EVERETT – Athletic skill is fleeting, but character and integrity can last a lifetime.
That was the theme Wednesday night during the 23rd Annual Snohomish County Football Officials Banquet at Everett Golf and Country Club. Forty-one scholar-athletes (one lineman and one back, with one exception, from 21 Snohomish and Island County high schools) were nominated for a total of $4,000 in scholarship awards. Edmonds-Woodway lineman Matthew Murphy, Stanwood lineman Daniel Luce and Darrington back Kristopher Reece each won $1,000. Lakewood lineman Tyler Rumple and Snohomish back Kristian Stensland received $500 awards.
Murphy, a senior class president who holds a 4.0 grade-point average and serves as a National Honor Society treasurer, received an award donated by Jeff and Betty Shireman. “I am truly honored. Thank you to all of you,” said Murphy, who also wrestles and is involved in music and drama.
“I didn’t think I was gonna win it,” Murphy continued, noting he was overwhelmed by a nominee pool that compiled an average GPA of more than 3.5. Murphy specifically thanked his football coach, E-W’s John Gradwohl, for having faith in him.
Also expressing gratitude to their parents were Stanwood’s Luce and Darrington’s Reece. Luce, a Stanwood co-captain, also has a 4.0 GPA and takes advanced placement English, History and Calculus. Fourth in his senior class with a 3.786 GPA, Reece has been a captain in basketball and baseball.
Rumple is an Eagle Scout with the highest Calculus grade in his class.
Stensland, voted Snohomish’s most improved offensive player, has a 4.0 GPA.
Guest speaker Bruce Brown, director of Proactive Coaching and author of several coaching books, challenged the scholar-athletes to continue giving back to their communities throughout their lives, long after their athletic prowess fades away.
“Having talent has got to be fun,” he said, “but having character is essential.”
Other nominees included: Tyler
Terhar and Craig Duncan, Archbishop Murphy; Chris Montano and Kenny Gunter, Arlington; David Fulmer and Matt Bannister, Cascade; Garret Gladsjo, Darrington; Kyle Baeder, Edmonds-Woodway; Ben Wasilowski and Justin Hudson, Everett; Matthew Ferguson, Granite Falls; Stephen Grant and Joseph Jun, Jackson; Alexander Rice and Nate Hadley, Kamiak; Eric Wood and Richard Bargreen, Lake Stevens; Jacob Kon, Lakewood; Joshua Petersen and Brian Hill, Lynnwood; Christopher Miller and Michael Pham, Mariner; Stuart Pennington and Gary Carrier, Marysville-Pilchuck; Lorenzo Quartero-Thompson and Jordan Dodge, Meadowdale; Charles McKenzie and Derek Lape, Monroe; John Blacker and Ronald Bang, Mountlake Terrace; Kris Weisshaupt, Snohomish; Tanner McInerney and Michael Lodell, South Whidbey; Darin Schwarze, Stanwood; Curtis Hovander and Timothy Meyer, Sultan.
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