And I'm really I'm honored to have this It means a lot.

It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.

I was hoping that I would get it but when it did happen, it was just complete surprise.

Playing sports has changed my en It's how I attack problem.

That's what you dig into.

When I went to law school and went to college, when I, you know, at my job now, when things get tough as you can and you remember those lessons that you learned through sports.

I'm just so fortunate to be able and still do a career that's pretty demand.

I think, you know, with any with any high school kid, whether it's speed or whether it's football, lacros whatever it is, you're smart, You use those skil and you translate them into other aspects of your life, whether that's college or your career, eventually being a good family member, all those sort of things come fr And if you use sports, they're a great tool to be able to be better in every other aspect of your li Welcome to the 2023 Athlete of the Year Awards presented by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute, The Morning Call and PBS 39.

Good evening, Lehigh Valley.

We welcome you to the 10th Annua Athlete of the Year Awards.

This evening we are celebrating the top student athletes in our We had 66 male and female studen chosen as our Athlete of the Wee recipients.

Each will receive a $500 scholar And tonight, we will announce our Athlete of winners one male and one female Athlete of the Week winner will be awarded a $10,000 scholarship We hope all of our Athlete of th recipients are paying attention because at the end of this progr we will be going live to our Ath the Year winners to get their re and hear about their plans for t You know, over the last few year we broadcast live from our winners homes, area restaurants for watc And last year, we even spoke to our Athlete of as he was returning from his lac live on the back of a school bus You know, every year we have some truly talented stud athletes among our Athlete of th winners.

Tonight is certainly no differen These athletes have gone above and beyond to excel in their pur Many of them are multi-sport athletes or trained year round.

Their work ethic is nothing short of inspir Lehigh Valley Health Network bel in the importance of youth sport That's why they have partnered with several professional and co athletes to form the Lehigh Valley Health Impact Athlete Program.

Their goal is to keep young athl involved in their sport by providing positive role models as mentors.

Lehigh Valley Orthopedic in City started the I Athlete Program as a Community G initiative that utilizes the nam and likeness of collegiate athle to run various opportunities for the youth in our service reg Growing up, there are so many different peop that I looked up to, and so I want to be that person, that role model that other kids in this area can look up to and strive to do great things as well.

I am so fortunate to be an impac that we found at after college.

I really do want to pour back into my commun just anything that can foster ca into the community.

When recruiting athletes for the Athlete program, we're looking at a variety of th So are they good students in the classroom?

Are the good people within the c Are they well-respected among their athletic program?

Those all come as key components when making a decision.

Just being around here, every time I come back home, I. I get greeted with open arms.

So being back here and giving back to the way I val something I've always wanted to because we have a very a very competitive scene in athletics within the Lehigh V and surrounding regions.

We're very fortunate to have a large pool of athletes from when looking at potential i athletes and being able to learn from the best athletes, not only in the Lehigh Valley, b learn from people who have excel no matter where they're from.

It's just a powerful thing that and a small fraction of what we here in Lehigh Valley.

The nice thing about this progra is, is we're able to mold our program based on wha these kids are passionate about.

My holiday break, Christmas brea I was able to work with aviation and in several other impact athl from different colleges, differe And we were able to go Christmas for some kids at the Bethlehem B and Girls Club and provide some, you know, some holiday some holiday cheer for them.

We picked up toys and then brought them back to one of the facilities and we wrapped them all.

And it was great seeing people devote their time when they didn devote their effort, when they d have to, to uplift other people.

And it was just so heartwarming the looks on their faces when, y we were, you know, delivering presents to them right around Christmas time because I just thought that it would be a great opportu to partner with my home area and, you know, give back to the So so my favorite moments with the impact athletes, for the most part had been all t we ran so far.

When you show up at Camp Day and you have over 200 kids show up t and seeing the excitement not only from the kids, but from the impact athletes, yo getting ready to do what they lo I think those presents, some of favorable moments of being with being able to spend some time wi before their season starts, before my season starts.

So just having fun.

That's pretty much what the game of football is all There's a difference between saying something and doing somet The best thing about those kids were able to be hands on with th One of my favorite impact athlete moments as being able to see my own daughter attend one of our impact athlete specifically the field hockey cl where she was able to get in front of some of her o role models that she looks up to and seen the lasting impression that that clinic specifically ha and the interest that she now has in some of the university is that those girls attended.

When I see kids have a smile when they're playing sports, it brings me back to a point in where sports were so enjoyable a my whole just being that at that Sports is such a big part of my and has helped me create memories and friendships and connections that I'll have f So giving back to the community and like letting these kids and the community know how impor sports is, I think is so importa You know, we're going to be hearing more from our impact athletes a little later in the p when they share more about their in athletics.

