Impact
Records
Shelbi Vaughan
Legacy High School
Impact Statement
Vaughan’s ability with the discus is stellar. She has had success on every level, including the Olympics.
Biography
The three-time state discus champion set a national high school record in the event at the Texas Relays on March 31. Her throw of 191-6 bettered by nearly 15 feet the personal best she had established just one week earlier and broke the national record of 190-3, which had stood since 2009.
She went on to set the all-class state record in the 5A state meet with a throw of 187-10, and also won her first shot put title with a throw of 50-1¼. She was the state runner-up in the shot put her sophomore and junior seasons.
This year’s discus title was her second in 5A. After transferring from Azle High School, where she won the 4A discus title as a sophomore with a throw of 144-8, Vaughan won as a junior with a then-5A record throw of 161 feet. Deceptively fast despite her 6-foot-2 frame, she also ran on Legacy’s 4×100 relay team. Last summer, Vaughan won the discus at the USATF Outdoor Junior Championships at Eugene, Ore. (165-5) and the Pan-American Junior Championships at Miramar, Fla. (174-3). She was the bronze medalist at the IAAF World Youth Championships at Lille, France (172-6). Her meet-best throw of 176-5¼ didn’t count because it occurred in the preliminaries.
An all-around athlete, Vaughan started playing T-ball at age 3, played basketball until her sophomore year and, despite her track and field accomplishments, will attend Texas A&M University on a volleyball scholarship, though the outside hitter plans to compete in both sports. Vaughan, who holds a 3.7 grade-point average, led her team in kills (579), blocks (70) and aces (51) and was second in digs (367).
At Texas A&M Vaughan continued her success. As a freshman, she was named Girls Athlete of the Year by Track & Field News. She won four Southeastern Conference Championship titles. As a sophomore and junior, she won the Outdoor NCAA Championships in the discus. As a senior, she finished sixth.
In 2016 Vaughan was a member of the United States Olympic Team.
Photos
Community Service
Vaughan volunteers to feed the homeless and also volunteers with special needs students.
Records
Professional Achievements
Liberty-Eylau High School
Lawson has made a name for himself in every level. From high school, to Arkansas to the Olympic Games, Lawson continues to succeed.
Lawson has made a name for himself in every level. From high school, to Arkansas to the Olympic Games, Lawson continues to succeed.
Jarrion Lawson
Liberty-Eylau High School
Impact Statement
Lawson has made a name for himself in every level. From high school, to Arkansas to the Olympic Games, Lawson continues to succeed.
Biography
A two-time 3A state champion in the triple jump and the long jump, the 6-foot-1 Lawson set 3A records in both events in the state meet this spring. His winning triple jump of 51-10¼, nearly four feet better than the second-place jump, and his winning long jump of 25-8, which he won by 2½ feet, were 1½” and 3½” shy of the all-class state records, respectively. Both are the longest jumps in the nation this year according to dyestat.com.
Lawson was named the 3A Most Outstanding Athlete for the second straight year and helped the Leopards to a third-place state finish. As a sophomore, he finished fourth in the triple jump and was part of a state champion 4×400 relay team. A three-sport athlete, Lawson earned second-team All-State honors in football as a defensive back with five interceptions, and averaged 7.1 points as a guard on the basketball team.
Lawson finished third in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump at the AUU Junior Olympics last summer, and he was the gold medalist in the triple jump at the AAU Junior Olympics Intermediate in 2010. Also an outstanding student, the University of Arkansas recruit is ranked No. 11 in his class.
Lawson went on to have quite a career at Arkansas. He finished as a three time NCAA Champion, twice in the Indoor Long Jump and once in the 4x100m. He also was a two time Runner-Up in the Indoor and Outdoor Long Jump as a junior. He earned 15 All America statuses. In addition, Lawson held a 4.0 GPA.
Since graduating, Lawson continues to train and compete for Team USA. As a 2016 Olympic Team Member, he placed 4th in the Long Jump. In 2017, he placed 1st in the Long Jump at the US Championships. He then finished 1st in the US Indoor Championships in 2018. Lawson is keeping his eye on the 2021 Olympic Games.
Photos
Records
Personal Honors
Plum High School
“Every time I stepped on the court, I gave it my all. I played for this school and represented the block ‘M’ on my shirt, because that’s the only thing that really matters.” – Ronit Yurovsky
“Every time I stepped on the court, I gave it my all. I played for this school and represented the block ‘M’ on my shirt, because that’s the only thing that really matters.” – Ronit Yurovsky
Ronit Yurovsky
Plum High School
Impact Statement
“Every time I stepped on the court, I gave it my all. I played for this school and represented the block ‘M’ on my shirt, because that’s the only thing that really matters.” – Ronit Yurovsky
Biography
Ranked the No. 8 recruit nationally by tennisrecruiting.net and the top-ranked player from the Middle Atlantic region, Yurovsky completed her career by winning her second consecutive 3A state singles title last fall. She was a four-time state placewinner, finishing third in state as a sophomore and second in state as a freshman.
