Sandra Day O’Connor earned the Director’s Cup, and Maya Komenaka of Arizona College Prep and Mica Mountain's Ben Weinzinger were named the Students of the Year by the Arizona Interscholastic Association Sunday night. 

They received the prestigious awards during the AIA’s Night of Champions Gala at Vista Center for the Arts in Surprise. But several others also were recognized for their achievements during this school year. 

In total, 30 awards were presented, including scholarships and monetary gifts from the Arizona Cardinals, the Better Business Bureau and the AIA. 

“(Playing) sports definitely helped a lot, because it forces you to balance everything and find a way to get everything done,” said Komenaka while talking to the gala’s MC, Mark McClune, the sports director for Arizona’s Family. "But also I had a great support system. My parents, my teachers, my friends, they all helped me balance everything a lot.”

Among her accomplishments, the Arizona College Prep senior accumulated a 3.97 GPA, is a first degree black belt in taekwondo and managed an environmental science social media platform with over 35,000 followers. 

Weinzinger runs his own U.S. Flag Posting business through his high school, serving the community, active military members and veterans. He excelled during Mica Mountain's football championship season and soccer while maintaining a GPA over 4.0.

“Coaches, allow your athletes to do those extracurriculars, because chances are not everybody is going to make a living out of the sport they are doing,” Weinzinger said. “So to be able to diversify what you are doing and get good at everything really makes the future bright for your student."

Weinzinger and Komenaka each also received $5,000 scholarships on behalf of the Arizona Cardinals. 

The Student Athletic Leadership Team (SALT) is an initiative that Sandra Day O’Connor started and helped it land the Director’s Cup, the most distinguished honor presented to a school by the AIA. 

A select group of SALT student-athletes from different sports met once a month to discuss leadership and sportsmanship. Those members also serve as ambassadors by visiting feeder schools. 

The Director’s Cup is given to an AIA member school that best exemplifies and balances competitive excellence, academic achievements and civic responsibility.  

“It (Director’s Cup) means everything,” incoming O’Connor athletic director Greg Carrol said. “I get the honor to stand here tonight to accept it, but it’s really our whole community.”   

Award winners

Leadership in girls athletics 

Jeannine Brandel, Athletic Director Flagstaff High

Student Leadership 

Olivia Michie, Millennium

Zarib Rodriguez, Douglas

Each student received a $1,000 scholarship from the AIA.

Gary Whelchel Officiating

Mark Panepinto, wrestling

Skip Bryant Media 
Loy Engelhardt, the voice of Winslow High

Glen Treadaway Sportsmanship

1A: Duncan High

2A: Gilbert Classical

3A: Holbrook

4A: Cortez

5A: Canyon del Oro

6A: Trevor Browne

School spirit video

Gilbert Christian

Unified Sports Administrator of the Year

William Wright, Estrella Foothills

Unified Sports Coach of the Year

Chad Wiliams, Estrella Foothills

Unified Sports Partner of the Year

Anthony Houston, Westview High

Unified Sports Athlete of the Year

Jaden Phelps, Westview High

Scholar athletes

Girls

1-3A: Tatum Henling, Winslow

4-6A: Charley Enos, Cactus

Boys

1-3A: Joel Martinez, San Simon

4-6A: Case Vanden Bosch, Brophy

Scholar activity

Braylee Jevnick, Xavier College Prep

Chase Senft, Shadow Ridge

BBB Ethical Athlete

Sophia Philippis, Cicero Prep Academy

Zilah Wildblood-Crawford, Northland Prep

Each received a $2,500 scholarship.

Administrator of the Year

Marco Antonio Dominguez of Canyon del Oro received the Administrator of the Year award. Dominguez also received a $2,500 gift by the Arizona Cardinals. 

Coach of the Year

AIA Coach of the Year Perry Curley of Seligman.Curley received a $2,500 gift on behalf of the Arizona Cardinals. 

Pillar Award

Longtime Arizona high school athletic administrator Dan Nero received this year's AIA Pillar Award. Dan Nero, former longtime Corona del Sol athletic director and AIA state tournament coordinator

Director’s Cup

Four of Sandra Day O'Connor's representatives accepted the AIA's Director's Cup Sunday.

Students of the Year

Maya Komenaka, Arizona College Prep

Ben Weinzinger, Mica Mountain 

Each received a $5,000 scholarship by the Arizona Cardinals.