And, of course, we will be annou the winners for several awards, morning calls, Coach of the Year Community Support Award, Lehigh Valley Orthopedics Instit Comeback of the Year, fan favori and both the male and female Athletes of the Year choosing this year's Athlete of the Year was no easy We got a huge pool of talent among our winners.

We have northern Lehigh football Nick Frame, who rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns and the class AA first round gam He also became the first player in school history to run and throw for 1000 yards in the same season.

There's also a mays high school soccer star and Army West Point Madison Woodward, who scored thr in the Green Hornet's four nil w Bethlehem Catholic in the East Penn Conference quarterfinals.

Actually, the year is an importa for Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute's sp medicine team.

They are on the sidelines with many of these student athle and they get to know them person They know firsthand how hard these athlete at Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Inst We understand and support the student athlete.

We celebrate the passion you hav sport, your school and your comm Our caregivers bring the same level of passion and deliver the so you can continue to compete like champions.

Our Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Ins team partners with athletes at a from the weekend Warrior to the professional athlete and build relationships that are to keep you on the field.

One of the most important partne we have is with the scholar athl Like those of you being recognized this evening, you have competed, persevered and succeeded inside the lines and on the court as well as in the classroom and in the c Our family at Lehigh Valley Orth Institute applauds you, and we'r to celebrate your achievements t at the Athlete of the Year Award Congratulations to all of our athlete of the Wee As a team physician, I've seen f the dedication and work that you've put in over the year and it is nothing short of impre All of us at Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute, your physicians, athletic traine and physical therapists are so p of all that you've accomplished, and we are honored to be recogni this evening.

It's been an amazing experience to work with you and watch you grow as athletes and individ We look forward to seeing what the future holds for all of you.

And we want to thank you for inc as your partner on your journey.

You all have a bright future, an we'll be hearing more about your success in the years to come.

All right, Now it is time to recognize our first round of Athlete of the Week winners.

Coming from the fall.

Each weekly winner is receiving a $500 schol But first, let's get to know our I've been playing football for a long time, about 13 years.

I started when I was five years My mom used to bring me down to the driving range on her back and I would just just hit balls down there.

So I like about philosophy is the team aspect and the team It really brings you together.

I love the fast pace and just the energy that comes w It's just amazing, you know?

Always a fun time.

What kept me in soccer is really friendships and the competition I love competition.

I've built a lot of strong bonds of good friendships through the You know, my biggest supporters have definitely been my parents.

My mom is definitely my biggest My number one.

My parents, they're always motiv and always told me to go outside and train just a ball in and just try to get better.

I would say my favorite memory by far is probably winning the colonial League Championship Just getting that sweet revenge on Northwestern.

My proudest achievement probably is the state meet from I ended up medaling and I did not expect it at all w but it was a great feeling.

When I finished and found out that I medal that I was like, Oh, I ended up scoring my first my first varsity game.

That was definitely a core memor I think one of the biggest chall I've had to overcome was probabl like my confidence and just know I need to be careful about mysel and not worry about all the surrounding factor But I was how me how to work well with others, be patient and always wanting to better mys in every situation.

If you really want something that can happen, you need to work hard and stay t And it may not always seem like things are going to work ou and it's going to be worth it, but it will be worth it.

Here are your fall Sports Weekly Rachel Herbert Amira's high school field hockey Ty League.

Jarvis A high school football.

Ashley Amato Palisades High Scho Field Hockey.

Daniel Lucy Kennish.

Palmerton High School Football.

Hailey Samarco.

Parkland High School.

Soccer.

Jacob Father.

Amelia's high school football.

Melissa Schuck.

Wilson High School.

Field hockey.

Thomas Miguel Palisades High Sch Cross-country.

Isabella Fonzo Whitehall High Sc Soccer.

Evan Aiken Law.

Moravian Academy Golf.

Naomi Glassboro Northwestern.

Lehigh High School.

Soccer.

Giovanni Missoula.

Whitehall High School Soccer.

Aaron Vincent Easton High School Cross-country.

Sunny Sasso.

Nazareth Area High School Footba Madison Woodward Mayor's High Sc Soccer.

Maxime Competitive.

Allentown.

Central Catholic High Soccer.

Lonnie Hughes.

Southern Lehigh High School.

Field Hockey.

Landon Bieler.

Southern Lehigh High School.

Soccer.

Katie Schrader.

Northampton Area High School.

Field Hockey.

Dillon Darvel.

A mayor's high school football.

Saint Joe Wellington.

Hartland.

High School.

Soccer.

Caden Fitch.

Northwestern.

Lehigh High School Soccer.

Hailey Reinhart.

A men's high school.

Cross-country.

Douglas Martinez.

Parkland High School Soccer.

Elena Purcell.

Parkland High School.

Volleyball.

Nick Frame Northern.

Lehigh High School Football.

