Kyle Whitaker
Chesterton High School
Impact Statement
Whitaker ended his career as the most decorated boys swimmer in Indiana high school history. He continued his success while swimming at the University of Michigan.
Biography
With eight individual titles and 12 overall, Whitaker ended his career as the most decorated boys swimmer in Indiana high school history. He broke his own national record in the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:44.55, becoming the first four-time state champion in that event, and his time of 4:19.79 in the 500 freestyle set a state record. He also won three 100 butterfly state crowns.
The Indiana High School Athletic Association named Whitaker the recipient of its Herman F. Keller Mental Attitude Award, presented to a senior who demonstrates the qualities of mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. In the Speedo Junior National Championships last summer Whitaker took the boys high point award, winning five individual events and setting meet records in all five: the 200 butterfly (1:56.95), the 400 individual medley (4:17.59), the 100 butterfly (53.31), the 200 freestyle (1:49.87) and the 200 individual medley (2:00.07). Whitaker will attend the University of Michigan.
While at Michigan, Whitaker accumulated 12 All American honors. He was a nine time Big-Ten Champion. Whitaker was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2011. He was also a member of the US National team during this time.
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Liberty High School
Owens made an impact on every track her feet have touched.
Ashley Owens
Liberty High School
Impact Statement
Owens made an impact on every track her feet have touched.
Biography
Owens blazed her way into the Colorado elite, along with national recognition by the National High School Coaches Association.
Owens pulled the first ever four-peat double by winning the “4A” 100 and 200 meters at the Colorado state championships beginning with her freshman year. She also doubled up for a pair of wins at the prestigious Great Southwest Classic Track Meet and will attend UNLV where she hopes to better her national indoor record for the 60 meters (7.19).
Owens went on to win the Gold in the 100 meters at the World Junior Nationals.
Owens went on to run for a year at LSU before transferring to UNLV. Ultimately, college running was not for her. She opted to turn professional.
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Palm Bay High School
Carter excelled in both high school and college on the track.
Xavier Carter
Palm Bay High School
Impact Statement
Carter excelled in both high school and college on the track.
Biography
Carter, also a football star at wide receiver, won the 100 (10.56), 200 (20.72) and 400 meters (45.44, state record) at the Florida “AAA” state meet for second year in a row. Carter ends his prep track career with nine state titles and will now run and play football at Louisiana State University.
Carter was a member of LSU’s Track and Football team. He was the NCAA Outdoor Runner up in the 200 meters and aided LSU by winning the 1600 meter relay his freshman year. As a sophomore he won the 400 meters during the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
He also played football for the Tigers and made an impact until he fractured his clavicle, prematurely ending his football career. Upon healing, Carter focused on Track.
He announced he would forgo his last two years of eligibility. Unfortunately, in 2007 he re- injured his knee.
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Pine Creek High School
“That’s been my motto since I stopped playing tennis – be the best I can be and help my patients lead better lives and give back in that way.” -Nicole Leimbach
Nicole Leimbach
Pine Creek High School
Impact Statement
“That’s been my motto since I stopped playing tennis – be the best I can be and help my patients lead better lives and give back in that way.” -Nicole Leimbach
Biography
Leimbach also finished her prep career with four state titles to earn NHSCA Senior Athlete of the Year honors. Leimbach, who holds a 59-0 career mark, never lost a set during her high school tennis career and hopes to continue her success at the University of Southern California.
In her Freshman year Leimbach earned All American honors while winning the PAC-10 Singles Title. She then transferred to Texas Christian University her sophomore year.
In her TCU sophomore debut, Leimbach was the first Frog to reach the semifinals of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships. In 2006, Leimbach helped the Frogs make their first appearance at the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
In 2008, Leimbach had a season ending injury to her ankle and retired from tennis.
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Cut Bank High School
Gregg has been on top of his game, whether on the basketball or tennis court, over his sports career.
Keithan Gregg
Cut Bank High School
Impact Statement
Gregg has been on top of his game, whether on the basketball or tennis court, over his sports career.
