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3276 Nazareth Rd Easton, PA 18045 - Phone: 610.923.0900 - Fax: 610.923.0800 - Email: nhsca@nhsca.com |
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Athlete of the YearEach athlete will receive a beautiful sculpture and will be properly honored in the NHSCA National High School Sports Hall of Fame Museum. This museum is presently in the planning stages. Please click NHSCA National High School Sports Hall of Fame Museum at the top of this page for additional information. Click the year to show/hide information. HALL NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BASEBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Brian Hall of Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, N.M. has been selected the National Senior High School Baseball Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. The 5-foot-11 Hall was an All-District player four years and an All-State player three years. The starting center fielder on Carlsbad High's 1998 Class 4A state championship team, Hall moved to shortstop the next season and continued his outstanding play. He won the state's Triple Crown, setting state records with a .676 batting average and 11 home runs, and his 43 RBIs were one shy of the state record. He was named the Gatorade New Mexico High School Player of the Year and was a USA Today Pre-Season Super 25 selection. He also was named to the First Team by Collegiate America, and to the Second Team by Baseball America. “Athletes like Brian Hall are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best baseball players not only in the state of New Mexico, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Hall also played on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Phoenix Scout Team in 1998 and was the Most Valuable Player at the Arizona Pro Baseball Camp the same year. Also an outstanding student, Hall graduated 17th in his class of 475 with a 4.46 grade-point average, and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has accepted a scholarship to Stanford University, one of the nation's elite baseball programs. SPIVEY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Zach Spivey of Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas has been selected the National Senior High School Men's Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. The 6-feet-10, 225-pound Thomason was voted his district's Class 5A Most Valuable Player as a senior after averaging 13 points, 8 rebounds, and nearly 4 blocked shots per game. A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he has accepted a scholarship to Sacred Heart University. “Athletes like Zach Spivey are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best athletes not only in the state of Texas, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” SAGE NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Donald Sage of York High School in Elmhurst, Ill. has been selected the National Senior High School Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. A product of one of the nation's top high school cross country programs led by National High School Cross Country Coach of the Year Joe Newton, Sage won the Illinois Class AA individual title, running the 3-mile course in a time of 14:03, the fourth fastest time in state history. He was the state runner-up as a sophomore and junior and 24th in the state as a freshman. As the leader of York's track team, Sage won Class AA titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters as a junior and senior. As a senior, Sage ran the fastest double in state history, setting a Class AA record in the 3,200 in 8:42.89 and running the 1,600 in 4:07.58, missing the state record by less than one-half second. “Athletes like Donald Sage are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best runners not only in the state of Illinois, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Also a standout in the 800-meter run, Sage ran the anchor legs that helped York establish national indoor and outdoor records in the 4X800-meter relay. He was the runner-up in the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships last December, and in June ran a mile in 4:00.29 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., the fastest time for the mile run by a high school athlete since the great Marty Liquori in 1967. Also an outstanding student, Sage accepted an athletic scholarship to Stanford University. BECK NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR FOOTBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – David Beck of Lockport High School in Lockport, N.Y. has been selected the National Senior High School Football Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Beck, an offensive lineman, was a first team All-State selection. In addition, he was selected All-Western New York and Lineman of the Year. His performance on the offensive and defensive lines this year was critical to Lockport High's success in 1999, as the team advanced to the Section 6 finals played at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. “Athletes like David Beck are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best football players not only in the state of New York, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” A three-sport athlete, Beck also was the Section 6 Class A wrestling champion at 275 pounds as a senior and threw the shot put and discus for the Lockport track team. His volunteer work includes two missionary trips to Mexico, two years as a volunteer for the United Way and Helping Hands programs. He will attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania this fall on a football scholarship. FURLOW NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS GOLFER OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Jason Furlow of DuQuoin High School in DuQuoin, Ill. has been selected the National Senior High School Boys Golfer of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Furlow twice placed high in the Class A Illinois boys state golf tournament, finishing third in the state as a junior in 1998 and 11th in the state last fall as a senior. In the National Open High School Golf Championships held June 23-25 in Winter Garden, Fla., Hentzner was the highest-placing senior in the boys competition, finishing in fourth place. The tournament was part of the 3rd annual National High School Sports Festival, which attracted nearly 1,000 athletes to the Orlando, Fla. area for competition in golf, tennis, and soccer June 23-26. “Athletes like Jason Furlow are one of the reasons these Championships are so gratifying,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills, and we are extremely proud to be honoring him.” Furlow's consistent play at the Orange County National Golf Center kept him within striking distance of the lead throughout the 54-hole event. An opening-round 71 left him 11th after the first day, but he improved seven spots the second day with an even-par 70 and finished the tournament with a 72 for a final score of 3-over-par 213. The performance also helped Furlow improve 35 spots over last year's performance, when he finished 38th with a 308 total. John Bradley Holmes of Campbellsville, Ky., a junior at Taylor County High School, won the event for the second consecutive year with a 208 total. WALSH NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Dan Walsh of the U.S. Air Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. has