BLOOMINGTON – Kaia Sueker, a senior at Marshall, was one of six Minnesota high school scholar athletes to receive a Triple-Impact Competitor® scholarship from Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) – Minnesota. Sueker, a four-sport athlete for the Tigers, accepted her scholarship at a reception and dinner held for the six recipients back on Nov. 26, 2018 at the Muse Event Center in Minneapolis.

Triple-Impact Competitor® Scholarships are awarded to senior athletes based on their essays explaining how they meet three criteria: personal mastery (making oneself better), leadership (making one’s teammates better), and honoring the game (making the game better). Recipients must have a grade point average of at least 2.5, and must provide testimonials from a school administrator, a coach, and at least one from an individual who is familiar with the student-athlete and able to speak to his/her embodiment of the Triple-Impact Competitor principles.

“We learned a great deal about Ms. Sueker’s character while reviewing her essay responses”, said Troy Pearson, Executive Director of PCA’s Minnesota chapter. “But the information we learned from reference letters (coaches, school administrators, and teammates) made it evident that she is exactly what we look for in our scholarship recipients – an outstanding student athlete who’s learned valuable life lessons through the youth sports experience.”

Sueker believes that maintaining a healthy balance in life helps her become not only a better athlete, but a better person. She balances her busy athletic schedule – playing volleyball, basketball, and running both cross-country and track – with music (violin and percussion) and service. Sueker took part in a mission trip to Haiti this past year. “By helping others, I gained just as much through the experience as the Haitians did. Having balance between my sports and other interests helps me to keep everything in perspective in my life,” noted Sueker.

Current high school juniors (class of 2020) can apply for a Triple-Impact Competitor® Scholarship until May 31. Applications and more information can be found at www.positivecoach.org/our-awards/triple-impact-competitor-scholarships/.

Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit working to develop “Better Athletes, Better People” by partnering with youth and high school athletic programs to provide young athletes with a positive, character-building youth sports experience.

Content courtesy

of Deborah Secrest/

PCA Minnesota