Colin Christopher always wanted to get the most out of his high school education.

Because the senior multi-sport athlete from North did that is a big reason why he is the 2018 winner of the Chuck Koelble Award, which goes to the Lake County Touchdown Club’s student-athlete of the year.

Christopher was announced as the winner at the Touchdown Club’s annual banquet, which was held Dec. 9 at the American-Croation Hall in Eastlake.

In this day and age of student-athletes specializing in one sport, Christopher plays football and lacrosse at North.

Couple that with his exemplary academics (he has a 4.45 grade-point average) and his community service, and Christopher was at the top of a list that also included candidates from the 10 other Lake County schools.

“It’s a real honor,” Christopher said. “There are a lot of other great and fantastic people nominated for this award. I am honestly honored to win it over them.”

Christopher is North’s first recipient of the Chuck Koelble Award in a decade. The last recipient from North – George Grady in 2008 – was on hand at the banquet to speak and announce this year’s candidates for the $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the Touchdown Club and Classic Auto Group.

The other candidates were Tim Webster (Fairport), Jake Neibecker (Kirtland), Colson Mueller (Lake Catholic), Alex Rowe (Madison), Mason Trubisky (Mentor), Alberto Reynoso (Harvey), Noah Gourley (Perry), Daniel Sith (Riverside), Drew Schoeppler (South) and Brad Dieterich (Wickliffe)

On the field, Christopher was a linebacker for Coach Shawn Dodd’s Rangers until injuries on the front line pushed Christopher up to play on the defensive line.

He is also a captain as a faceoff specialist and midfielder for North’s lacrosse team.

He ranks third in a class of 344 at North with a 4.45 GPA.

Off the field, Christopher is a member of the National Honor Society, is a five-year volunteer for the Cleveland Food Bank, is part of the “Hearts and Hammers” community service project and an altar server at St. Mary’s church.

Being active — especially in multiple sports — is important to him.

“Coach Dodd has always said to not focus on just one sport,” Christopher said. “He said it’s important to be a multi-sport athlete. It truly helps you in life, having that experience behind you. To be named captain of our lacrosse team is an honor and means a lot to me.

“Playing multiple sports has introduced me to a lot of different people. Football and lacrosse are different groups of people, so I was able to make relationships in those that I can carry on after high school.”

Speaking of after high school, Christopher will attend Syracuse University and pursue a double-major of forensic science and psychology.

“This award tonight means the world to me,” Christopher said. “And that scholarship is really going to help when I go to college.”