West and Kennedy keep memories of Drew Wall and Caroline Found going

The best way to remember Drew Wall and Caroline Found is to honor others that remind you of their spirit.

That's what Iowa City West and Cedar Rapids Kennedy High Schools have decided, and why they have created the "Just Drew It/Live Like 'Line Pursuing Victory With Honor Award.

"Yes, that's a mouthful, but anyone who knew the late Kennedy golfer and West volleyball player will give you just that in such a positive way when talking about they meant to their respective schools.Wall died last winter after a long battle with cancer, a disease that cost him his leg but not his ability to play a sport he loved. Found died two years ago in a moped accident.

"Last year, when Drew Wall earned his wings after a courageous battle with cancer, I contacted Mark Wilden, the Cedar Rapids Kennedy golf coach," said West counselor Paul Breitbach. "Having been through Caroline Found's death the previous year, I wanted to reach out to offer our support. Because of that action, many amazing things have happened."

West sold "Just Drew It" T-shirts at school and held a mini-dance marathon that raised $22,000 for cancer research. Now there is this award.

Linn-Mar's Cole Gross is the initial honoree. He endured multiple surgeries after a complicated birth, playing baseball for the Lions despite not having full strength and permanently damaged nerves on the right side of his body.

"Drew and Caroline represented the best in athletics and made many positive impacts beyond athletics," Breitbach said. "Their love of life impacted, and continues to impact, the life of their school and their community."

Gross will be sent a certificate and short note as winner of the award. Breitbach said the schools want the public to make them aware of individuals who would be good possible future winners.

"Drew and Caroline represented many ideals of the value of sports," Breitbach said. "Most importantly was their love of the game, the spirit of teamwork, and the joy with which they competed. Too often, these qualities are lost in today's high school sports, where too many people are consumed with winning and the only measure of success is the scoreboard."

Here is a link to a story The Gazette did earlier this summer on Gross:http://iowaprepsports.com/2013/06/11/for-the-love-of-the-game/