The Star’s Scholar-Athletes: Missouri school winners
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BELTON
ANNA BIONDO
Ranks 45th in a class of 305 with a 3.635 GPA. Earned four varsity letters in softball and helped her team to four straight conference championships. Four-time first-team all-conference and all-district. Also competed one season on the swim team and was second-team all-conference. Played two seasons of varsity basketball. Participated in student government. National Honor Society.
College: William Jewell
Also nominated: Josh Hicks, Daren Johnson
BLUE SPRINGS
DARIAN FROST
Ranks 58th in a class of 593 with a 4.0 GPA. Four varsity letters in softball. All-district, all-conference, all-state and all-metro 2014. Batted .442 with 20 RBIs. All-conference, all-district and all-region in 2013. Earned three letters in track and field, where she competed in the triple jump. Chamber choir, women’s choir, a capella choir. Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
College: Missouri
Also nominated: Kai Miller, Kirk Finley
BLUE SPRINGS SOUTH
GRACE KLAUSEN
Ranks 38th in a class of 511 with a 4.14 GPA. Earned four varsity letters in cross country and was twice all-state. Two-time conference champion. Greater Kansas City Cross Country Coaches Senior Runner of the Year. All-metro. Four letters in track and twice conference champion in 800-meter run, 1,600 and 3,200. All-state. Blue Springs South NAIA Champion of Character.
College: Arkansas
Also nominated: Jacob Shireman, Zachary Kelsay
CENTER
NICHOLAS CIANCIOLO
Ranks second in a class of 126 with a 4.59 GPA. Four varsity letters in baseball, where he was first-team all-conference and all-district. Three letters in soccer. Team was district and sectional champions in 2012. Scored the game-winning goal in sectional championship game. President of National Honors Society. KC Math Relays first in grade level 2011. Missouri Scholars Academy.
College: Missouri
Also nominated: Makayla Bullock, Daven Fowler
CENTRAL
LAMOND RUSHING
Ranks 19th in his class with a 3.25 GPA. Three varsity letters in cross country, where he was a three-time all-conference selection and a member of three conference champion teams. Three letters in track. All-conference in 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs and two-time conference champion in 4X800 relay. MLB KC Royals Scholarship. Volunteer at King Elementary School. Also boxes at Gregg Klice Community Center.
College: Avila University
Also nominated: none
CRISTO REY
JEENA CARSON
Ranks 13th in a class of 79 with a 3.28 GPA. Four varsity letters in volleyball. Team captain. First-team all-conference. Second-team all-district. Twice her team’s most valuable player. Four letters in basketball. Second-team all-conference. First-team all-district. Twice on all-conference tournament team. Two letters in soccer. Team captain and most goals scored as a junior. Most valuable player and offensive player of the year as a sophomore. Academic honor roll all four years.
College: Culver-Stockton
Also nominated: Alexis Medina, Mayela Urizar
EAST
SHAWN SIMMONS
Ranks 21st in a class of 145 with a 3.30 GPA. Earned three varsity letters in football, where he was team captain for two seasons and first-team all-conference. Two letters and two-year captain on the track team. Served on the Prom committee.
College: Missouri Valley
Also nominated: Buar Reh, Karina Lemus
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS
SAVANNA STOY
Ranks fourth in a class of 201 with a 4.065 GPA. Three-time letter winner in track and field. State qualifier in 2012. Conference champion in 100-meter dash as a freshman and sophomore. District champion in long jump as a junior. Academic all-conference as a sophomore and junior. Four-year letter winner and captain of Tigerette dance team. National Honors Society reporting secretary. Girls State.
College: UMKC
Also nominated: Alyssa Querry, Taylor McNeal
FORT OSAGE
JESSE MCBEE
Ranks ninth in his class with a 4.0 GPA. Four letters in football. Third-team all-state at running back. First-team all-district, all-Simone team, first-team all-conference at both running back and receiver. Two letters in track. First-team all-conference. Two letters in golf. Student Ambassador. ‘A’ Honor Roll four years.
