Dublin High School four-sport athlete Noah Wallkvist placed second in his group for the National Youth Athlete of the Year prize.
DUBLIN, CA — Dublin High School student Noah Wallkvist placed second in his group for the national Youth Athlete of the Year competition, which celebrates young athletes while raising funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research and NFL star Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation.
Noah, a 16-year-old junior at Dublin High School, placed second in his 63-person group and earned a spot in the Wildcard Round. After winning multiple rounds of public voting, the winner of the contest wins a $25,000 prize to support their athletic and academic goals.
“I wanted to be part of the Youth Athlete of the Year competition because sports have given me so much—confidence, discipline, and the belief that with hard work, I can push past limits. Being part of this competition isn’t just about being recognized, it’s about using my love for athletics to support causes that matter,” Noah told Patch in an email.
Noah is a four-sport athlete who began playing baseball in second grade. He transferred from Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward to Dublin last year, and now plays JV basketball and baseball. He also plays soccer and volleyball, and has joined faith-based leagues like CYO and Crossover Basketball. Over the years, he has won several recognitions for his performances in sports, including leading his team in doubles and homeruns.
The competition raises money for two foundations by giving voters the option to donate to two foundations: the Why Not You Foundation, which is dedicated to education, children’s health, and fighting poverty; and the V Foundation, which was founded by basketball coach Jim Valvano, which raises money for cancer research.
“The Why Not You Foundation really connects with me, because it’s about believing in yourself and asking, “why not me?” That’s something I think about a lot as an athlete—how to keep pushing when things get tough and to never let doubts stop me,” Noah said.
“The V Foundation inspires me because it’s about fighting for something bigger than yourself. Cancer has touched so many families, and I want to be part of helping find a cure. Their motto, “Don’t give up . . . don’t ever give up,” feels like the same mindset I try to carry on the field/court. By supporting these foundations, I feel like I’m standing for more than just my sports. I’m showing that athletes my age can make a difference.”