By Beau Fairbanks’25
For years, Athletes of the Week have been announced on and off at school meetings with little information and elaboration at Gunn. Kids receiving this award received little recognition, so James Timmins, the Athletic Office, and a new podcast group are changing this.
James Timmins ‘25 decided to take the initiative and work with the athletic office and announce the athletes of the week on Tuesdays at school meetings. There are 36 athletic teams through the fall, winter, and spring. Specifically, 11 teams in the winter. Each head coach sends in one player with a stellar performance, and the athletic office decides on one girl and one boy that stands out the most. Now, each athlete will be announced with stats and game analysis, along with an interview and game film breakdown from a new podcast created by Harrison Muntner ‘25, Adrien Quiros ‘25, and Beau Fairbanks ‘25.
These students, James Timmins, and the Athletic Office feel the need to recognize these demanding working athletes. Simple recognition can go a long way for dedicated athletes, especially at the high school level. Gunn athletes have to balance a high level of education and play top competition; sometimes, this schedule can get the best of them. Energy and recognition toward these athletes motivate them through the times when they are tired and unmotivated.
The network met with some students to ask about this new addition to Gunn Athletics. James Timmins ‘25 spoke on the significance of this new addition. “I think it is important to recognize the Athletes of the Week because they are working hard day in and day out at their co-curricular; it is a lot of work, and I think that athletes that have stellar performances deserve recognition and credit from their peers.” Other students, like hockey goaltender Collin Logan ‘25, understand the importance of this new addition and are excited. “I love the idea; I think it will make everyone work harder on and off the athletic playing field, court, or ice.” This truly is going to benefit the Gunn community in so many ways.
In a typical school year, athletes from thirty-six teams work as hard as possible at Gunn. This new revamped edition of the Athletes of the Week will help students receive credit from peers and extra motivation. The podcast depicting the game film will be available on The Highlander News Network YouTube for Gunn supporters to watch. Not only will this benefit the Gunn community on and off campus.