Biography
Gregg finished his prep career with four state titles to earn NHSCA Senior Athlete of the Year honors. Gregg earned his four titles while leading the Cut Bank High School tennis team to three team championships in Montana. Gregg, also a great basketball player, hit the shot to lead the Wolves to victory in overtime to clinch Cut Bank’s first Class B state basketball championship in 10 years.
Gregg continued his tennis career at Eastern Washington University, but only for a year. Realizing his love of basketball, he then transferred to the University of Great Falls. He played basketball there for a season before heading back to EWU to play tennis again. Being homesick, he transferred back to UGF where he finished his college career playing basketball.
After college, Gregg began his coaching career and has coached both basketball and tennis in high school and college. Gregg was hired in 2015 as the Portland State’s Women’s Basketball Director of Basketball Operations. Going into the 2017-2018 season, Gregg was promoted as the assistant coach. The Vikings made it to the big show, the NCAA tournament in 2019, before their defeat by #2 Oregon.
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Atlantic High School
Jeffrey was an eight- time State Champion in Florida and won the Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympics.
Rhiannon Jeffrey
Atlantic High School
Impact Statement
Jeffrey was an eight- time State Champion in Florida and won the Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympics.
Biography
Jeffrey holds eight Florida individual high school titles and successfully made a transition after her sophomore season to move from only sprints to attempting the 200-meters, where she graduated with two state championships.
In the summer of 2004 Jeffrey won a gold medal in Athens.
In 2007, Jeffrey retired from swimming all together. In 2017 she was hired as the Head Coach of Cannonball Swim Club in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
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Waukesha High School
Bubolz swam with fun, now is coaching with the same emphasis – having fun.
Kyle Bubolz
Waukesha High School
Impact Statement
Bubolz swam with fun, now is coaching with the same emphasis – having fun.
Biography
Bubolz, who won the 50 and 100-meter state freestyle titles, has set 133 swim records since jumping into the pool at age six. He currently holds six national records and 30 state marks. Bubolz will move to the Big Ten and swim at Northwestern after an attempt this July to make the U.S. Olympic Team.
While at Northwestern, Bubolz was a member of the 400 medley relay that won the NCAA title in 2007 with a NCAA-record time. He was a 19x All American and very prolific in the butterfly. He was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team four times. At the time of his graduation Bubolz held six school records.
In 2013, Bubolz joined the CWAC, Chicago Wolfpack Aquatic Club, team in Chicago where he is coaching swimmers to be better swimmers while having fun.
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Satellite High School
“There is no better feeling than stepping out on that field and stunning them all by doing what none of them thought you could do.” -Ashlyn Harris
Ashlyn Harris
Satellite High School
Impact Statement
“There is no better feeling than stepping out on that field and stunning them all by doing what none of them thought you could do.” -Ashlyn Harris
Biography
The girls’ soccer award winner is Ashlyn Harris, a goalkeeper from Satellite HS in Florida, who will attend North Carolina University at Chapel Hill. She gave up no goals in 50 of 65 games played over her four-year prep career. She had a goals-against average of .29 for her career in leading Satellite to three state finals games and two titles.
Harris was Florida’s Player of the Year for her last two years at Satellite and pulled double duty by also contributing to the United States 19-under national team while in high school. In 2002, at the age of 16, Harris played the full game of the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup leading them to victory. She went on to become a two- time World Championship team member as the Women’s team also won in 2015.
While at UNC Harris led the team to three NCAA Championships in 2006, 2008 and 2009. After college Harris played for a number of teams throughout her career. She currently plays for the Orlando Pride. In 2015 she was the second pick of the 2015 Expansion Draft for the National Women’s Soccer League.
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La Salle Academy
Colaluca excelled on the soccer field at all levels, including in the MLS.
Nick Colaluca
La Salle Academy
Impact Statement
Colaluca excelled on the soccer field at all levels, including in the MLS.
