by 
Queen Creek High School senior Zane Whiting was presented with the Dairy Council of Arizona/Arizona Coaches Association All-American Award during a luncheon ceremony on Jan. 23.
Whiting, a four-year multi-sport athlete for the Bulldogs, was one of several high school students to earn the award, which recognizes worthy student-athletes for their athletic and academic performances in addition to their service in the community.
Zane Whiting (Lt) accepts his All-American Award. His father, Jeff, is pictured on the right and Tot Workman (Event Organizer) is center.
“All of the student-athletes were highly qualified to be (at the awards ceremony) and it was an honor to be (included),” Whiting told the Ledger.
As a member of the Bulldogs’ football team for the final time this past season, Whiting earned All-Division and First-Team All-Section honors as a punt returner and defensive back. He is a forward on the Bulldogs’ varsity basketball team, and he also is a member of the school’s track & field team.
He recently accepted a football scholarship from Adams State University, located in Alamosa, Colorado.
For all of his athletic and academic accomplishments, in was the third criteria of the All-American Award that Whiting found most gratifying.
“Definitely service,” Whiting answered when asked which part of the award he was most proud of. “At the end of the day football is going to be done, academics will be done, but service will always be there. We’ll always have a chance to serve others and options to help the community.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by