Danyelle Engels, a senior at Westbrook High School who competes for the Knights’ indoor and outdoor girls’ track teams, was recently named a Triple-Impact Competitor by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) New England. Engels is one of 15 high school scholar-athletes in New England to receive this recognition and is a finalist for a PCA New England Triple-Impact Competitor scholarship. PCA’s Triple-Impact Competitor finalists were honored at the Harvard vs. Dartmouth men’s basketball game on Jan. 6. Harvard Head Coach Tommy Amaker is a member of the PCA’s National Advisory Board.

Triple-Impact Competitors are selected based on their essays explaining how they meet three criteria: personal mastery (making oneself better), leadership (making one’s teammates better), and honoring the game (making the game better). Recipients provided testimonials from a school administrator, a coach, and at least one individual who is familiar with the student-athlete and able to speak to his or her embodiment of the Triple-Impact Competitor principles.

“We learned a great deal about Danyelle’s character while reviewing her essay responses and references,” said Beth O’Neill Maloney, executive director of PCA’s New England chapter. “Danyelle is appreciated for her work rate, effort, and leadership in track and field with both a quiet demeanor and a warrior-like approach, building up her teammates, and congratulating them, even when they place ahead of her. Relishing competition, Danyelle competes with passion and respect for her teammates, opponents, and the sport. Danyelle is a Triple-Impact Competitor.”

Current high school juniors can apply for a Triple-Impact Competitor scholarship through the end of May. Applications and more information can be found at www.positivecoach.org.

Information courtesy of Beth O’Neill Maloney