POLL: Vote for Northfield Patch's Athlete of the Year

Who deserves to be recognized as Northfield Patch's Athlete of the Year?

During the past week, readers have submitted names of folks they feel deserve the honor. We received seven nominations, which you'll find in the attached poll. Below, you'll find answers to two questions about each nominee from those who nominated them. We did not change the answers at all. What was submitted to us is what you see.

You can vote once a day. We will accept votes until 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Feel free to comment at the bottom about why you voted the way you did. Whomever receives the most votes is Northfield Patch's Athlete of the Year and will have a story written about his or her efforts.

This story is one way for us to highlight all the great talent in Northfield. The person selected could be the star player or leader of the team, someone who puts in the most effort but doesn't necessarily get the notoriety or could be the "sixth man" of the team.

The person (or cast or team) selected isn't receiving an award or gift certificate or anything to that nature—just a little recognition.

Here are the questions:

1. Why should he or she be our athlete of the year?

2. What team(s) does he or she play on? 

Dan Casper

1. Dan is a longtime Northfield resident and . This past year he was the U.S. Master Track Cycling Omnium Champion and also became the World Cycling Masters 45-49 3k pursuit champion.
2. Cyclist

The cast of West Side Story

1. Because theater demands strength, endurance, skill, and grace, just like any sport. Because . Because the arts should get just as much recognition as sports, but seldom do.  
2. West Side Story

Matt Cochlin

1. He is an outstanding leader. He was captain of the NHS Bowling team this year, was voted as MVP by his teammates, and does everything he can to make everyone feel included. He supports every player from the newest to the most experienced, never forgetting that he was new once too.
2. NHS Bowling

Doug Morris

1. Doug has distinguished himself on the and on the softball diamond with his prolific hitting, solid fielding and passion for the game. This past summer, during Defeat of Jesse James Days contest, he had spectators on their feet with an amazing moon shot that ended as a mammoth homerun. His hitting power is legendary in vintage circles. He also uses his bat on the church softball diamond where he helped lead his team to the post-season title contributing clutch hits and the occasional home run. He is a dedicated teammate and known as the "Admiral."  He would be deserving of this honor.   
2. Northfield Silver Stars Vintage Base Ball Team and UCC Fighting Apostles Church Team

Northfield High School girls soccer team

1. For their record-breaking fundraising efforts this year with Lace for a Cure -- raising over $10,000 for breast cancer research
2. While their efforts on the , what they accomplished through the Lace for a Cure is even more important and speaks to what high school athletics is all about.

David Rosenthal

1. First team All-America, First-team all-region, MIAC men's soccer player of the year, All-MIAC.
2. Soccer

Aaron Stets

1. Aaron is a . For the last two falls while starring for , he has pulled double duty as a . This year, when soccer was over, he practiced for a week as a wide receiver and we used him in a playoff game because of his great speed and natural ability. His quickness and athleticism jump out at you on the basketball court as well. He is willing to work hard at all of his sports, is an excellent student and a great teammate. (I have not seen him , but I would assume he is very good there too.)
2. Soccer, football, basketball and tennis

Marla Thomforde

1. Set , , and dominates at rebounding for the . Plus, an all-around great student and person!
2. Swimming and basketball