Lutheran standout James Willis was selected as the boys winner of the 2015 Freddie Steinmark Award, sponsored by the Colorado High School Coaches Association. The award recognizes the state's top student-athlete.
File photo by Leslie Johnson
‘Surprise' seems to be the one word winners of the Freddie Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year Award spout once they have been notified of the honor. And that was the reaction from
James Willis of
Lutheran (Parker) when he took his phone call from the
Colorado High School Coaches Association.
"I am so surprised to have won it," Willis said. "I'm shocked. I didn't know I would and it's something that seems to come from out of the Avengers movies. It's certainly an honor to be included among the many others who have been recognized with this award."
Willis is the 46th winner for the boys, and he will be recognized at the CHSCA All-State Games in Alamosa on June 12. He also will be taking part in the CHSCA All-State basketball game.
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.
Dave Logan of Wheat Ridge, now the voice of the Denver Broncos, head football coach at Cherry Creek and KOA radio talk show host, was the first winner of the Steinmark in 1972.
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.
James Willis, Lutheran.
File photo by Matt Daniels
Willis graduated as the valedictorian at Lutheran with a 4.3 grade-point average and was active in several school and community activities.
"I am truly grateful for all of the acknowledgements I have received in academics and athletics," Willis said. "As I appreciate them, I do not view those accomplishments as my most important endeavors in high school. I can honestly say that I'm happy for the struggle of recovering from a very serious injury during my senior year.
"While going under anesthesia three times for back procedures, I had to face the real possibility that my athletic career would be over…I am so grateful to have regained the ability to play."
Lutheran basketball coach Ryan Bredow is extremely proud of the accomplishments of Willis.
"I can absolutely assure you that Christopher James Willis is one of the most superior young men that I have ever been around," Bredow wrote in his letter of recommendation. "James has established himself in my eyes as one the most impressive, high character, high achieving, humble-spirited students I know. Few individuals have ever made such a significant impact in so many different ways on our campus in recent memory as James".
A panel of high school coaches and administrators select the Steinmark winner, and the competition for the 2015 award was stiff. The group of finalists included:
Daniel Book of
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village),
David Louthan from
Air Academy (US Air Force Academy),
Jesse Reed from
Paonia and
Kyle Rosenbrock of
Brush.
Other student-athletes receiving nominations were:
Brandon Barringer of
Skyview (Thornton),
Brenden Fulton of
Northridge (Greeley),
John Heaphey of
Aspen,
Austin Littlefield of
Prairie (New Raymer),
Michael Morean of Cherry Creek,
Adan Munoz of
Rocky Ford,
Alec Petterson of Brush,
Brandon Saunders of Wheat Ridge, and
Jacob Smith of
Strasburg.
