Being an athlete at Gunderson can be equally challenging and rewarding. Having to go to practice every weekday after school then rushing home to get your homework and responsibilities done can be a lot.

Recently, we’ve come to recognize our athletes who are working their hardest in their sport through the Athlete of the week award.

Athlete of the week is a title given to players who have been showing good leadership, dedication, and commitment in their sport. This award is a way to give athletes a little extra appreciation.

To get this title, you have to be playing a sport, your coach has to recognize these qualities in you, then they nominate you for the title.

Melia Manning, a sophomore at Gunderson, recently earned the title Athlete of the week. She does wrestling, cross country, and track & field.

This is Manning’s first year doing wrestling, and she placed 5th at CCS this year.

“It’s really fulfilling… after winning a match is one of the best feelings” Manning said.

Receiving this award allowed Manning to help enhance the team environment and be a good role model for her fellow teammates to follow.
“I was hesitant at first, but by the end of the season it was so much fun,” Manning said when asked how she felt about wrestling.

Another form of recognition given out through our athletics is a scholarship.

This is done through the booster club. To qualify for this award, you have to be a senior, have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, play a sport, and attend a 2 or 4-year university, or a trade school.

Karina Sanchez is the treasurer of the booster club. 

“The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial support to two of our senior athletes moving on to higher education,” Sanchez said.

A lot of the recognition we have for our athletes is student-based. Our athletic director Brian Chew and our school leadership class have brainstormed how to give our athletes the recognition they deserve.

“The intention of it is really just to show appreciation to athletes throughout the season,” Chew said. “Not necessarily for wins and losses and stats, but just kind of hard work, commitment, dedication… those things that really represent a grizzly athlete in the right way.”

They are always looking for new ideas and suggestions. Any ideas for these things should be brought up to Mr. Chew at his office, near the cafeteria.

“[I’m] really open to student feedback about how to make it more valuable or how we can… kind of improve it.” Chew said.