APS Power Player Awards 2008

The APS Power Player award is given to select individuals who demonstrate exceptional character and sportsmanship as a participant in the Grand Canyon State Games. Select athletes who display extraordinary character as defined by the six pillars of Character - - Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship – will be identified by Games officials for consideration.
Winter Games

View 2007 Power Player Awards
View 2006 Power Player Awards

Winter Games
Adventure Racing Derrick Beracy In Adventure Racing, our APS Power Player Award winner in 2008 is Derrick Beracy. Derrick is a first time Adventure Racer, and member of team "Road Rash". On March 29th, while racing, Derrick pulled his team aside in order to aid other teams with whom they were competing on a number of occasions. The first found a team and their boat pinned up against trees in a whitewater section of the Verde River which Derrick helped get un-stuck. The second instance had Derrick stopping to aid a team that was running low on water while mountain biking, and then again in order to help a team with a flat tire. Derrick did this at the expense of his own finish time, and demonstrated the "Six pillars of character" to the maximum in Adventure Racing.
Archery, 3D Steve Gasca The APS Power Player Award Winner in 3D Archery is Steve Gasca. Steve is very helpful and always willing to pitch-in to make things run smooth. Steve is always available to help any Archer improve and is a great ambassador for the sport of Archery. Steve is great role model to younger Archery athletes and is a perfect choice as the APS Power Player Winner.
Archery, Target Van Patter Family The APS Power Player Winner in Winter Games in Target Archery is the Van Patter Family from Phoenix . The adults, Michael and Lynn competed on Saturday with the other adults, and their son Colt participated on Sunday with the Youth. Lynn and Michael selflessly devoted their time on Sunday to teach and help the youngest contestants and newest archers keep score on Sunday. The family is very giving of their time to help in any way they can in a sport they love. The family is a great ambassador in the sport of archery
Arm Wrestling Mike Mancuso The APS Power Player Winner in Winter Games Arm Wrestling is Mike Mancuso. Mike is an intense competitor yet is gracious in winning or losing. He is very respectful other competitors and officials. Mike is always willing to share his knowledge of the sport with anyone. Mike is a good ambassador for the sport of Arm Wrestling.
Baseball, Adult Frank Neville The 2008 Winter Games Adult Baseball APS Power Player Award Winner is Frank Neville, manager of the Bulls. Frank is very respected and respectful to the Umpires, players and officials whenever on the field. He leads by example and is well liked by everyone he deals with. A perfect example of what the APS Power Player Award stands for and represents.
Basketball, Boys NJB Boys The APS Power Player Winner in Boys Youth Basketball is the Flagstaff NJB Boys 12 & Under Basketball Team. The team is coached by Mr. Tyrone Johnson and is an all-star team from the Flagstaff area. They are currently preparing for the National NJB tournament in California . The players are always respectful of their coach, parents and games officials. They are a hardworking & dedicated team of 12 year olds and appreciated very much the opportunity to participate.
Baton Twirling Megan Ekstrom The 2008 APS Power Player for the winter Games Baton Twirling is Megan Ekstrom. Megan has twirled for 13 years and is presently a feature twirler for ASU. Her numerous awards include All-West Regional 3 baton champion and finalist in the NBTA national 3 baton competition. She has been competing at the Grand Canyon State Games for 13 years. She is very well respected, very competitive but is still has time to assist the younger twirlers to improve their skills. She posses many of the seven pillars of character and is an excellent role model for young athletes
Dodgeball Team Defiant Team Defiant demonstrated a great attitude and good sportsmanship during the tournament and were very supportive of their fellow Tucson teams. While one of the younger teams in the competition, they showed courage and resilience impressing the tournament staff and earning this Winter Game's APS Power Player Award for Dodgeball.
Equestrian Megan Feeney The 2008 APS Power Player award winner for the sport of Equestrian is Megan Feeney. Megan has always demonstrated great sportsmanship and she has genuine respect for other riders. Megan is always encouraging others to do their best and yet is competitive herself. Megan truly loves horses and rides whenever she can find time. Megan truly epitomizes the APS Power Player Award as she posses and practices the six pillars of character in her life.