Congratulations to our fall winn Perhaps our Athlete of the Year is among them.

Well, suffering an injury is devastating for any but especially for student athle However, it is a smart part of s and it does happen in order to r from an injury.

Though athletes need to have per and a positive outlook, but they also need the best care possible doctors and the care teams from Valley Orthopedic Institute unde what it takes to get these stude athletes back to their sport and They have been offering student in this region the best sports medicine care for over 30 years.

Each year, physicians from Lehig Orthopedic Institute treat thous of student athletes and help the return to the sport they love.

But there's one particular stude they felt was very deserving of the Comeback of the Year awar And he went outside with the bal and really didn't ever come back He's one of the hardest workers.

He's a vocal leader.

Great kid.

He's one that will give you 110% And if he can't give you that, he'll be upset and frustra This game was the first game I was able to go to.

It was the first year post COVID And so I was super excited to see him play.

To see the other parents, the other athletes out on the court early in the game in its first few min And I was running back on defens and a guy drove baseline.

I went to contest it and when I came down, my leg jus His leg was like at a 45 degree angle at the shin.

Just kneeled next to him and he said, Coach, I think I broke I'm like, Yeah, it's definitely And I just remember getting down and laying on the court with him and he smacked it like everything was fine.

But everyone in the gym that day it was a really bad it was a bad By the time we were called by the emergency department, we' looked at the imaging and found he broke his tibia and fibula.

Typically, in his age group, it's recommended to perform surgery for these so patients can start walking so He was in a lot of pain after the surgery, oddly not wit but from the trauma all the way ankle up to his shoulder.

But once we got through that initial phase, Quinn just took e as it came.

These injuries typically take 6 to start to heal well and for patients to start recove But they can take as long as 6 to 8 months.

A lot of this depends on the inj and the soft tissues that were i But I think the biggest factor is probably the patient's motiva and drive to get back to where t Unfortunately, Clint had a couple of complicati with his recovery and had two additional surgeries So after Clint's third surgery, he can remain committed to his r He dove right back into physical into working with his trainers at the school, because that is he was positive.

He wanted to get back.

He wanted to be with the team.

It was a long process.

But once he finally got on the c it was a celebration.

I know I wasn't expecting Quinn to get back on the court right a but I just remember being so pro It was a good moment.

He was able to score basket.

He was back.

You could tell he was back to its full selves.

I would say I was able to have a positive attitude about everyt just because of the people and s structure around me going forwar There's there's no limitations w for for Quinn.

I hope he continues to excel in and life and continues to do fan Quinn is absolutely going to be successful in the future.

He's got a great personality.

He's got leadership.

He's shown that from the big set he had and multiple setbacks thr Having that positive attitude an hard to get to where he is now.

I'm incredibly proud of Quinn.

Nothing seems to get in his way.

He handled his recovery like he tackles any other challe or any other opportunity.

Quinn doesn't say much.

Quinn just does much.

A big congratulations to Bangor Area High School's Quinn.

Quinn, your recovery was so rema and that kind of work ethic is going to take you far i Congratulations.

Now let's take a look at our win Athletes of the Week.

Basketball definitely been like an outlet f It's been something that I can g and not put on a persona.

I could just I can be myself.

I can just enjoy it.

The goal to succeed gets me to practice every day.

I really just want to be able to go out there and show that I'm better than everybody else.

There's a lot of things I love about basketball, but mos comes from the competitiveness.

The best person is probably the competition.

I just love the game I always ha and it's just something that I'v since a little kid in elementary It was something to do is like a because, I mean, you're a kid.

You just like having fun.

But then it's hard to turn into more of like a lifestyle.

You have control over your shot, your defensive ability, how hard the little things add up, and the sport of basketball.

That's what I love about it.

I just work so hard and practice that in a game.

It's just like practice.

So I don't have to worry about i If I'm going to mess up.

I just rely on what I know.

The best practices that you can definitely the ones that you don like coming to because they're the ones that re make you dig deep and build your character.

My main supporters over the years were definitely my family, most my friends and definitely my teammates.

You could have all the skill in but if you don't have chemistry, not going to get you anywhere.

You're not going to win the big when teams are just got to see if the closer you grow as a team like the better you'll play on t My dad is really shaped me and made me the player I am t My biggest accomplishment was pr went into state.

I was on my team and taking that individual was winning districts is a goal of m So doing that was great.

My advice to young athletes proved the haters wrong.

There is definitely going to be a lot of ups and downs, but in t I think those downs just really how to bring yourself back up an finish strong.

If you keep pushing, then you'll get where you want g you can't think about like the l You just have to keep going and keep moving on.

Just stay at it like you'll have your good days, One tournament, one year doesn't define you.

Just be yourself and enjoy what Truly, As long as you have confi in yourself, you're going to get You're going to get better every single time.

