Nathan Zimmerman Named February Student-Athlete of the Month

Nathan Zimmerman, a senior wrestler at Portland High School has been selected as the Portland Beacon and J-Dubb’s Signature Subs Student-Athlete of the month for February 2021.

In his nomination, PHS Wrestling coach Andy Pulling said, “Nathan is a senior athlete (football, wrestling, baseball) who, in the fall was awarded All-State Honorable Mention in Football and more recently was a significant match that allowed the Raider Wrestling Team to beat Eaton Rapids (37-31) for the first time in program history. In his match against Eaton Rapids, Nathan worked hard to establish a 15-7 lead and with :42 seconds left, injured his knee, again. In that injury time out, Nathan was determined to finish; for his teammates, ‘It's for the team’, he said, multiple times. Nathan wrestled on, returning from the injury timeout, battling in the bottom position for the remaining time to establish the win and the needed points to carry the team to victory and to history.”

Pulling went on to say, “Later Nathan would receive news that he again needed surgery on his knee, the same knee he just had surgery on and recovered from in fall during football. This injury may very well end his prep athletic career, but I assure you it will not end those skills and values prep athletics has allowed Nathan to learn and apply in life: commitment, stress management, perseverance, and sheer grit.”

Pulling added, “Beyond athletics, Nathan is a good student and person too. With a cumulative GPA of 3.29 Nathan works well in the classroom but also receives praise from his teachers regarding his ability to help others.”

To be nominated for this award, a student-athlete must attend either Portland High School or St. Patrick School, and be a member of a varsity sports program or school-sponsored athletic club at his/her school. Nominations may be made by a member of their high school coaching staff, athletic director, principal, or a school recognized student government organization at his/her school. Nominations are also accepted from The Portland Beacon contributing writers.

The monthly winner is selected by a panel of Beacon contributors. The winner receives a free sub thanks to our sponsor, J-Dubb’s Signature Subs.

Monthly winners are entered into the student-athlete of the year contest. The winner for the year receives a party platter from J-Dubb’s Signature Subs.

Other talented local athletes receiving nominations for February were:

Marian Pearson - SPS Bowling

Talia Blaschka – PHS Competitive Cheer

Wrestling photo courtesy of Nikki Miller. Football photo courtesy of Jody Watts.