Solomon named IHSAA mental attitude award winner

Solomon, a senior, is the 21st Penn High School student-athlete to win the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award.
“There is no greater individual award for a student-athlete than a mental attitude award,” Penn High School principal Steve Hope said. “We have pride in having a Penn student win a prestigious award that factors in academic achievement, sportsmanship and athletic accomplishment.”
Penn girls soccer coach Jeff Hart said that Solomon has been a difference-maker for the Kingsmen, who finished state runner-up this season. “We have a lot of special seniors, but obviously, Kamra stands out,” Hart said. “She stepped on our practice field as a freshman and was a starter from Day 1. Then, we named her a captain her sophomore year. For the first-time in school history, we had a three-year captain,” Hart recounted.
“Kamra continued to elevate her game throughout her career. She was a first-team all-state player as a junior. She’s just such a well-rounded, outstanding, young student-athlete who keeps things in perspective.” Hart said that Solomon carved out a lasting legacy as a leader. “Whether she’s trying to show leadership to a great young player, or a girl who isn’t getting much playing time on the JV, Kamra treats all kids the same, and kids respond to that type of student leadership,” Hart said. “We’re going to miss her a lot, as we’re going to miss all of our seniors, but she’s going to do great things in the future. She’s made a huge impact on our program.”
Solomon is the daughter of Anthony and Tracy Solomon. Anthony Solomon is an assistant basketball coach on the University of Notre Dame men’s basketball staff. Tracy Solomon is a former track star at the University of Virginia.
Kamra Solomon credited her parents for teaching her about leadership. “My mom has a really strong personality, so I’m really outspoken, but my Dad is the one who, says, ‘You have to stick up for yourself. If you want to be a leader, then you have to try to do what’s right, and people will follow.’”
Solomon said that she was grateful for the award: “It really means alot,” Solomon said. “It speaks to what my coaches and the administrators think of me. I tried to be a leader in this program, but really, my teammates have helped me. It was a team effort.”
PENN IHSAA MENTAL ATTITUDE AWARD WINNERS

1983-84, Football (4-A), Mark Plencner

1989-90, Football (5-A), Eric Kline

1992-93, Girls Cross Country, Jill Nace

1995-96, Football (5-A), Matt Geesman

1996-97, Football (5-A), Scott Becker

1997-98, Baseball (4-A), Blake Gaugler

1997-98, Football (5-A), Brad Monhaut

1999-00, Boys Soccer, Matthew Abbott

2000-01, Football (5-A), Justin Smith

2002-03, Girls Tennis, Lauren Woodward

2003-04, Girls Golf, Casey North

2003-04, Football (5-A), Wade Iams

2004-05, Girls Cross Country, Laura Carr

2005-06, Boys Tennis, Chris Jordan

2010-11, Girls Basketball (4-A), Ashley Lutz

2011-12, Girls Golf, Deanna Song

2011-12, Volleyball (4-A), Kaitlyn Hickey

2011-12, Football (5-A), Patrick Adkins

2014-15, Wrestling, Chase Osborn

2014-15, Baseball (Class 4-A), Tim Lira

2015-16, Girls Soccer (Class 2-A), Kamra Solomon