Before winning her second state title, Yurovsky became just the second girl to become a three-time Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) singles champion. She lost just five singles matches in her high school career and was undefeated in regular-season play.
Currently ranked No. 16 on the USTA Under-18 girls list, Yurovsky owns a 14-8 Junior record. The University of Michigan recruit claimed the singles title at the 2010 USTA Interscholastics Championship East and was a bronze ball winner as a semifinalist at the 2008 Easter Bowl.
This winter, she was a semifinalist in the USTA Under-18 Regional Segment and a finalist in the USTA Under-18 National Open, both held in Grand Rapids, Mich. Yurovsky also was named a 2011 Scholar-Athlete Extra Effort Award recipient and is a volunteer for the Make a Wish Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Fund.
While at Michigan, Yurovsky excelled on the tennis courts. She is one of two Wolverines to make four NCAA Singles Championship appearances in Michigan history. She was named the Big-10 Freshman of the Year, as well as the ITA Midwest Region Rookie in 2013. As a senior, she was named ITA Midwest Region Senior of the Year. She was also honored as Michigan’s Big Ten Female Sportsmanship Award in 2016. She was named All Big Team every year and Academic All-Big Ten three times.
After graduation, Yurovsky played two years on the WTA Tour. In 2019, she was hired as an assistant coach at Penn State.
Photos
Community Service
Yurovsky volunteered for both the Make a Wish Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Fund during high school.
Records
Professional Achievements
Barron G. Coller High School
Clark excelled in both high school and college on the court and in the classroom.
Clark excelled in both high school and college on the court and in the classroom.
Brett Clark
Barron G. Coller High School
Impact Statement
Clark excelled in both high school and college on the court and in the classroom.
Biography
Few players are talented enough to claim multiple state championships in Florida, and fewer still are versatile enough to excel in both singles and doubles. Clark did both during his career.
He was a double champion his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, helping lead Barron Collier to the 3A state team title all three years. After taking the state title at No. 2 singles as a sophomore, the 6-foot-2 right-hander took No. 1 singles titles as a junior and senior, becoming just the 16th player in state history to win two championships at the No. 1 spot. The 3A Player of the Year, who also won a pair of team singles titles, was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Boys Player of the Year.
His three straight state titles at No. 1 doubles made him become just the fifth player to accomplish that feat. He did not drop a set in either singles or doubles over those three seasons. Clark also competed at No. 1 doubles as a freshman, advancing to the state semifinals.
Ranked the No. 6 recruit nationally by tennisrecruiting.net, Clark owns a 49-11 record in Junior competition. Last summer, the University of North Carolina recruit won the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Florida Under-18 Closed Sectional, was a finalist in the USTA Under-18 Clay Court Championships and advanced to the round of 64 in the U.S. Open Junior Championships.
At UNC Clark continued his success on the tennis courts. His senior year, Clark earned All-America honors. He was also named the Carolina Region’s ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award winner.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Cherry Creek High School
“Swimming has given me so much, taught me so much about life and about myself that I don’t ever regret missing out on some things because I had practice.”
“Swimming has given me so much, taught me so much about life and about myself that I don’t ever regret missing out on some things because I had practice.”
Bonnie Brandon
Cherry Creek High School
Impact Statement
“Swimming has given me so much, taught me so much about life and about myself that I don’t ever regret missing out on some things because I had practice.”
Biography
One of the most storied swimmers to come out of one of Colorado’s most storied programs, the 6-foot-2 Brandon went 4-for-4 in the 5A state championships, finishing her career with 14 titles – seven individual and seven in relays. She also won four events her freshman and sophomore years.
Brandon broke her own state records in winning the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle for the second time in her career, and also was a part of the Bruins’ state-record 200 freestyle relay performance in 2011. Her time of 1:59.09 in the medley was 2.8 seconds faster than the record she set in the preliminaries the previous day. And in the 500, her time of 4:43.52 beat the state record she set as a sophomore by more than eight seconds. Brandon also swam anchor legs to help the Bruins to a sweep of the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. She also owns titles in the 50 and 400 freestyle and the 100 backstroke.
The former national record holder in the 13-14 age group in the 200 backstroke, Brandon was the silver medalist at the Junior Pan-Pacific Championships in 2010 and at the Pan-American Games in 2011, finishing third in the USA Swimming National Championships. She is ranked fourth in the United States and 24th in the world in the event. Also an outstanding student with a 4.0 grade-point average, she will attend the University of Arizona.