been selected the National Senior High School Men's Soccer Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Walsh, a forward, was named to the All-Colorado Team by the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News as a senior after scoring 25 goals and adding 7 assists in 15 games, ranking second in the state's Class 5A scoring race. The 25 goals gave him 69 in his career, both school records. He also starred for the Chargers Premier Gold under-18 traveling team. A three-sport athlete, Walsh was a captain of the basketball team and was voted the team's Most Inspirational Player as a senior, and also was a member of the track team. “Athletes like Dan Walsh are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best athletes not only in the state of Colorado, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Walsh also was outstanding in the classroom. The National Honor Society member earned a 3.98 grade-point average, graduated in the top 7 per cent of his class, and scored 25 on the ACT and 1150 on the SAT. His accomplishments earned him a spot on the Colorado State Academic First Team. He earned an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. LIM NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS SWIMMING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Alex Lim of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla. has been selected the National Senior High School Boys Swimming Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Lim set or helped set three national records as a senior and won four events to lead The Bolles School, coached by National High School Boys Swimming Coach of the Year Larry Shofe, to the Class 4A state team title. Lim set a national record in the 100-meter backstroke in 46.82 seconds, and was a member of two relay teams, the 200-meter medley relay (1:31.62) and the 400-meter freestyle relay (3:01.80) that also set national records. Lim's fourth victory came in the 100-meter butterfly, which he swam in 47.64 seconds to set a state record. “Athletes like Alex Lim are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best swimmers not only in the state of Florida, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Lim also competed in the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, for his native Malaysia. He accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of California-Berkeley. RUSSELL NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS TENNIS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Geoff Russell of Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, Ariz. Has been selected the National Senior High School Boys Tennis Athletes of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Geoff Russell are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best tennis players in the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Russell won Class 5A state singles titles as a freshman, junior, and senior. He was undefeated his final two years, and didn't lose a single set as a junior. As a senior, he won 56 of 58 sets. He accepted a scholarship to the College of William & Mary. JANTZEN NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR WRESTLER OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Jesse Jantzen of Shoreham-Wading River High School in Shoreham, N.Y. has been selected the National Senior High School Wrestler of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. It is the first year the NHSCA has presented this award. Jantzen's dominating performance at the 11th annual Senior National High School Wrestling Championships, held March 24-26 at the A.J. Palumbo Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., resulted in his unanimous selection as this year's award winner. This year's Senior Nationals attracted a record 797 competitors from 48 states, including a total of 53 entries in the weight class at which Jantzen competed, 140 pounds (competitors received a three-pound weight allowance). “Athletes like Jesse Jantzen are one of the reasons these Championships are so gratifying,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best wrestlers ever in New York State. We are extremely proud to be honoring him.” No individual stood out from the rest nationally as the 1999-2000 wrestling season began, but Jantzen put himself in front of the pack by completing, at least statistically, the most dominating career in the history of New York State wrestling. By winning the 145-pound state title the first weekend of March in Syracuse, Jantzen won his fourth state championship after placing third in the state as a seventh- and eighth-grader. No wrestler had ever won four state titles or placed six times in the 37-year history of the New York state tournament, but Jantzen accomplished both. Also selected the state tournament's Outstanding Wrestler as a junior and senior, Jantzen finished his senior season with a 41-0 record and a career record of 215-3. Jantzen was just as dominating in the Senior Nationals, allowing only two points in six matches as he piled up three pins, a major decision, and two technical falls, including a title-match technical fall in just 3 minutes, 17 seconds over Ohio state champion Nate Yetzer of Mansfield. Jantzen was voted the winner of the Jeff Reese Memorial Award as the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. Also an outstanding student, Jantzen earned a 3.2 grade-point average and scored 1110 on the SAT, and will attend Harvard University in the fall. FRASER NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – David Fraser of Westfield High School in Houston, Texas has been selected the National Senior High School Boys Track Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Fraser has excelled at Westfield High despite running cross country and track for only three years. He first attracted attention by qualifying for the state cross country tournament in the rugged Houston Class 5A district and region qualifying series, one of the nation's outstanding distance running regions. He went on to qualify for the state meet three years, finishing 14th in the state championships as a senior. ”Athletes like David Fraser are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best runners not only in the state of Texas, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Fraser was a standout youth baseball player prior to beginning his cross country and track career. In addition to his success in the outstanding Houston area, Fraser, who also ran the 1,600 and 3,200 meters for the Westfield High track team, competed in the prestigious Foot Locker North Carolina Juniors Race in Charlotte, N.C. and finished ninth out of 250 contestants. Also an outstanding student, Fraser ranks in the top 10 per cent of his class academically and is a member of the National Honor Society. He also owns and operates his own lawn care service company. Fraser has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., where he will continue his track career. THOMASON NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Alison Thomason of Pickens County High School in Jasper, Ga. has been selected the National Senior High School Women's Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. The 5-feet-11 Thomason led Pickens County to the Women's Final Four in Georgia. She was the winner of the Naismith Award as the state's top female athlete as a junior and senior. As a junior, she averaged 25.