Biography
The NHSCA Senior Boys’ Soccer Athlete of the Year is Nick Colaluca of La Salle Academy in Providence, R.I. Colaluca, a midfielder with several national honors and recognitions, led his team to a 23-0 record last fall and a fourth straight state championship. The four-year starter will now take his athletic and academic careers to the University of Virginia.
While attending UVA, Colaluca was named the Freshman of the Year, the ACC All-Tournament Team and ACC All Freshman Team in 2004. Colauca left UVA after his sophomore year and was the 6th overall pick in the 2007 MLS Draft by the Colorado Rapids. He played professionally for a number of years.
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West Torrance High School
Cochran won a California State Championship and joined the WPGA after one year of college.
Amie Cochran
West Torrance High School
Impact Statement
Cochran won a California State Championship and joined the WPGA after one year of college.
Biography
Cochran won the first California state title contested in girls’ golf in over 20 years when she took the title in a playoff at the PGA of Southern California this spring. Cochran will join an NCAA championship squad at UCLA next year.
Cochran played for the Bruins two years before turning professional after her Sophomore year.
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La Mirada High School
Im excelled as a 2004 CIF State Champion and has wins under his belt in the PGA.
Daniel Im
La Mirada High School
Impact Statement
Im excelled as a 2004 CIF State Champion and has wins under his belt in the PGA.
Biography
Im is a 4.0 student who will also attend perennial power UCLA, which finished as runners-up on the men’s side of the NCAA competition this season. Im won the C.I.F. individual title in California’s Southern and has been ranked among the best junior golfers in America for the past several years.
While at UCLA Im won the 2006 PAC Championship. Upon graduation he turned professional in 2008. He has played on both the Challenge Tour and the Canadian Tour. He is currently part of the European Tour. In 2008, Im won two Canadian Tour events.
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Minster High School
Olding was a twelve- time State Champion at Minster High School in Ohio and a two- time NCAA All American at Notre Dame.
Sunni Olding
Minster High School
Impact Statement
Olding was a twelve- time State Champion at Minster High School in Ohio and a two- time NCAA All American at Notre Dame.
Biography
Olding, a 4.0-G.P.A. student who will compete for Notre Dame in the fall, is a three-time state champion. She is also a three-sport athlete who plays basketball and is one of the top-ranked two-mile tracksters in the nation.
Olding went on to become a two- time NCAA All American at Notre Dame her Freshman and Sophomore years. Her Junior and Senior years were plagued with injuries.
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Victor J. Andrew High School
Withrow was an Illinois State Champ before becoming a four time All American at the University of Wisconsin.
Matt Withrow
Victor J. Andrew High School
Impact Statement
Withrow was an Illinois State Champ before becoming a four time All American at the University of Wisconsin.
Biography
Withrow, an Illinois state champion who will attend the University of Wisconsin, surprised many of the most astute in the national running community last fall with his inspiring sweep of the Foot Locker Midwest Regional and National Finals.
Withrow managed to stay below the radar due to the fact his lone state championship came in his senior season (he was second as a junior), and he had not previously competed in any national events.
As a Badger, Withrow was a two- time Team Captain and a four- time All American.
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Naperville Central High School
“I was always taught to dream extremely big, that nobody should have higher expectations for myself than myself.”
-Candice Parker
Candace Parker
Naperville Central High School
Impact Statement
“I was always taught to dream extremely big, that nobody should have higher expectations for myself than myself.”
-Candice Parker
Biography
Parker, a 6’3″ center, has been thought by many to be the best player in the nation for the past three years. She will become a Tennessee Volunteer as a collegian, after finishing high school as a three-time Illinois Miss Basketball with 2,758 career points. Parker overcame an off-season knee injury to lead her squad to its second straight Class AA state title, averaging 24.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 3.5 blocks per game.
While at Tennessee Parker was the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2007 and 2008. She was the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2006 and the SEC Outstanding Athlete of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
Parker was the #1 overall draft pick of 2018, being scooped up by LA Sparks. She was named Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player. She is the first woman and only the third to relish with these two honors the same year (Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld are the other two).
