By Lori Leath Smith
Recently, the All Sports Association (ASA) held its 53rd Annual Banquet where it recognized and honored some of the finest Northwest Florida athletes (top high school, collegiate, amateur, professional and Special Olympics athletes as well as individuals who have fostered youth activities and made a significant impact in our community) who are contributing to their sports and their community. These exceptional athletes not only excel in sports, but also in academics, community involvement and overcoming obstacles to achieve their goals.
Bay Life spoke with several to find out what the awards mean to them and where they’re going from here.
Pictured are athlete award winners with ASA’s 53rd Annual Banquet keynote speaker, Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine.
Niceville High School Senior Eric Trapp won the Taylor Haugen Trophy award, one that has become one of the most impactful in our region. An overcomer due to a bout with depression, Eric feels this award symbolizes his perseverance through this challenge and his recovery. “I learned I was at my best when I kept going and kept working hard, even though everything might not be good all the time. Football was an escape of sorts and I was all in.” He feels the adversity now has given him a platform in the mental health arena. “Through my faith and being open about this has really helped me overcome it. It’s been my testimony, my purpose, and I feel others going through it can notice that positivity and feel ‘If he can do it, so can I.’” Assuming his love of football from his mom, Eric said, “This award, I believe, is truly the best award in the area, because it symbolizes everything I think a young man should possess. I’m so blessed that the Haugen Foundation believed that person was me to be able to carry on Taylor’s legacy.”
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2019 with a BS in Systems Engineering and an MS in Management Science and Engineering, Senior quarterback Isaiah Sanders of Stanford University was the 2021 recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy. Isaiah’s adversity came when he felt terribly isolated at the Air Force Academy. But, he pushed through and has now realized his dream of playing football. Being able to go through the adversity of Covid with his Stanford teammates was actually one of the greatest experiences of his life. An overcomer who gives all Glory to God for the platform he now has, Isaiah wants to leverage that story. “When it comes to leadership, it comes to so much more about how you can serve the people around you.”
Ranked #1 in her senior class of nearly 500 students, Niceville High School senior Page Dolloff, a two-sport athlete (swimming and tennis), is the 2022 Female Scholastic Award Winner. She also earned an AP Scholar Award and is the Niceville High School Heisman Scholarship School 2021 winner. “I was more than honored to be nominated for this award. To win is an even greater accomplishment,” said Page. “I couldn’t have done it without all my supporting teammates, coaches and parents. To be recognized by this association and represent Niceville High School is truly amazing.” Page will be headed to the U.S. Air Force Academy after graduation.
2022 Male Scholastic Award Winner Noah Harman is a two-sport athlete in football and track and field at Niceville High School, also carrying a 4.6 GPA. “Not only did winning this award tell me that all the hard work I have done has paid off, academically and physically, it also showed me that all my efforts have been recognized, for my family and friends who have also sacrificed as well as young kids who ask me how to get here.” Going the extra mile in his studies, Noah plans to attend Cornell University in Engineering.
Male Collegiate Award Winner Juanyeh Thomas, from Walton and Niceville High Schools, makes his presence known on the gridiron at Georgia Tech on defense and special teams. This three-time high school All-State football player set a high school national record as a sophomore when he returned interceptions for touchdowns in five consecutive games.
This year’s Amateur Award Winner, Fort Walton Beach native Johnathan Newby, is currently ranked in the top 1% of all-time natural powerlifters in the world. After a successful sports career at Fort Walton Beach High School and college football career at both Saint Francis University and Cumberland University, he now competes with the U.S. Powerlifting Association. Many of our readers probably know him best as a member of the Niceville Police Department’s Tactical Response Team. He also serves as a certified state referee for USPA competitions.
Professional Athlete Award Winner Richie Grant played high school football at Choctaw and then UCF. Finishing his college career at UCF with 291 tackles, 10 interceptions and five forced fumbles, he was also first-team All-American Athletic Conference for three consecutive years (2018-2020) and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in college football. Now a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Richie said “My name being on that plaque is particularly meaningful to me. It goes to show it doesn’t matter where you come from (having grown up in a small town in Mississippi), if you do hard work and prepare like you’re supposed to, it pays off.” He says his uncle, his role-model who played football for Alabama, had the most influence on his life and now career.
This year’s Special Olympics Athlete Award was given to Shane K. Kamm, a graduate of Silver Sands School where he played in Special Olympics Basketball and Bowling. Overcoming his fear of deep water, Shane now excels in paddle-boarding which has become his favorite sport. “If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be receiving this award,” Shane says. “This is a real honor. I’ve never received an award like this.”
Female Collegiate Award Winner was Emily Madril. After playing soccer at Navarre High School, she was integral on FSU’s 2021 top-ranked team that won the 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship! She was also named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year for 2021. Still reeling from this win, Emily says she was born into soccer. With a master’s in IT, Emily says she likes being a mentor and hopes to begin teaching soccer camps in the area. She also wants to play soccer professionally in the U.S.
“In the past eight years, our organization has given over 1.5 million dollars to local youth and to support youth athletics. Our primary fundraiser for the year is this banquet…” said Carter Zorn, ASA President. “We have over 100 dues paying members who contribute their time to our mission. Bear in mind that we have no paid staff or administration. So, 100% of our money raised after expenses goes right back into our community.”
For more information, visit allsportsassociation.com.
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