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, added 59 blocks and 66 steals, ans shot 59.2 per cent from the field and 71.1 per cent from the free-throw line. She was the subject of a cover story in Sports Illustrated for Women magazine as a senior. She also maintained a 4.0 grade-point average and graduated in the top 15 per cent of her class. “Athletes like Alison Thomason are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best athletes not only in the state of Georgia, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” CHANG NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Victoria Chang of Punahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii has been selected the National Senior High School Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Chang was the state cross country champion as a senior, then ascended to national recognition by winning the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships in December. Chang ran the 3.1-mile course in a record time of 3:05.8, 17 seconds faster than the previous record set by Erin Sullivan in 1997. Chang won the race by nine seconds. “Athletes like Victoria Chang are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best cross country runners not only in the state of Hawaii, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Chang also was a four-time state champion in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs, leading Punahou High to the state track and field team title all four years. She set state records in both events as a junior in 1999, running the 1,500 in 4:38.83 and the 3,000 in 9:38.03. Chang accepted an athletic scholarship to Stanford University. LaFLEUR NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Jacque LaFleur of Bel Air High School in Bel Air, Md. has been selected the National Senior High School Field Hockey Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. The 5-foot-9 LaFleur excelled in three sports - field hockey, basketball, and softball - at Bel Air High. She was Bel Air's leading scorer for three years, ending her career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 53 goals and 22 assists. She was a three-time Baltimore All-Metro Second Team selection and was selected Second-team All-State by the Maryland Coaches Association as a senior. She was voted the winner of the Al Cesky Memorial Scholarship as Bel Air High's top senior athlete this year. “Athletes like Jacque LaFleur are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best lacrosse players not only in the state of Maryland, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” As a three-year starter in basketball, LaFleur finished her career with 1,198 points - the first female player at Bel Air High to score more than 1,000 point in a career - and also led her team in rebounds and steals her final two years. She also was a four-year starter at shortstop on the softball team and was a four-time All-Harford County Team selection. Also an outstanding student, LaFleur graduated seventh in her class of 365 with a 4.08 grade-point average, and scored 1410 on the SAT exam. HENTZNER NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS GOLFER OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Christine Hentzner of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev. has been selected the National Senior High School Girls Golfer of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Hentzner helped lead Bishop Gorman to a second-place finish in the Class 4A Nevada girls golf state tournament last fall, finishing among the top 10 players individually. In the National Open High School Golf Championships held June 23-25 in Winter Garden, Fla., Hentzner was the highest-placing senior in the girls competition, finishing in ninth place. The tournament was part of the 3rd annual National High School Sports Festival, which attracted nearly 1,000 athletes to the Orlando, Fla. area for competition in golf, tennis, and soccer June 23-26. “Athletes like Christine Hentzner are one of the reasons these Championships are so gratifying,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills, and we are extremely proud to be honoring her.” Hentzner put together three consistent rounds of golf at the Orange County National Golf Center, shooting 77-76-77 for a 54-hole score of 230. Christine Kim, a sophomore at Oak Grove High School in San Jose, Calif., won the event with a 215 total. SHERBONDY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Ashley Sherbondy of Colorado Springs Christian School in Colorado Springs, Colo. has been selected the National Senior High School Women's Soccer Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Sherbondy was a defensive standout, marking her opponents' top forwards as a middle defender and also playing the outside back and center back positions. She was a First team All-League selection and a member of the Colorado Springs All-Metro All-Star Team, and also stars for the Pride Elite under-18 traveling team. She also was one of 34 elite players nationwide selected to help run camps that travel around the Women's World Cup schedule as part of the organization Uncharted Waters. A three-sport athlete, Sherbondy also was a member of the cross country and basketball teams. “Athletes like Ashley Sherbondy are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best athletes not only in the state of Colorado, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Sherbondy also was outstanding in the classroom. The National Honor Society member graduated No. 1 in her class of 107 with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, and scored 28 on the ACT and 1190 on the SAT. She was Student Government president as a senior, and was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and Bibles for the World. She will attend Covenant College in the fall. SCHMIDT NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS SOFTBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Kristin Schmidt of North Shore High School in Houston, Texas has been selected the National Senior High School Softball Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Schmidt has enjoyed an outstanding career at North Shore. A right-handed pitcher, she was voted her team's Most Valuable Player three times. After giving up only one earned run as a freshman, she helped lead North Shore to the state's Class 5A title as a sophomore in 1998, a year she earned All-Tournament Team and First Team All-State honor. She pitched her team to the regional quarterfinals this year. Also an outstanding student with a 4.0 grade-point average, Schmidt has accepted a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, one of the nation's elite college softball programs. “Athletes like Kristin Schmidt are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best players not only in the state of Texas, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” MC LARTY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS SWIMMING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Sara McLarty of Deland High School in Deland, Fla. has been selected the National Senior High School Girls Swimming Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. McLarty was the Florida Class 3A state champion in the 200-meter individual medley and finished second in the 500-meter freestyle last fall. A versatile athlete, she also qualified for the state championships every year in cross country and