Green Mountain High School’s Simon Lunsford has some extra hardware in his home, and this is perhaps the most prestigious award yet.
The Colorado High School Coaches Association named Lunsford as the recipient of this year’s Freddie Steinmark Award. A statement from CHSCA said the award is presented to those high school seniors who exemplify “excellence in athletics, academics and community service, an embodiment of the legacy left by Freddie Steinmark himself.”
Steinmark was a three-sport athlete at Wheat Ridge High School almost 60 years ago. He led the University of Texas to a national college football title in 1969 but died of cancer two years later.
According to CHSCA, Lunsford was a three-sport athlete who won nine varsity letters. He earned first-team, All-State honors in football, basketball and baseball. The Rams finished second in this year’s state basketball tournament.
Lunsford also pitched a no-hitter to lead Green Mountain into the state baseball playoffs. Lunsford is the Jefferson County 4A Athlete of the Year and a four-time recipient of the school’s 3-Sport Athlete Award.
His football season ended early because of an ankle injury. Lunsford returned to the basketball court a month early and scored 41 points against a top-10 opponent.
“Simon embodies the perseverance, courage, and humility that define Freddie Steinmark’s legacy,” said Mike Puccio, Green Mountain’s basketball coach. “The grueling work it took to come back from that injury, and then to perform at the highest level, speaks volumes. He leads with humility, competes with heart, and serves with purpose.”
Away from the playing field, Lunsford is a five-time recipient of Green Mountain’s Honor Roll Gold Distinguished student for maintaining a GPA above 4.0. He also made the school’s honor roll eight times, and he received the school’s citizenship award this spring.
Lunsford is also a volunteer at the Denver Rescue Mission and Christ on the Mountain Church. He’s been a youth camp counselor in both football and basketball. During the summers, Lunsford started his own lawnmower blade-sharpening business.
“Simon is a distinguished athlete, a mentor to young children, and a model of resilience and integrity,” said community member Cara Friedman in the statement. “He has shown my son that challenges can be overcome, and that kindness and humility are just as important as talent. His actions have left an indelible mark on our community.”
Lunsford called the award “deeply personal.”
“Competing against Wheat Ridge throughout my life, I had the chance to walk the halls of their school and see the Freddie Steinmark display firsthand,” Lunsford said. “It left a lasting impression on me, not just because of what it stood for, but because of the stories my grandfather shared with me. He attended Lakewood High School and had the honor of competing against the first-ever Steinmark Award winner, Dave Logan.”
Next year, Lunsford will attend Colorado Mesa University and will play baseball for the Mavericks.
The other finalists were Shane Curry, Thomas Jefferson High School; Anderson Filla, Akron High School; Samuel Meisner, Wray High School; Marcus Mozer, Fossil Ridge High School; Matthew Napiekowski, Holy Family High School; Joseph Probst, West Grand High School; and Benjamin Simon, Coal Ridge High School.
On the girls’ side, Strasburg High School’s Peighton Marrero was this year’s Freddie Steinmark Award winner.