Radford’s Cole Schafer received the highest honor given by the Virginia High School League on Monday, as he was named the 2014 The Allstate Foundation / VHSL Group 1A Male Athlete of the Year. 

“I honestly was very surprised to receive this award,” said Schafer. “I'm thankful to those that have made it possible including the coaches, parents, teachers, and (my) teammates. I'm also glad I could represent Radford High School in a positive way.”

Schafer was just one of 19 high school seniors from across the state in receiving the achievement award which recognizes the Male and Female Athlete of the year, along with an academic award in all six of the VHSL’s classification.

Quinlan Moore of Middlesex was named the Group 1A Female Athlete of the Year, while George Wythe’s Zachary White received the Academic Activity award.

A committee of high school athletic directors and media members selected 19 state winners for the $1,500 scholarship from a pool of over 300 students. The award is based on those who have excelled in the classroom and in athletic and academic activities.
 

Schafer has lettered in three varsity sports and earned 11 letters in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track, while serving as captain for each sport. He has earned all-district and all-region honors in the 1600 meters, 800 meters and 4x400 meter relay team. He also earned all-conference and all-section honors in cross country in 2013 as well as earning all-section honors in indoor track and was the state runner-up in the 100 meters at the Group 2A Indoor Track state championships this past winter. He was state runner-up in the 800 meters at the 2013 outdoor state meet and a member of the 4x400 meter relay state championship team. He helped lead Radford to the Group A outdoor track title in 2013 and the 2012 Group A cross country state championship. 

“Cole was a key part of our 2012 Cross Country State title team. That year he was our number 5 runner which was very instrumental in bringing home the title. He also was a member of our 2013 outdoor track state title team,” said head cross country coach Mike Carrow. “Cole has been a great leader this year both during Cross Country and Outdoor track. Cole always jokes around, but when it’s time to step up and run, he always puts on his straight face. He has worked so hard this year and hopefully will finish off his senior year in style.”

In addition, Cole also participated in scholastic bowl for two years, and was a member of the Group 1A third-place team at the 2014 Scholastic Bowl championships.

Schafer also excels academically. He currently has a 4.32 GPA and is president of the Radford High School chapter of the National Honor Society. He also captains his Mathematics MACC (Mountain Academic Competition Conference) quiz bowl team. He attended the Summer Residential Governor’s School for Math, Science and Technology and was named to the Dean’s List at New River Community College.
 

His community service interests include volunteering at the Radford Daily Bread; Radford Elf Shelf; two church mission trips to Belize; Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps; is a member of the Grace Episcopal Church Youth Group and owns a self-run lawn and pet care business.

Upon being graduated, Schafer plans to attend the University of Virginia and study engineering.

“The Allstate Foundation is proud to recognize these outstanding students for their stellar performance in the classroom along with their extracurricular activities,” said Shelva Clemons, Communications Manager for The Allstate Foundation. “Clearly these young leaders are the future and it is an honor to support them in their future endeavors for higher education.”     

The last Bobcats to receive The Group A Allstate Foundation / VHSL Achievement Award was in 2007 and 2002, when James Thomas Rogers and James Tong won the Academic Achievement award, respectively.

In 2001, Jenni Gray was named the Female Athlete of the Year, while Schafer is the first male to win this award at Radford High School. 

“Cole has had a great running career at RHS,” said athletic director Greg Wade. “We are proud of him for receiving this award.”

 

Photos courtesy of: Mark Schafer, Story coutresy of: ValleySportsNow.com and David Grimes