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For the 39th year, M&T Bank, in conjunction with PennLive and the Harrisburg Lions Club, has been honoring central Pa.s top student-athletes with the John Travers Award.

The 2020 finalists have all excelled as athletes, students, and voices in their communities. Today, we shine a spotlight on the 5 female finalists.

Winners will be announced next month along with the A.I. Garner Outstanding Coach Award winner. The Travers Award is named for the late executive sports editor of The Patriot-News.

Gabriella Recce, Central Dauphin

Gabriella Recce Central Dauphin track and field during media day on February 28, 2019.Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.comPENNLIVE.COM

Varsity sports: Track and Field (4 letters), Indoor Track (3 letters), Golf (4 letters), Cheerleading (1 letter), Swimming (1 letter)

College choice: University of Virginia

Finalists voice: I chose to pursue engineering as my career, because engineers can change the way we live in the world. Whether eradicating cancer and other debilitating diseases, improving our health with stem cell therapies, cleaning the environment with sustainable approaches or creating novel transportation methods, engineers are trained to solve problems and generate new solutions. My passion for this career comes from my dedication to my academic journey, my learning as a multi-event athlete and the support and encouragement of my family.

Describe yourself in one word: Positive

Gabriella Recce of Central Dauphin competes in the girls 3A long jump during the District 3 Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University on May 18, 2019.Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Accomplishments: Theres no question Recce was aligned for a terrific final season in track and field. Earning three PIAA medals in the pole vault, long jump and triple jump at last years PIAA Championship meet, Recce was poised to add a few more records to her already glowing career. Shes earned a dozen top finishes during Mid-Penn and District 3 competitions. Plus, she qualified and competed at the prestigious Penn Relays, New Balance Outdoor and Indoor National competitions along the way. Recce was coming off an outstanding Indoor season when the spring sports calendar was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reece, also an accomplished golfer, helped the Rams golf team win a District 3 title in 2017. Vice-President of CDs National Honors Society, Recce also served as Editor of the Key Club and volunteered with PAWS, LPGA Girls Golf of Harrisburg, the Four Diamonds Club and PanRam Field Day for special needs students. In addition, the senior won a national gold medal in scholastic art and writing (2016) and was part of Hershey Medical Centers PULSE Program.

Katie Sajer, Trinity

Katie Sajer (20) of Trinity girls basketball during Mid-Penn basketball media day on Nov. 14, 2019.Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Varsity sports: Volleyball (4 letters), Basketball (4 letters), Lacrosse (4 letters)

College choice: University of Notre Dame

Finalists voice: The ROTC program offers chances to earn skill sets and exposure otherwise unavailable to civilians. These skills will be necessary to ensure the lives and safety of my team. By using my athleticism in this regard, I will be able to give back to the country that has made me into the person I am today, and fight for the people who came before me. I will be able to make a larger impact through this use of my athleticism than anything I would be able to do on the athletic field or court.

Describe yourself in one word: Hard-working

Trinity's Katie Sajer drives past a Central Dauphin defender during Central Dauphins 55-42 win over Trinity in the Mid-Penn girls basketball championship, February 13, 2020.Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Accomplishments: Among the most versatile athletes in the Mid-Penn Conference, Sajer captained a pair of Trinity sports programs and is a two-time All-State pick in volleyball. In fact, Sajer was a 2019 nominee for the Under Armour High School All-American volleyball team. Awarded a national four-year Army ROTC Scholarship at Notre Dame, Duke University, the University of Delaware and Bucknell University, Sajer opted to focus on physical, mental and leadership training in South Bend. Sajer has worked as marketing intern for Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, developing a campaign that has raised approximately $145,000 to support servicemen and women in Pa. Sajer, a member of Trinitys French Foreign Language Honors Society, also served as a property manager in her family business, and worked as a school mentor and activities leader.

Gery Schnarrs, East Pennsboro

Gery Schnarrs of East Pennsboro field hockey during high school football media day on July 31, 2019.Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Varsity sports: Field Hockey (4 letters), Track and Field (2 letters)

College choice: University of Virginia

Finalists voice: I would tell young athletes to stay at it. Obviously, you are going to face a lot of obstacles. You are going to think a lot of times that, maybe if you dont make a team, you should move on to something different? I think its important to stay at it and keep following what you want to do. I think thats how you succeed. If you want to do it, then I think thats where youre going to put most of your effort.