So just enjoy and you know, Do y It goes really fast.

I'm already a senior and I'm gra Make sure you're doing it for yo Don't do it for anybody else.

Go out there.

Just have fun.

Do what you want to do.

Don't let the pressure of anybod make your decisions.

I can say with confidence that I will be a summer for life This activity is given me so man such an appreciation for the spo and I can't envision my life wit Here are your Winter Sports Week winners.

Page seven Northwestern Lehigh High School Basketball.

Tyler Kaufman.

Northampton Area High School Bas Honor Stead.

Easton Area High School Basketba Dagon Condominium.

Northampton Area High School Wre Julia Pole.

Notre Dame Green Pond High Schoo Basketball.

Oliver Fairchild Easton Area High School Wrestlin Nicole Yellow.

North Hampton Area High School B Nicholas Ellis Freedom High School Basketball.

Madison K Nazareth Area High School Basket Joe DiMaggio.

North Hampton Area High School W Jillian Murrell Penn.

Argyle Area High School Basketba Dominic Wheatley Nazareth Area High School Wrestl Gabby Maldonado Pocono Mountain East High School Basketball.

Nate Rivera Liberty High School Basketball.

Yaron Fernandez Bethlehem Catholic High School B Gavin Fair Cata Soccer High School Wrestlin Paige Inman Amelia's High School Baske Cale McIntyre Bethlehem Catholic High School W Bethy Morgan Palmerton Area High School Baske Bryson Vaughan Notre Dame Green Pond High School Wrestling Simon Lin Parkland High School Swimming.

Griffin Patridge Allentown.

Central Catholic High School Bas Keller Poli Liberty High School Diving.

Ryan Beltrami Parkland High Scho Jillian Kingsley Nazareth Area High School Swimmi Ethan Coffman Nazareth Area High School Swimmi Kendra Arrigo Bethlehem Catholic High School B Julian Pagan Pocono Mountain West High School Basketball.

Madison Kennard Easton Area High School Swimming Joseph Gervase Geo.

Parkland High School Basketball.

Congratulations to all of our wi Athletes of the Week.

Winners at our Athlete of the Ye as among the winner.

Well, student athletes have a lot on their plate betwee practice and, of course, competi But that doesn't stop many of our Athlete of the Week from taking the time to give back to their community.

Among our Athlete of the Week wi we have students who volunteer t with the Miracle League mini thon, Big Brothers, Big Sis and those who use their talents to mentor other young athletes.

But there was one student who really went above and beyond volunteering.

It's just such a great thing to especially if you have the abili to do it.

It's the sense of pride that you not only for yourself, but for your community as a whol The game of soccer has blessed m with so many opportunities.

It's just such a beautiful game.

It's extremely complex, yet so s During the Colonial League and District Championship making history is always a cool And the first time in 20 years to be able to do that for my sch was was absolutely so much fun.

I learned so much from from all of my students and all of the people I've been able to teach.

It's really taught me to be a better version of myself every day, because I know, I kno those boys and girls are looking first.

And in what ways?

In December of 2017, Jillian Mas who was five years old when she passed away due to pediatric cancer, that really sent shockwaves through the community, the way that the community rebou and kind of rose up to that occa along with the rest of her famil It really inspired me to to work helping as many people as I can for this team as it Smiles Found I've done lots of work, whether it be runn just to bring awareness to the c Every year they have toy drives around Chri and it's one of the coolest even I've experienced in my life.

I've helped make chemo kits, which is basically a care packag those children who are going thr some of the hardest days of thei And over the last couple of year raised over $150,000, which is a right back to the families that are affected by this, by ca It's really a good thing for me and for the community as a whole to help these people that need o And I'm blessed to be able to do That is truly wonderful stuff.

Congratulations to Landon Buehler, The 2023 recipient of the Community Suppo Thank you for everything you've done for our community, f and of course, for setting a set for such a great example for our Now, we are thrilled to be able to recognize this year's Spring Athletes of the Week.

Softball has really helped me with channeling my emotions real I see the best part of playing b is that like the high risk, high reward, like obviousl you're not going to get a hit ev It's like one of those sports, like where it's like you can't d every time you step on the baseb Every rep counts.

Every time, every practice.

Just give it your best because y know when you're going to be abl You need to be mentally strong to play this sport.

I think at the end of the day, having a loving family to go hom having supportive coaches on the sidelines, it really help when when you're having fun and playing the game you like, it can go a long way.

Here are your Spring Sports Week winners.

Layla North, Liberty High School Basketball.

Jake Dalley Nazareth Area High School Baseba Emily Hollinger.

Amelia's High School Lacrosse.

Cole Surface.

Palmerton Area High School Baseb Marissa Christman Northwestern.

Lehigh High School Softball.

Owen DeLong Parkland High School Paige Jenkins Freedom High School Lacrosse.

