In The News. . .
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Pioneer Laker 5/4/19
Local foundation announces athlete honors The 2019 recipients of the “#60 Leadership Jersey Award” by the Jake Anderson “Give 60 for #60” Foundation were announced this week at Orono High School. Katherine Gilster and Fisher Eiss, both seniors on the Orono Women’s and Men’s Varsity Lacrosse teams, received the award at their respective teams’ 2019 season home opener. The award, given annually, recognizes outstanding leadership, both and off the field, and celebrates the memory of 2013 Orono graduate, Jake Anderson. The Foundation was created by the Anderson family to keep Jake’s memory alive and as a way to encourage student-athletes to embrace the values he embodied as a student leader. Jake was a varsity lacrosse goalie for the Orono Spartans and wore jersey #60, and he was the first player to receive the team leadership award when he was on the team. Rather than retiring his jersey after he died in 2014, team coaches and players decided to carry on the tradition as the #60 Award, knowing Jake would have preferred to share that distinction with other players. The #60 jersey has been pulled from the Orono lineup and reserved as the highest honor awarded to a varsity member of the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. “Every year it becomes more difficult for us to single out just one deserving player on the men’s and women’s team for this award. There are so many Orono athletes who have made Jake’s values their own, and they consistently demonstrate their dedication to practicing these values within their school, team, and community—on game day and every day,” Kristi Anderson, Jake’s mother, who, along with her husband Bill, started the foundation said. Len Riley, head coach of the Orono Men’s Lacrosse team summed up what made 2018 honoree, Fisher Eiss, again the choice for the award in 2019. “Fisher is one of the most positive, supportive players I have ever had the opportunity to coach,” Riley said. “He is the epitome of a leader in every aspect of life, and he possesses almost identical qualities to Jake, which is the most beautiful thing in such a tough environment that is high school sports. I have been blessed with some of the greatest 60’s in my coaching career, and I know Jake is looking down smiling watching Fisher carrying on the tradition so perfectly.” Hannah Dickman, in her first year as head coach of the Orono Women’s Lacrosse team, said the recognition ceremony during halftime of the first game of the season was a special moment for both the players and the coaching staff. “The number 60 carries a lot of pride and honor on our team, knowing that there are only two number 60s amongst all Orono lacrosse programs and that wearing it must be earned. There is no one more deserving on our 2019 team than Katherine to wear #60, which was exemplified through and through in last night’s game. Not only did Katherine show her leadership on the field as a player, but she was also a constant leader off the field, even being the last player on the field picking up balls at the end of the game. We look forward to upholding the meaning behind the #60 jersey and will continue to wear it with pride and dignity,” she said. Coaches also award a #60 sticker, to be worn on a helmet or stick, to players who model outstanding leadership, kindness and a dedication to service for all athletes in the program. Give 60 for #60 is a non-profit foundation created to celebrate the life of Jake Anderson and recognize student-athletes in Minnesota who live and embody the core values of sportsmanship, service to the greater community, leadership, and kindness. Jake, who wore jersey #60 as the goalie for the Orono Spartan Men’s Lacrosse team, was an outstanding leader and role model on the lacrosse field, the football field, and in his community. The Give 60 for #60 initiative is committed to providing programs and annual events designed to engage and inspire athletes to embrace these core values, both on and off the field of play. For more information, visit www.give60for60.org. |
Theresa Thomas and Isaac Loosbrock Awarded the Give 60 For #60 Grant Award
Congrats to our winners and finalists alike. Check out the Give 60 For #60 Facebook page for more info on Theresa and Isaac.
Isaac Loosbrock from Chaska High School is our male winner for the Give 60 Grant Award. The connection between generations fuels Isaac’s love for lacrosse: “I like setting a good example for younger kids in a growing sport.” Isaac’s favorite way to give back to his community is participating in Christmas In May, a charity event where volunteers make repairs on houses for those unable to perform them themselves. “I love seeing the looks on their faces when the houses are revamped, and when I drive by I remember the impact I’ve made on their lives.”
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Theresa Thomas, a student at Tartan High School, embodies the values of Give 60 For #60 through her team leadership and many community service endeavors. While maintaining a 4.39 GPA, Theresa volunteers at her local homeless shelter, working with families that cannot meet their needs. “Working with the families [at the shelter] allows me to learn more about them and their situations,” she says. “It hits close to home.”
After high school, Theresa will be attending college at the University of San Diego. In her free time, she enjoys reading and crocheting. |

Give 60 For #60 Grant Award Finalists Announced!
Boys:
Jared Willemsen, Monticello High School
Isaac Loosbrock, Chaska High School
Girls:
Katie Moynihan, Apple Valley High School
Theresa Thomas, Tartan High School
Madeleine Busch, St. Michael-Albertville High School
Emily Ruhland, St. Michael-Albertville High School
Talia Sherry, Eastview High School
Olivia Hultgren, Becker High School
Kylie Christensen, Robbinsdale Cooper High School
For more information on the finalists, check out our Facebook page for daily updates on each player!
Boys:
Jared Willemsen, Monticello High School
Isaac Loosbrock, Chaska High School
Girls:
Katie Moynihan, Apple Valley High School
Theresa Thomas, Tartan High School
Madeleine Busch, St. Michael-Albertville High School
Emily Ruhland, St. Michael-Albertville High School
Talia Sherry, Eastview High School
Olivia Hultgren, Becker High School
Kylie Christensen, Robbinsdale Cooper High School
For more information on the finalists, check out our Facebook page for daily updates on each player!
Mr. and Ms. Lacrosse and Jake Anderson Award Finalists Announced!
Click the link to see the candidates vying to be named the state's top senior boy's and girl's lacrosse players:
Click the link to see the candidates vying to be named the state's top senior boy's and girl's lacrosse players:
Jander Classic Rescheduled
The second annual golf classic has been rescheduled for August 12th. For more information, visit janderclassic.com.
The second annual golf classic has been rescheduled for August 12th. For more information, visit janderclassic.com.