Prospect Ridge Academy had two staff members in Ari Finkelstein and David Wilson recognized on Wednesday during the annual Metropolitan League Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, hosted by Kent Denver School in Englewood.
Ari Finkelstein was honored as the Female Sport Coach of the Year for 2025-26 after helping guide the PRA girls’ tennis team to its second straight Class 3A State Championship appearance and ninth state tournament in his 10 years at the helm.
PRA finished 10-1 overall during the regular season, including a first place finish at the Holy Family Tournament, and brought up the Class 3A Team State runner-up trophy. Additionally, the Miners sent three singles’ players and all four of their doubles’ tandems to the Class 3A Individual State Tournament this spring, highlighted by a state runner-up finish from First Team All-State selection, Shannon Schmidt, in No. 2 singles’.
The Miners’ rise to prominence on the Class 3A tennis scene was just one of the many reasons Finkelstein received the Female Sport Coach of the Year honors, which also highlights coaches who demonstrate excellence in leadership, program development and serve as a positive role model for student-athletes.
“Coach Finkelstein has built a tennis program that is centered on excellence, hard work, sportsmanship and consistency. His athletes compete with confidence because of the culture he has created,” said PRA Athletic Director, Ellie Kempfe. “He pushes our student-athletes to compete at a high level, while also representing our school with class and integrity.”
As for Wilson, he was recognized by the Metropolitan League for the Media/Contributor Award. This annual award goes to an individual who has made a significant positive impact on a high school athletic program through media coverage, promotion, storytelling, communication or overall support of the student-athletes and athletic programs.
Wilson, who currently serves as PRA’s Communications and Engagement Manager, has an extensive background in athletics, serving as a former Assistant Athletic Director and Sports Information Director at the collegiate level prior to his time at PRA.
In addition to event coverage and photography, Wilson has managed the new PRA athletics website, the PRA Athletics social media account, as well as designed PRA’s game day programs and graphics to assist in the promotion of student-athletes and the athletic department.
“(Wilson) has done an incredible job capturing the moments that make high school athletics special. Through his creativity, professionalism, and passion for what he does, David has helped strengthen the connection between our teams, school, families and community,” Kempfe said. “His work has elevated the visibility of PRA Athletics and helped tell our stories from behind the scenes.”