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3/21/07-Hockey
Entenman, Aukskalnis, U of D tops in academics
Hockey Weekly
Shami Entenman of Grosse Pointe South, Tony Aukskalnis of Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep and the University of Detroit Jesuit hockey team were all scoring high in their classrooms during the 2006-07 High School hockey season.
Aukskalnis was declared All-State Academic Player of the Year and U of D All-State Academic Team of the Year by the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association. Entenman was named All State Academic Player of the Year for the girls through the sponsorship of Little Bill's Trophies and Hockey Weekly from players nominated by coaches of the Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League.
The individual awards are for seniors and based on the student athlete's grade-point average over their first seven semesters.
South's senior captain Entenmen was nominated by her coaches Bill Fox and Ed O'Malley.
“In addition to her spectacular academics including an overall grade point average of 4.30, Shami has been repeatedly selected by GPS as the outstanding math and science student, she is a virtuoso pianist who has consistently received #1 ratings at the Michigan State Solo and Ensemble Competitions, equivalent to the state tournament for muscians,” said Fox in his nomination. “Shami will be attending Harvard University in the fall, having been accepted in the Early Action program in December.”
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Aukskalnis' 4.43 GPA narrowly overtook Tony Ross (4.40) of Livonia Churchill, and made back-to-back and third St. Mary's player in four years to win the award.
“Tony's a fantastic kid,” said St. Mary's head coach Brian Klanow. “He came here as a junior and couldn't play until January. This year he was a big impact player for us. He's so well received by everybody at St. Mary's, faculty and teammates alike.”
The boys had 159 individuals reported by coaches as All-State Academic players (up from 115) with a GPA of 3.50 or higher. The number of All-State Academic Teams rose to 41 from 30 last season and U-D was top dog in grades for the second year in a row with a whopping 3.67 team GPA, up from 3.46. Traverse City West followed in second this year with a 3.48 team GPA. Orchard Lake St. Mary's had a team GPA of 3.13 and was an All-State Academic Team for the fifth consecutive year.
To be named an All-State Academic Team, the team GPA must be 3.00 or higher.
There were 21 girls names turned in by the MMGHSHL coaches with a GPA of 3.50 or higher to be placed on the All-State Academic list.
Entenman and Aukskalnis both proved you can excel in athletics and in the classroom.
Entenman also plays softball at South and was a four year hockey player. She intends to continue playing hockey with Harvard's women's junior varsity team.
Juggling sports and studies appear to be something both Entenman and Aukskalnis have learned the fine art of.
“You just have to manage your time well and do your homework right after school and on weekends,” said Entenman, who plans to major in science and continue honing her musical skills.
“I won two state championships in hockey and playing was definitely the best part of high school for me.”
Aukskalnis, who wants to study engineering or law, has narrowed his college choices to Adrian, Trinity in Hartford, and Notre Dame.
“All three schools have hockey and I plan on playing next year no matter where I go,” he said. “The junior route is still open because Trinity and Notre Dame would want me to play juniors first.”
Hockey has been his only sport since he was a Mite and he's never let it get in the way of getting good grades.
“You've got to love doing your absolute best at everything, even if it's just school,” added Aukskalnis. “But I definitely have aspirations of playing more hockey. I will take hockey as far as I can. I had a great time at St. Mary's. It really has changed my life. I excelled in school which is going to get me into a good college and I excelled at hockey, which is going to help further my career.”
The MHSHCA annually gives $500 scholarships for the next college school year to one player in each division with names pulled randomly from those with a 3.50 GPA or higher. The following players were selected: Alexander Davenport of Grosse Pointe North in Division 1, Justin Sterk of Traverse City Central in Division 2, and Brennen Benedict of Goodrich in Division 3.
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