Each year, the Edmonds School District recognizes its multi-sport graduating senior athletes who also are outstanding scholars, along with the coaches and community members who support them.

Those honored at the 11th annual Scholar-Athlete and Coach/Community Recognition Banquet at Edmonds-Woodway High School Wednesday night included 17 athletes described as leaders on and off the field, with impressive grade point averages and even more impressive career aspirations.

Coaches and community members each received a night’s stay at the La Connor Channel Lodge and a gift certificate to Anthony’s Home Port restaurant.  Students were presented with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.

In addition, District Athletic Director Jan Beglau gave the 2012 Athletic Director award to Marla Miller, the district’s Executive Director of Business and Operations who is leaving Edmonds for a job as deputy superintendent in the Shoreline School District. Beglau credited Miller for her tireless efforts to advocate for school sports facilities, including developing partnerships and finding funding to build artificial turf fields.

The Edmonds-area honorees, listed by school, are as follows:

Edmonds-Woodway High School

SCHOLAR-ATHLETES
Megan Alfi
Sports: Cross country, track & field
College: Humboldt State University
Major: Kiniseology
GPA: 3.92
Parents Eliass & Lisa Alfi
Scholarship: $1,250

Justin Jolly
Sports: Football, swim, baseball
College: University of Washington
Major: Pre-science/physical therapy/Spanish
GPA: 3.74
Parents: Geoff & LaDonna Jolly
Scholarship: $1,250

Michelle Rumpel (Athletic Trainer Award)
Sports: Soccer, softball
College: California State University-East Bay
Major: Kinesiology
GPA: 3.899
Scholarship: $2,000

Alex Springer
Sports: Cross country, boys soccer, track & field, swim
College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Major: Biological Engineering
GPA: 4.0
Parents: Shawn & Sonja Springer
Scholarship: $2,000

Liz Wilson
Sports: Volleyball, tennis, cheer
College: University of Washington
Major: Journalism
GPA: 3.94
Parents: Hugh & Jenny Wilson
Scholarship: $1,000

COACH
Bri Sturm, Cheer and Pole Vault Coach
EWHS Athletic Director Julie Stroncek noted that Sturm wasn’t able to attend the banquet because she had just given birth to a baby boy three days earlier, but praised her for her efforts in coaching both the cheerleaders and pole vaulters, “a combination we don’t always see.”

COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Will Budnick and Jennifer Eklund-Budnick, recognized by Stroncek for their tireless efforts to support high school sports, from keeping stats to working in the snack bar to taking photos. Warrior Radio listeners may also remember Will as a color commentator on this season’s boys basketball broadcasts, and Jennifer is the incoming president of the school’s athletic booster club.

Meadowdale High School

SCHOLAR-ATHLETES
Tanner Davenport
Sports: Football, wrestling
College: Simon Fraser University
Major: International business/economics
GPA: 3.79
Parents: Deborah Davenport & Logan Thuet
Scholarship: $1,000

Sarah Hamburg
Sports: Volleyball, tennis, cheer
College: University of the Pacific
Major: Dental hygiene
GPA: 3.73
Parents: David & Inger Hamburg
Scholarship: $1,500

Grantland Over
Sports: Basketball, baseball
College: University of Notre Dame
Major: Pre-med or economics/finance
GPA: 4.0
Parents: Tom & Maureen Over
Scholarship: $3,000

Payton Shrum
Sports: Volleyball, baseball, track & field
College: George Fox University
Major: Graphic art/design
GPA: 3.83
Parents: Rick and Machen Shrum
Scholarship: $1,250

COACH
Marcus Merrifield, JV girls basketball & JV fastpitch.
In presenting the award, Meadowdale Athletic Director Chris Murphy said that a fellow coach described Merrifield as “one of the most conscientious coaches I have ever worked with.”

COMMUNITY MEMBER
Teece Diemond
Diemond is a football and baseball parent who “is at every Meadowdale event, helping behind the scenes,” Murphy said.