Ice Hockey Beckie Aungst The Winter Games APS Power Player Award Winner for Ice Hockey is Beckie Aungst. Over the years Beckie has devoted countless volunteer hours as a team manager for the Ozzie Bears hockey clubs. Her tireless devotion to the players and parents has earned her the deserved reputation of a reliable and dedicated person. She is a joy to deal with and always has the best interest of the players in mind. Beckie is a shining example of what a volunteer is all about.
Jump Rope Shannon Dugan The 2008 Winter Games APS Power Player Winner in the sport of Jump Rope is Shannon Dugan. Shannon is an excellent jumper and a very outgoing & personable young lady. She is very competitive yet is always willing to assist other athletes. Shannon is very respectful of her coaches and is a good representative for the Sport of Jump Rope.
Karate Brett Fabian The APS Power Player Award Winner for the sport of Karate is Brett Fabian. Brett has been involved in Karate for over 8 years and earned his black belt in 2006. Brett is very competitive during the event but when the match is complete he always congratulates his opponent win or lose. He is respectful of all officials and never complains regardless of the situation. Brett is a sophomore at Desert Vista HS and is an honors student with a 3.7 GPA. Congratulations to Brett Fabian, who is a very deserving Power Player Award Winner.
Mountain Biking Jim Cox The 2008 APS Power Player award winner for the sport of Mountain Biking is Jim Cox. Jim has always demonstrated a positive attitude, good sportsmanship and a genuine respect for others. He enjoys competing and has entered the squash, badminton & mountain biking events in both the Winter & Summer Grand canyon State Games. Jim is from England now living & working in the Phoenix area. Jim is a true gentleman and is always encouraging other competitors.
Outdoor Sand Volleyball Andy Parker The APS Power Player Winner in the Outdoor Sand Volleyball Winter Games is Andy Parker. Andy exhibited great sportsmanship while being an intense competitor. He is a self-proclaimed volleyball god, yet is very respectful of other competitors and officials. Andy has a fun and outgoing approach to the game, which helps everyone have a positive and enjoyable experience.
Rock Climbing Stephanie Larrabee The Power Player Award for the Sport of Rock Climbing goes to Stephanie Larrabee of AZ on the Rocks. Stephanie is one of the most trustworthy people we have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. It is people like Stephanie that allow for companies to be successful. Stephanie possesses the greatest qualities anyone can possess: pride in what she does, integrity and character. She goes above and beyond what is asked (if it even needs to be asked, which it usually doesn’t) and always sees her projects through.
Shooting Sean McMullin The APS Power Player Award for smallbore rifle Shooting goes to Sean McMullin. Sean is 12 years old and is in 7th grade at Gilbert Junior High School . He regularly earns honors grades at school, and actively is a leader on the football and track teams. He often helps others and always has a great attitude. We are very proud to offer this award to Sean.
Skiing Kegan Boyer The APS Power Play Award for Skiing goes to an outstanding athlete who shows remarkable character not only on course as an athlete, but in his daily life. Over the past two days of the GCSG competition we as coaches have observed this athlete show a great deal of respect and kindness towards his opponents, fellow team members, and coaches. Always helping those in need, and lending a hand without a complaint is what makes this years APS Power Play Award winner an all around good kid! This athlete is an amazing racer, and an upstanding citizen, and we are proud to have him be apart of team FAST. That is why this years APS Power Play Award goes to KEGAN BOYER!
Soccer, Adult Victoria Thomas Victoria Thomas is an example of someone willing to do whatever necessary to help the Grand Canyon Games and its participants. As a soccer volunteer, she became aware that the coed bracket only had 2 teams. The thought of having to inform these 2 teams of a cancellation posed a difficult situation for the organization. She organized a team at the last minute that could compete in that division. In Coed however you need a minimum of 5 ladies to complete the team. Faced with this situation she decided to go to the store and buy new clits and try playing after not playing for over 20 years. Victoria played 2 games and was on the field for the entire game with no substitutions. Victoria is the perfect example of the spirit of the APS power Player award.
Soccer, Youth Hector & Edmundo The APS Power Player award winner are Hector Gutierez & Edmundo Hernandez. Both coaches are well liked and highly respected by parents & players and officials. They are good role models and set solid examples for their players. Perfect examples of the six pillars of character.
