Congrats to our Burghardt Sporting Goods Athletes of the Month for February 2025, Elena Brofka (Girls Wrestling) and Hunter Burr (Boys Wrestling). 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 Wrestling Coach, Tony Romano said, “Hunter is a dedicated and hard-working wrestler who consistently pushes himself to be the best both on and off the mats. His unwavering passion for the sport of wrestling fuels his relentless drive, while his leadership and ability to inspire his teammates set him apart. His integrity and strong character allow for Hunter to lead by example. He motivates others with his commitment and positive attitude. His work ethic and love for the sport has made him a great captain and makes him nearly impossible to replace.”

Head Girls Wrestling coach, Jacob Farness said, “Elena is not your average wrestler—she genuinely loves running! Clearly a track or cross-country athlete at heart, but I feel so blessed to also have her on our wrestling team. Elena is the kind of teammate who fosters strong relationships through her infectious energy and dedication. She keeps everyone motivated and entertained, whether in the wrestling room or at competitions. This season, when none of the captains were able to make it to practice, Elena stepped up without hesitation. She communicated clearly, took the lead, and made sure everyone stayed on task. This moment demonstrated her growth as a leader and her love for the sport and her team.”

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.