track in addition to swimming, earning All-State honors in cross country. A Junior National champion, McLarty has qualified for the Junior Nationals in five events and the Senior Nationals in three events. She also is a four-time National Iron Kids Triathlon champion. She was invited to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in August, and will try to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. “Athletes like Sara McLarty are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best swimmers not only in the state of Florida, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Also an outstanding student, McLarty ranks in the top 5 per cent of her class with a 4.06 grade-point average, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has accepted a scholarship to the University of Florida, selecting the Gators over Kentucky, Auburn, Nebraska, and North Carolina. NOLAN NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS TENNIS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Chrissie Nolan of Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Ill. has been selected the National Senior High School Girls Tennis Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Chrissie Nolan are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best tennis players in the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Nolan was unbeaten as a senior, winning her third consecutive state singles title with a perfect 30-0 season record. She became the third girl to win three state singles, and the first since 1978. Nolan, whose career singles record was 106-3, led Glenbrook North to a sixth-place state finish. GROTE NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Laura Grote of Westwood High School in Round Rock, Texas has been selected the National Senior High School Girls Volleyball Athlete of the Year for 2000, the NHSCA announced today. Grote, a 5-foot-10 setter, completed one of the outstanding careers in Texas girls volleyball history by leading Westwood High to the state Class 5A championship. She was voted the state tournament's Most Valuable Player. Grote had 926 assists and 33 aces as a senior. She was selected to the All-State Team as a junior and senior by the Texas Girls Coaches Association, was a two-time Central Texas Player of the Year, and was selected to the Texas Sportswriters Association All-State Team. Grote also was selected the Gatorade Texas High School Player of the Year. “Athletes like Laura Grote are the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best players not only in the state of Texas, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” "In 30 years of coaching, Laura Grote is the best setter that I have ever taught," said her high school coach, Zula Blann. Also an outstanding student, Grote ranks in the top 10 per cent of her class academically. She has accepted a scholarship to continue her volleyball career at Texas Tech University. MAUER NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Joe Mauer of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn. has been selected the National High School Baseball Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Joe Mauer are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best baseball players not only in the state of Minnesota, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” After quarterbacking Cretin-Derham Hall’s football team to the Class 5A state title for the second time last fall, Mauer was selected as the Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year, and earned a scholarship to Florida State University. However, he is expected to be one of the first 10 picks in the first round of the upcoming Major League Baseball amateur draft. A catcher, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Mauer hit home runs in seven consecutive games this spring. Through his team’s first 19 games, Mauer was hitting .576 with 13 home runs, 35 runs batted in, and 33 runs scored after hitting .565 last season and .550 last summer for Team USA in the World Junior Championships. Mauer’s games routinely attract 30 or more major league scouts. As a quarterback, Mauer passed for 5,528 yards and 73 touchdowns, and posted a 25-2 record as a starter. TORBERT NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Kelvin Torbert of Northwestern High School in Flint, Mich. has been selected the National High School Boys Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Kelvin Torbert are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best basketball players not only in the state of Michigan, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Torbert, who will attend Michigan State University, ended his career as Northwestern High’s all-time leading scorer with 1,978 points. As a senior, he averaged 26 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 blocked shots, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, shooting 52 per cent from the floor. He was selected as the Gatorade High School Player of the Year and was a USA Today First Team selection. RITZENHEIM NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Dathan Ritzenheim of Rockford High School in Rockford, Mich. has been selected the National High School Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Dathan Ritzenheim are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best runners not only in the state of Michigan, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” A two-time Class A state champion, Ritzenheim, who will attend the University of Colorado, has not lost a race in the United States in his age group the past two years. He is a two-time champion in the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships. In the prestigious Penn Relays this spring, Ritzenheim finished second in the Olympic Development 5-kilometer race when he ran a time of 13:51.69, the second-fastest time ever by a high school athlete. The only prep athlete to better that time, Gerry Lindgren, ran the event in 13:44 in 1964. Ritzenheim won a bronze medal in the World Junior Championships in Belgium this spring. EBELL NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Tyler Ebell of Ventura High School in Ventura, Calif. has been selected the National High School Football Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Tyler Ebell are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best football players not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Ebell, who will attend UCLA, set a national single-season rushing record last fall, piling up 4,502 yards in 14 games, an average of 321 yards per contest, and his 64 touchdowns are second on the all-time single season list. Ebell rushed for more than 300 yards 10 times this year, and rushed for 284 yards to help his team beat Arroyo Grande High in the Division IV Southern Section championship game. In his career, Ebell rushed for 7,526 yards, a state record. A finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, Ebell was selected to play in the inaugural National High School Football All-Star Game in December. He also was selected National Player of the Year by SchoolSports.com. HOLMES NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLF ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – John Bradley Holmes of Taylor County High School in Campbellsville, Ky. has been selected the National High School Boys Golf Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like John Holmes