Scholar-Athlete: A look back at 2004 overall winners
2004 WINNERS
Toni Picerno,
Lee’s Summit
RESIDENCE: Wilmington, Delaware
CURRENTLY: Graduated from medical school last year and is a Obstetrics and Gynecology first-year resident in Newark. Delaware. She’s hoping to do a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology.
FAMILY: Single and in a relationship.
HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked fourth in her class of 584 with a 4.3 grade-point average. She was first female at Lee’s Summit High School to earn 12 varsity letters, with four each in cross country, basketball and track. All-state in cross country and track. Tutored special-needs students. Homecoming queen.
COLLEGE: Attended Webster University in St. Louis, then transferred and graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s of science in biology. Played basketball at both collegess. Set single season assist record at Webster. Went to NCAA Div III national tournament three years.
SPORTS NOW: Recreational jogging.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE MEMORY: “I was shocked initially. It was a really proud moment because of the empahis on academics and being a good athlete was important to me. The first-pitch ceremony at the Royals game was fun. I was nervous and was so glad I got it over home plate.”
PREVIOUS WINNERS
1984: Suzanne Meyer, Center
1985: Angela Cox, Olathe North
1986: Gretchen Prather, Liberty
1987: Tricia Lillygren, Raytown South
1988: Lisa Arel, Lee’s Summit
1989: Melanie Ornes, Lee’s Summit
1990: Amy Fowler, Bishop Miege
1991: Amy Cook, Lansing
1992: Angie Popek, SM Northwest
1993: Lisa Petty, Lawson
1994: Lisa Davies, Oak Grove
1995: Lindsay Thornton, SM West
1996: Kelly Andre, SM Northwest
1997: Elizabeth Baker, Pembroke Hill
1998: Lauren Jackson, North Kansas City
1999: Andrea Tietjen, Excelsior Springs
2000: Katherine Hoffman, Notre Dame de Sion
2001: Shea Swoboda, Winnetonka
2002: Jill Tyner, St. Pius X
2003: Tegan Stuart, Raymore-Peculiar
2004: Toni Picerno, Lee’s Summit
2005: Katie Martincich, Bishop Miege
2006: Erin Birmingham, Park Hill South
2007: Ali Pistora, Tonganoxie
2008: Allison Mayfield, St. Thomas Aquinas
2009: Morgan Johnson, Platte County
2010: Megan Yohe, Liberty
2011: Alexandra Keane, Notre Dame de Sion
2012: Lexie Oak, St. Pius X
2013: Cassie Wait, Gardner-Edgerton
Larry Hall,
Center
RESIDENCE: St. Louis
CURRENTLY: Attorney at Sandberg Phoenix and Von Gontard P.C. law firm in St. Louis, focusing on transportation litigation.
FAMILY: Married for three years. Two dogs.
HIGH SCHOOL: Ranked third in his class of 134 with a 4.2 grade-point average. Earned 12 varsity letters, four each in soccer and baseball, three in basketball and one in football. Attended Boys State, was an Eagle Scout and was member of award-winning marching band.
COLLEGE: Graduated magna cum laude from Truman State in 2008 with a bachelor’s of science in Justice System. Played four years of baseball. On MIAA Commisioner’s honor roll as a senior. Alumni of Missouri Law School.
SPORTS NOW: Plays softball in a lawyers league and golfs recreationally.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE MEMORY: “I remember throwing the first pitch (at Royals game) over Jimmy Gobble’s head. The neatest thing I remember is that when you’re a Scholar-Athlete, there’s so many teachers, coaches and family members who helped you along the way who got to enjoy the experience with me.”
PREVIOUS WINNERS
1984: Danny Bellus, Washington
1985: Marlon Washington, Schlagle
1986: Brad Hinkle, Olathe South
1987: Jeff Witkop, Blue Valley North
1988: Jeff Drbohlav, Cass-Midway
1989: Tom Kreamer, SM East
1990: Shaon Fry, Oak Grove
1991: Aaron Hodges, Harmon
1992: Mike Wilson, Center
1993: Nate Minnis, Blue Springs
1994: Matt Mendlick, Olathe South
1995: Steve Fein, SM Northwest
1996: Josh Alpers, Blue Springs
1997: Brandon Wier, Olathe North
1998: Daniel Parris, Lee’s Summit North
1999: Corey Crandall, Fort Osage
2000: Tommy Hottovy, Park Hill South
2001: Jeff Durbin, Olathe South
2002: Justin Dyer, Olathe South
2003: Adam Perkins, Liberty
2004: Larry Hall, Center
2005: Louis Caputo, Blue Springs
2006: Aaron Trigg, Blue Valley West
2007: Scott O’Donnell, Oak Park
2008: Riley Reynolds, Blue Springs South
2009: Rick Settle, Olathe East
2010: Roy Wedge, Lawrence
2011: Aaron Thornburg, Sm Northwest
2012: Zach Herriott, Rockhurst
2013: Nathan Butler, Leavenworth
This story was originally published June 8, 2014 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Scholar-Athlete: A look back at 2004 overall winners."