Spencerport’s Erin Coykendall named Female MaxPreps Semper Fidelis High School Athlete of the Year
Junior Erin Coykendall from Spencerport High School was named the female athlete of the year for the 2nd Annual MaxPreps Semper Fidelis High School Athlete of the Year Award, presented by the United States Marine Corps. Coykendall is a part of the lacrosse, soccer, basketball and bowling teams.
“MaxPreps congratulates Erin Coykendall on being named High School Athlete of the Year,” said Andy Beal, Founder and President of MaxPreps. “High school sports are designed to build character and foster teamwork and a competitive spirit in our nation’s young people. The MaxPreps Semper Fidelis High School Athlete of the Year represents those outstanding qualities that make not just a great athlete, but more importantly a fine citizen. MaxPreps is proud to honor this fine student-athlete in collaboration with the United States Marine Corps.”
Coykendall, an integral part of Spencerport’s lacrosse team, is in a class of her own. Verbally committing to Northwestern before she entered high school, Coykendall has been filling up the stat sheet and breaking school records since she joined the varsity lacrosse team in seventh grade. She currently holds the school records for Most Points in a Career (526), Most Goals in a Career (279), Most Assists in a Career (261), Most Assists in a season (71-2016), Most Draw Controls in a Career (398), Most Assists in a Game (8-2018), and Most Goals in a Game (8-2015). Coykendall is also a soccer standout, helping the Spencerport soccer team win two state titles. This spring, Coykendall picked up her eleventh varsity letter.
“Erin has grown with every season, every game and every play,” stated head lacrosse coach Patricia Condon. “She is a leader by example, teacher of the game and is the most impressive player I have ever had the privilege to coach and/or watch. Erin’s knowledge of the sport is her strongest asset and she is able to teach those around her. She studies game film, identifies areas she can improve and works on them in practice and on her own. For Erin, lacrosse is more than a game – it is her passion and it drives her to excel on and off the field.”
For Condon, there is no one more deserving of this award than Coykendall. “There are no words and no better feeling for a coach than to watch a player give everything she has to a sport/craft and be recognized for her efforts. I see the behind the scenes stuff of Erin watching film and studying herself and the game, passing against a wall, shooting on open nets in her backyard, researching the best stick and traveling the country to play in the most elite environments. I see all of the time, commitment and dedication it takes to be as good as she is. She didn’t just pick up a stick and decide to be good, she had to work at it. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Coykendall isn’t only a standout on the field, but also in school and in the community. In school, Coykendall is a 4.0 GPA student, a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and the CHOICES Program. Through this program, she takes part in leadership around the school and volunteer opportunities in the community. Coykendall is also a volunteer assistant coach for youth lacrosse and soccer teams in her town. She finds time in her busy schedule to attend practices each week to mentor young athletes. A big animal lover, Coykendall volunteers with an animal rescue group, fostering and often bottle-feeding puppies and kittens.
Staff Sergeant Todd Fetzer, of the New York United States Marine Corps presented Coykendall with the MaxPreps Semper Fidelis Athlete of the Year trophy during a school sports assembly. “The United States Marine Corps fights and wins our Nation’s Battles. Through the MaxPreps High School Athlete of the Month program, we recognize students that embody the Marine Corps’ fighting spirit and tenacity to overcome adversity,” stated 1st Lt. Johnny Henderson. “These student athletes have proven to rise to the challenges they face, both on and off the field. We honor only the best and we take pride in recognizing those that rise above and have a positive influence in their community.”
MaxPreps picks one female and one male athlete each month to be named with the honor of High School Athlete of the Month, presented by the United States Marines Corps. MaxPreps sends out emails to all of their members of their site about nominating an athlete for the award. There are also links on MaxPreps.com for anyone to nominate a deserving athlete for this award. Nominations may be submitted by a coach, parent, peer, or teacher. MaxPreps then selects the most well-rounded athletes that match the qualities that are also found in the United States Marines Corps, like bravery, dedication, perseverance, personal sacrifice for others and being a positive influence in one’s community.
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