MPRB presents 2013 Spring/Summer Youth Sportsmanship Awards

MPRB presents 2013 Spring/Summer Youth Sportsmanship Awards

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) presented four neighborhood park sports coaches and their teams and four individual youth with 2013 Spring and Summer Sportsmanship Awards on Wednesday, September 18, at the Board of Commissioners meeting.

The teams were chosen from among more than 130 MPRB spring and summer gymnastics, baseball, softball and track and field youth sports teams for demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship throughout the spring and summer 2013 seasons. Each winning team was recognized for its players’ outstanding display of positive attitudes, commitment, dedication, overcoming adversity and persistence. Coaches were recognized for being positive role models, loyal to the program, emphasizing team work, demonstrating strong work ethic and passion and engaging players and parents to have fun.

The Sandy Peterson Most Improved Player Award for Girls Softball was presented to one girl from each age division. The award, consisting of a special trophy and jersey, is funded through a new memorial fund honoring, and in memory of, Peterson, a 30 year MPRB employee. Peterson ultimately became the first female director of the MPRB’s Youth Sports Department. It was Peterson’s dedication and commitment to MPRB girls’ athletics that helped paved the way for today’s young female athletes and earned her a number of awards for her outstanding work along the way. Players were nominated by their coaches and nominations were selected by a committee consisting of Peterson’s MPRB colleagues.

Award winners:

2013 Youth Gymnastics Sportsmanship Award

Nokomis Park

Left to right, front row Megan Connelly, Lily Nelson, and Aris Schrempp-Iwaszke

 Left to right, second row: Sasha Gitler, Emily McNaughton, Johanna Tolarova, Linnea Lawrence and Coach Gabrielle Stickney

 Left to right, third row: Commissioner Annie Young, Vice President Liz Wielinski, Assistant Superintendent for Recreation Nicholas Williams, Commissioner Anita Tabb and Commissioner Carol Kummer

Left to right, fourth row: Deputy Superintendent Jody Tableporter, Commissioner Scott Vreeland, Commissioner Jon Olson, President Jon Erwin, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Brad Bourn

2013 Youth Track and Field Sportsmanship Award

Northeast Track Team

Left to right, first row: Heidi Miller, Heather Levitz, Malik Weatherspoon, Shalom Weatherspoon, Nico Weatherspoon, September Luitjens, Eli Zinser-Levitz, Matt McCollow, Eleanor Craig, Jenna Halabi, Cullen Arneson, Jonah Beck, Connor Arneson, Brandon Arneson and Coarch Patrick Arneson

 Left to right, second row: Commissioner Annie Young, Vice President Liz Wielinski, Assistant Superintendent for Recreation Nicholas Williams, Commissioner Anita Tabb and Commissioner Carol Kummer

Left to right, third row: Deputy Superintendent Jody Tableporter, Commissioner Scott Vreeland, Commissioner Jon Olson, President Jon Erwin, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Brad Bourn

2013 Youth Baseball Sportsmanship Award

Team Van Cleve Vipers (13U)

Left to right, front row: Head Coach Jennifer Franko, Harrison Moskowitz, Dutch Franko-Dynes, Hayden Laurent, Walker Ferguson, Gavin Laurent, Jason Showalter, Billy Mason, Coach Christian Laurent and Chad Collins

Left to right, second row: Commissioner Annie Young, Vice President Liz Wielinski, Assistant Superintendent for Recreation Nicholas Williams, Commissioner Anita Tabb and Commissioner Carol Kummer

Left to right, third row: Deputy Superintendent Jody Tableporter, Commissioner Scott Vreeland, Commissioner Jon Olson, President Jon Erwin, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Brad Bourn

2013 Youth Softball Sportsmanship Award

Team Lynnhurst Twins (10U)

Left to right, first row: Lucy Seiler, Audrey Swanson, Lena Kleven, Ava Bednarz, Carling McQuinn, Eleanor Allen, Lila Vischer, Solveig Kleven, Tori Hudson and Scott Seiler

Left to right, second row: Commissioner Annie Young, Vice President Liz Wielinski, Assistant Superintendent for Recreation Nicholas Williams, Commissioner Anita Tabb and Commissioner Carol Kummer

Left to right, third row: Deputy Superintendent Jody Tableporter, Commissioner Scott Vreeland, Commissioner Jon Olson, President Jon Erwin, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Brad Bourn

2013 Youth Softball Sandy Peterson Most Improved Player Awards

Alahana Nelson – McRae Park 10U

Corea Johnson – Bottineau Park 12U

Hannah Vanderscheuren – Lynnhurst Park 14U

Left to right, first row: Alahna Nelson (10U Softball), Corea Johnson (12U Softball) and Hannah Vanderscheuren (14U Softball), Eileen Kilpatrick, Jeff Wells, Mary Witek and Karlye Hanson  

  Left to right, second row: Commissioner Annie Young, Vice President Liz Wielinski, Assistant Superintendent for Recreation Nicholas Williams, Commissioner Anita Tabb and Commissioner Carol Kummer

Left to right, third row: Deputy Superintendent Jody Tableporter, Commissioner Scott Vreeland, Commissioner Jon Olson, President Jon Erwin, Superintendent Jayne Miller and Commissioner Brad Bourn

Youth sports awards are presented by the MPRB athletics staff for fall/winter sports and spring/summer sports.

More than 6,000 youth participate in sports programs and countless organized groups and other neighborhood youth use MPRB sports facilities and athletic fields. Annually, more than 900 volunteer coaches devote their time and leadership to MPRB youth sports. With 182 park properties totaling nearly 6,732 acres of land and water, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment.

For more information about MPRB youth sports, visit the MPRB youth sports page or contact your local recreation center.