Recap: 2024 End of Year Athletic Award Recipients
The SPA Athletics Department recognizes four student-athletes from the graduating class at the conclusion of each school year. The awards include the French Athletic Trophy, Girls’ Athletic Bowl, Frenzel Boys’ Athletic Bowl, and Colonel Griggs Trophy. These prestigious awards are named in honor of a few outstanding student-athlete alumni. This year’s winners were chosen with care and recognized at the Senior Awards Ceremony last month.
Below are the names of the athletic award recipients from the class of 2024, and details on the SPA alumni to whom the awards are dedicated.
French Athletic Trophy
“Presented to an older girl, in memory of Richard French ’55, for the combined qualities of sportsmanship and competitive spirit”.
Charlotte Goings ’24 embodied the French sportsmanship traits as a leader in the girls’ hockey and lacrosse programs. Her competitive spirt also pushed her to earn multiple years of All-Conference recognition in hockey and lacrosse.
In her capacity as a multi-sport captain, Goings demonstrated a high level of sportsmanship and dedication to serving all programs of which she was a part. This included a full-time commitment as the Manager for the girls’ soccer program in her “off season”. Through it all, Goings remained top of her class as a multi-sport All-State Academic Honoree, graduating with a perfect 4.0, and a Cum Laude inductee.
Frenzel Boys’ Athletic Bowl
“Given in memory of Thomas Frenzel, Class of 1949, to a member/s of the boys’ varsity teams for exceptional performance and leadership”.
Leo Benson reached the pinnacle of High School tennis. Under his 3-year captainship, the program earned THREE Team State Championships. Benson would also go on to clinch back-to-back Championship titles in the Individual State Tournament with his doubles partner, Maik Nguyen.
In the boys’ basketball program, Benson was a strong competitor with an unwavering work ethic. His athleticism and commitment to the program can be demonstrated by his impressive increase in points and defensive stats every season in his career. Most importantly, his leadership off of the court was invaluable.
Girls' Athletic Bowl
“Given to a member of the girls’ varsity teams for exceptional performance and leadership”.
Aurelia Meza dominated any athletic space she stepped foot on. Whether on the soccer pitch, or hockey arena, Meza was a high level competitor and multi-sport captain. Behind her leadership, the girls’ soccer team clinched the 2023 State Championship Title, were the 2022 State Runner-Ups, and earned the Conference Championship title in 2021.
In hockey, she led the girls’ program through various co-op changes with grace. Regardless of the team dynamics, Meza always competed her hardest and earned multiple years of All-Conference recognition and All-State Academic Honors.
Colonel Griggs Trophy
“Given in memory of Chauncey Wright Griggs, Class of 1922, to an older boy for the combined qualities of sportsmanship and competitive spirit”.
In an era of sports specialization, 3-sport athletes are hard to come by. Connor Overgaard graduates as one of the final few. Overgaard brought competitive spirit and sportsmanship to every program of which he was a part, including the Varsity football, swim & dive, and golf programs.
In football, Overgaard’s athleticism led him to be the SMB’s most valuable utility player. In his career, he made an impact in a range of positions from quarterback to kick returner. His willingness to play whereve the team needed highlights the Griggs’ quality of competitive spirit.
As a competitive swimmer and team captain, Overgaard supported the swim and dive program through various coaching changes and team turmoil. Most notably, Overgaard led the 200 medley relay to a 2nd place finish at the Conference Meet and a trip to the State Meet in 2024.Overgaard’s State appearance also extended to his golf career. In an impressive Junior campaign, he earned himself a ticket to the Golf State Meet as an individual.
Aurelia Meza & Maik Nguyen, Winfield Award Recipients
“Given to graduating seniors from St. Paul who will receive financial grants that will assist them in furthering their education. This past year marked the 48th annual Winfield Award Ceremony the award—named in honor of former St. Paul Central and University of Minnesota student-athlete and Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member David M. Winfield. The award recognizes student-athletes of color for their scholastic and athletic accomplishments, and their community involvement during their high school career”.
Maik Nguyen has been a pillar of the Spartan tennis program for more than a half-decade. As a six-year Varsity starter and three-year captain, he set the tone for the program through exceptional performance and unwavering leadership. Nguyen’s decorated career includes helping the team win 3 State Championships and back-to-back doubles State Championship Titles with his partner, Leo Benson. Outside of tennis, Maik competed as a key member of the long-standing, successful, SPA Fencing Team. His efforts on the fencing strip even led him to qualify for the Jr. Olympics in 2024!
Aurelia Meza’s decorated athletic career mentioned above, goes beyond her athletic endeavors. Her community involvement was highlighted the various leadership positions she held in school. This includes serving on the Senior Class Leadership Council, was a Mentor for the Mentee Program, and an SPA Student Ambassador/tour guide. Meza also has impacted youth athletes as a coach of the SPA LS soccer clinics and with the West St. Paul Hockey Association.
