Krista Quinn, a senior member of the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School’s flag football team, received a Mini Max Award on behalf of the Maxwell Football Club last month.

The club’s high school awards banquet was held at Drexelbrook Event Center in Drexel Hill on February 4, and it marked the first time in the organization’s 87 years that female student-athletes were recognized.

Quinn plays wide receiver and safety for Gwynedd Mercy and is signed to play at Milligan (Tenn.) University, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Casey Burden, a junior at Wissahickon High School, received a Mini Max Award as well.

“As a girls’ football player, it was such an uplifting moment,” Quinn said in a telephone interview with The Inquirer. “We didn’t feel out of place or anything. I really hope this inspires girls to play and pursue their football dreams. I realize many people are hesitant to play because they haven’t done it before — but really, nobody has done it before.”

“We are proud to share how far our Eagles Girls Flag Football League has grown in just two years,” Eagles president Don Smolenski said in a statement last month. “We are grateful to our school and community partners for their support in providing female athletes the opportunity to experience the on-field and off-field lessons in the game of football.”

For the full story by The Inquirer, you can click here.

Photos: The Inquirer courtesy of Katie Quinn, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School