College: Central Missouri
Also nominated: Jessy Leavell, Stevee Naudet
GRAIN VALLEY
REIGHAN CHILDERS
Ranks eighth in a class of 233 with a 4.02 GPA. Earned four letters in soccer, where she was all-conference three seasons and first-team all-state two years. All-metro three years. Team MVP three years. Offensive player of the year 2013. Team was district champion two years and conference champion three years. Futura Futbol Club soccer coach. National Honor Society. Executive producer for GVTV.
College: UMKC
Also nominated: Jacob Miller, Parker McBride
GRANDVIEW
ANGLERNE ANNELUS
Ranks 43rd in a class of 226 with a 3.32 GPA. Earned four varsity letters in track and field. Nine-time state champion sprinter. All-metro track and field athlete of the year. Metro Sports Hy-Vee Athlete of the Week. USATF All-American. AAU All-American. Senior class president. Debate and forensics secretary.
College: UCLA
Also nominated: Hope Lee, Elizabeth Findlay
HARRISONVILLE
MELISSA WATSON
Ranks first in a class of 231 with a 4.39 GPA. Earned 10 varsity letters – four each in cross country and track and two in swimming. State qualifier, all-district, all-conference three seasons in cross country. School record-holder for 5,000 meters. State qualifier, all-district and all-conference in track. School records for 1,600 and 800. All-conference in swimming. National Honor Society. Freshman mentor.
College: Kansas
Also nominated: none
HOGAN PREP
CRYSTAL COOK
Ranks fifth in her class with a 3.3 GPA. Earned four varsity letters in track. All-district and all-state. Finished fifth in state in 100-meter dash as a sophomore. Seventh in state at 200 meters as a junior. Earned three varsity letters in basketball. Team was district champions in 2014. National Honor Society.
College: Neosho Community College
Also nominated: Tyus Franks
KEARNEY
OLIVIA FRANKLIN
Ranks first in a class of 292 with a 4.0 GPA. Eight varsity letters – four in cross country, three in track, one in swimming. Missouri Class 3 state champion in cross country as a freshman. Class three state team champs in 2011. All-conference, all-district, all-sectional as sophomore, junior. All-district, all-metro, all-state as senior. All-conference, all-district, all-sectional in track. Team conference runner-up in swimming.
College: Undecided
Also nominated: Madison Strathman, Kale Harmon
LAWSON
KOLBIE CHANCELLOR
Ranks second in a class of 104 with a 4.6 GPA. Four varsity letters each in volleyball and basketball. Two-time first-team all-conference in volleyball. All-district. All-region. KCI Conference Scholar Athlete Award. Academic all-state in basketball in 2015. Mentor in Step-up mentoring program for struggling freshmen. Overtime committee. SADD. Young Life.
College: Missouri
Also Nominated: Andrew Schmitz
LEE’S SUMMIT
EMILY ROBINSON
Ranks 34th in a class of 426 with a 4.16 GPA. Four varsity letters in softball. All-state pitcher two years. All-region three years. All-district four years. All-conference three years. All-metro four years. All-metro softball player of the year, 2014. Missouri Class 4 state champion 2013, 2014. MFCA all-state academics four years. LSHS Academic Achievement Award four years. National Honor Society.
College: Central Missouri
Also nominated: Brady Daniels, Bailey Baird
LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH
CAMRYN PARNELL
Ranks 12th in a class of 477 with a 4.32 GPA. Four varsity letters in tennis. Four-time all-conference in singles, three-time all-conference in doubles. Three-time district doubles champion. Three-time district team champions. Two times Missouri Class 2 state team runners-up. MSHSAA record doubles wins with same partner (87-12). Scholar team. Concert orchestra. Symphonic orchestra.
College: Nebraska-Kearney
Also nominated: Katie Brandecker, Parker Johnson
LEE’S SUMMIT WEST
ANTHONY MOK
Ranks 25th in a class of 430 with a 4.18 GPA. Earned four letters in soccer. All-conference all four years. All-district. Conference offensive player of the year. All-state. All-Missouri Western Region. Team captain. Student activity advisory council. Titan Smart Officer (drug and alcohol free program). Freshman mentor. Student ambassador.