John Galvin Liberty High School Hannah Carr Parkland High School Ryan Hathaway Freedom High School Lacrosse.

Congratulations to all of our spring winners.

Maybe your Athlete of the Year is among them.

Well, from their backyard to you leagues.

Every high level athlete had to get their start s Many young athletes dream of pla sports professionally or in coll However, only a handful of athle achieve that goal as any of the ancient impact athletes will tell you.

It takes a lot of grit and deter to make it as a collegiate and even as a professional athle Of course.

Track stuck out to me just because when I ran, I felt I just started in the park throwing the football to each ot and then it just kind of grew bigger and bigger each year.

I feel like when I'm between the I can express myself and express my personality.

For me, it really is just being around a group of ind who care more about something greater than themselves.

Even just being in high school, like guys are voting their time the purpose of winning the purpose of champi the purpose of being better versions of themselves.

I loved how like fast pace it wa It was always the ball was constantly m and down the field and it was I was never bored.

Yeah, I'd say sports.

More importantly, the culture be sports has been a big part of my So my uncle was an Olympic wrest My father played basketball.

University of Tennessee, played football at the collegiat level is much different than playing in high school.

The biggest thing is the speed of the game.

You know, you're playing against guys are the same size as you, and I was one of the biggest dos on the field when I was in high Now I go against guys that are f than you, stronger than you.

So what do you have on them that they don't have on you?

I've always wanted to play in co because both my parents were col athletes.

My mom was a swimmer at Vanderbi and my dad played football at La The transition from high school to college, for me, the biggest thing that I noticed was the speed of the game that I and how that was just so monumentally different.

All the training between high sc college, it just intensifies tre You go from practicing once or t to you're practicing all day tra You started getting a little bit more intense.

And also, I learned more about, you know, and health and mental health and and all the different things and that go into running and being a It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice, But having the right people around y and knowing what you're what you're working for and what working towards helps tremendous It's you know, it's great to hav It's awesome, especially when it from your hometown, your home ar You can give back to the communi be really a pillar in the commun And it's also important because, you know, athletes, we need supp And just to have a good relation with a sponsor like Lehigh Valle Orthopedic Institute.

Knowing you have someone in your that you can lean on, all the times get tough is j big supporting factor for a lot I think like the relationships that we make on and off the field is something that will you know, will continue with me throughout my whole life.

Some advice that I have for kids that see me as a role model.

I hope that they see someone who hard, who tries to be light in people's life and really just there and has fun.

I think that if you set your mind to somethin and you have a goal that you can easily reach it.

If you just put the time and effort into it and, you know take the little steps that will make you better.

I never stop having fun with the That's something that I cherish On just cherishing every moment on the field and putting in the hard work really got me to where I am toda You're there because you belong and you deserve to be there.

So just relying on yourself and that you have the talent and abi to continue your success, I just think it pays off at the end of the day, when you find pride in something that you put all this effort int and it comes out in your favor because you know that you worked than the person across the line My advice to young athletes is just take it day by so just don't get too ahead of y And comparison is the peak of jo Don't worry about what somebody else is doin Is your process, is your life.

So don't worry about other peopl Just worry about you or your fam and how you can help other peopl Want to send a special thank you to all of those lv H impact athletes who took ti out of their very busy schedules The film with us and tell it wha to be a member of that wonderful Many of these athletes will be b this summer.

Those various clinics for young athletes in our commun Any great athlete will tell you not achieve their success on the In addition to having a great su system, many will tell you they had great coaches to inspir and of course, lift them up alon Coaches are often the driving fo behind the student athletes success and their efforts do not go unno Here's Keith Grover, sports edit for The Morning Call to tell us The 2022 23 high school sports season was with so many memorable moments, compelling finishes, riveting championship games all produced by our great athlet However, those athletes couldn't what they do without some great And once again, the Lehigh Valley was blessed with great mentors and leaders on the sidelines.

Ladies and gentlemen, The Mornin is proud to present the Coach of I've had many coaches throughout that have definitely had huge im on and off the field.

They just create such a good relationship with al players and I can carry along wi so many good memories.

I've learned so much from from s and a lot of it is from Coach Cr He's just he's like a life coach you know?

My coach used to tell me that it's not about the place that yo It's about the time and your improvement from your l He taught me a lot about communi He's been a huge advocate for me I really couldn't ask for more f My coach always teaches us to stay consistent with everythi She's taught me a lot of things resilience, communication, leadership, discipline, hard wor He pushed me to be the player I and he was kind of tough on me m but it definitely helped me out.

I was feeling kind of down.

He would always like be there to pick me up.

