Schuelkes to receive BK Diamond Awards

Carter Schuelke and Josh Schuelke of Minneota have been selected as the 2021 DK Diamond King Discipline and Resiliency Award winners, it was announced recently.
The Schuelkes, who graduated this past spring from Minneota High School, are two of the triplet sons (Logan is the other triplet) of Donnie and Julie Schuelke of rural Minneota.
Diamond King Baseball has recognized over 30 Minnesota varsity high school baseball players since 2011 with the Diamond King Award for the demonstration of four specific character attributes -- Humility, Accountability, Resiliency and Self Discipline.
Diamond King Baseball is comprised of an all-volunteer group of current and former Minnesota baseball players joined together to recognize strong character and promote mental toughness in a high school baseball player on and off the field.
"These players may not always show up in the box score, but they're at practice, putting in extra work, overcoming the game's trials and tribulations each and every day," said DK Baseball General Manager Adam Hoogenakker.
The Schuelkes were nominated for the annual awards by their baseball coach Keven Larson.
His nomination in part read:
"I feel that both Josh and Carter exemplify the characteristics of discipline and resiliency to a 'T'. They have played ball since they have been able to walk, and their mom has quite a bit to do with that. She was out in their acreage playing catch and hitting baseballs to all of them since they were very little. Being outside and working alongside their dad, who is a road construction worker and can fix pretty much anything, is where they get their discipline from.
"They have to work hard for what they get and the baseball skills that they have definitely prove that. They aren't the biggest or the strongest players, but they have great skills and feel for the game.
"However, one of their biggest fans, and one of the main reasons why I am nominating them for this award, never got to see either of them play a varsity game. Their older brother (Donnie IV) was tragically killed in a car accident in the summer of 2017. He was a big reason why they got to practice or extra hitting and was always there to help them along the way. He was a great role model for them. The resiliency piece is because of this tragedy. They could have easily packed it in when this happened, but I feel that it made them both want it even more. They worked hard to get what they have in baseball, but more importantly, they are great young men. I am very proud to have had the opportunity to get to know, coach, and teach them over the past seven years."
Carter Schuelke will receive the Resiliency Award, while Josh will receive the Self Discipline Award. Each recipient was asked to give an explanation of their trait.
Carter wrote:
"The thing that has helped me the most to being resilient through baseball has been mainly being prepared for anything. If you get knocked down, get back up and learn from it. We all know what can happen based off what happened last year (with spring sports being cancelled due to the pandemic). Also, my brother who played baseball for Minneota died a few years ago and thinking of him drives me to play as hard as I can every day like him."
Josh wrote:
"My definition of self-discipline in the game of baseball is controlling one's emotions, and simply being respectful to all players, coaches, umpires, and fans. It may be difficult to control at times. but always remember that getting upset and losing composure will only make the situation worse. It is a game, so have fun with it."
The Diamond King Award program will be hosted by the St. Cloud Rox on Saturday, July 31 at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. The keynote speaker will be Atlanta Braves scout Rick Davis. The pregame ceremony will be at 4 p.m. with on-field award presentations made prior to the first pitch at 6:05 p.m.
The Schuelkes, along with the other winners, will throw out the first pitch before the Rox's game that night. The Rox play in the Northwoods League. Each winner's coach that nominated him will present the recipients an engraved major league bat manufactured at MaxBats in Brooten, which supplies many of the major league players with bats.