Owego River Hawk with ‘Heart of a Giant’ nominated for award from New York Giants

OWEGO, NY (WBNG) — The Owego River Hawks completed a magical season in 2024 as they made it to the first-ever state semi-finals in girls’ flag football.

Alex Aubul, one of the team’s captains who is now a UConn Husky, told 12 Sports she hopes she can continue the tradition with a little help from USA Football and the New York Giants.

“I had my parents and everybody back home texting me about this,” Aubel said. “I’m like, ‘Wow. It’s such an honor.’”

Aubel was nominated for the Heart of a Giant Award. The title is honored to student-athletes in the Tri-State area who demonstrate excellence on and off the field.

Girls’ Flag Football Head Coach Rusty Virkler said the award is given to those who lead by example and always do the right thing.

“It was awesome to watch her grow from sophomore to senior year,” Virkler said on Aubul’s success.

Additionally, Aubel can also help with the Owego Flag Football Program. If she does win, USA Football and the Giants would team up to give the flag football program and Owego Free Academy $10,000.

Aubel said flag football has been a major part of her life and it would be an honor to be awarded.

She said, “It would be awesome to win.”

Virkler said Aubel would be the perfect candidate for the award.

“She had a heart condition a couple of years ago and she’s only grown from it and gotten better,” said Virkler. “To see her preserve through that and only become a better human on the other side, it’s been awesome to watch.”

You can vote for the recipient of the Heart of a Giant Award at this link.

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