A two -time Olympic Gold Medalist, Parker was named the MVP of the WNBA again in 2013. In 2016 Parker led the Sparks to the WNBA Championship. She was also the MVP of the Finals.
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Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
“Basketball has brought me a lot of joy, brought me a lot of good things. Just that side of it has really affected me.” -Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard
Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
Impact Statement
“Basketball has brought me a lot of joy, brought me a lot of good things. Just that side of it has really affected me.” -Dwight Howard
Biography
On the basketball court, the NHSCA Senior Athlete of the Year is Dwight Howard of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy . Howard, who has declared for the NBA draft and is a projected top five selection, has received numerous national player of the year awards. He finished his high school career with 2,146 points, 1,728 rebounds and 811 blocks.
As a senior in high school the 6’10” Howard led his team to the Class 1A Georgia state championship. averaging 25.5 points, 18.3 rebound, 3.5 assists and eight blocks per game at center.
Howard was indeed the #1 draft pick in 2004 by the Orlando Magic. He played with the Magic until 2014 when he was traded to the Lakers for a season, to the Houston Rockets from 2013-2016, to the Hawks for the 2016-17 season, to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2017-18 season to Wizards for the 2018-19 season before heading back to LA Lakers in 2019.
He is an eight-time All Star and was named five times as All-NBA First Team member.
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St. Peter Chanel High School
“Everything is a preparation for the next level. Everything I did in high school was to prepare to win nationals in college.” -J Jaggers
J Jaggers
St. Peter Chanel High School
Impact Statement
“Everything is a preparation for the next level. Everything I did in high school was to prepare to win nationals in college.” -J Jaggers
Biography
In wrestling the NHSCA honoree is J. Jaggers of St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, Ohio. Jaggers capped an outstanding prep career in April with his dramatic run to the NHSCA National Senior Championship at 135 pounds, also winning the Jeff Reese Outstanding Wrestler Award.
Jaggers’ impressive effort at the tournament included defeating the nation’s best in his weight class by major decisions, technical falls and pins. Completing his career with a record of 172-3, the four-time Ohio state wrestling champion will move to Columbus to continue his academic and athletic careers at The Ohio State University.
Jaggers went on to be a 2x NCAA Champion and 3x All American finishing 7th his Sophomore year and 1st his Junior and Senior year for the Buckeyes. After graduation Jaggers stayed on to coach. After six seasons as an assistant coach, Jaggers was promoted to the Associate Head Coach, a position he still holds.
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Fraser High School
McGinnis was a three -time All-State selection before becoming a three- time AVCA All American at Florida.
Angie McGinnis
Fraser High School
Impact Statement
McGinnis was a three -time All-State selection before becoming a three- time AVCA All American at Florida.
Biography
Michigan’s Angie McGinnis of Fraser High School is this year’s NHSCA Senior Athlete of the Year in volleyball. McGinnis, a 6′ setter, was a three-time all-state selection and two-time first team member who was named Michigan’s Miss Volleyball for 2003-04. She led her Fraser High squad to back-to-back state championships after a second-place finish in her sophomore season. McGinnis will continue her playing for the decorated volleyball program at the University of Florida.
While attending the University of Florida, McGinnis was the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2004 and the SEC Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007. McGinnis was a three-time AVCA All-American.
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Personal Honors
St. Thomas Aquinas School
Williams was one of the elite goalkeepers in the nation while at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Duke University.
Caitlin Williams
St. Thomas Aquinas School
Impact Statement
Williams was one of the elite goalkeepers in the nation while at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Duke University.
Biography
Honor student Caitlin Williams is this year’s NHSCA National Athlete of the Year in field hockey. Williams has been a member of the USA under-21 team and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas School in Greenland, N.H. One of the nation’s best goalkeepers, Williams is also a standout lacrosse player, and will continue her field hockey career at Duke University.
