Local standout highlights

This week’s column features five outstanding individuals who have made their communities proud. They include a prep football star that won’t have to deal with recruiting this fall, three former prep stars who are giving back to youth, and a former pro player with Minnesota ties who continues to provide leadership opportunities for youth through athletics.

Not only did Cretin Derham Hall defensive end JASHON CORNELL recently announce that he would attend Ohio State University on a football scholarship, but the senior also plans to graduate in December and enroll in January. Cornell was the top-ranked junior nationally last season and is currently among the top 20 prospects in the country.

KHALID EL-AMIN, the point guard who helped Minneapolis North capture three state boys’ basketball championships and later led the University of Connecticut to a national title in 1999, recently held his annual camp for youth grades 3-8 at his alma mater. El-Amin, who plays professionally overseas, was also a second-round draft choice of the Chicago Bulls in 2000.

Former St. Paul Highland Park football standout JOHNNY ALLEN JR. recently held a camp for youngsters focusing on agility, speed and quickness. Allen was among one of the metro area’s top players when he graduated in 1997.

Current Arizona Cardinal wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD JR., who starred at Holy Angels and the University of Pittsburgh, held the Larry Fitzgerald Football ProCamp in Minneapolis last week for youth grades 1-8. Fitzgerald is among the NFL’S top receivers.

Former Minnesota Vikings receiver and current University of Minnesota Assistant Athletic Director DR. LEO LEWIS recently held a football camp for youngsters at Jimmy Lee Recreation Center through the Lewis Sports Foundation, which focuses on mentorship, sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership through athletics. Lewis started holding football camps for youth in the early 1990s.

Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.