College: UMKC
Also nominated: Lexie Salamone, Franklin Zhong
LIBERTY NORTH
ANDREW MADISON
Ranks 74th in a class of 320 with a 3.706 GPA. Four letters in track. State champion in 2014 in 110-meter high hurdles, 300 intermediate hurdles and 4X200 relay. Team state champions 2014. All-metro. Model UN. Chemistry Club. Physics Club.
College: Wisconsin
Also Nominated: Dylan McCloskey, Mikayla Gascich
LINCOLN PREP
JOSHUA VAN DUNK
Ranks 34th in a class of 104 with a 3.61 GPA. Four varsity letters in football. First-team all-conference on both offense and defense. All-state second-team guard. Helped lead team to back-to-back conference titles. Three letters in baseball. All-conference three years.
College: Navy
Also nominated: Evan Eckwall, Clark Sykes
LONE JACK
ANDREW SCHERER
Ranks second in a class of 40 with a 4.02 GPA. Earned four varsity letters in cross country. Two-time all-district. Three district team championships. Two top-five team finishes at state. Co-captain. One letter in track. Conference champion in 4X800-meter relay. All-conference 3,200 meters. All-district 4X800. Class treasurer as senior, vice president junior, president sophomore. Student Council. Boys state.
College: Air Force
Also nominated: Faith Fenton, Lydia Becvar
LUTHERAN
ABIGAIL BENZ
Ranks first in a class of 26 with a 4.0 GPA. Earned four varsity letters in volleyball. All-conference twice. Team’s most valuable player in 2014. All-district. Second-team all-state. Mo-Kan All Star. Team captain. Three letters soccer. All-conference twice. All-district. First-team Lutheran All-American. One letter basketball. Student Council vice president. Math Team all-conference.
College: Drake
Also nominated: Hope Kunkel, Luke Schneider
MIDWAY
CLAY DAHMAN
Ranks 15th in a class of 35 with a 3.57 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in football, four varsity letters in track and three varsity letters in basketball. First team all-state defensive end. A member of PALS (Peers Assisting, Listening and Supporting).
College: Central Methodist
Also nominated: Helaine Mills, Tyler Wright
NORTH KANSAS CITY
NEKIESHA BAILEY
Ranks 46th in a class of 388 with a 3.62 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won three varsity letters in volleyball and four varsity letters in track. All-Metro and All-State in the high jump in 2014. Involved in her church youth group. Coaches 8-14-year-olds for a track club.
College: Prairie View A&M
Also nominated: Cole Gage
NORTHEAST
JO’VON WASHINGTON
Ranks eighth in a class of 121 with a 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in football and four varsity letters in baseball. Upward Bound Math and Science Scholar. Worked as a tutor. Participated in Early College Campus Program at Penn Valley.
College: Missouri
Also nominated: none
NOTRE DAME DE SION
MEGHAN KEARNEY
A 3.42 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in cross country, four varsity letters in swimming and four varsity letters in track and field. Twice earned first team All-Metro in swimming and first team All-Metro in cross country. Volunteered for Camp WIN for KC. Involved in Heroes for Hospice.
College: Drake
Also nominated: Julianna Steilen, Haley Buckley
OAK GROVE
DALTON BRINEGAR
Ranks 11th in a class of 151with a weighted 4.04 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in football and four varsity letters in wrestling. Four-time MRVC All-Conference. Three-time all-conference in wrestling. Middle school tutor. Youth football equipment assistant.
College: Baker
Also nominated: Callie Tripp, Dani O’Neill
OAK PARK
KALEY BREAULT
Ranks first in a class of 311 with a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in track and two varsity letters in tennis. Three-time state qualifier in the 300 hurdles and holds the school record in the event. First team all-conference in tennis doubles. Participated in Missouri Leadership Seminar in 2013 and volunteered at North Kansas City Hospital.
College: Truman State
Also nominated: Cydney Newton, Joseph Dyer
ODESSA
COLBY NICKELS
Ranks 42nd in a class of 164 with a 3.69 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in basketball and one in football. Two-time all-conference selection in basketball. Earned 1,000 points career award. Class vice president his sophomore year. Senior project held fundraiser for American Heart Association that raised $1,839.
