Jared Stancil named ABC7 Athlete of the Month for November

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - This week, we present to you the ABC7 Athlete of the Month for November. The honor goes to Braden River High School’s Jared Stancil.

“I am so impressed with how many accomplishments I have,” Jared said. " I’m just going to keep on growing. Just have fun.”

He just wrapped up his junior season with the Pirates. Jared finished as this team’s number one seed. For him, he’s just excited to be out there playing and making memories with his teammates.

“It’s terrific man,” Jared said. “This nice, bright sun, I love it. Have fun, be positive and play your game.”

Jared was born with Down syndrome. He’s had to overcome some obstacles throughout his life. His mom says his strength makes him feel like a real superhero to those who know him best.

“I think people don’t realize, I think that people sometimes look at people with exceptionalities and think that that’s a weakness,” Michele Stancil, Jared’s mother, said. “What I found is that Jared’s one of the strongest people I know.”

For his hard work and never give up attitude, we have something special for him. ABC7 partnering with Carl Reynolds Law to award Jared with a check of $500 for his perseverance and resiliency.

The Braden River Athletic Director, Matt Nesser, tells ABC7 that he believes Jared’s life is a testimony that everyone can learn from. “I think everybody goes through trails and tribulations in life, and it’s how you attack those,” Nesser said. “That’s what makes you the person that you are, and gives you the character to get through life. Jared is a testament to that.”

Jared hasn’t given up. He says he won’t give up and he wants everyone else to keep persevering and overcoming too.