On Tuesday, March 12, 2013 South High senior Signe Rudrud was awarded the Athena Award for exemplary athletic achievement. Rudrud has been a three-sport varsity athlete since her freshman year. She has been a member of the girls’ swimming team, the nordic skiing team and the softball team, and has captained all three teams.

The Athena Award is a national honor, but the specific requirements of each award vary with localities. According to Rudrud, in the metro area, “it’s an award given to a female athlete who has shown exemplary qualities in sports.

Every year, a winner is declared for each metro area high school. This year, Rudrud was nominated by her swimming coach, Neil Anderson. After nominees were submitted, she said, area coaches voted on the winner.

“I think that they factor in varsity letters, captainship, sectional awards, state awards and all-conference [awards],” she said.

Rudrud was notified of her award while on a school trip to Washington DC with Anderson.

Rudrud will be honored, along with all of the other metro area winners, at a luncheon on May 3, 2013. She has been awarded ten tickets, which are to be used to invite people who have influenced her throughout her life.

“I’m super honored… just to be nominated,” said Rudrud. “I’m really involved with sports, and it’s a big part of my life so to get recognized for that, having someone say you have outstanding ability is really cool.”