College: Benedictine
Also nominated: Cameron Hilbrenner, Lindsey Dennis
O’HARA
KATHERINE TYLER
Ranks second in a class of 72 with a weighted 4.4 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in volleyball. Four-time, first team all conference. Academic all-state nominee for the Evelyn Gater Award in volleyball. Participated in teens acting for peace program.
College: Loyola-Chicago
Also nominated: Zachary Drake, Stephanie Rieger
ORRICK
SAM FULTE
Ranks first in class with a weighted 4.16 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in volleyball, four varsity letters in basketball and four varsity letters in track. Eight time conference champion in track. Vice president of National Honor Society and Student Body president her junior and senior year. Received the MSHSAA Award of Excellence.
College: William Jewell
Also nominated: none
PARK HILL
KE-SHAWN HAYES
Ranks 13th in a class of 401 with a weighted 4.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in wrestling. A three-time state champion in wrestling, including going undefeated his senior year at 138 pounds. National Merit finalist. Four-time Academic All-State. Sophomore Executive council member.
College: Ohio State
Also nominated: Tyler Holmes, Katie Reichart
PARK HILL SOUTH
KATRINA KALTEFLEITER
Ranks 44th in a class of 352 with a weighted 4.12 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won two varsity letters in track and one varsity letter in volleyball. Made the Mo-Kan All-Star volleyball team. Team captain on the volleyball team her senior season. National Merit finalist. A member of Park Hill South executive council for four years.
College: Kansas State
Also nominated: Mitchell Henderson, Shaefer Schuetz
PEMBROKE HILL
DYLAN PETERS
An A on a A+-F scale. Won four varsity letters in baseball and three varsity letters in football. Earned Academic All-State honors in baseball as a junior, National Merit finalist. Princeton Book Award as a sophomore. Cum Laude Society.
College: Duke
Also nominated: Brett Bethune, Allysa Lisbon
PLATTE COUNTY
NATHAN STRAUBEL
A weighted 4.15 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in cross country and three varsity letters in track and field. Owns the school record in the 5K in cross country and was an All-Metro selection. Four time All-Conference selection in cross country. National Merit finalist. Involved in Character Council and is an active member in his church.
College: UMKC
Also nominated: Josh Eastman, Shelley Laures
PLEASANT HILL
OLIVIA WOODRUFF
Ranks fourth in her class. Won three varsity letters in golf and three varsity letters in basketball. Was a state qualifier in golf and was an Academic All-Conference in golf. She also earned Academic All-Conference honors in basketball. Participated in FFA and SADD. A member of the Vicky Hartzler’s Leadership Summit.
College: UMKC
Also nominated: none
RAYMORE-PECULIAR
BENJAMIN HARRIS
Ranks 60th in a class of 475 with a weighted 4.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in basketball and three varsity letters in football and three varsity letters in baseball. Earned Academic All-State honors in football. Made first team All-Conference in football his senior year. Nominated for Ronald Reagan Leadership Award. Active in his church. Recreational basketball coach.
College: Air Force
Also nominated: Aaron King, Stephanie Krass
RAYTOWN
ZACK FIZELL
Ranks first in a class of 306 with a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in soccer. Two-year captain. Two-time, first team All-conference. Was selected team MVP senior year. A member of Student Council. Participated in the Summit Technology’s Engineering Development and Design Program. In Project Lead the Way for four years.
College: Missouri University of Science and Technology
Also nominated: Tristan Caudle, Camryn Kuehl
RAYTOWN SOUTH
HENRY LANEAR
Ranks third in class with a 3.98 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won three varsity letters in football and three varsity letters in baseball. Earned Academic All-State honors in football. DECA state qualifier, Student Council president and National Honor Society vice president.
College: Rice
Also nominated: Brianna Boos, Emily McIntyre
RICHMOND
QUINTON MAXWELL
Ranks fifth in a class of 104 with a weighted 4.04 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in football, three varsity letters in basketball and two varsity letters in track. Was a football captain senior year. Academic All-Conference for four years. Earned All-State honors at quarterback. Eagle Scout. A member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and InterAct Service Club.
