SuburbanOneSports.com recognizes a male and female featured athlete each week. The awards, sponsored by Univest, are given to seniors of good character who are students in good standing that have made significant contributions to their teams. Selections are based on nominations received from coaches, athletic directors and administrators.
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Female Athlete (Week of March 24, 2016)
It was one thing to be presumed as the frontrunner to win the PIAA Class AAA state swimming title, and quite another to do it. The North Penn Maidens fulfilled their destiny by out-performing what was a rapid collection of contenders to return home with the school’s first state crown in 26 years. “We did have that goal,” said Aimee Baur, a senior captain. “While it was definitely expected, it was just really awesome. It made it extra special that everyone contributed. It was exciting.” For her part, Baur was part of the 400 freestyle relay team that ended the meet with a second place finish as well as the 400 freestyle relay that placed second earlier in the meet. She also scored points toward the victory with a 14th place finish in the 100 freestyle.
The medals from the recent trek to Bucknell are hardly the only hardware Baur has earned. The Maidens won the District One title all of her four years as well as the state title in water polo three of the last four years. Baur has stood out for both teams, which contain many of the same comrades. It is her ability to place team first that has endeared her to her coaches. “Aimee is the ultimate team player,” said water polo coach Katie Grunmeier. “She is extremely athletic, but what makes her stand out is the dedication and work ethic she possesses that every coach dreams of for all of their players.”
Baur will continue her athletic career at St. Francis - where she will be joined by teammate Erin O’Neill - and will be part of the school’s inaugural water polo squad. She will be going there with a plan beyond the pool as she enters into a six-year program that will lead to her having a doctorate in physical therapy. Coach Matt Weiser has zero doubts she will reach any goal she sets for herself. “Aimee is an outstanding student and athlete,” he said. “She’s been nothing but a pleasure to coach since her freshman year. This year, in particular, her leadership really stood out. Her qualities extend outside the pool. She has a great personality and is a fantastic teammate. I could not be any more proud of her and her accomplishments. I’ll miss her – not only for the team contributions but for what she brings every day. She represents North Penn perfectly.”
To read Baur’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/aimee-baur-0060401
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of March 24, 2016)
Maxwell Mikels is getting his money’s worth and then some out of his high school experience. The Springfield Township senior is the co-president of the student council, he’s ranked fourth in his senior class, he plays alto sax for the school’s jazz band and he is a member of the school chorus. This spring, he had a leading role in the musical, Damn Yankees, and for good measure, he earned his Eagle Scout badge last fall. It would have been perfectly understandable if Mikels had opted to walk away from baseball this spring. That was never a consideration. “It’s just a love of the game,” Mikels said. “I grew up watching the Phillies and just being a huge Phillies fan. For me, baseball was my favorite sport because you had to think a lot about the game. You’re always thinking, you’re always on your toes.”
Coach Dennis Primavera calls Mikels a student of the game. “He’s very coachable,” the Spartans’ coach said. “I’m the pitching coach, and he listens to what I say and he tries to do it. I work with all my pitchers. Not all of them listen, but he does, he tries to pick everything up. He actually tries to do what I’m telling him to do, and more times than not, he’ll see success. He’s a good, coachable kid. He’s got a great personality, and he’s a great teammate.”
Baseball has been part of Mikels’ life since he began playing t-ball as a youngster. While watching a middle school show in seventh grade, his interest in theatre was piqued, and another passion was born. He has had a lengthy list of roles in the fall and spring productions. A week after the curtain came down on Damn Yankees, Mikels was traveling to West Chester University with the school’s elite jazz band for a competition. As president of student council, Mikels, who last year served as treasurer, finds himself planning a myriad of school activities. For his Eagle Scout project, Mikels made a trail at Fort Washington State Park. “My first camping trip was at Fort Washington State Park, so I knew I wanted to do something there to pay them back for helping me out through my scouting journey,” he said.
Next year, Mikels will begin pursuing a goal of one day becoming a veterinarian, and although he is uncertain where that will be, he has scholarship offers from both Temple and Ohio State. For now, Mikels is savoring his final weeks and months at Springfield. “I love Springfield so much,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been so lucky to go to Springfield. All the faculty at the school are just so amazing at making sure the students feel comfortable and are pursing what they want to do. I’m really thankful for my school.”
To read Mikels’ compete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/maxwell-mikels-0060402
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