The Dairy Farmers of Manitoba Rural High School Athlete of the Week is Melissa Zapp of the Niverville Panthers soccer team.

Melissa’s goal scoring skills were apparent as the Niverville Panthers finished the season with 10 wins and 0 losses. The gifted striker had nine goals and eight assists to lead her team in scoring as the Panthers put 45 tallies into opposition nets. The Panthers won their home tournament as well as the Zone 13 Championship with Melissa striking the winning goal in three matches. Melissa not only was an offensive star but her hustle and work on defense in the finals helped lead the Panthers to their first Zone banner in over 8 years. Coach Gerald Negrave states, “Melissa has developed into a talented forward with both speed and skill in beating defenders. You never know which way she is going to go when she has the ball. Defenders absolutely do not like playing against her!”

This grade 12 honor role student, maintains a 95% academic average, while also participating in volleyball.


photo courtesy MHSAA