Cole Gross of Linn-Mar High School has been named the winner of the first "Just Drew It/Live Like Line" award.

The award honors the memory of Drew Wall, the former Kennedy student-athlete who died from cancer last November, and Caroline Found, the former Iowa City West student-athlete who was killed in a moped accident in August of 2011.

The award honors their spirit, enthusiasm, dedication and sportsmanship. It will be presented to area athletes who "pursue victory with honor," according to Iowa City West counselor Paul Breitbach.

Gross, a graduated senior, was a member of the Linn-Mar baseball team that reached the Class 4A state baseball tournament. He played for the Lions despite not having full strength and damaged nerves on his right side due to complications at birth.

His neck and right arm were broken during the difficult delivery and he went 26 surgical procedures. He also has damaged vocal cords.

Gross catches the ball with the glove on his left hand, takes his glove off and throws the ball with his left hand. He had only three at-bats this season, but he scored a run, collected an RBI and played catch with the Linn-Mar left fielder between innings at the state tournament.

Gross said he's honored to receive the "Just Drew It/Live Like Line" award. "I was surprised," he said Wednesday.

"Even though I don't play a lot, I'm a team player," he said. "I don't get down because I don't play."