Bentonville’s Mortensen Wins Award For Leadership On, Off Field
Posted: November 10, 2009 at 4:20 a.m.
BENTONVILLE — No one showed any jealousy in the Bentonville locker room Friday night, moments before its victory over Springdale Har-Ber.
The Bentonville athletic department had just named center Jonathan Mortensen as the recipient of the Roy M. Scott Memorial Award, a distinction given every year to a Tigers senior. And offensive line coach Benji Mahan admired the way a plethora of teammates congratulated Mortensen.
That reaction, Mahan said, proved why Mortensen deservedto win the honor.
“A bunch of those other guys could have gotten that award, but it was so clear how much they all like and respect Jonathan,” Mahansaid. “I’ve talked to these guys about leadership and serving others and sacrificing your own desires for others, and you see that in everything Jonathan does.
“He might not be a vocal guy, but all of his actions make him a leader.”
Bentonville has given out the Roy M. Scott Memorial Award every year since 1977. Roy Scott was a junior football player who lost a battle with leukemia, and his parents Charley and Frances established the award in his honor.
The criteria for the award encompasses character, dedication,sportsmanship, courteousness and academic passion. When asked about the award Monday, Mortensen responded in an unassuming way that wouldn’t surprise any of his coaches and teammates.
“I was kind of in shock,” Mortensen said. “I was so shocked I didn’t even know what they were saying about me (during the presentation). It was awesome, such an honor. But I’m not the only one on the team who deserved it.”
Bentonville coach Barry Lunney said Mortensen, who has started every game at center since week 9 of last season, represents everything a coach would ever want in a player. Lunney called Mortensen a “great Christian young man who has a servant’s heart and goes above and beyond to serve others.”
Lunney relayed a story a colleague told him last week, which exemplified Mortensen’s selfless approach to life.
“Apparently, a bunch of kids had left trays all over the cafeteria the other day,” Lunney said. “And so Jonathan went around and picked up all the trays and cleaned the tables. Those are the types of things he does all the time that set an example.”
Mahan said he sees Mortensen setting an example all the time - whether it’s helping out a younger lineman or encouraging a receiver who dropped a pass or picking up the dressing room.
He also notices Mortensen, a 6-foot-2, 260-pounder, serving as a role model of what hard work can do on the football fi eld.
Sports, Pages 7 on 11/10/2009
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