NorthWood Gridiron Star Named State’s Top Scholar Athlete
NAPPANEE — NorthWood High School senior Drew Minnich added another award to his storied athletic career at a ceremony held in Indianapolis Thursday night. The IndyStar Indiana Sports Award Ceremony, held at iconic Clowes Hall on the campus of Butler University, was headlined by recently retired Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee.
Minnich, the son of Darren and Lisa Minnich, was named the IndyStar’s Indiana Scholar Athlete of the Year during the ceremony. According to NorthWood High School Athletic Director Norm Sellers, Minnich’s nomination came as a result of his being named the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award following the football team’s 4A state runner-up finish concluding the 2016 season. Sellers said that Minnich was chosen as one of three finalists from across the state prior to his winning the award.
Minnich, who also stars on the NorthWood varsity baseball diamond, plans to continue his academic and athletic career next year as a member of the Cedarville (Ohio) University baseball team.
Among his accomplishments at NorthWood, Minnich has been a four-year NorthWood scholar athlete, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Among other athletic honors, he also has earned;All NLC recognition in both baseball and football during his athletic career.