Squash Dan Huebner The 2008 the APS Power Player award winner in Squash is Dan Huebner. Dan was selected for his great attitude and sportsmanship. Dan won Silver last year in the C division but rather than play that division again he elected to move up and see how he would cope. He lost all his matches but rather than being disillusioned about his lost he ploughed saying "Now I know how much more work I have to do, better start working. Throughout the whole time Dan just had a great big smile on his face, just like in the photo.
Table Tennis Joe Pierotti Joe Pierotti, a top level Arizona table tennis player, plays at many tournaments in the Phoenix area as well as in Las Vegas. Joe works at his "real" job for more hours than most humans can, yet after all that stress, Joe manages to be the most polite good natured player in the tournaments. Whether he wins or loses, Joe never gets discouraged and is always the king of good sportsmanship.
Taekwondo Jason Scissons The 2008 APS Power Player award winner for Taekwondo is Jason Scissons from Prescott AZ. Jason started in Taekwondo at age 13 and has moved up in Belts very rapidly. Jason is very competitive but treats all athletes and officials with respect & dignity. He is continually encouraging young competitors in the sport. Jason is a great example and ambassador for the sport of Taekwondo.
Tennis Vlad Mihai The 2008 APS Power player for the Winter Games Tennis event is Vlad Mihai from Rumania . Vlad is not only a powerful young player but a very humble young man. He is respectful of other players and officials and rarely questions line calls on court. He is a good example to other tennis players, by exhibiting good sportsmanship and competitive fair play. Vlad exhibits many of the 6 pillars of character.
Track Neil Saling The 2008 Adult Track APS Power Player Award Winner is Mr. Neil Saling. Neil is a senior field event competitor in the Discuss and Shot Put for over 60 years. Neil is well respected in the Track & Field community for his competitive nature and pleasant personality. Neil is a Retired Army Colonel and spends his summers in Oregon . Neil is a great role model to young Track & Field athletes.
Wiffleball Alexis and father AP Sandoval Wiffle Ball Winter Games 2008 has awarded the APS Power Player(s) Award to Alexis and father AP Sandoval as they teamed up to be a Power Family. Alexis was the only player under 18 in this tournament –she is 12 years old. That didn’t stop father AP from batting the 12 year-old Isaac Middle School 7th grader in the lead-off spot. Most opposing teams say the young 12 year as a non-threat until her first plate appear in each game. Alexis pitched as well as hit and had more drives off the fence than most players in the tournament. Her attitude and enthusiasm was infectious and was complete team player.
Wrestling Hoover family The 2008 Wrestling event APS Power Player Award winners are the Hoovers that started wrestling as a family about nine years ago. When Michael & Ryan started wrestling Mr. Hoover initially stayed on the sidelines as a coach. Then Mr. Hoover began wrestling in the Open Division tournaments and then go out and coach Michael and Ryan in their matches. Then three years ago Mr. Hoover and his sons entered their first Grand Canyon State Games in which they all competed in the Open division. They were all very excited about it because it was the first time that they were all in the same division, especially as the State Games had always been the premier wrestling tournament in the state. More than anything else the Hoovers have enjoyed the closeness that they have shared and the friendships that they have developed while competing in wrestling. Michael and Ryan still try to stay active at the high school by working with the high school team and youth programs.
Valley of the Sun 1/2 Marathon Zaharis Elementary/1st Marathon Running Club The Zaharis Elementary / 1st Marathon Running Club was chosen as this year's recipient of the Valley of the Sun 1/2 marathon APS Power Player Award. This first time group of 50 kids (aged 6-8 years old) spent 12 weeks training after school to run in the Grand Canyon State Games Half Marathon Kid's Mile Race. Two times per week the kids would spend an hour after school learning aspects of Health in Fintess in a fun group atmosphere - while increasing their ability to run 1 mile in preparation of their upcoming Race. Parents, Staff and over 1,000 participants were in attendance to watch theses kids run their last mile across the Half Marathon Finish line. Each Child displayed the 6 pillars of Character and what it takes to be selected as the recipient of this year's APS Power Player Award.