Editor’s Note: Orillia’s athlete of the year for 2018 will be announced at Monday night’s city council meeting. Over the next four days, we will profile the four nominees. We start today with Teddy McCollum-Kuntz.
Teddy McCollum-Kuntz, a multi-sport athlete who has natural ability, works hard and exudes a positive attitude at all times, has been nominated for the coveted Orillia Athlete of the Year award.
“Teddy is the one of the most coachable young men I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. He listens, cares and delivers maximum effort to try to execute on a daily basis,” said the youth’s baseball coach, Wes Winkel, who nominated the 15-year-old for the award.
“He works hard in practice, never talks back and remains a positive teammate regularly,” said Winkel.
McCollum-Kuntz was a leader on the Orillia Royals league championship baseball team and was the starting netminder for his hockey team that finished atop the league standings and won a Regional Silver Stick championship.
When it comes to baseball, McCollum-Kuntz has an “elevated skill set” and he is “incredibly athletic and agile,” noted Winkel.
Winkel said McCollum-Kuntz is a key reason why the Royals have won five consecutive league titles and two provincial championships.
While small in stature, he has “surprising, sneaky” power at the plate and uses his speed and smarts on the basepaths to routinely beat out infield hits.
“His greatest attribute, however, is his amazing baseball IQ,” said Winkel, noting the teen makes defensive plays that seem nearly impossible.
“Teddy anticipates the game unlike any other player in his age group. He routinely catches players off guard both offensively and defensively as he is just one step ahead.”
His work ethic also sets him apart, said Winkel, noting the teen is the first to show up for practice and the last to leave.
Underpinning it all is a passion for the sport.
“I would say he truly loves the game of baseball,” said Winkel, noting McCollum-Kuntz volunteers to help younger kids and even though he is a fierce competitor, he is always smiling and has a positive attitude.
The Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School student is also a stand-out goalie.
He was “the main reason his team captured the regional Silver Stick title and finished third at the International Silver Stick tournament in 2018,” said Winkel.
McCollum-Kuntz was also a key player on Fogarty’s volleyball team and its baseball team last year.
“McCollum-Kuntz is a well-rounded young man as he is a terrific academic student, a terrific multi-sport athlete both in club teams and school sports as well as an all-around terrific young man to be around,” said Winkel.
