Gore Athlete Honored by MaxPreps and the United States Marine Corps

Junior Billy Kauffman from Gore High School was named the first male athlete to win the first annual MaxPreps High School Athlete of the Month Award, presented by the United States Marine Corps for September.

The award was presented Friday. 

Kauffman participates in football, weightlifting and track at Gore. For the Gore High School Pirates football team Kauffman plays offensive guard, defensive end and outside linebacker. 

“MaxPreps congratulates Billy on being named High School Athlete of the Month,” said Andy Beal, Founder and President of MaxPreps. "High school sports are designed to build character and foster teamwork and a competitive spirit in our nation's young people. The MaxPreps High School Athlete of the Month represents those outstanding qualities that make not just great athletes, but more importantly fine citizens. MaxPreps is proud to honor these fine student-athletes in collaboration with the United States Marine Corps.”

“Billy has brought a different level of tenacity and physicality to the field as a player. I feel that a good student/good player is defined by good parents, and Billy is a great example of that," said head football coach Scott Sapulpa.

Kauffman qualified for the state meet as a sophomore in weightlifting and reached regionals in the shot put as a freshman and sophomore. Outside of high school athletics Kauffman also holds a 4.0 GPA in all of his classes and takes welding classes at Indian Capital Technology Center in Muskogee.  

He also performs in his church choir, plays the drums and is a volunteer firefighter for Warner. He has taken part in trips to help with recovery from tornadoes in places like Joplin, Mo., and Moore with the Baptist disaster relief team. 

Already this season Kauffman was selected as the MaxPreps Overall Gore Football Player of the Game after the Sept. 2 game, and the MaxPreps Defensive Gore Football Player of the Game after the Sept. 9 and 16 games. 

Staff Sergeant Nicholas Joiner, Sergeant Alejandro Bedoya, and Sergeant Timothy Clements of the Oklahoma United States Marine Corps presented Kauffman with the MaxPreps Athlete of the Month trophy on Friday during an all school assembly on the football field. 

“The United States Marine Corps, through the MaxPreps High School Athlete of the Month program, is committed to recognizing students that embody the fighting spirit which enables them to win battles and overcome challenges they face, both on and off the field. We’re proud to partner with MaxPreps in this powerful program showcasing student athletes that have a positive influence in their community,” said Captain Sean Pangia.

MaxPreps picks one female and one male athlete each month to be named with the honor of High School Athlete of the Month, presented by the U.S. Marine Corps. MaxPreps sends out emails to all of their members of their site about nominating an athlete for the award. There are also links on MaxPreps.com for anyone to nominate a deserving athlete for this award. Nominations may be submitted by a coach, parent, peer, or teacher. MaxPreps then selects the most well-rounded athletes who match the qualities that are also found in the U.S. Marines Corps, like bravery, dedication, perseverance, personal sacrifice for others and being a positive influence in one’s community. 

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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