Hunter Worland '15 recognized with CIF character award

Senior Hunter Worland was awarded the 2014 Dr. Jim Staunton Champions of Character Award in a ceremony held in September aboard the Queen Mary. The CIF-SS Ethics in Sports Committee created this award in 2003 to recognize athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, schools, and media members who successfully combine a fierce competitive nature with the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Hunter is the first individual athlete from Poly to win the award; Poly received the award as a school in 2012.

“Hunter is a leader,” shares Doug Jolly, who has been his Varsity soccer coach. “He knows how to balance stepping back when he needs to with stepping up when the team needs him.” Those who attended with Hunter included his parents, Rene and Chris Worland; Head of School John Bracker and his wife, Rachel Countryman; Athletic Director Steve Beerman and his wife, Charlene; Assistant Head of School Greg Feldmeth; Assistant Athletic Director for Programs Koko Archibong ’88 and his wife, Corrina; Coach Doug Jolly; and Assistant Athletic Director for Logistics Thomas Sale.

“Hunter really exemplifies this award,” says Track and Field Coach Chris Schmoke. “He is honest, fair, loyal, and humble, while at the same time being a fierce competitor. He is a very hard worker who tries his best and practices hard but still has the integrity and sportsmanship that we expect from our athletes.”