Everything that he taught me, everything he's told me and put it made me the person and player that I am today, and I'll always be grateful for Being a student athlete can be h sometimes, but she's always to s The Morning Call sports team helped us pick out several nominees for male and fe of the Year, the finalist for th male team of the Year, Joe Towle, Northern Lehigh Footb led his team through adversity to a 12 and two record and a second District 11 title.

Stephen Bradley, Liberty High School Golf Coach.

Coach Bradley led the Hurricanes consecutive APC and District 11 three champi Scott Menke Parkland High School coach Manning led the Trojans to regular season title, the APC Tournament championship, the District 11 four Championshi and the Pie four semifinals this Coach of the year for the men is Scott May.

Hi, my name is Scott Manning.

I'm the boys soccer coach at Par High School.

I'd like to say thank you to Mor and Elva Jeon for putting out th for the athletes and coach of th 2023 was great year for athletics in the Lehigh Vall I'm humbled and blessed to be here at Parkla I appreciate the athletics depar and the administration for taking a shot on me about a year and a half ago.

They've given me everything that I need to be successful her we have a lot of great things go and we have a great booster club We have a great fan base, and you have to have the jimmies in So we have some great players he that work really hard and what a great season we had i Last but not least, I'd like to thank my family.

I have four girls at home and without them being at every and supporting me and pushing me it wouldn't be the same.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Congratulations to coach Scott Manning, 12 and t That is very impressive.

And all of those titles, you have a lot to build on for n Let's now take a look at the nom for female coach of the year, Mike Crouse, Parkland High School girls volle coach Crouse led his team to a 2 and one record with Eastern Penn conference and District 1140 tit Marissa Roberts, Nazareth Field Hockey Coach Roberts led her team to a second finish in the Eastern Pennsylvan conference with a 17 and five re Kathy Davidowitz.

Allentown Central Catholic High As Girls coach won in her first leading the Vikings to league and district titles and an impressive 26 and four re And the winner is Happy Savoy to congratulations, Coach.

I'm honored to be named coach of at Allentown Central Catholic when I was nominated for this.

Many thoughts went through my he I had so many people to thank fo And I wouldn't be here today without my players and the commu who gave me the opportunity to stand here before you.

As a coach, you can teach all th to your players, but you can't t the determination, the heart, the love of the game to your pla And these girls all year showed their determination, thei They never quit.

So this this goes to them.

I am honored to be able and humb to be part of this program and to be awarded Coach of the y I thank you from the bottom of m This is a memory that I will never forget to my p Never give up on your dreams.

Thank you.

PBS We have our health network the morning Call, Allentown Central Catholic and S Thomas More a family until next Graduations to coach the winner, which coached the winner, which all of that in a very first year So a lot to build on going into Congratulations to both our amaz coaches of the year and they hav to be inspirations for numerous throughout our region.

You know, many people have a favorite high school athl They like to root for.

So we ask the community to vote for their favorite male and female athletes from our poo of Athlete of the Week winners, and they helped us choose a fan This year's female fan favorite Page seven from Northwestern Leh Basketball With 557 votes, seven was the Colonial League MV She led the Tigers to their thir league title and the seventh in school histor Congratulations, Paige.

This year's male fan favorite with 811 votes is Notre Dame Gre Bryce Vaughn.

He was six in oh with four pins Championships.

Congratulations, Bryson, and both of our fan favorites.

Your great teamwork is really the framework of success for any even in individual sports, like cross-country or diving.

The Morning Call sports crew chose three male and three femal that felt worked especially well and then the public voted for the favorite.

Our Male team of the Year finalists are Northern Lehigh Hi Football, Allentown, Central Catholic High School Basketball and Nazareth Area High School Wr And the winner with 438 votes is Northern Lehigh Football.

There were the morning calls Colonial School League team of t after going 12 one two and among the state's elite team Congratulations.

I would like to congratulate the Northern Lehigh football team for being named the team of the year.

I'm proud of our entire team.

This has been one heck of a ride Eastern Finals.

Two years ago, we made it to the state quarterf and we were right there with every team in the state.

So I'm proud of you guys.

And as we always say, Hey, how about them Bulldogs?

Our female team of the year fina Lehigh High School's track and f Parkland girls volleyball team and Allentown, Central Catholic Basketball.

And the winner with 570 votes, Southern Lehigh Track and Field They extended their winning stre to an impressive 81 in a row, and they look to complete another unbeaten season and wrap up their seventh consecutive league title.

Congrats.

I just want to congratulate our track and field team on an aweso as a overall group.

As each event group, you've worked very hard together You cheered each other on, you've worked hard at practi you put forth your best effort i You're really a pleasure to coac because you're very positive, hard working, dedicated group and it was a unique season in th we did not have a home track to practice at, so we did have to travel a lot to p and you took that in stride and really just over overcame any any deficits that we had and really had an awesome season another undefeated season, another league championship exte the girls win streak to 83 straight dual meet victories.

