Licht, Macias named 2022 Freddie Steinmark Award recipients
The Colorado High School Coaches Association announced the winners of the annual Freddie Steinmark High School Athlete of the Year awards on Thursday.
Kent Denver’s Amanda Licht won the girls award and Regis Jesuit’s Dallas Macias won the boys award.
A three-sport athlete, Licht played sports for both Kent Denver and Cherry Creek. With the latter, she was an all-state softball player and was named Centennial League Player of the year after batting .517 with eight home runs this past fall. On the hardwood with Kent Denver, Licht is a four-time all-league award winner as well as an all-state player while leading the Sun Devils with 16.7 points per game. This spring, Licht was a captain of the Kent Denver track and field team, placing second in the state in the shot put and fourth in the discus.
“I’ve had the privilege of being chosen a team captain in all three of my sports,” Licht told the CHSCA. “Being a leader is more than the title; it is about influencing teammates and younger athletes how to perform at a high level, all while setting a good example for what it means to be part of the team. Comradery among fellow athletes is not just important on the field, court, or track but in all aspects of life.”
Cherry Creek softball coach Pablo Severtson added, “She makes us all better players. She has that special quality about her that brings people together.”
Also a standout in the classroom, Licht will play softball at the University of Wisconsin next year.
At Regis Jesuit, Macias led the Raiders’ football team and was third in the state with 121 tackles. A three-time all-league and an all-state football player, he also scored receiving, interception return and punt return touchdowns. A preseason All-American on the baseball diamond, Macias (1.628 OPS) led Regis Jesuit to a 23-5 record while batting .522 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs. Macias was also named Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year and is committed to playing at Oregon State University next year, though he is also a top MLB Draft prospect.
“Mr. Steinmark was dedicated to courage and faith, and I believe many great athletes have that in commo,” Macias said in his application letter. “The Freddie Steinmark Award honors a man who put his team before himself and lived his life courageously through his faith. Whatever the future holds for me, I will strive to lead and inspire others, both on and off the field much like Freddie did.”
Macias also has dedicated significant time to serving his community, volunteering at the Winter Bible Sports Camp, the Make a Wish Foundation and Extreme Community Makeover.
“It truly is one of my favorite things I have done these last four years,” Macias told the CHSCA. “It makes you feel so grateful for what you have and it is so rewarding to help others. If you can find time to help others, you should, as you never know when you may need help yourself.”
The Steinmark Award was established in 1972 and honors Freddie Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the 1960s. Student athletes nominated for the award must be seniors who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.0 and participated in at least two varsity sports, having earned at least all-conference in one sport and all-state in another.
Licht is the 50th winner of the girls Steinmark Award, which was first presented in 1974. Macias is the 52nd winner of the boys Steinmark Award, which was established in 1972.
Last year, Grandview’s Addison O’Grady was named the girls Steinmark Award winner and Thomas Jefferson’s and Avery Shunneson was the boys winner.
Ella Johnson (Glenwood Springs), Trista Marx (Limon) and Riley Stewart (Cherry Creek) were finalists for this year’s girls award. Nico Gagliardi (Cheyenne Mountain), Trey Hines (Limon) and Trent Johnson (La Junta) were finalists for the boys award.