are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best golfers not only in the state of Kentucky, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Holmes, who will attend the University of Kentucky, has finished in the Top 10 in the state tournament the past three years, winning the state title as a sophomore in 1998. He finished ninth in the state in 1999 and sixth this past year. Recently, Holmes advanced to the sectional round of qualifying for this year’s U.S. Open Championship. Holmes also has won the individual title in the NHSCA National Sports Festival the past two years, in 1999 at Jekyll Island, Ga. and in 2000 at Orlando, Fla. He also finished 18th in the inaugural National Sports Festival in 1998, making him the only male golfer to earn All-America honors all three years the event has been held. GRABAVOY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Ned Grabavoy of Lincoln-Way High School in New Lenox, Ill. has been selected the National High School Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Ned Grabavoy are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best soccer players not only in the state of Illinois, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Grabavoy, who will attend Indiana University, grabbed national attention as a junior by scoring 42 goals, leading Lincoln-Way High to the first of back-to-back appearances in the Class AA state championship game. As a senior, Grabavoy added 43 more goals to lead nationally-ranked Lincoln-Way to a record of 52-4-3 over two years. A two-time high school All-American and captain of the U.S. Under-18 National Team, Grabavoy was selected National Player of the Year by SchoolSports.com. MCDONALD NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SWIMMING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Matt McDonald of Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Ind. has been selected the National High School Boys Swimming Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Matt McDonald are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best swimmers not only in the state of Indiana, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” McDonald is a three-time state champion in the 100-yard butterfly, setting a state record in the event as a senior. He also won the title in the 100-yard backstroke as a senior, and was the recipient of the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Mental Attitude Award. Also an outstanding student, McDonald stands No. 4 in his class academically and will attend Stanford University. McDonald also holds the national boys 15-16 record in the 100 butterfly, and was a semifinalist in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials in the event, finishing 13th. GILL NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Brandon Gill of Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, Ind. has been selected the National High School Boys Tennis Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Brandon Gill are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best tennis players not only in the state of Indiana, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Since the adoption of the current state tournament format in 1980, Gill is the first player, male or female, to win an individual state title both in doubles and in singles during his career. Gill won the state singles championship last fall, finishing the season with a 16-1 record. He was part of the state championship doubles team as a sophomore in 1998. WEBB NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Alan Webb of South Lakes High School in Reston, Va. has been selected the National High School Boys Track Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Alan Webb are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best track athletes not only in the state of Virginia, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” In January, Webb, who will attend the University of Michigan, became just the fourth runner in American high school history to run a sub-four-minute mile, in 3:59.86 at the New Balance Games in New York. It was the U.S. indoor boys record. Webb became the first American high school runner to do so since Marty Liquori in 1967. He also set the Virginia Class AAA indoor record for the 1,000-meter run. At the Penn Relays this spring, Webb anchored South Lakes High’s 4X800 meter relay team and distance medley relay teams to victory. Running the anchor leg of the 4X800, Webb’s time of 1:49.1 was the fastest in the meet’s 107-year history. The medley relay team’s time of 9:58.66 also was a meet record and the sixth-fastest time ever recorded by an American high school team. MOCCO NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLER OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Steven Mocco of Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J. has been selected the National High School Senior Wrestler of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Steven Mocco are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best wrestlers not only in the state of New Jersey, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Mocco won his fourth National Prep Championships title this year, making him the first wrestler in American high school history to win four state-level titles in the heavyweight division. He has won the Junior National Freestyle Championships the past two years without surrendering a single point. Mocco, who will attend the University of Iowa, also won the heavyweight championship in the NHSCA National High School Seniors Wrestling Championships last month at Newark, Del. He also became the first wrestler in the event’s 12-year history to win both individual awards, for the most falls in the least aggregate time and the Outstanding Wrestler award. ELY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Shyra Ely of Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, Ind. has been selected the National High School Girls Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Shyra Ely are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best basketball players not only in the state of Indiana, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” The 6-foot-2 Ely, who will attend the University of Tennessee, was one of the nation’s most decorated players after scoring 2,004 points and pulling down 1,128 rebounds in her career, averaging 16.