While at Arizona, Brandon was a six time NCAA All American. She holds two school records in the 200 backstroke and 1,650 freestyle. She was also on the relay team who set a school record in the 800 freestyle relay. Outside of the pool, Brandon also made the Pac-12 All-Academic First Team her last three years.
Brandon battled through injuries after graduation until she stepped away from competitive swimming after the 2016 Olympic Trails. She enrolled in an accelerated nursing program at the University of Arizona.
Photos
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Northview High School
“I try to set a good example – the best I can in the pool and outside the pool – and by training hard every day.” -Matias Koski
“I try to set a good example – the best I can in the pool and outside the pool – and by training hard every day.” -Matias Koski
Matias Koski
Northview High School
Impact Statement
“I try to set a good example – the best I can in the pool and outside the pool – and by training hard every day.” -Matias Koski
Biography
Koski’s family emigrated to the United States from Finland in 1997, eventually settling in the Atlanta area prior to his eighth-grade year.
Koski appears a certainty to earn his third Georgia Male Swimmer of the Year honor after becoming a three-time 5A state champion in both the 200- and 500-meter freestyle. He competed in three races this year and set state records in each. Koski broke his own state record in the 200 (1:36.15), set another record in the 500 (4:18.57) and swam the anchor leg on the Northview 4×100 freestyle relay team that set a third record (3:06.26). He also owns the state record in the 100 freestyle and 10 age-group state records.
Last summer, Koski was the USA Swimming Junior National champion in the 800 freestyle and was runner-up in the 200, 400 and 500 freestyle. He holds the Finnish national record in the 800 freestyle and was a finalist in the 2011 European Junior Championship in the 200 and 400 freestyle. Koski also won the Finnish National Championship in the 100 and 400 freestyle, and will compete in the Summer Olympics for his native Finland in both events. He will attend the University of Georgia.
Koski continued his swimming success at Georgia. As a Bulldog, Koski became a multiple time NCAA All American in different events. He was also the National Champion in the Men’s 1600 Freestyle. He is the school record older in the 200 freestyle.
In 2012, Koski was a member of the Finnish Olympic Team. Koski continues to compete in events. Most recently, he placed 5th and 6th in the 100 L and 200 L Freestyle at the TYR Pro Swim Series at Mesa in April of 2018.
Photos
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
The McDonogh School
A rare three-time selection to the NSCAA High School All-America Team, Spivey recorded 45 goals and 26 assists to earn First Team All-Metro status in both seasons.
A rare three-time selection to the NSCAA High School All-America Team, Spivey recorded 45 goals and 26 assists to earn First Team All-Metro status in both seasons.
Ashley Spivey
The McDonogh School
Impact Statement
A rare three-time selection to the NSCAA High School All-America Team, Spivey recorded 45 goals and 26 assists to earn First Team All-Metro status in both seasons.
Biography
A rare three-time selection to the NSCAA High School All-America Team, the 5-foot-10 Spivey was a forward in her first two years at McDonogh, recording 45 goals and 26 assists to earn First Team All-Metro status in both seasons.
When Spivey moved to central midfield for her junior season, McDonogh took off. The team won Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championships her junior and senior seasons and finished 18-3 last fall. She had 18 goals and 16 assists as a senior, including five goals and three assists in three postseason games. She finished her career with 85 goals and 57 assists and earned back-to-back All-Metro Player of the Year honors from The Baltimore Sun.
Ranked the No. 6 overall recruit in the nation, the No. 1 in the Mid Atlantic and the No. 2 central midfielder by TopDrawerSoccer.com, Spivey is a two-time ESPN Rise Maryland Player of the Year and a two-time Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year.
A member of the USA Soccer Under-18 National Team, Spivey has been in National Team pools since her Under-14 days. She was part of the Under-17 World Cup qualifying team in Costa Rica in 2010 and played with the Nordic Cup Champions in Denmark in 2009. Also an outstanding student with a 3.72 grade-point average, she will attend the University of Maryland.
Spivey went on to play at the University of Maryland for two seasons. As a freshman, she was one of two freshman to start every game. She was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2012. The following year, she was named to the All-ACC Third Team.
After the season, Spivey transferred to the University of Central Florida. As a junior, she was named to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team. Of her ten goals that season, four were game-winners. Her senior year, she was the team captain. She was named to the All American Athletic Conference Tournament Team and the 1st Team All American Athletic Conference. She was also on the Dean’s list her last two years.
After college, she obtained her MBA from the University of Northern Florida. She was also on the Dean’s list all three terms.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
The Gilman School
Harris, one of the best goaltenders to come out of Maryland, continued his success at Wake Forest.
Harris, one of the best goaltenders to come out of Maryland, continued his success at Wake Forest.
