DENVER, CO (May 31, 2026) – For the first time in history, the Positive Athlete organization is recognizing local high school athletes from across Nebraska as high-character students who have been nominated and confirmed by their schools as the most representative of how Positive Athletes O.P.E.R.A.T.E.:
• Optimistic• Puts Team First• Encouraging• Respectful• Admits Imperfections• True Heart for Others• Embraces Service
This year, Positive Athlete is naming seven Nebraska high school student-athletes as the “Most Positive” male and female athletes across the state, while also recognizing one coach and one athletic trainer as “Most Positive” in their respective categories. The seven awards reflect the seven attributes listed above.
Nominations were submitted statewide by coaches, athletic directors, athletic trainers, principals, teachers, guidance counselors, and parents, representing both public and private high schools across a wide variety of sports.
The Nebraska awards are part of the national expansion of Positive Athlete, which was created by sports industry veteran Scott Pederson in the early 2010s as a movement to promote positivity in youth sports. In addition to excellence on the field, each nominated Positive Athlete was required to demonstrate the characteristics listed above.
2025-26 Nebraska State Award Winners
Student-Athletes
Allison Dill — Fort Calhoun High School (Fort Calhoun)
Cole Tomlinson — North Platte High School (North Platte)• Favio Rivero — Scotus Central Catholic High School (Columbus)
Gianna Hike — Cornerstone Christian School (Bellevue)
Katelyn Walker — Morrill Jr./Sr. High School (Morrill)
Kevin Sanchez-Barrios — Grand Island Senior High School (Grand Island)
Noah Troxel — Southern High School (Wymore)
Athletic Trainer
Amber Burson — Lexington High School (Lexington)
Coach
Angie Peck — Winside Public School (Winside)
CONTACTBrady Kellogg303-775-9599 | bkellogg@positiveathlete.org
Nominations will reopen this fall for the next school year. Positive Athlete is currently accepting pre-nominations at www.PositiveAthlete.org, which will trigger an automatic reminder when nominations reopen.