Athletic Awards

As the school year ended, St. Mark’s honored its athletes and coaches at this year’s Athletic Banquet, held on campus on Friday, May 20, 2022. 
 
“The relationships formed through sports can, and often do, last a lifetime, and are far more valuable than any accomplishments or awards,” said Sean Lissemore, Director of Athletics. “These bonds are formed through mutual trust and a shared commitment to purpose, which are the hallmarks of any successful team.”
 
As a whole, the St. Mark's Athletics Program was honored with the 2021-2022 Athletic Directors' Cup, presented by the Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC). The Directors' Cup recognizes the top overall boys’ athletic program in the SPC. During Athletic Banquet, St. Mark’s also honored numerous individual athletes for their outstanding performances, including the School’s four major athletic awards.
  
The Tony Briggs Spirit Award is presented to a senior who has been constructively active in creating spirit and enthusiasm among the student body to the support of athletic teams and events, has been engaged in a variety of athletics as a competitor, has displayed, as a participant, enthusiasm and dedication, and has shown sportsmanship among the students and athletes of schools with which we compete.
 
Varsity Head Football Coach Harry Flaherty announced the recipient of the award:
 
This young man was a quiet but steady force for our football team this year. He could always be counted on to give his best effort regardless of the circumstances. In a competitive conference, he seldom failed to dominate his opponents, yet always carried himself with humility – putting defenders on their backs but always picking them up. Not only did he protect our quarterback’s blindside as a left tackle, but also made an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Thankfully we never had to play without him this year, as he proved to be irreplaceable on our team. He is a well-rounded young man who will impact the football team, the track and field team, and the academic community at Kenyon College. It is my honor to present the Briggs Spirit Award to Sam Eluemunoh.
 
The Red Barr Award is presented to a senior who has demonstrated the ideals by which Red Barr lived: patience, understanding, sportsmanship, and dedication to excellence in the classroom as well as on the playing field.
 
Varsity Head Football Coach Harry Flaherty announced the recipient of the award:
 
This young man was the field general for our defense this past year. Not only did he perform his own assignments with excellence, but he also took a leadership role in holding his teammates accountable for their assignments as well. As such, he was like having a coach on the field. He played the game with disregard for his body, often demonstrating extraordinary toughness and physicality against bigger and stronger opponents. His spirit for the game and willingness to sacrifice himself for the team were infectious and will be severely missed moving forward. We know he will make similar impacts at Johns Hopkins University. It is my honor to present the Red Barr Award to Zack Stone.
 
The Arnold E. Holtberg Athletic Leadership Award is presented to a senior who embodies the ideals of character and leadership in every facet of his participation on the playing fields, in the locker room, and around campus.
 
Varsity Head Wrestling Coach Reyno Arredondo announced the recipient of the award:
 
From a leadership standpoint, this young man is a rare breed. He has steadily been on the school staff as Student Council Vice President and on the Diversity and Inclusion Board. Furthermore, his artistic skills extend to his clay and pottery pieces. Suffice it to say, he is an academic, an elite athlete, and a franchise player. He has more talent than he knows. The wonderful part of this statement is that he humbly goes about his daily life as a true and genuine servant leader who has been selected to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has made a tremendous imprint on ten six hundred Preston Road and will also do so for our country. It is my honor to present the Arnold E. Holtberg Leadership Award to Elijah Ellis. 
 
The Thomas S. Adams Athletic Plaque is awarded for consistently fine contributions to the attitudes, the performance standards, and the sportsman-like conduct of the St. Mark’s Varsity Athletics.

Varsity Cross Country and Track & Field Coach John Turek announced the recipient of the award:
 
To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task despite obstacles. That is the very essence of this young man. I told Coach Hershner earlier this year that we only played a small part in the success of this athlete. The true credit belongs to him. A young man who took it upon himself to dream big, train harder than he has ever done before, and develop the confidence that he belongs at the top of any race he’s in. We cannot coach any of that. I hope every Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman that was on the team this year had a conversation with him, that begins and ends with belief in oneself and confidence in anything they do. I don’t need to talk about the wins, the School Records, or the lasting legacy, that he leaves behind. I am just content to sit back and admire what he has become. It is my honor to present the Thomas S. Adams athletic plaque to Sahil Dodda.
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    • Sam Eluemunoh ’22

    • Zack Stone ’22

    • Elijah Ellis ’22

    • Sahil Dodda ’22

St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000

About Us

St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.

St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.