Andrew Harris
The Gilman School
Impact Statement
Harris, one of the best goaltenders to come out of Maryland, continued his success at Wake Forest.
Biography
The only goalkeeper to become a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) High School All-American this year, the 6-foot, 190-pound Harris made 10 saves and recorded his school-record 13th shutout in his junior season. He the Greyhounds to a 17-2-3 record and their first Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship since 1995.
He was named All-Metro Player of the Year by The Baltimore Sun as a junior and the Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year as a senior. This year, Harris led the Greyhounds (18-4-1) back to the conference title game. He broke his own school record by recording 15 shutouts, and allowed just 10 goals all season.
Also an expert ball-handler, Harris was a forward for the Greyhounds as a freshman, scoring three goals. In his three years as a starter, Harris was 52-14-7 with 37 shutouts. Also an outstanding student with a 3.5 grade-point average, Harris is the senior class vice president and a member of the school’s judiciary committee. A member of the U.S. Soccer Under-18 Team pool, Harris will attend Wake Forest University.
Harris played soccer during his years at Wake Forest. He had a handful of shutout games during his tenure.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Altus High School
Blonien became the second Oklahoman golfer to win four state championships.
Blonien became the second Oklahoman golfer to win four state championships.
Megan Blonien
Altus High School
Impact Statement
Blonien became the second Oklahoman golfer to win four state championships.
Biography
Blonien became the second Oklahoma girl – and the first in 5A – in the 82-year history of the state tournament to win four individual titles.
Trailing two golfers by a stroke after the first round, Blonien rallied with the only sub-70 round shot by anyone in the tournament – a 3-under-par 67 – to take the title by three strokes. She shot 75-67-142. She had four birdies and one bogey in her final round, and needed only 27 putts. The only other four-time state champion was Lacey Jones of Idabel High School, who won four 4A titles from 2001-04.
As a freshman, Blonien shot a hole-in-one en route to a final-round 71 as she took her first title. The two-time defending Oklahoma Girls Junior state champion, Blonien also won the event’s Long Drive Contest in the 16-17 age group with a drive of 291 yards. Her final-round 72 made her the first Oklahoma golfer to win the Girls Open title in the 28-year history of the Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament last summer, a title she won by a record 16 strokes. Blonien also qualified for the match play portion of the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur. She will attend Oklahoma State University.
Blonien attended Oklahoma State for one year prior to transferring to Florida Gulf Coast University. As a junior, she was named to the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Tournament Team. Her senior year she earned First Team All-Conference. In addition, she also was named to the ASUN All-Tournament Team.
Photos
Records
Personal Honors
Valor Christian High School
Clark has been playing big since he was six. He’s had a successful career from high school up to the PGA.
Clark has been playing big since he was six. He’s had a successful career from high school up to the PGA.
Wyndham Clark
Valor Christian High School
Impact Statement
Clark has been playing big since he was six. He’s had a successful career from high school up to the PGA.
Biography
In what will go down as arguably the best two-day performance ever at a Colorado high school state golf tournament, Clark shot back-to-back 8-under-par rounds of 64 last fall to win his second 4A state championship, his 36-hole total of 128 winning by eight strokes. Clark also won the state title as a sophomore and finished second in state his freshman and junior years. Clark hit all but two greens in regulation in the tournament, had a half-dozen birdie putts skim the edge of the cup and was 10-under on the course’s par-5 holes.
Named the 4A Player of the Year by The Denver Post, Clark, No. 24 in the Polo Golf Rankings, was one of four American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) players selected to receive the Byron Nelson International Junior Golf Awards. The awards will be presented at the PGA Tour HP Byron Nelson Championship and Awards Dinner presented by American Airlines.
The 2010 Colorado State Amateur champion, Clark is a two-time Rolex Junior All-American and has 11 career AJGA top-10 finishes, including a win at the 2010 Under Armour/Vicky Hurst Championship. He will attend Oklahoma State University.
Clark spent 3 years as a Cowboy. After his freshman year, he was named the Big 12 Player of the Year. His mom and biggest supporter passed away in 2013. In her honor, he’s always wants to “play big” for her. As a senior, he transferred to the University of Oregon. Both he individually and his fellow Ducks finished second at the DI NCAA Championships. He was named First Team All-American, Golfweek Male Golfer of the Year, and the Pac-10 Player of the Year.
After graduating with his degree in Business, Clark earned his PGA card at the end of the 2018 season. His best PGA finish came at the Honda Classic in March of 2019, where he finished 7th.
Photos
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
University Lake School
Seidel was a running sensation at the University Lake School, on to Notre Dame, and now she is an Olympic Team Member.
Seidel was a running sensation at the University Lake School, on to Notre Dame, and now she is an Olympic Team Member.
