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Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs High School senior Ramsey Bernard was named one of six male finalists for the Rocky Mountain News Steinmark Award on Thursday.

The award honors former Colorado athlete Fred Steinmark, who died of cancer in 1971, at age 22, after helping the University of Texas to a national football championship in 1969. The award in his name is given to a Colorado student-athlete who excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

To be nominated, an athlete must have been selected as an all-state player in one sport and all-league in another. Nominees also must have a grade point average of at least 3.0.

"This is definitely one of the more prestigious honors," Bernard said. "I was honored to get it."

Along with winning a state championship in tennis at No. 1 singles last fall and No. 3 singles as a freshman, Bernard was an all-state skier, finishing as slalom runner-up at the state championships in 2007.

Bernard also is part of the Partners in Routt County youth mentoring program and holds a 4.2 weighted grade point average.

Varsity tennis coach John Aragon nominated Bernard for the award.

Aragon said he suggested Bernard for the award because he's shown everything a coach would want out of a player.

"He's not only an outstanding person, but when things happened to him, he found a way to still contribute to the community," Aragon said. "The values of that are tremendous."

Bernard, who will attend and play tennis at Pomona College in California, said being named a finalist ranks near the top of his accomplishments.

"It'd be sweet to win," he said. "But I'm happy with just being a finalist."

Other male finalists include Travis Boccard of Broomfield, Curtis Cunningham of Columbine, Matthew Mankoff of Thomas Jefferson, Jonny Stevens of Battle Mountain and Kevin Williams of D'Evelyn.

A 12-member committee of athletic directors, coaches and former winners will select finalists and winners. Finalists are honored at the June 13 Colorado High School Coaches All-State Games banquet in Greeley. The winner will be announced at the banquet.

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com