College: Ohio University
Also nominated: Philip Kincaid, Jackson Pence
RUSKIN
CECIL TERRELL
Ranks 11th in class of 400 with a 3.92 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in baseball and one varsity letter in soccer. A four-year starter in baseball. Was a captain on the soccer team. A member of Student Council and Leadership 20/20.
College: Missouri
Also nominated: Michael Nelson
ST. PIUS X
THOMAS GEISINGER
Ranks seventh in a class of 94 with a weighted 4.07 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in track and three varsity letters in football. Was a captain in track for three years and a captain in football. National Merit finalist. Class president. Eagle Scout. Qualified for national tournament in debate.
College: Missouri
Also nominated: Anna Lillig, Kathryn Lofland
SMITHVILLE
BROOKE STEARNS
Ranks 12th in a class of 169 with a 3.91 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won three varsity letters in cross country and three varsity letters in track. Qualified for state in cross country all four years. Twice made All-State team in cross country. National Merit finalist. National English Honor Society. Drug and Alcohol Free Mentor.
College: UMKC
Also nominated: Josh Lizar, Kelsey Mothershead
SOUTHWEST ECC
ELIZABETH O’DELL
Ranks 18th in a class of 88 with a 3.1 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in volleyball, three varsity letters in track and field and one varsity letter in baseball. She was first girl to letter in baseball in school history. Four-time, All-conference in volleyball and team captain in volleyball for three years. Performed over 200 hours of community service. National Honor Society.
College: Undecided
Also nominated: Elisha Verge
STALEY
JACOB PFENDER
Ranks 22nd in a class of 307 with a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in football and two varsity letters in baseball. All-Metro in football senior year. Also selected team defensive MVP his senior year. First team All-Conference in 2014 in baseball. A starter on the baseball team that reached the Missouri 5 state championship game in 2015. A member of National Honor Society for two years.
College: William Jewell
Also nominated: Kinsey Kiser, Jordan Robben
SUMMIT CHRISTIAN
LEAH NIGH
A 3.83 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in volleyball and one varsity letter in soccer. Was a four-year starter in volleyball. First team All-State in volleyball in 2013. Co-captain in 2013 and 2014. Four-time Academic All-State. National Honor Society. Chapel small group leader for three years.
College: Lindenwood
Also nominated: Savvy Hughes, Michael Lint
TRUMAN
BROOKE VUNCANNON
Ranks 51st in a class of 357 with a 3.74 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in softball. Was a member of the 2012 state championship team. Academic All-State in 2012 and 2013. Twice first team All-District. A member of National Art Honor Society.
College: Truman State
Also nominated: Aaron Mendoza
UNIVERSITY ACADEMY
NOSAKHARE EKE
Ranks first in a class of 37 with a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in football and four varsity letters in basketball. Academic All-State in football as a junior and senior. Voted team MVP in football. National Honor Society. Mentored elementary students. Student Council president.
College: Missouri
Also nominated: none
VAN HORN
HANNAH BISHOP
Ranks fourth in a class of 211 with a weighted 4.14 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in basketball, four varsity letters in soccer and three varsity letters in volleyball. Team captain of the basketball team that set a school record for wins this season. First team All-Conference in basketball as a senior. Senior class treasurer. Involved in Student Council for two years. A member of National Honor Society.
College: Kansas City Kansas Community College
Also nominated: Nathan Ingold
WEST PLATTE
BEN HEILI
Ranks first in a class of 52 with a weighted 4.04 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in football, four varsity letters in baseball and two varsity letters in basketball. Two-time, first team All-Conference in football. President of National Honor Society, Science Club president and a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
College: Undecided
Also nominated: Conner Salmons, Mattie Vandel
WILLIAM CHRISMAN
JORDYN ATAGI
Ranks 15th in a class of 281 with a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Won four varsity letters in soccer and three varsity letters in volleyball. Soccer team captain for three seasons. Earned conference defensive player of the year in 2014. Conference goal keeper of the year in 2014. 20/20 Leadership. Student Council vice president 2013-14. Student Council president 2014-15. Spanish Honor Society vice president.
College: Central Missouri
Also nominated: Makenzie Erikson, Gannon Ogle
This story was originally published June 13, 2015 at 2:10 PM with the headline "The Star’s Scholar-Athletes: Missouri school winners."