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. She was named Indiana’s Miss Basketball and was the winner of the girls Naismith Award, was selected as the Gatorade High School Player of the Year, and was named Player of the Year by USA Today. BEI NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Sara Bei of Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, Calif. has been selected the National High School Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Sara Bei are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best runners not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Bei is the first athlete, male or female, to win four state cross country championships in California history, leading Montgomery High to the state team title last fall. She also won titles in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter run in the state track and field championships last spring, and was the recipient of the event’s Sportsmanship Award. At the national level, she is a two-time national champion at 3,200 meters, and won the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships last winter. Also an outstanding student, Bei holds a 4.52 grade-point average, scored 1310 on the SAT, and will attend Stanford University. She was the recipient of the North Coast Section Scholar Athlete Award, and the California Interscholastic Federation selected Bei as its Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for 2001. FETTING-SMITH NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Carey Fetting-Smith of the Bryn Mawr School for Girls in Baltimore, Md. has been selected the National High School Field Hockey Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Carey Fetting-Smith are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best field hockey players not only in the state of Maryland, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” A two-time high school All-American, Fetting-Smith scored 11 goals and added 15 assists last fall to lead Bryn Mawr to a 20-0-2 record and a fourth consecutive independent school state title. She was the captain of the 1999 U.S. Under-16 National Team and was a member of the 2000 U.S. Under-20 and Under-19 National Teams. She also was selected National Player of the Year by SchoolSports.com. SPARKS NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Sarah Sparks of East Noble High School in Kendallville, Ind. has been selected the National High School Girls Golf Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Sarah Sparks are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best golfers not only in the state of Indiana, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Sparks starred in two sports at East Noble High. In addition to her golf achievements, she was a three-year starter on the basketball team and captain as a senior, leading her team in field-goal percentage and earning second-team All-Conference honors. A two-time individual golf state qualifier, Sparks finished ninth in the state tournament last fall and was named the winner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Mental Attitude Award. Also an outstanding student, Sparks will graduate No. 1 in a class of 292 students, and will attend Xavier University. She earned a grade-point average of 11.2 (on a scale of 11.0) and scored 1410 on the SAT. McDOWELL NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Mary McDowell of Wheat Ridge High School in Wheat Ridge, Colo. has been selected the National High School Girls Soccer Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Mary McDowell are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best soccer players not only in the state of Colorado, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” McDowell was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year after scoring 21 goals and adding 12 assists this season as a center midfielder. A versatile athlete, McDowell competes for Wheat Ridge High in four sports: soccer, basketball, cross country, and track. Also an outstanding student, McDowell stands No. 1 in her class and holds a 4.0 grade-point average. OSTERMAN NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Catherine “Cat” Osterman of Cypress Springs High School in Cypress, Texas has been selected the National High School Softball Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Catherine Osterman are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best softball players not only in the state of Texas, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Osterman, who will attend the University of Texas, was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year after striking out 812 batters her junior and senior years. As a senior, she posted a 19-3 record, struck out 435, and did not allow an earned run all season. She threw eight no-hitters in the first month of the season alone and led Cypress Springs High to the Class 5A region semifinals. She batted .343 and excelled in the classroom as well, earning a 6.071 grade-point average (on a 6.0 scale). Osterman also struck out all 21 batters she faced in a seven-inning perfect game as a junior. Osterman was voted to the American Softball Association All-America Third Team in 1999 and the First Team in 2000. Last summer, she helped lead the Katy Cruisers club team to the Under-18 ASA Gold national championship, striking out 106 batters in 53 tournament innings. She also struck out 11 batters in five innings for the Cruisers in an exhibition game against the Olympic gold medal-winning USA Softball Team. SANDENO NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SWIMMING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Kaitlin Sandeno of El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Calif. has been selected the National High School Girls Swimming Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Kaitlin Sandeno are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best swimmers not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Sandeno is a seasoned national and international veteran, earning an Olympic bronze medal last summer in the 400-meter freestyle. She also competed in the Olympic Games in the 400-meter individual medley, finishing fourth, and in the 200-meter butterfly, finishing sixth. At the USA Swimming Championships, she won the 200 butterfly and the 400 individual medley, and finished second in the 400 freestyle. She was selected as the National Athlete of the Year by SchoolSports.com. DIETZ NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Brittany Dietz of Osborne High School in Osborne, Kan. has been selected the National High School Girls Tennis Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Brittany Dietz are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best tennis players not only in the state of Kansas, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Dietz is the only female player in the nation to win a fourth state singles title this year, winning the Class 3A-2A-A title last fall and completing two consecutive unbeaten seasons. She also earned National High School All-America honors in the NHSCA National Sports Festival the past two years, in 1999 at Jekyll Island, Ga. and in 2000 at Orlando, Fla. HENDERSON NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Monique Henderson of Samuel F.B. Morse High School in San Diego, Calif. has been selected the National High School Girls Track Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Monique Henderson are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best track athletes not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Henderson, who will attend UCLA, is the nation’s top female sprinter. She will be going for her third straight state title in the 400-meter dash and her second straight 200-meter title this year. She set the national high school record in the 400 in the state finals last year – her time of 50.74 seconds marked the second week in a row she had set a national record in the event. She also has run the nation’s fastest 200-meter time this year, in 23.16 seconds on April 21. Henderson also has run the 100-meter dash, a race that is not her specialty, in 11.61 seconds, and will try to set Southern Section records in all three events this week. SALEAUMUA NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Jennifer Saleaumua of Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista, Calif. has been selected the National High School Volleyball Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Jennifer