PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles High School graduate Danika Goodwin was among four Peninsula College athletes who were honored for outstanding achievement at Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting and awards ceremony.
Goodwin, who led the Pirates women’s basketball team last year in scoring (12 points), assists (3.4) and free throw shooting (72 percent), was a leader on the court, as well as off the court as a member of the college’s student government.
In addition to winning the Art Feiro Award, she also earned NWAACC All-Academic honors before completing her studies at Peninsula and transferring to BYU Idaho.
Athletic Director Rick Ross shared a story about how she came to Peninsula after starting her college career at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.
She returned to Port Angeles to play for the Pirates where her mother, Tami Goodwin — who was battling cancer — could have an opportunity see her play.
Tami tragically succumbed to cancer on March 14, 2010, shortly after the end of Danika’s first season with Peninsula.
“Basketball helped Danika get through something no college student should have to go through and, in return, her strength and her character helped all of us become better people,” Ross said.
“She had the love and support of friends and family at home and she had basketball and classmates to get her through tough times at school.”
Through all of that, Danika excelled and thus was honored for her achievements at Peninsula.
All four athletes were selected for exemplifying leadership, sportsmanship, citizenship, academic achievement and athletic ability.
Another sophomore, Jeremiah Johnson, of Huntsville, Utah, earned the Art Feiro Award for men’s basketball.
“His service to his teammates, classmates and this community are unequaled in our athletic department,” Ross said.
Johnson, who also served as student body president, was noted for his tremendous work ethic.
He, too, was an NWAACC All-Academic winner, and a “model athlete,” and was instrumental in Peninsula’s journey that culminated in an NWAACC basketball championship.
He will continue his basketball career next fall at New England College in New Hampshire.
The two Wally Sigmar Award winners for men’s and women’s soccer are both freshmen.
Miguel Gonzalez of Yelm was announced as the men’s winner.
His leadership and athletic ability (15 goals, West Region MVP) led the Pirates to their first ever NWAACC soccer championship.
Gonzalez is arguably the most explosive and exciting soccer player in the NWAACC, he’s an excellent student (3.97 GPA), he is unselfish in his play and truly dedicated to his team, Ross said.
Jessica Farrell of Palmer, Alaska, took a leadership role in Peninsula’s first women’s soccer team.
The all-freshman team came out of the blocks strong, placing second in the West Division and earning a trip to the playoffs.
She led the team in goals with five.
Farrell, too, is a very unselfish player, she works hard on and off the field, she is an excellent student (3.65 GPA) and she even helped her coaching staff recruit what promises to be a very talented and deep team for 2011.