Prospect Ridge Academy Athletics is excited to announce the winners of the August Athletes of the Month awards, nominated by PRA Middle School and PRA High School fall sports head coaches.
Nine total Miners were recognized for their contributions to their teams on and off the playing surface. The August winners include:
Evie Porter, HS Cheer
Porter is a senior on the defending state championship winning PRA High School cheer team. She is a leader on the team and is described by head coach Nicolette Griffith as accountable and a major contributor to the Miners’ success.
“Evie has been a huge contributor on the team since her freshman year. She has been on two state winning teams, one nationals team, and on the sideline for every home game. She has great skill as a back spot and is able to lead her team on and off the field”
Haley Zuniga, HS Girls Cross Country
Zuniga is a junior on the PRA High School cross country team and has gotten her 2025 season off to a strong start through the Miners’ first three meets. She set a career-best time of 20:38 at the Thornton Invitation.
She was nominated by head coach Mary Marr, who said of Haley:
“Haley has developed into a strong leader this season on the girls’ team. She is a positive, supportive and kind friend to everyone on the team. She never backs down from a challenge and is always looking for opportunities to improve herself and her performance. She is a joy to coach!”
Evan D’Agostin, HS Boys Cross Country
D’Agostin has shown major improvement early this fall, setting a personal record of 19:12 at the Thornton Invitational; almost a minute faster than his previous PR. The junior has become a staple on the varsity team’s roster as the team inches closer to the league and state meets.
Coach Marr said of Evan:
“Evan's hard work, commitment and dedication has allowed him to continue to progress and earn a varsity spot this season. Evan is kind and respectful, and he sets a strong example for those around him.”
Emerson Mallon, HS Football
Mallon is a team captain and senior leader for the Miners’ football team this fall, serving as the team’s starting quarterback. Through two games, Mallon has posted an impressive quarterback rating of 125 while throwing for two touchdowns with a 75% completion percentage.
Additionally, Mallon has added 130 rushing yards and a score with his legs. Head coach Michael Storer said of Emerson:
“Emerson is always prepared and puts in the extra work and effort beyond practice. Whether it is game preparation or school preparation, Emerson is on top of his game!”
Sam Lander, HS Boys Tennis
PRA senior Sam Lander has been named the boys’ tennis team’s Athlete of the Month for August, stepping up to help lead the Miners’ No. 1 doubles’ pairing this fall.
Lander has been a leader on and off the court for PRA, according to head coach Ari Finkelstein, who said of Sam:
“Sam, as a Senior and Co-Captain of the tennis team, has been instrumental in building team spirit this year, helping out with the new crop of players, and working towards a more competitive season than we had last year. He has also led our doubles teams, stepping up to play #1 Doubles for us this season. To boot, he has a great sense of humor and brings a lot of energy to the court.”
Kensley Dodge, MS Cheer
Dodge was nominated the middle school cheerleading team’s Athlete of the Month after demonstrating amazing consistency, growth and dedication to not only her success, but helping her teammates be successful, as well.
She was nominated by head coach Kristina Pringle and assistant Noel Steiner, who said of Kensley:
“Kensley is such a joy to coach. Her hard work and positive spirit set the tone for the entire team, and we are so proud of the progress she continues to make.”
Alex Macdonald, MS Boys Soccer
Macdonald is an eighth grader who has shined in a new role this fall for the Miners, showing his selflessness and willingness to sacrifice for his teammates by making a move to the midfield.
He was nominated by head coach Richard Dencklau, who said of Alex:
“Alex was nervous at first to play a new position, but he has shown the courage to try something new and succeed, which has contributed to our success to start the season. He really stepped up in a position that the team needs.”
Francesca Lopez, MS Girls Cross Country
Lopez was nominated as the middle school girls’ cross country team’s Athlete of the Month for August after demonstrating tremendous joy and enthusiasm for her teammates. She was nominated by head coach Amy Slocum, who said of Francesca:
“(Frank) is always prepared for practice and helps anyone who needs anything. She is the happiest athlete on our team. She consistently cheers on runners during all of our practices. When she sees the high school athletes running, she cheers for them as they pass. Frank never lets anyone have a bad day because she strives to help them keep moving and cheers them on.”
Griffon Hope, MS Boys Cross Country
Hope was nominated to be an Athlete of the Month for August after showing natural leadership skills and the extra effort he puts forth in practice. The eighth grader was also praised for his respectfulness and willingness to help younger student-athletes. Coach Slocum said of Griffon:
“Griffon is Respectful and includes all the younger athletes. He runs hard at every practice. I often find him running more loops while he waits for the team to finish running behind him. He's a natural leader and helps keep the younger athletes motivated to keep running.”