When it comes to winning, 2018 Parkland High School graduate Jake Nimeh did a lot of it. He never even experienced a loss while playing in the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Ice Hockey League.

The Trojans accumulated a total of 68 wins and two ties with no losses, including four league titles and two appearances in the state quarterfinals during his four year career.

Nimeh was also on the golf team, and was the top overall performer on the team at the District 11 Class 3A tournament last fall.

For his success and hard work during the 2017-18 season, Nimeh was voted the Parkland Press Male Athlete of the Year.

“I am extremely humbled to be named the Parkland Press Male Athlete of the Year,” said Nimeh. “It is a great honor to be named Athlete of the Year in such a prestigious district of athletics. I would like to thank my teammates because without them this wouldn’t be possible. Thank you to my coaches and my parents for all their support as well.”

Parkland ice hockey has been the class of the LVSHL for at least the last decade. Nimeh was one of the star forwards for the Trojans. He didn’t have to be the team’s only go-to player because the Trojans featured a balanced offensive attack, which shows with three members in the top seven in the league in scoring last season. Nimeh finished his senior year with 16 goals and a team-high 27 assists. His 43 points was good for fifth in the league.

“For me, being a part of such great success was humbling and rewarding,” Nimeh said. “As a team we worked hard year-round, competing not only in games and practice, but off ice weight lifting and conditioning sessions in the offseason. My four years contained countless unforgettable moments and memories that I will never forget and cherish deeply for the rest of my life.”

While Nimeh has been playing hockey since age nine, it was another sport that he competes in at Parkland that he began at an even younger age.

“I first got involved in golf as a young kid, around the age of 5,” said Nimeh. “My dad got me started and took me to the driving range and short 9-hole chip and putt courses to play. It was all recreational golf a few times a year.

“I decided to try out for the high school team because I always loved the game, I loved the challenge it presents players. Mentally it is a tough game to play and play well in. I always embraced the competition in trying to best myself. I ended up making the team freshman year and loved competing against other players and schools and trying to help my school accomplish success.”

Last fall, Nimeh was the top competitor for Parkland, finishing in 17th place at the District 11 Class 3A Championships with a score of 88.

Heading into this fall, Nimeh will face not only the challenge of playing Division I college hockey, but also a rigorous academic schedule. He will be attending the University of Delaware to study biology and pre med in the hope of becoming a surgeon. But this won’t be his first time balancing a diverse sports schedule with school.

“Playing varsity hockey and golf as well as travel hockey and track and field was very difficult to balance not only each other, but with school,” Nimeh said. “School has always been very important to me so I’ve always taken challenging courses. I learned from my parents and I figured out how to manage my time and work on things to excel. I would get my homework done in the car rides to practice in Philadelphia and Wilkes Barre and I would practice and work out in my free time at home.”

Nimeh will become a Blue Hen in a few short weeks, and leaves Parkland High School better prepared for the challenges ahead.