Molly Seidel
University Lake School
Impact Statement
Seidel was a running sensation at the University Lake School, on to Notre Dame, and now she is an Olympic Team Member.
Biography
Last fall, the 5-foot-4 Seidel became just the second Wisconsin girl to become a four-time state champion, joining three-time Olympian Suzy Favor-Hamilton of Stevens Point High (1982-85).
Seidel won the Division 3 title in 13:39.59, breaking the all-class state record she set last year by five seconds. This spring, she also became a four-time track and field state champion in the 1,600 and the 3,200.
Last spring, her winning times in the 1,600 (4:51.54) and the 3,200 (10:33.15) were Division 3 state records. By slashing eight and 22 seconds off those times, respectively, she could claim the all-class record in each event. She won the Foot Locker Midwest Regional (17:08) and the Foot Locker Nationals (17:22) and was named the Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year and the National Girls Senior Athlete of the Year by xcnation.com.
Last year, Seidel also established the national record for 4,000 meters when she won the Lancer Invitational in 13:10.08. Also an outstanding student, Seidel ranks No. 1 in her class with a 4.0 grade-point average, was a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist and scored 34 on the ACT, including a perfect 36 on the English portion. She will attend the University of Notre Dame.
While at Notre Dame, she won four NCAA titles; one in Cross Country, two in Indoor Track & Field and one in Outdoor Track & Field.
Seidel continues to run today. Most recently, on in February 29, 2020, she secured her spot for the 2020 Olympic Team -( the Olympic Games have been pushed back to 2021 due to COVID-19). She finished second in the marathon with a time of 2:27:31, her personal best and first sanctioned event.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
North Central High School
“For me, being in all these places, it taught me to be very humble and to be myself; to be proud of whom I am.” -Futsum Zeinasellassie
“For me, being in all these places, it taught me to be very humble and to be myself; to be proud of whom I am.” -Futsum Zeinasellassie
Futsum Zeinasellassie
North Central High School
Impact Statement
“For me, being in all these places, it taught me to be very humble and to be myself; to be proud of whom I am.” -Futsum Zeinasellassie
Biography
As a freshman, the 5-foot-8 Zeinasellassie finished second at the cross country state meet, seventh at the Foot Locker National Championships, and won the 3,200-meter track and field state title. He became Indiana’s third three-time cross country state champion last fall by running the 5,000 meters in 14:48.8, a course record, winning the race by 44 seconds.
Zeinasellassie is a two-time Foot Locker Nationals runner-up, won the Nike Cross Nationals in 2011 in a course-record 15:02.41, and was named the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year and the National Boys Senior Athlete of the Year by xcnation.com.
This spring, he won the 3,200 in the prestigious Arcadia (Calif.) Invitational in 8:47.75, breaking a 37-year-old record for the fastest time by an Indiana runner and recording the nation’s fastest time in the event this year according to dyestat.com.
A native of Eritrea, who emigrated to the United States at the age of 14, Zeinasellassie has maintained a B average in the classroom. A devoted member of his church community, where his father is a pastor, he has volunteered with youth track programs and raised funds to benefit a school in Kenya. He will attend Northern Arizona University, where his older brother, Bahlbi Gebreyohanns, is a sophomore member of the cross country team.
While running at Northern Arizona, Zeinasellassie qualified all four years for the NCAA’s. He finished 31st, 4th, 3rd and 4th respectively.
Since graduating, Zeinasellassie continues to train and run professionally.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Cicero-North Syracuse High School
“You have to love your sport. Your passion & dedication can’t be some-time, part-time or spare-time. It has to be all-time.” -Breanna Stewart
“You have to love your sport. Your passion & dedication can’t be some-time, part-time or spare-time. It has to be all-time.” -Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart
Cicero-North Syracuse High School
Impact Statement
“You have to love your sport. Your passion & dedication can’t be some-time, part-time or spare-time. It has to be all-time.” -Breanna Stewart
Biography
The 6-foot-4 forward’s record-breaking performance helped the Northstars become the first New York State Public High Athletic Association titlist since 2001 to win the AA New York State Federation Tournament of Champions. Stewart had a triple double – 13 points, 13 rebounds and 13 blocks – in the AA Public championship game, then racked up 22 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks as Cicero-North Syracuse (23-3), ranked No. 10 in the final POWERADE FAB 50, routed reigning 14-time Public Schools Athletic League champion New York Murry Bergtraum High, 60-28 in the championship game. She also had 42 points and 22 rebounds in an 80-55 semifinal victory over Brooklyn Nazareth High, hitting 15 of 20 shots from the field. Her 64 points and 38 rebounds were both tournament records, and she averaged 26.4 points, 14.2 rebounds, 4.1 blocks, 3.2 steals and 3.1 assists as a senior.
