Schools

UPDATED: Winkler Earns State Player of the Year Honor From ESPN, Gatorade

The Lincoln-Way East quarterback was chosen for his stellar play on the field, as well as his academic and personal achievements off of it.

Blake Winkler's a talented quarterback.

High school football fans around the Southland knew it,  opponents knew it, and Patch Sports Editor Ron Kremer certainly knew it ().

Now, the rest of the country is privy to that fact.

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Winkler was named the Illinois Player of the Year as part of the Gatorade State Player of the Year program Thursday. A selection team from ESPNHS chose winners based on "athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character," according to the sports website.

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Here's a look at some of what Winkler accomplished this season:

  • 131-of-213 passes (62 percent) for 2,369 yards.
  • 6-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (30-5).
  • He led the Griffins to 10 consecutive victories, the second round of the Class 7A playoffs and the Southwest Suburban Blue Conference championship.

And that's just his on-field achievements. Winkler also has a weighted 4.11 GPA and is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Pi Sigma Pi history honor society and Mu Alpha Theta mathematics society.

"You join an elite company of people," Nancy Laroche, manager of Gatorade's sports and event marketing, told Winkler during an announcement ceremony Thursday at L-W East in front of his parents, brothers, teammates and coaches.

Winkler joins a list of Gatorade's football Player of the Year Award winners headed by Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and former Cowboys/Cardinals star Emmitt Smith.

"He's one of those once-in-a-lifetime kids that you have an opportunity to coach," Lincoln-Way East's Rob Zvonar said.

"He embodies what a Lincoln-Way East student athlete should be," principal Scott Tinley said.

Winkler thanked his teammates and coaches.

"You guys are awesome," he said. "(This award) wouldn't be possible without all of you. I accept it on behalf of everyone here. Thanks for making it possible."

 


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