Freedom High School Basketball Player and Easton Area High School Field Hockey Player Named Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute Athletes of the Year

The votes are in, and as of Tuesday, June 4, the secret is out.

Freedom High School basketball player Nate Sletvold and Easton Area High School field hockey player Jocelyn Morgan are Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute’s 2024 Athletes of the Year. Both student-athletes were awarded a $10,000 scholarship based on athletic accomplishments, academics and community involvement.

Sletvold and Morgan were surprised with the news at their respective high schools. Family, friends, teammates and coaches were elated to celebrate who these student-athletes are not just on the court and field, but who they are off of it.

Sletvold was Freedom High School’s top scorer this basketball season. While a talented basketball player, it’s his leadership, consistency and his heart that has left a mark on his coach and team. Off the court, Sletvold is a drum major, plays trumpet in the marching band, is president of his school’s National Honor Society and loves all things outdoors. This fall, Sletvold will be attending the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry where he will play basketball while pursuing his degree in environmental science.

Describing Morgan as a standout athlete is an understatement. Morgan was Easton Area High School’s most prolific scorer in field hockey and lacrosse, scoring a combined total of 400 goals throughout her varsity career. Her impressive stick skills earned her EPC and all-area first team for both sports. Off the field, Morgan is passionate about giving back. From mentoring young athletes and volunteering at the Special Olympics to supporting community events and helping at local shelters, she’s committed to making a difference in her community. This fall, Jocelyn will be attending Kutztown University where she will be playing both field hockey and lacrosse with plans to pursue a degree in allied health.

Athlete of the Year is the grand finale to the Athlete of the Week program, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and The Morning Call. The 36-week program gives the public an opportunity to vote for three male and female student-athletes weekly. Each weekly male and female winner receives a $500 scholarship. This year, there were 72 winners total.

Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute Athlete of the Year is the region’s largest scholarship program for student-athletes. Since it began in 2013, the program has awarded over $500,000 in scholarships to more than 500 area student-athletes.

“One of the many ways in which we partner with our community is through the Athlete of the Week recognition, culminating in the Athlete of the Year awards,” says Thomas Graham, MD, Physician in Chief of Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute. “The entire Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute team applauds these exemplary student-athletes’ accomplishments and we’re proud to contribute to their success on and off the field.”