Saleaumua are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best volleyball players not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” A 5-foot-10 outside hitter, Saleaumua, who will attend the University of Hawaii, led Bonita Vista High to a 40-0 record, the California state title, and national title recognition as well. In a five-game title match victory over Stockton St. Mary’s High, Saleaumua recorded 57 kills, a state and national record. She was selected National Player of the Year by SchoolSports.com. FRANCOEUR NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Jeff Francoeur of Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga. has been selected the National High School Baseball Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Jeff Francoeur are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best baseball players not only in the state of Georgia, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” One of the nation’s top two-sport athletes, Francoeur earned a scholarship to Clemson University after intercepting a school-record 28 passes – 15 as a junior, also a record – as a football free safety and batting .500 both his junior and senior seasons on the diamond, hitting 20 home runs as a junior. Parkview High won Class 5A state titles in both sports his junior and senior years. Francoeur saved his best for last, going 6-for-7 with four home runs, including a grand slam, in the team’s two-game state title series this spring and also was the winning pitcher in both games in relief. The Atlanta Braves made the 6-foot-4, 200-pound Francoeur their first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in this year’s Major League Draft. CANER-MEDLEY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Nik Caner-Medley of Deering High School in Portland, Me. has been selected the National High School Boys Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Nik Caner-Medley are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best basketball players not only in the state of Maine, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” A 6-foot-7 small forward, Caner-Medley was named his state’s Mr. Basketball as well as its Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 34.6 points and 15.4 rebounds per game this season. He led Deering High to a pair of Western Class A state titles and earned an invitational to the Capital Classic all-star game in Washington, D.C. After starring at the adidas ABCD Camp last summer, Caner-Medley earned plenty of scholarship offers, selecting reigning NCAA champion Maryland over Missouri, UConn, Kansas, and Virginia. Sports Illustrated magazine also recognized Caner-Medley’s distinguished career with a mention in its “Faces in the Crowd” section this year. MOORE NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Timothy Moore of Novi High School in Novi, Mich. has been selected the National High School Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year for 2001, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Timothy Moore are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best runners not only in the state of Michigan, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Moore broke out of the shadow of last year’s National High School Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year, Dathan Ritzenheim of Rockford, to win his first Class A state title last fall. He also won the Foot Locker national championship race last December in 14:50, combining with Ritzenheim to push the Foot Locker winning streak posted by Michigan boys to three. After finishing eighth in the Foot Locker race as a junior, Moore anchored the 4x800 relay team that won the national high school championship last spring. He has accepted a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. BOOKER NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Lorenzo Booker of St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, Calif. has been selected the National High School Football Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Lorenzo Booker are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best football players not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” It is the second straight year that a running back from Ventura has been selected the NHSCA Athlete of the Year; Tyler Ebell of Ventura High received the award last year. Booker, who will attend Florida State University, was selected as the Gatorade National Player of the Year after becoming his state’s all-time leading rusher with 8,269 yards, scoring 126 of his 132 career touchdowns on the ground. His 850 career points also are a state record. As a senior, he rushed for 2,869 yards, averaging more than nine yards per carry as he led St. Bonaventure to a third consecutive divisional title. Booker also was named the winner of the Ken Hall Trophy, the equivalent of college football’s Heisman Trophy, by the San Antonio (Texas) Downtown Rotary Club, and participated in the inaugural U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January, leading the West squad to a 26-6 victory over the East. Sports Illustrated magazine also recognized Booker’s distinguished career with a mention in its “Faces in the Crowd” section this year. FROST NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLF ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – James Frost of Calais High School in Calais, Me. has been selected the National High School Boys Golf Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like James Frost are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA Executive Directors Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best golfers not only in the state of Maine, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Frost, who will continue his golf career next year at Mississippi State University, won three Maine Class C state individual titles, shooting 73 last fall to win his third title, and helping his team to three state team crowns. He was coached at Calais High by the NHSCA’s National High School Boys Coach of the Year, Mike Ellis. Frost also earned All-America status twice in the NHSCA National Open High School Boys Golf Championships. He scored 217 and finished 11th in the 2000 championships as a sophomore, following that performance with a 226 total and 24th place in 2001 as a junior. Frost is one of just six male golfers to earn All-America honors more than once. WALTERS NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – David Walters of Lake Lehman High School in Lehman, Pa. has been selected the National High School Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like David Walters are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA Executive Directors Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best soccer players not only in the state of Pennsylvania, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Walters, who will attend Penn State University, was a two-time First team All-America selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as well as a three-time All-State selection. The runner-up in the NSCAAA Player of the Year balloting as a senior, Walters was selected to the East squad for the inaugural Powerade McDonald’s All-America Games last month. He also has played on the under-16 and under-15 national teams DEBERRY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SWIMMING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Tyler