2009 Mellor Award

In 2001, Carol Spiker created the Christopher C. Mellor Award to celebrate the spirit of Chris Mellor. Chris battled cancer and taught us all the meaning of courage and dignity in tough times.  This is the spirit that the Mellor Award recognizes in high school lacrosse players who have faced adversity with grace, as Chris Mellor faced.

This award is given to the high school athlete who has faced personal challenges ---- who has shown the most heart --- who is the ultimate sportsman. 

Nina Cornog has been chosen as the recipient of this year’s Mellor award. She is a graduate of Concord HS and plans to go to Wesley College to play lacrosse. Nina was nominated by her coach, Julia Overly.

When 9/11 happened, Nina Cornog was in third grade. She was safe with her mother in Delaware, far away from the front line of our nation's dark tragedy. However, Nina Cornog's life is a testament to the ripple effect that 9/11 has had on families and especially, the children left behind.

Nina's father was one of the first responding paramedics to arrive at the World Trade Center on that fateful morning. He and his brother led people out of the first building and then her uncle entered the second building --- moments before its collapse. He was killed. While Nina's father survived, he is losing an eight year battle against black lung disease and mercury poisoning --- from his work as a paramedic on September 11.

Nina's father is her hero. The last few years have been especially difficult as she struggles with the reality of her father's dwindling time and her inability to be near him. It has left Nina feeling torn, helpless and depressed. Nina and her dad have always connected with sports --- especially lacrosse. He is her biggest fan. While he is physically unable to attend her games, she has confessed to me that she still scans the sidelines before each game.

In many ways, Nina views lacrosse as relief from the blanketing anxiety that comes from the financial and emotional strains she is under each and every day. Instead, Nina serves as a model for sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and the listener role she plays to her teammates. Her strength and tenacity and her generosity of spirit are even more remarkable when viewed through the lens of her life.

Nina Cornog is a generous, appreciative and entirely coachable athlete who respects the game, the players, and the spirit of lacrosse that bonds us all. Nina is most worthy of the Mellor Award. She is an ultimate sportsman.