For the second time in as many years, senior Josh Schettler and junior Nicole Brekkaa were named North Sound Christian School’s Athletes of the Year. The awards were given out during the Mountlake Terrace school’s end-of-the year sports awards banquet.
Schettler, a three-sport athlete, is bound for the University of Washington in the fall where he plans to study either structural or civil engineering. He has been on the school’s National Honor Society all four years and recently broke North Sound’s SAT record.
“Our school gives this award out to the school’s most outstanding athlete, both on and off the field,” Schettler said. “It is the highest sports award that you can get at our school. This award for me, affirms that I accomplished my goal, to be the best that I can be. Winning it two years in a row is something I am very proud of. It is one of my favorite memories of high school because within that award, is my soccer, basketball, and baseball seasons all wrapped into one as well as my work in the classroom.”
Brekka, who played basketball and soccer her junior year, has held a position on the student council since she was in the eighth grade. Recently, she was voted ASB President for the 2006-07 school year.
The school traditionally awards athlete of the year honors to graduating seniors, but for the second time, the school has recognized a returning student in Brekka. To earn the distinguished award, students must excel in multiple sports, sustain a 3.5 GPA or better and have a exemplary disciplinary record.
“To be the athlete of the year for two years in a row now is awesome,” Brekka said. “I was so surprised that I got it this year. When I heard that I got it again this year, I was speechless.”
Though Schettler played three sports, basketball, soccer and baseball, his true passion was on the diamond, where he led the Lions to a 4-2 league record and a return trip to the league’s playoffs his senior year.
“All four baseball seasons have been great, I love just getting out there and playing ball whether we are on the winning side or the losing side of the scoreboard,” Schettler said. “I feel great when I am out there batting, pitching, and fielding. The diamond is like a second home to me.”
Schettler played varsity basketball his final three years and varsity soccer for two years. In fact, he had been playing soccer since he five years old. During his junior year, he helped lead the Lions to a league championship. He was later selected first team all league as a defender.
“The only sport that I have any real talent in is baseball,” Schettler said modestly. ” Basketball and soccer, I succeed just because I go all out every time I get out on the field or court and give it my all.”
Brekka also displayed excellence both on and off the field, in and out of the classroom. She was voted co-captain on the soccer team where she helped lead the Lions to six victories out of 15 games, despite fielding just 13 players. Her true love remains basketball.
“I would have to say that my favorite season has to be basketball,” Brekka said. “To be in such a tight knit group of girls is a blast.”
Aside from sports and academics, Brekka has devoted herself to her youth group and leadership teams.
“Since eighth grade, I have been in some type of leadership on student council. It is really cool to be in the positions I have been in because I have seen my school change a lot.”
For the past two spring breaks, Brekka has spent time at the Yakama Indian reservation on mission trips through her church. “It was a vacation bible school type thing for the kids down there. We helped do odd jobs for some of the people down there.”
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