Congrats to our Burghardt Sporting Goods Athletes of the Month for December 2024, Elaija Hall (Girls Basketball) and Graham Sabanosh (WNS Boys Hockey Co-op). These two wonderful student athletes set a good example for others and exhibit the greatest all around attributes of our Core Values: Relationships, Communication, Growth, Love & Biblical Truth and our #PillarsofAthletics: Faith, Excellence, Commitment and Character. #AOTM

Head Boys Hockey Coach, Dano Schonenburg said, "Graham has been an integral part of WNS’s success this season. As a freshman, Graham has performed at high level in every game he has played, highlighted by an incredible 60 save performance against Cedarburg. He shows up every day with a great attitude and desire to get better every day. Since joining the team, he has been a wonderful teammate by encouraging and instructing in a positive way. We have been impressed by his calm demeanor in net and he is always ready for the next play. Graham has been a wonderful student athlete to coach, and I am excited to see his continued growth the rest of the season."

Head Girls Basketball Coach, Dave Mentkowski said, "Elaija shows leadership with her energy and enthusiasm at practices, in games and all team meetings. She shows up consistently with the will to get better both at what she is already good at and what she can improve on to help the team. She leads with her actions and with her voice. She welcomes coaching and has the will to perform to the best of her ability every time she steps on the court. She demonstrates her faith in both prayer and how she treats her teammates and coaches with dignity and respect. She leads our team in rebounding and takes pride in playing defense."

Martin Luther High School recognizes an Athlete of the Month each month of the school year. Using the selection criteria below, the coaching staff of each varsity sport being played during any given month will nominate one individual in a sport being played that month. The ML Admin team will select a winner from the pool of nominees based on the selection criteria below in addition to performance statistics from competitions during that month.

Athlete of the Month selection will be based on the following criteria based of our core values:

• Relationships
  • Commitment (toward practices, games and continued improvement)
  • Teamwork
• Communication
  • Focus and Discipline
  • Accountability for oneself and others
• Growth
  • Positive attitude and enthusiasm for their sport both on and off the field/court
  • Work Ethic
  • Willingness to learn (coachability)
  • Perseverance (overcoming challenges)
• Love
  • Sportsmanship (respect coaches, officials, opponents, teammates)
  • Honesty (playing by rules, character)
• Biblical Truth
  • Community service and involvement
  • Demonstrates their faith on a consistent basis.

It should be noted that the Athlete of the Month may not merely be the “star” player, but rather a team member who sets a good example for others and exhibits the greatest all around attributes of our core values.