So that's that's a pretty huge accomplishm And I wish nothing but the best for our seniors and look forward to seeing our underclassmen next That 81 already increased to 83.

Big congratulations to both our teams of the year.

Well, now it's the moment we've been waiting for.

It is time to recognize the Lehi Orthopedic Institute Athlete of the Year winners.

These athletes aren't just extraordinary athletes.

They are leaders in their sport and academics and leaders in their communities and in their schools.

We can certainly go on and on about our winners, but we though mean just a little bit more comi from their coaches and their fam Even since he was probably 18 mo we knew something was different about th since he would always want to mo constantly go and didn't sit dow Anytime he had a ball, he'd play It didn't matter what type of ba Lacrosse ball, soccer ball, voll whatever.

If you give him a challenge, he will rise to it.

You don't have to tell him anyth He just rises to Dylan.

Is caring.

He's energetic for su I like when he you know, he's he to all his teammates and he's yo he's saying like you are.

So, you know, love the spirit.

So just seeing him perform at the highest levels of footbal it was pretty amazing.

One heck of an athlete.

But even more important, he's he's a better kid and a hum So it's been an honor and a privilege to coach him and work with him.

We're proud of him.

He is going to excel at Yale.

He's a kid that is very meticulo with his preparation and plannin and he has a great head on his s You deserve everything you get, You put the hard work in one of the most disciplined p I know and hopefully I can be as disciplined as you s Bulldogs know.

I really say I'm really, really proud of him, you excited for him to be able to go He's always wanted to go to Ivy League school.

So I think everything is falling into place and I just he takes it and runs with it.

So impressive.

Well, congratulations, Dylan.

I know that you were watching.

We were at your house watching you for you to come out We're actually at a watch party, so why don't you come on out?

We're going to wait for you to come outside.

I got to ask you some questions about going to Yale.

What's your plans are for your future, how amazing and how surprised you are.

So why don't you come on out?

I heard that you're out there.

You can't hear me right now.

But here he is.

He's out of watch party.

Has no He did not know that we were going to be there.

They just thought they were goin watch.

There's this coach and his parents behin and he's getting miked up right they're going to see if he can h Yeah, he's going to adjust them a little bi Very impressive.

This is our Athlete of the Year He is the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship, which is amazing.

Dylan, can you hear me?

This is Amy, if at all.

Yes.

How are you?

Congratulations.

Thank you.

How so?

How surprised were you?

You were just sitting inside, watching away.

Yeah, I'm shocked because my parents kept the secr My coaches kept the secret.

Had So I heard your parents say that you're headed to Yale, and they said you played everyth How do you manage to play so many different sports and keep your academics so stron that you're going to an Ivy Leag Yes, ma'am.

I don't know.

I just I always love sports grow my parents always preached educa So it's just it's it's never something I thought of.

It was just like what I did.

So you took a little time off from football.

I know you play a lot of differe What made you come back to this I love football.

Even when I was young, my my dad took me out of it beca he was worried about head injuri And then I had some teammates, J Chase Fodor, that kind of going back into it and coaches coming back into it and I'm happy they did.

All right, You're headed to Yale next year.

Team won 50.

It's one of the oldest programs in all of football.

What are you looking forward to how are you preparing for this n challenge?

Yeah, I'm excited.

It's going to be a great journey It's another good challenge to g I just finished up track, so I j lifting now and getting work on The man plays football, basketball runs track.

What don't you do?

All right.

This is your opportunity to.

You've got a bunch of people I know you want to thank a couple of pe You have the floor.

Yeah.

First, I want to thank my parent Obviously, they've done a great I couldn't ask for better parent and I'm waiting for them.

I've had great coaches.

Coach Gr Coach Schroder is right there.

Those people were huge, huge mentors for me, making me into a good, good youn I've got great friends and my family back home in the B Set them two for two of the worl Yeah.

All right.

Congratulations.

We're so proud You're the recipient of a $10,000 schol What does that mean?

Yeah, it's.

It's huge.

I'm super excited about it.

Yeah.

Doesn't offer athletic scholarsh so it's really helpful for me.

All right.

I see your coach behind you.

Any chance I can talk to him rea Yeah, of course.

Congratulations.

Right.

So.

Or putting the coach on the spot So, Coach, we got to hear from.

We got to hear from you and go back to the action.

I love it, Coach.

We got to hear from you a little What is Dylan?

You know, what does he think is going to g Because I feel like he's got so much to give.

And you kind of talked about tha he is person that's really going What do you think he's going to do with his life?

Wasn't the sky's the limit for h I mean, anything he puts his min to, he accomplishes.

And, you know, he's got this he got this award because of all the stuff that he does off of the field as He's very active in the school c He looks to help out wherever he And it's just a testament to, you know, how he was raised, his parents and his just commitment to his community and family and And so it's awesome to see this happen for him.

