Athena Award is Park Center family affair

Park Center's Megan VanHulzen followed her mother and older sister by playing high school volleyball, basketball and softball.

She emulated their leadership and commitment outside of sports as well. As a result, she received the Athena Award, given by metro area schools to their outstanding senior female student-athlete. She is her family's third recipient. Her mother, Kay (nee Peterson) won as a senior at Fridley in 1982. Older sister Amy earned the award at Park Center in 2009.

Megan VanHulzen learned of her mother's award about the time Amy won. Influenced by their approach to being good athletes and better people, VanHulzen set out to carry herself in a similar manner. Doing so enables her to honor her mother, who died in 2010 of colon cancer.

VanHulzen, who is helping the Pirates pursue a third consecutive softball state championship, spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about what it means to win the Athena Award.

Q Did the Athena Award mean a little something more to you because of your family history with the award?

A It was definitely a bigger deal to me just because I knew how big it was. I felt a lot of pressure from that. But I went out there and played my sports and tried not to worry about it.

Q When you found out you won, what did it mean to know you were continuing this tradition in your family?

Q Did your mother or sister ever talk specifically about winning the award or did they talk more generally about carrying yourself in a positive manner?

A My mom was not a bragger, so she never made a big deal about winning the award. I don't think I even found out that she had won until about the time Amy won hers. She always taught me to handle myself well and to be a good example to the younger girls.

Q What are other things on your student-athlete résumé that led to you getting this award?

A I was in sophomore class cabinet. My junior year I was in junior class cabinet and I was also part of the yearbook staff. This year I was in senior class cabinet and I was also yearbook editor. I was also in Asian club.

Q What is class cabinet?

Q What is Asian club all about?

A I have a lot of Asian friends and they invited me one day. They do activities and make projects that reflect their culture. It's opened my eyes a lot.

Q Your softball coach, Steve Ericson, said you're part of a great senior class that's help set the pace in softball and other sports. How much do they have a part of this?

A They are all wonderful people who work hard. I'm surrounded by great teammates, girls who are great people who are fun to be with.