The University of Connecticut signee was named the girls Morgan Wootten Player of the Year by McDonald’s, the Gatorade National Player of the Year, the All-USA Today Player of the Year and the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. Last summer, Stewart averaged team highs of 11.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks while playing just 19.9 minutes as the USA won the FIBA Under-19 world championship in Puerto Montt, Chile. She was the second youngest team member. She also was the only high school player to represent her country in the Pan-American Games last fall in Guadalajara, Mexico. She also played on two other gold medal-winning teams: the Under-16 national team (FIBA Americas, 2009) and the Under-17 national team (FIBA World Championships, 2010).
At the University of Connecticut Stewart continued her dominence in the sport. She led the Huskies to four NCAA National Championships during her career. She was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player all four years. She was named the national player of the year three times as well.
After graduating, Stewart was the number one overall WNBA draft pick by the Seattle Storm in 2016. She was named Rookie of the Year her first year. She was named an to the All Star team twice. In 2018, she was part of the WNBA’s Championship team and named the WNBA’s Finals MVP. In addition, she was honored as the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2018. After rupturing her Achilles, she was sidelined in the 2019-20 season. She was named as the league’s ambassador.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Wichita Heights High School
Ellis excelled in both the classroom and on the court while at Wichita Heights High School and the University of Kansas.
Ellis excelled in both the classroom and on the court while at Wichita Heights High School and the University of Kansas.
Perry Ellis
Wichita Heights High School
Impact Statement
Ellis excelled in both the classroom and on the court while at Wichita Heights High School and the University of Kansas.
Biography
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound post player led Wichita Heights to four 6A state championships and became the first player to be named All-State four times by The Wichita Eagle. Ellis scored 2,231 career points, breaking a Wichita City League record that had stood since 1981, and had 987 career rebounds as he led the Falcons (23-2) on a state-record 62-game winning streak that was set this season. Ellis averaged 25.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals as a senior and shot 67 percent from the field, including 43 percent from three-point range, and 78 percent from the free-throw line, hitting 195 free throws.
The McDonald’s All-American had 29 points and seven rebounds in the Falcons’ 67-60 title-game victory over Overland Park Blue Valley Northwest High. Named to the All-USA Today Second Team, Ellis, the Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year, is the first player in the award program’s 27-year history to be a four-time state Player of the Year selection.
Also an outstanding student, Ellis ranks No. 1 in his class with a 4.0 grade-point average, and serves as secretary of his school’s National Honor Society chapter. The University of Kansas recruit has volunteered locally on behalf of the Wichita Children’s Home, with the Real Men, Real Heroes Teen Hero program, as part of youth literacy-outreach initiatives and as a motivational speaker to youth athletes, addressing the importance of education.
Ellis played for the Kansas Jayhawks all four years earning four trips to the NCAA Championships. In addition, the Jayhawks made a trip to the Elite Eight as a senior. Off the court, Ellis was the Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year both his junior and senior years.
After college, Ellis has played the past few years in the NBA’s G-League overseas. He’s played for Turkey, Italy, Germany and Australia. In July of 2019, Ellis was injured during a summer tournament and required surgery. He is now back at Kansas rehabbing and completing his degree. He was named the video coordinator for the 2019-2020 season.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Blair Academy
Mark Grey dominated his way through high school at powerhouse Blair Academy.
Mark Grey dominated his way through high school at powerhouse Blair Academy.
Mark Grey
Blair Academy
Impact Statement
Mark Grey dominated his way through high school at powerhouse Blair Academy.
Biography
In April, Grey won the 132-pound title in the NHSCA National High School Seniors Wrestling Championships at Virginia Beach, Va., and was the recipient of the Jeff Reese Memorial Award as the meet’s Outstanding Wrestler. It was the second significant victory for the Cornell University recruit in an NHSCA national event this season.
In January, Grey’s decision win in the final match of the NHSCA Wrestling Festival lifted Blair Academy (20-0) past Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward High, 27-22 in a No. 1-vs.-No. 2 showdown, cementing the Bucs’ spot atop the national rankings this season. That victory earned Grey GTM Sportswear Athlete of the Month honors from the NHSCA.
A four-time National Prep Championships champion, Grey finished 27-2 this season, 133-7 in his career and won titles at 103, 119 and 125 pounds prior to this season. Grey also has a long history of success in USA Wrestling events. He was a double Cadet National champion in 2008 and the Cadet National Greco-Roman champion in 2009, the FILA Cadet National freestyle champion in 2010 and was the runner-up in the FILA Junior freestyle World Team Trials last year. Grey was selected to the ASICS All-America First Team at 132 this year.
