Congrats to our Burghardt Sporting Goods Athletes of the Month for March 2025, Jovani Serrano (Baseball) and Lilly Janetzke & Danielle Wise (Softball). These three 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 Baseball Coach, Mike Mather said, “Jovani has been committed to baseball ever since open gyms started. He continues to be coachable, hardworking and willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team.”

Head Softball coach, Dax Rodriguez said, “Both Lilly and Dani are returning starters who will be unable to start the season on the field due to injury.  However, they have maintained a constant presence at practice and exhibiting LEADERSHIP to the younger players on the team.  They have accepted mentorship roles and are eager and willing to help at practice in any capacity needed.  In fact, both have come to and from practice after a therapy session, work, or PT just to help at practice.

This COMMITMENT to LEADERSHIP, LOVE for their teammates and sport, COMMUNICATION to the younger players, makes these two girls the MODEL of how a SPARTAN should live and act.  So proud of both girls and cannot wait to get them back."

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.