Williams received All American honors while at Duke. She was a team member for three of the Blue Devil’s Final Four appearances and a pair of NCAA National Championship appearances. She led the ACC with 121 saves her senior season and 238 saves overall in her career. Upon graduation, Williams stayed on as an assistant coach at Duke for three seasons. She also was a two time ACC All-Academic Team honoree.
In 2011 Williams was named the head coach at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After five season, Williams, now Dallmeyer, was named the head coach at Lehigh University.
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Vanden High School
“It’s more than pitching; it’s more than mechanics. I’m excited about getting these girls to understand themselves and trust themselves and be able to control themselves in moments where they’re hitting some kind of adversity.”
Anjelica Selden
Vanden High School
Impact Statement
“It’s more than pitching; it’s more than mechanics. I’m excited about getting these girls to understand themselves and trust themselves and be able to control themselves in moments where they’re hitting some kind of adversity.”
Biography
Selden is also a pitcher with a regular season record of 22-3 and a .04 ERA. In 187 innings Selden amazingly allowed just one earned run, while collecting 422 strikeouts. She tossed 14 no-hitters on the season, including six perfect games and allowed only 14 hits all season long. Ten of Selden’s no-hitters came in a stretch of 71 and 1/3 innings of no-hit softball. At the plate Selden, who will attend UCLA, batted .453 with six home runs.
At UCLA Selden continued to succeed. She culminated her career with a 110-37 record while a starter with a 1.35 ERA. She was named NFCA First Team All American twice in her career (2006 and 2008).
After graduation Selden was selected 4th overall in the National Pro Fastpitch but decided to play overseas for des Caserta in Italy.
Upon wrapping up her professional career, Selden went on to coach and do private lessons. In 2018 she was hired as the assistant coach at University of California, Berkeley.
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LaGrange High School
Bailey was the seventh overall draft pick in 2004 and continues to play in Major League Baseball.
David “Homer” Bailey
LaGrange High School
Impact Statement
Bailey was the seventh overall draft pick in 2004 and continues to play in Major League Baseball.
Biography
Bailey, the seventh overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft, is a 6’4″ right-hander with a 94 m.p.h. fastball. With a .57 ERA as a senior, Bailey registered a 13-0 record with 180 strikeouts and just 12 walks. Bailey held opponents, while playing at LaGrange High School, to a .089 batting average when on the mound, and himself batted .436 with 30 RBI’s in the number five slot.
In 2004 Bailey made his minor league debut with the Gulf Coast Reds. In 2005 he was promoted to the Daytona Dragons, and again in 2006 he was promoted to the Sarasota Reds. His major league debut came the next year. On June 8, 2007, Bailey started against the Cleveland Indians. He pitched for five innings and got the win.
Bailey continued to pitch for the Reds until 2018 when he was traded. On December 31, 2019, Bailey was signed to a one year contract by the Kansas City Royals. He is currently on the Oakland Athletic’s roster as of 2020.
Professional Achievements
Loveland High School
“It’s mind-blowing to think that I actually got that unique opportunity and I was so blessed to be able to do that.”
-Jeff Byers
Jeff Byers
Loveland High School
Impact Statement
“It’s mind-blowing to think that I actually got that unique opportunity and I was so blessed to be able to do that.”
-Jeff Byers
Biography
In Football Jeff Byers from Loveland High School is this year’s honoree as an NHSCA Senior Athlete of the Year. Byers, 6-foot-4 and 287 pounds, led Loveland to its second Class 4A state championship in four years. A 3.9 GPA student, Byers played center without allowing a sack in his three years as a starter.
Although recruited by the top collegiate programs in the nation primarily for offense, the future USC Trojan was equally impressive on defense during his senior campaign. His nearly unbelievable statistics include 203 total tackles, 97 of them coming solo and 55 being for a loss; 10 sacks and 14 forced fumbles.
Despite two hip surgeries and two back injuries during college, Byers persevered and went on to play in the NFL for the Denver Broncos for one season and the Carolina Panthers from 2011 until his retirement in 2014.