AURORA — The CHSCA Steinmark Award honors Freddie Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the early 1960s. Steinmark also was an outstanding student and was active in several school and community-oriented endeavors before attending the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns to the national football title in 1969. Steinmark died from cancer in 1971 at age 22.
One boy and one girl will receive the Steinmark Award and these final recipients will be selected by a committee of athletic directors, coaches, and former Steinmark Award winners.
Congratulations to Zoe Martin of Colorado Academy, the female recipient of the 2024 CHSCA Steinmark Award — the most prestigious award for a senior student-athlete in Colorado.
Finalists for the 2024 Steinmark Award: Sarah DeLaCerda, Alamosa; Julia Hodell, Holy Family; Jenna Krise, Briggsdale; Eboselulu Omofoma, Dayspring Christian; Macy Scheer, D’Evelyn.
Zoe Martin, an exemplary dual-sport athlete from Colorado Academy, has won the prestigious Steinmark Award, a recognition that celebrates outstanding achievements in athletics first, along with academics and community service. Zoe’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field has set her apart as a remarkable individual.
Reflecting on the significance of the award, Zoe stated, “Winning this award would be an incredible honor validating all my efforts to succeed as a dual sport athlete. More importantly, it would connect me to Freddie Steinmark’s powerful legacy and the enduring values he embodied of perseverance, sportsmanship, and using one’s talents to make a positive impact.” When she found out she had won she stated that, “This is super cool, as it is just proof of all the hard work and dedication because playing multiple sports is not easy.”
Zoe maintains a 3.88 GPA at Colorado Academy, a school known for its rigorous academic standards. She has committed to the University of Michigan, where she will continue her athletic career in both lacrosse and field hockey, a rare achievement for a Division 1 dual-sport athlete.
Accolades flow to this amazing student-athlete including: High School All-American in both lacrosse and field hockey, Colorado Player of the Year in both sports, Competitor in the 2022 Women’s Lacrosse World Championship for Team Israel at just 16 years old and winner of six state championships (four in lacrosse and two in field hockey) to name a few. Next, Zoe will head to Portugal to play with the Israeli National team before heading to Michigan.
Zoe’s impact extends beyond personal achievements. Assistant Coach Stacy Birlson remarked, “During tryouts, Zoe shared her goals for her senior year. Her first statement was she wanted to be more dedicated to making her teammates better and leave a positive legacy.” Throughout the season, Zoe not only continued to score prolifically but also doubled her assists from the previous year, demonstrating her commitment to her team’s success.
Zoe’s inspiration is deeply personal. She shared, “If I win this prestigious award, I intend to dedicate it to my older sister — Laney — who lives with a rare genetic condition… Because of her, I have gained strength, resilience, patience, and persistence, which have helped inspire me in my own athletic and academic goals. Laney, like Mr. Steinmark, makes the people around her better, stronger, and driven to make a difference.”
Teachers and coaches describe Zoe as joyful, infectious, and sportsmanlike, with a love for the game that is contagious. Away from the field she is a part of the Children’s Hospital Club, a H.O.P.E. Director, Model United Nations, a youth coach and a volunteer at The Joshua School. Her dedication to her sports, her academics, and her community exemplifies the values that the Steinmark Award seeks to honor. Zoe Martin’s achievements and character make her a deserving recipient of this distinguished award.
The Steinmark Award was established in 1972 and honors Freddie Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the 1960s. He was also an outstanding student and was active in several school and community-oriented endeavors before attending the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns to the national football title in 1969. Freddie died from cancer in 1971 at the age of 22. Students athletes nominated for the award must be seniors who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.0 and participated in at least two varsity sports, having earned at least All-Conference in one sport and All-State in another.
Zoe is the 52nd winner of the girls Steinmark Award since it was first presented to girls in 1974. The first girl to win the Steinmark Award was Anne Vento of Pueblo Centennial in 1974. There were two winners of the award in 1984. Dave Logan of Wheat Ridge High School, and now the extremely well-known sports announcer for the Denver Broncos and other sports endeavors, was the first boys’ winner of the award in 1972.
In 2023, Mason Rowland of Durango High School received the girls’ Steinmark and Joseph Capra of Denver South was the recipient for the boys. The Colorado High School Coaches Association is proud to be the sponsor of the Freddie Steinmark Award and congratulates the athletes, and their coaches, who were nominated for this award.