January Athletes of the Month

Congratulations to Atilla Mandi-Casas and Emily Barnett, our January Jeff Weins Athletes of the Month!

Atilla Mandi-Casas (11), Wrestling – Atilla currently holds a 13 - 8 win/loss record. Of the eight losses, six have come to top four ranked OSAA wrestlers. He is a quiet, unassuming young man who works hard and competes fiercely. He has placed in four of our six tournaments to this point. He is a leader by example in the room and a great role model for our younger wrestlers. As a student, he has improved every year.

Emily Barnett (11), Girls Swimming – Emily is a quiet leader, preferring not to be the center of attention, and yet consistently supporting the success of the team through her near-perfect attendance and encouragement of others. Emily is in her third year of HS swimming, having lettered as both a Freshman and Sophomore. Lettering in swimming requires that a swimmer score an average of three points per conference dual meet, as well as placing in the top 16 at the MHC District Meet. Emily is on-track to letter again this year, and is likely to finish in the top 8 in her best event, the 100 yard backstroke. Last year, Emily was selected by her team as the Most Inspirational Female Swimmer. In addition to swimming, Emily is a three-year letterman in Cross-Country, again being selected as the Most Inspirational Female Athlete this fall. In Track, Emily has earned two Varsity letters, and made the All-Conference 2nd Team last spring. In academics, Emily currently maintains a 4.0 cumulative GPA, and helps with tutoring on Wednesday mornings during Athletic Study Hall. Emily is so focused on giving to others and supporting their needs that I am sure she would never think that she should be awarded Athlete of the Month.