On October 26, 1988, the Washington area sports community lost a very special person with the death of Mike Trilling, who for 17 years coordinated The Washington Post's high school sports coverage.
Few people did more when it came to ensuring that high school athletes received their just recognition in print. He coordinated coverage of high school sports and hired many of the part-timers who helped cover these events.
The recipients of today's 17th annual Michael L. Trilling Awards have shown the dedication in their endeavors that Mike showed at The Post. Mike earned respect for getting the most out of his abilities. Only those who saw him in action between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. on a Friday night -- when 150 basketball games were simultaneously phoned in to The Post -- could appreciate the magnitude of his dedication to be sure the newspaper had every score, and had them correctly.
The awards in Mike's name go to special people who excel athletically and academically and serve their communities beyond the field and classroom.
Iman McFarland arrived at Bishop McNamara as a sophomore in the 2002-03 school year and quickly established a presence on the basketball court. The 6-foot-2 guard-forward helped lead the Mustangs to Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and City Title championships in 2003.
It didn't take much longer for McFarland to make an impact off the court. Teammates and classmates soon saw her drive to succeed academically and her desire to help those in need. It carried through the rest of her high school career; McFarland -- who averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds per game last winter -- currently carries a 4.2 grade-point average and takes four honors courses. She chose to attend the University of North Carolina next year as much for the school's academics as for the Tar Heels' tradition on the court.
Nicknamed "The Genius" by her teammates, McFarland is known for her generosity in tutoring. Other McNamara students felt so comfortable in approaching McFarland that they wouldn't hesitate to call her at home asking for help, and she always obliged. McFarland also tutors students at Garfield Elementary School in the District.
McFarland's community service also includes volunteer work at the Share Warehouse, where she packed bulk food that churches and community organizations picked up and distributed during the holiday season. As part of a three-week trip to Africa this summer, McFarland will volunteer at Bishop McNamara's sister school, the Lake Victoria Secondary School. McFarland solicited donations to afford her trip -- and plenty extra, enough to allow a Lake Victoria student to accompany McFarland's group as they tour Africa.
"I love helping other people," McFarland said. "These students don't get a chance to travel, and now they have an opportunity to see other parts of their own country."
-- Judith Evans
