two girls were honored in 1984. The first winner for the girls was Anne Vento of Pueblo Centennial in 1974.

The award is named in honor of Steinmark, who was a brilliant scholar, athlete and citizen. He graduated from Wheat Ridge and competed for the Farmers in football, basketball and baseball. At the University of Texas, he helped the Longhorns win the college football national title in 1969, but his life was cut short as Steinmark died of cancer in 1970.

Any coach or school administrator can nominate a student-athlete for the award, although there are several requirements to be considered. The student-athlete must have competed in at least two sports during their high school career and they must have been selected all-state in one and at least all-league in another. Nominees must have carried at least a 3.0 grade-point average and have been active in their school and community.

"The Steinmark award is of the upmost importance to me because it stresses the value of balance in life," Cranny said. "Balance is something that I have always strived for. I have always found it a priority to be well-rounded. Being a member of many different groups has allowed me to grow as a person.

"Each of the three athletic teams I have been a part of throughout high school are also all very different," Cranny said. "By being a member of each of these three teams I have had the pleasure of hearing the life stories of many different individuals and I made lifelong friends that I would not have if I hadn't been involved in athletics at Niwot High School."

Cranny, who will attend Stanford, graduates as one of the most accomplished distance runners in state history in both cross country and track and field. She also participated in swimming.

In cross country, Cranny was selected the Northern League Athlete of the Year, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was league champion those three years. She also was the regional champion in each of her four seasons and the Class 4A state champion the past two.

Additionally, Cranny owns the fastest 5,000-meter time on Colorado soil in cross country for a high school female. She was named the state's Female Cross County Athlete of the Year by Gatorade in 2012 and 2013.

When it comes to girls track, Cranny was unbeatable to past two seasons. She won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 state titles the past two seasons and is the Colorado record-holder in all three events. Not only that, she had the second fastest outdoor 1,500-meter for a female high school runner in the nation in 2014 (4 minutes, 10.95 seconds).

Her track accomplishments extended indoors, too, as Cranny was a national champion at the New Balance Indoor event in both 2013 and 2014.

In the swimming pool, Cranny helped the Niwot relay teams place several times at the state meet. She was all-league the past two seasons and helped the Cougars' 200 freestyle relay team gain All-American consideration.

"Elise approaches life with a positive attitude and is rarely seen without a smile on her face," Niwot swim coach Sarah Stamp wrote in her nomination letter. "She puts her full effort into all she does. No one is harder on Elise, than Elise herself. She is a strong team member and contributer. Elise's hard work, dedication and motivation have propelled her to many successes athletically and personally."

Cranny and the 2014 finalists were selected by a panel of high school coaches and administrators, however, no panelists from nominee schools are allowed to participate in the selection process. She will be presented the Steinmark Award at the CHSCA's All-State Games on June 13 in Alamosa.

2014 FINALISTS
Sierra Galbreath, Ralston Valley (Arvada)
Clare Green, Monarch (Louisville)
Lindsey Moss, Fowler
Erin Norton, Grandview (Aurora)

ADDITIONAL 2014 NOMINEES
Natalie Anderson, Hotchkiss
Kristen Berg, Brush
Jenifer Celis, Hotchkiss
Emily Dellenbach, Valley (Gilcrest)
Sabra Ross, Elizabeth
Mallory Seemann, D'Evelyn (Denver)
Greta Sloan, Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs)
Chelsea Vallejos, Lamar
Taylor Wertz, Lamar