Grey attended Cornell University. He was four year starter despite missing the majority of his junior year due to injury. He was a three time qualifier for the NCAA Division I Championships. He finished with a 81-42 career record.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Lakeland High School
“You must work tirelessly in pursuit of your goals. It’s also reminded me that just because you work hard doesn’t mean you will always be rewarded with success.” -Emma Bozek
“You must work tirelessly in pursuit of your goals. It’s also reminded me that just because you work hard doesn’t mean you will always be rewarded with success.” -Emma Bozek
Emma Bozek
Lakeland High School
Impact Statement
“You must work tirelessly in pursuit of your goals. It’s also reminded me that just because you work hard doesn’t mean you will always be rewarded with success.” -Emma Bozek
Biography
Bozek had 77 points this season, scoring 40 goals and adding a national-best 37 assists to lead the Hornets to a 21-1 record, a third consecutive Class B state championship and the No. 3 final national ranking according to topofthecircle.com.
She finished her career with 119 goals and 58 assists, and was one of just three players nationally to reach the 30-30 club in goals and assists as a senior.
Bozek was named to the Harrow Sports/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) First Team for the second consecutive year, and also was an NFHCA All-Academic Team selection.
Selected to train at the Junior National Camp for field hockey the past two summers, Bozek also is a two-time member of the USA Under-17 Women’s National Field Hockey Team, which competed in the DOMO International Easter Hockey Tournament in the Netherlands. Bozek will attend the University of North Carolina. .
While at UNC, Bozek played three years as a Tar Heel. She did not play her senior year due to an injury the summer prior. She eared ACC Academic Honor Roll honors all four years. She was named the Laree Beans Practice Player of the Year, the team’s top honor, her sophomore and junior season.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Berkeley Preparatory School
Burgess has made an impact both on the court and in the classroom while at Berkeley Prep and at Stanford University.
Burgess has made an impact both on the court and in the classroom while at Berkeley Prep and at Stanford University.
Jordan Burgess
Berkeley Preparatory School
Impact Statement
Burgess has made an impact both on the court and in the classroom while at Berkeley Prep and at Stanford University.
Biography
The 6-foot-1 outside hitter led the Buccaneers to a 30-2 record and its third consecutive 4A state championship. She amassed 553 kills, 514 service receptions, 366 digs, 48 aces, 38 assists and 32 blocks while recording a hitting percentage of .457, earning Florida 4A Player of the Year honors. She had 539 kills, 320 digs, 58 blocks and 51 aces as a junior. She was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year after earning Gatorade Florida Player of the Year honors for the third time, and also is a two-time U.S. Girls National Team member.
The PrepVolleyball.com Junior of the Year last year, Burgess received the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Volleyball award for the second straight year, becoming the first repeat winner in the award’s 20-year history, and was named an Under Armour First Team All-American. Also, an outstanding student, Burgess has maintained a 3.9 grade-point average, scored 2100 on the SAT and will attend Stanford University.
Burgess also is a founding director of Everyone Should Play, an organization that raises funds to help disadvantaged youths with the high cost of playing competitive sports.
While at Stanford, Burgess had an outstanding career. As a freshman, she was named to the All-Pac-12 Freshman Team. She was an AVCA All-America first team as junior and honorable mention as a sophomore. She was named All Pac-10 Conference three times. As a senior, Burgess was the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year honoree. She was also bestowed as the Senior CLASS Award All-America, first team.
After graduation, Burgess played a year of professional volleyball in the VfB Suhl Lotto Thuringia in the top professional league in Germany, the Bundesliga.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Legacy High School
Gaffin has left a legacy at both Legacy High School and at the University of Tennessee. She excelled both on the diamond and in the classroom.
Gaffin has left a legacy at both Legacy High School and at the University of Tennessee. She excelled both on the diamond and in the classroom.
Rainey Gaffin
Legacy High School
Impact Statement
Gaffin has left a legacy at both Legacy High School and at the University of Tennessee. She excelled both on the diamond and in the classroom.
Biography
Gaffin has been one of the main reasons that Legacy, which opened its doors in 2000, has now won five consecutive 5A state softball titles and built a 70-game winning streak that carried into this season.
Playing for her mother, Legacy coach Dawn Gaffin, Rainey, a 5-foot-10 right-hander, has been the Lightning’s starting pitcher for two years. She was named Boulder-based BoCoPreps.com Player of the Year for the second straight year after she scorched opposing pitchers for a .591 batting average and a school-record 15 home runs last fall, while compiling a 22-2 record, a 1.74 earned-run average and 124 strikeouts on the mound using a curveball-screwball combination. That performance also earned her ESPN Rise Player of the Year honors.
