Coaches, athletes, parents, staff, and students gathered at the High School Performing Arts Center Monday, May 18 for the Inaugural STMA Coaches Association Student-Athlete of the Year Award Ceremony.
The STMA Coaches Association recognized seven student-athletes on Monday. The nominees for Female Student-Athlete of the Year were; Kate Drimel (Volleyball and Golf), Jordyn Walker (Soccer and Basketball), and Rachel King (Cross Country, Hockey, and Track).
The seven nominees for Student Athlete of the Year at St. Michael-Albertville High School represented nearly a dozen different STMA activities.
The nominees for Male Student-Athlete of the Year were; Tyler Hayes (Football and Hockey), Tyler Berg (Football and Baseball) Jordan Joseph (Football, Wrestling, and Baseball), and Jackson Greenwaldt (Football and Basketball).
These seven student-athletes not only performed well on the field, track, rink, mat, or court, but also in the classroom. All seven nominees carried a GPA 3.5 or higher. STMA coaches spoke on behalf of these athletes and shared accomplishments, awards, and why these athletes were nominated. All seven of these student-athletes have shown great character traits in the STMA community, and they will be truly missed, coaches said.
The first-ever recipients of the STMA Coaches Association Student-Athlete of the Year were Rachel King and Jordan Joseph. Both recipients – also both three-sport athletes – will receive a $500 scholarship from the STMA Coaches Association.
Rachel, who is headed to South Dakota State University, is a section champion in track and field and in cross-country, with an emphasis on distance running. She has posted one of the top mile times in Minnesota State High School history for the Knights, and is a 3-time all-state selection in cross-country as well.
On the ice, Rachel was a leader for the North Wright County RiverHawks, scoring 39 points with 27 goals and 12 assists. Her offensive tear at the end of the season made the Hawks a formidable contender in the Section 8AA tournament.
Rachel King and Jordan Joseph, STMA’s first-ever Student Athletes of the Year.
Jordan, a fellow three-sport athlete, wrestled his way to his second State 4A Championship over the winter, this time at 182 pounds. Jordan, who lost just one match all season, was as the Knights’ football team’s leading rusher, racking up nearly 650 yards in the regular season, 207 yards in two section playoff games and 104 yards against Mankato West in the State Semifinals. Jordan had seven rushing touchdowns and three receiving TDs this season.
But it’s on the baseball diamond where Jordan will continue his athletic career for the University of Minnesota. The infielder leads this year’s team with a .483 batting average, and has been a consistent starter since his sophomore season. He’s an all-conference selection, and is hoping to get the Knights back to the State Tournament for the first time since 2009.