Each month Weplay honors a young athlete who best embodies sportsmanship and a passion for sports. Someone who loves to play, enjoys competition and brings that extra spark to a team. Our January Athlete of the Month achieves this and so much more. He inspires.

You see, 16-year-old Eric Mandzuch, an avid bowler from Los Angeles recently recovered from eye cancer - losing his left eye in the battle.

Just last month, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and PBA teamed up to recognize Mandzuch's strength and perseverance, hooking him up with PBA Hall of Famer and all-time titles leader Walter Ray Williams Jr,. for a round of play.

Mandzuch who averages 194, gave Williams a run for his money at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, CA. during their January match. But for Mandzuch's loved ones and Weplay family, the event was a well-deserved experience for a young man who gives so much to the sport and teammates he loves.

"The thing I love most about sports is being active and actually being able to do the sport itself," wrote our humble Athlete of the Month.

For him, playing a sport is a privilege - a precious opportunity to enjoy, learn and share. And cancer or no cancer, he's got the stories to boot. "About six years ago, I ended up scoring 33 points in a semi final basketball game to take our team to the championship," shared Eric of his most prized achievement playing sports.

This spring, Mandzuch continues the ride, participating on the Junior Amateur Tour, a travel bowing league in his area. Thankfully, the Southern California teen always finds time to update and share with his Weplay network. "Weplay is a great way to meet other young athletes, talk sports and gain valuable information," he wrote.

Weplay is all the better for having a rousing youth athlete such as yourself engaging in our community. Congratualation on your Athlete of the Month honor Eric. Keep up the great work.

Tell us how Eric's story has inspired you and we'll give you 50 Weplay points for sharing! Leave your thoughts in the comment area by Friday February 11th to qualify.

The Fulton Squirts youth hockey team from upstate New York can add a victory to their 2011 season calendar. #35, Eric Shear, a stellar winger on the team, has just been named Weplay's Athlete of the Month for December.

The 10U hockey player has a full season of play to look forward to with the Squirts, lead by head coach Mark Lagoda and assistant Rick Smith. While the co-ed team enjoys practicing and performing in games, you can also find the gang cheering on the Syracuse Crunch together.

Eric's also a big fan of New York Islanders center, Robbie Schremp, a hometown hero from Fulton, New York. Eric was lucky enough to meet Schremp earlier this year. Check it out.

When Eric's not playing or cheering on the pros, you can find him sharing his hockey fandom on Weplay. He often posts words of encouragement on game days and, he's always one to send props to his teammates after a job well done.

Enjoy the rest of your season, Eric and thanks for being a great example of how Weplay helps players, teams and communities get more out of sports!

The Weplay Team is extremely proud to introduce 13-year-old football player Jake Zembiec as our November Athlete of the Month. Quarterback and linebacker for the Ogden Bears PeeWee Pop Warner team in Rochester, NY, Zembiec has had a truly phenomenal year, exemplifying character, athleticism and top academic achievements.

In fact just last month, he was named second runner up in the Sports Illustrated 'Sports Kid of the Year' recognition program. Jessica Aney, was named the winner.

A 7th grade honors student at Cosgrove Middle School, Jake dreams of playing in the NFL. And he's definitely on track, beating out thousands of kids from the SI nomination pool. He will be featured in a December issue of the magazine, so keep an eye out.

Watch a video of Jake talking about the Sports Kid of the Year Experience

Learn more about the Sports Illustrated Sports Kid of the Year Finalists

He lives on an island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean where views of spectacular icebergs are the most compelling in the world. That’s the first notable fact about our Athlete of the Month, Kyle Tucker of Newfoundland, Canada. The second, at 16-years-old, he’s already being recruited to play basketball at Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada.

A veteran Weplayer, Tucker doesn’t hesitate to share that playing hoops is his 24/7 passion. Going a day without playing is rare, as he’s committed to pursing his NBA dream. And he’s on the right path, focusing both on his athletic and educational future.

For the past nine years, he’s played organized youth basketball, most recently as guard for the Holy Spirit High School varsity basketball team. His goals for the 2010/2011 season: 1. Play great ball as team, 2. Set goals and accomplish them throughout the season and 3. Excel in the classroom.

“My favorite thing is the feeling when you’re having a great game, getting point after point, and the crowd is in the game,” wrote our Athlete of the Month.

Also an active snowboarder, (who wouldn’t be considering his beautiful snow filled surroundings?), Tucker is an all around athlete – a creative one too. Check out his makeshift snowboarding jumps and moves in his video.

But let’s be clear, #13 is most comfortable on the court, reaching for the stars.

Congratulations on your Athlete of the Month award, Kyle. Be sure to let us know how the recruitment process goes, and keep up those grades!

The [Lehigh High School cheerleaders][1] must be thanking their neighboring state of Alabama. That's because ace cheerleader and veteran competitor [Sami Soisson][2], a Birmingham native, ended up on their varsity squad in Lehigh Acres, FL.

At age 15, Soisson, Weplay's Athlete of the Month, is a clear stand out performer at pep rallies, competitions and games. She was even selected as an All-American at the team's recent Universal Cheerleaders Association camp, earning her a passport to the 2011 London Varsity Tour held December 26 - January 2.

Trained in dance since the age of 3, Soisson began applying her fundamental techniques to cheerleading in kindergarten. Her stellar tumbling, stunting and dance skills speak to the quality of her instruction and her natural ability.

Even with a recent right foot injury, she won Best at Camp in July, and helped her team secure a 1st place performance. While still in the healing process, she continues to gear up for an exciting year of cheer and dance, which is more than her coach and teammates can ask for.

Get well Sami and we can't wait to see you excel even more during the 2010-11 season. Congratulations on your Athlete of the Month selection!