As a junior, Gaffin was a perfect 23-0 with a 0.98 ERA, striking out 109 and walking just 18 in 124 innings, and in November of that year, she was named GTM Sportswear Athlete of the Month by the NHSCA. She also batted .693 with 13 doubles, 41 RBIs and 44 runs scored. She is a two-time Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year, two-time 5A state tournament Most Valuable Player, The Denver Post two-time All-Colorado Player of the Year and the 2011 Colorado Sportswoman of the Year. Gaffin, who owns a 3.39 grade-point average, will attend the University of Tennessee.
While at Tennessee, Gaffin had a impressive career. She was named third team NFCA Division I All-American as a Senior, and second team as a Junior. As a senior, she was on the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 “Watch List”.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Bishop Gorman High School
“Every time you dogpile on the field at the end of the year is a great feeling.” -Joey Gallo
“Every time you dogpile on the field at the end of the year is a great feeling.” -Joey Gallo
Joey Gallo
Bishop Gorman High School
Impact Statement
“Every time you dogpile on the field at the end of the year is a great feeling.” -Joey Gallo
Biography
Considered the top senior corner infield prospect by ESPN Rise, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Gallo leads the nation with 20 home runs and 79 RBIs, according to MaxPreps.com.
He has led six-time defending state champion Bishop Gorman to a 37-3 record this spring. The left-handed hitter is batting .519 with 63 runs scored, eight doubles and 12 stolen bases, and has gone hit-less in just seven games.
Gallo has signed with Louisiana State University, but he is projected to be a first-round selection in the upcoming Major League Draft. His power potential is being compared to another Las Vegas product, 2010 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper, now starting for the Washington Nationals.
Last spring, Gallo batted .471 with 25 home runs, 79 RBIs and 64 runs scored, and was named to the High School All-America second team by Baseball America. Last summer, in the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park in San Diego, Gallo hit a 442-foot home run into the center-field bleachers, the 10th-longest home run hit in the park’s history. In February, he had two hits in three at-bats in a scrimmage against Lucas Giolito of Westlake Village (Calif.) Harvard-Westlake School, who is projected to be the top overall pick.
Gallo was a starter on the USA Baseball Under-18 National Team that went 9-0 to win the Pan-American Championships at Cartagena, Colombia, outscoring its opponents by an 88-8 margin.
After graduation, Gallo was selected as the 39th pick overall in the MLB Draft. He forwent LSU and signed with the Texas Rangers. After three years in the minor leagues, Gallo was called up to the Majors on June 1, 2015 and played a handful of games before going back down.
In 2017, Gallo played the entire season in the Majors for the Rangers in multiple positions. On May 8, 2019, he hit his 100th homerun where he became the quickest player to do so in only 377 games. On May 31, 2019, Gallo hit another new marker in his career, his first career grand slam. Later in the season, Gallo was selected to be part of the American League All Star team.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Aledo High School
“To work with guys you considered your friends, to live through it with your team, to help each other succeed, those were great times.” -Jonhathan Gray
“To work with guys you considered your friends, to live through it with your team, to help each other succeed, those were great times.” -Jonhathan Gray
Johnathan Gray
Aledo High School
Impact Statement
“To work with guys you considered your friends, to live through it with your team, to help each other succeed, those were great times.” -Jonhathan Gray
Biography
The first player to be named ESPN Rise Player of the Year as a junior, Gray added to his trophy case as a senior when he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Nominated for GTM Sportswear Athlete of the Month honors by the NHSCA in September, Gray led Aledo to a 14-2 record and a third consecutive 4A state title last fall. He rushed for 10,889 yards in his career to rank No. 2 in state history.
The 5-foot-10, 202-pound Gray rushed for 3,886 yards – No. 5 all-time according to the National Federation of State High School Associations record book – and a state-record 65 touchdowns on 347 carries as a senior, and also caught 26 passes for 517 yards and five scores. His 205 career rushing touchdowns are a national record, and his 1,232 career points rank second nationally.
The No. 5 recruit in the Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNU, Gray set state records in career carries and 100-yard games. He became the third prep athlete in state history to eclipse 10,000 career rushing yards. A three-year veteran of his school’s student council and a representative on the Aledo Independent School District Health Committee, Gray maintains a B average in the classroom.
In addition to donating his time as a youth football instructor and a mentor to special education students, the University of Texas recruit has volunteered on behalf of his church’s youth group, an alcohol and drug awareness program and Baylor All Saints Hospital’s Helping Hands Foundation. His father, James, earned collegiate Second Team All-America honors in 1989 and stands No. 2 on Texas Tech University’s list of career rushing leaders.
Since being honored in 2012, Gray attended and played for the Longhorns. He had an injury ridden career including two Achilles injuries. He capped her career with 2,610 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.
In 2018, Gray was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. Gray is currently starting his own company to help train future athletes both in the sport of football and in life.
Photos
Articles
Videos