And I know he's going to do good He's very dedicated and discipli with whatever he chooses to do.

So, again, like I said before, s the limit for him.

All right.

Thanks, Coach.

We appreciate you.

And if you could just go over to the parents and just congratulations from me as well.

I know we can put the headset on both of them, but congratulation because they've raised certainly young man.

Give them our congratulations.

Right.

They just want to congratulate the parents.

So congratulations.

Great job.

Thank you.

Thank you, guys.

You're right.

T you go.

Dylan Darville, our recipient of athlete of the Year $10,000 scho Congratulations, Dylan.

All right, that's it.

See, that's.

That's what's amazing about this.

Dylan had no idea.

And comes out and there's a micr waiting, and everybody's excited But now, without further ado, is surprise our female Athlete of t Volleyball has meant a lot for Elena over the p few years.

Elena is a very intense person.

There have been a lot of great m watching her play court.

She is coachable and she knows h to apply the coaching strategies and techniques and she also list what was the instruction.

She applied it and she learned and she was a really good teamma and just puts all her effort, all her energy into it.

There's something she's into, she's into it, and there's kind of no stopping to hear that she won.

It's an enormous honor and it's tremendous gift for our I'd love to thank Jess Reynolds, and Roberta Herber and Terry Cam and then, of course, the whole P volleyball coaching staff.

It takes a village.

Congratulations.

We are trying to hold back on th And I thank you for just being a our program and your desire to g Every day was a pleasure, and your career ahead of you is going to be nothing but succe I think whatever she wants to do she both do well and I wish the best of luck with everything.

And we are so proud of her.

And I love you to death.

You're Thank you for the ride.

All right, Elena, I know you're Why don't you come on outside?

We'd love to hear from you.

We don't know where Elaine is going to school yet.

She has an announce that, so maybe she'll announce it with Or at least give us kind of a cl Maybe she has chosen by now she's at her house.

If she looked outside, she would have seen a microphone standing there, which is amazing But I love that her coach said how hard it was to keep this a s I think that's probably true for a lot of people because we had to get all the in so they knew.

And of course, Elena did not kno if she's been watching this prog for the last 45 plus minutes.

So thank you for ringing the doo making sure that they know that she's outside.

But Elena has a couple of colleg she said she's interested in.

She's interested in going in the medical field.

She's looking at Penn State.

Emory is another school.

She's looking at how she is.

She has no idea.

Maybe she's going to Maryland.

She's wearing she's wearing a maryland shirt.

So I can't wait to find out.

She's completely floored right n Hi, Elena, it's Amy.

Fidel.

How are you?

I'm so overwhelmed right now.

I could try not to cry.

I feel you can cry.

You can absolutely cry.

You just won $10,000.

Are you ki Cry away.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I feel so honored.

Wow.

All right.

So I think I know how this makes but I know you're going to bring your parents out there, your mom and your dad.

Interestingly, you started out as a dancer.

How did you find your way to vol I started coed in the spring of sixth grade because my best f played in the fall and said she So I decided to play just to spend more time with my and then I absolutely fell in lo with it.

Well, I got to ask you, your height obviously is going to help with volleyball but maybe your dance training helped a little bit.

You seem very good on your feet Yeah, that's what I've been told Like dancing will make me jump h and have stronger ankles and flexibility, I guess, too, with a shoulder I'm saying, I gu But yeah, it definitely helped.

All right.

So you're wearing a maryland shi Are you going to Maryland?

Yes.

I committed to go there in like for the fall semester.

And I'll probably play club volleyball there.

Okay.

That's what I was wanting.

So I know you want to go into the medical field.

Yes.

I'm majoring in cell biolog and genetics, and I'm on track to become a physician assistant.

So biology and physics.

That's amazing.

So I know this is an opportunity to let it sink in, but also to thank a lot of p I'm sure you have the floor.

Well, first, I would like to thank my because they made it playing clu volleyball and everything possib because if I didn't do that, I would have been set back a lot all my coaches starting from my school coach, Jessica Reynolds, and then of course, everyone at Mike Kraus, Taylor, Kristen Kraus, Jessie Crazy and Kelly Ro and you guys made me the player.

I also think, you know, it is okay to cry.

You just won $10,000 and you are our athlete of the Y Elaina, congratulations and best of luck next year.

Thank you so much.

I just love that she was absolutely overwhelmed.

And that is what this is all abo It is time now to wrap up our 10 Athlete of the Year broadcast.

Thank you so much for joining us Every year we are amazed by the we honor at these awards.

You all, all you athletes have l important life lessons from your and how to persevere, how to com effectively, and the value of ha Those lessons will carry you through college and the rest of Keep up the hard work and more importantly, keep shining and keep leading.

We can't wait to see what you do in the future.

Congratulations.