By Ella Franzman – Editor-In-Chief 

Seniors Tanner Matchett and Caden Simpson were named January’s Student-Athletes of the Month. 

Matchett and Simpson are both captains of their winter sports teams – basketball and indoor track, respectively.

“I believe to become Athlete of the Month requires leadership, hard work, and determination,” Simpson said. “I believe I was nominated for Athlete of the Month because I have been working hard all season and the training I’ve had in practice has been paying off.”

Simpson, who was also a captain of the volleyball team this past fall, is a captain of the girls indoor track team and a member of the girls outdoor track & field team. 

“One of my role models in sports would be (American track and field star) Katie Moon, because I think she demonstrates morals that every athlete should follow,” Simpson said.

Simpson plans to attend Monmouth University in the fall where she will be a member of the cross country and track team. She said she is proud to be January’s Athlete of the Month.

“I am grateful to be recognized as Athlete of the Month because it gives me more motivation to do better in my sport, and I’m just happy to be recognized and be appreciated,” Simpson said. 

Simpson, who recently re-broke her school record in the 55 meter hurdles, has also qualified for the Nike Indoor Nationals. 

Matchett, who was also a captain of the boys cross country team this past fall, is a captain of the boys basketball team. 

“Pretty simply put, Tanner is one of the most selfless athletes we have here at Jonathan Law and is constantly putting his teammates before himself,” Assistant Coach Mr. McPartland said. “He has had a stretch of a few games where he has put some points on the board for us as a team and he stays on top of his work in the classroom.”

Matchett said he’s honored to be recognized as there are so many talented winter athletes. 

“Some qualities that fit an Athlete of the Month are being dedicated to doing what you love, and setting a good example for others,” Matchett said.

Matchett’s older brother plays college basketball and said that as a younger brother he always looked up to him. He plans on playing club sports in college next year.

“In the future I plan on trying to play sports but for a club team at whatever university I attend,” Matchett said. “I love sports so much it would be hard to stay away from it.”