Describe yourself in one word: Determined

Gery Schnarrs, East Pennsboro M/D (Univ. of Virginia). The Mid-Penn is overflowing with field hockey players who will take their talents to the next level. Oct. 24, 2019. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Accomplishments: Ever since the Virginia recruit broke onto the field hockey scene, scoring 10 goals with 12 assists as a freshman, Schnarrs has impacted the Mid-Penn Conference and beyond. A current member of USA Womens National Indoor Development team, Schnarrs capped her brilliant run with a spot on Max Field Hockeys HS All-American team. She holds East Pennsboro career mark with 198 points and earned multiple All-State appointments. The Panthers won four straight division titles, and four trips to states, with No. 37 digging in. A Scholar of Distinction on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Academic team, Schnarrs has served as treasurer for three different school programs, including that National Honors Society. A Girl Scouts Gold Award winner through her Get in the Game initiative. Schnarrs also won a Silver Presidential Volunteer Service Award last year and coordinated multiple service drives like Purses for a Purpose for the homeless and a bedding rive for the Speranza Animal Shelter. Shes also volunteered with the Bethesda Mission Womens Shelter, Salvation Army and more.

Marlee Starliper, Northern

Northern's Marlee Starliper shows off her NC State gear Sunday after committing to the Wolfpack.

Varsity sports: Cross Country (4 letters), Track and Field (4 letters), Indoor Track (4 letters)

College choice: North Carolina State

Finalists voice: I aspire to run professionally after college with the hope of having a long career in which I can pursue qualifying for several Olympic teams. Another aspect of y athletic goals is to continue enjoying the sport, have fun discovering more of my capabilities, and be a positive impact within the running community and beyond.

Describe yourself in one word: Passionate

Northern's Marlee Starliper trails Greencastle's Taryn Parks in the AAA 1600 meter run during day 2 of the 2019 PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University. May 25, 2019 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.comPENNLIVE.COM

Accomplishments: Starlipers resume is overflowing with state and national records, including three consecutive PIAA cross country titles. She was runner-up as a freshman. Pa.s Gatorade Cross County Player of the Year three times, Starliper also twice claimed Foot Locker Northeast regional titles and was runner-up at Foot Locker Nationals in the fall. She now holds the states all-time mark. On the track, Starliper is a four-time state champion and her mile (4:37) and 3k (9:07) standards rank No. 1 nationally. Invited to the Reykjavik Games in Iceland by the National Scholastic Athletic Foundation, Starliper finished third in the 800. Shes also competed for USATF in the Pan-American Games in Costa Rica, becoming a U20 national champion. An active member of the World Harvest Outreach Church in Chambersburg, Starliper has participated in Direct Call, a student-led Christian group at Northern, volunteered as a Special Olympics buddy and served a regular speaker to middle school cross country and tracks teams about nutrition. Recently, Starliper signed to write and illustrate a childrens book in Spanish.

Maddie Zimmer, Hershey

Maddie Zimmer, Hershey MF (Northwestern). The Mid-Penn is overflowing with field hockey players who will take their talents to the next level. Oct. 24, 2019. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Varsity sports: Field Hockey (4 letters), Lacrosse (3 letters)

College choice: Northwestern University

Finalists voice: This winter Ive actually been helping to coach at multiple field hockey clubs. I never thought I would like it, but I actually really like coaching the little girls. I didnt think I had the patience for it, but they improved so much and its so rewarding to see how excited they are. Thats how I was when I was their age. All I wanted to do was play field hockey and its so exciting to be a part of their journey. Its so rewarding and fun to watch.

Describe yourself in one word: Dedicated

Hershey's Maddie Zimmer brings the ball down field against Lower Dauphin in their high school field hockey game at Hershey. Sept. 11, 2019.Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Accomplishments: As one of the nations top field hockey players in her class, Zimmer is a four-time All-State pick and high school All-American in her final two seasons. The midfielder also led the Trojans to the PIAA Class 3A title in 2018. She also earned US Lacrosse All-American honors as a junior. Continuing to rehab an ACL tear she suffered in November, Zimmer is planning to compete for the U21 U.S. National Field Hockey Team against Ireland in June. Her first cap came against Canada last summer. After Ireland will be the Junior Pan American Games in Chile, an official qualifier for the 21 Junior World Cup. Continuing to make an impact in her community, Zimmer has coached youth field hockey and lacrosse programs, donated her time to Purses full of Hope, raised funds for the Walk for Clean Water Organization and co-chaired the Herren Project, a non-profit that supports families with addiction and prevention of substance abuse.

2020 Travers Award female nominees

Follow Eric Epler on Twitter -- @threejacker

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Originally posted here:
Meet the 5 female finalists for the 2020 M&T Bank John Travers Award - PennLive

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