Seton awarded for athletic excellence
Other Catholic schools, students honored too

By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
June 7, 2007

Seton Catholic High School finished its athletic season with four state team championships and one individual state championship. These accomplishments helped vault the Chandler school to the forefront in earning another statewide award.

Seton was recognized among 3A schools for overall excellence in its athletic performance and commitment to “Pursuing Victory with Honor” during the May 19 Arizona Interscholastic Association’s annual “Everyday Heroes” awards program.

The organization also presented awards to winners in 13 other categories at the Orpheum Theatre. Two other Catholic school students in the diocese and a social justice class in the Tucson Diocese were among the finalists.

The event honored high school students and their leaders for displaying a strong sense of character, sportsmanship, interscholastic achievement and community involvement.

This marks the fourth out of the last five years that the AIA recognized Seton for overall excellence.

“It’s a real tribute to our kids and our coaches for their hard work, both on and off the court,” said Rick Miles, Seton’s athletic director.

The overall excellence award was based on a point system consisting of the number of state and regional championship titles each school earned.

“All four of our state champions were repeat champions from last year,” Miles said. Although the football team was not one of them, Miles singled out the football season as being particularly noteworthy due to its perfect record in regular season play.

The AIA overall excellence award also factored in game management, sportsmanlike conduct and activity participation. Conduct refers to upholding the organization’s “Pursuing Victory with Honor” philosophy. This requires demonstrating trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship on and off the field.

“It’s part of what we are as far as a Catholic school,” Miles said. Coaches teach the Sentinels to cheer for their own team and not against opponents, he added.

Miles said the athletes also pray for both teams before every contest.

Erika Frantzve, a recent graduate of Notre Dame Preparatory in Scottsdale, incorporates prayer into school athletics as well. The four-year varsity basketball captain and varsity volleyball player said she routinely sought a quiet, solitary place to pray before games for protection from injury and to make smart decisions.

Frantzve was a finalist for the AIA Student of the Year award for her community activities and sportsmanship.

“I know what it’s like to be down,” admitted Frantzve, who broke both of her ankles in basketball. She often found herself advising teammates to relax when they were caught up in the emotions of the game and sometimes perked them up with pep talks.

Frantzve said even though they weren’t champions, opponents often noticed their positive traits and passion for the game. This helped her promote good sportsmanship.

“We became good friends with the other team because they would see how close we are,” she said.

A.J. Toops, a graduating senior at Brophy College Preparatory, was a finalist for the AIA male Student of the Year award. He worked with the Phoenix Rescue Mission for many years and often involved the students and faculty. He once used a scrimmage football game as a chance to collect water bottles for the homeless.