DeBerry of Sabino High School in Tucson, Ariz. has been selected the National High School Boys Swimming Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Tyler DeBerry are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best swimmers not only in the state of Arizona, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” DeBerry successfully defended his Class 5A state championships in the 200-yard freestyle (1:38.26) and the 500-yard freestyle (4:28.59), setting state records in both events despite battling a shoulder injury much of the season. He also helped his 400-yard freestyle relay team set a state record (3:06.98), held since 1992 by a Phoenix Brophy Jesuit team that included Olympian Gary Hall, Jr. DeBerry, who will attend the University of Michigan, already has qualified for the 2004 Olympic Team Trials in the 1,500-meter freestyle. He will compete in this year’s Phillips 66 National Championships in that event, as well as the 200-yard freestyle, the 400-yard freestyle, and the 800-yard freestyle. MCBRIDE NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TENNIS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Ryan McBride of Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz. has been selected the National High School Boys Tennis Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Ryan McBride are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best tennis players not only in the state of Arizona, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” The top-ranked player in the United States Tennis Association’s Southwest Section most of the year, McBride gave up his No. 1 ranking to return to high school tennis this year after finishing third in the state as a freshman and sophomore. McBride cruised to the Class 5A state singles title this year, going 30-0 overall. He did not lose a set all season, dropping just 10 games along the way. McBride became his school’s first boys singles champion in 20 years, and will attend Arizona State University. SHIELDS NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Ryan Shields of Leo High School in Chicago, Ill. has been selected the National High School Boys Track Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Ryan Shields are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best track athletes not only in the state of Illinois, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” A native of Jamaica, Shields was sent to Chicago to live with his father at age 9, and he overcame the culture shock and the stress of learning English to become one of the outstanding sprinters in Illinois high-school history. As a sophomore, Shields became just the second runner in state history to sweep the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter dashes, and followed that with sweeps as a junior and senior as well. Though he competed in tiny Class A, his times were faster than the winning times in the big-school Class AA competition. He helped lead Leo to the Class A state title. GALLOWAY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLER OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Nathan Galloway of State College High School in State College, Pa. has been selected the National High School Senior Wrestler of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Nathan Galloway are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best wrestlers not only in the state of Pennsylvania, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.” Galloway was a three-time Class 3A state champion at State College High, winning titles at 140, 145, and 152 pounds to lead his team to a second-place state finish. He also was the Cadet National Greco-Roman and freestyle champion in 2000 and was a Junior National Greco-Roman All-American in 2001. Galloway, who will attend Penn State University, also won the 145-pound championship in the 13th annual NHSCA National High School Seniors Wrestling Championships in April at Cleveland, Ohio, and was voted the winner of the Jeff Reese Memorial Award as the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler. STROTHER NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Ann Strother of Highlands Ranch High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. has been selected the National High School Girls Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Ann Strother are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best basketball players not only in the state of Colorado, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Strother, who earned a scholarship to NCAA champion UConn, was selected for every leading national award, including the Gatorade High School Player of the Year, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year, and the James Naismith Award as the nation’s top player. In the inaugural McDonald’s Women’s All-American game, Strother scored 21 points and was named the game’s co-Most Valuable Player. This year, she will be a starter on the U.S. Junior National Team as it competes in the World Championships, the only high scool player ever to do so. In her high school career, Strother led Highlands Ranch to three consecutive Class 5A state titles, averaging 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game in her career. She also graduated with a 3.36 grade-point average and was a member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies. Sports Illustrated magazine also recognized Strother’s distinguished career with a mention in its “Faces in the Crowd” section this year. TROTTER NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Amber Trotter of Ukiah High School in Ukiah, Calif. has been selected the National High School Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Amber Trotter are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best runners not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Trotter’s story is among the most unusual and heart-warming of any honoree this year, both on and off the course. She overcame an eating disorder that plagued her much of her junior year to post one of the most dominating cross country seasons ever in California as a senior. She won the girls title in the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships last December by 40 seconds, the second largest margin of victory in race history, after finishing seventh as a junior. She won all eight races she competed in last fall, by an average of 1 minute, 6 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor. Included were winning margins of 1:52 in the North Coast Section meet and 45 seconds in the California state meet. Instead of selecting one of the Division I powerhouses to pursue her college career, Trotter will travel all the way across the United States to attend Division III Middlebury College, located in scenic Middlebury, Vt. HILLMAN NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Lori Hillman of Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees, N.J. has been selected the National High School Field Hockey Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Lori Hillman are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best field hockey players not only in the state of New Jersey, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” A three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) First-Team All-American, Hillman, a midfielder, scored 22 goals and added 21 assists this season, and her 89 career goals are a school record. Hillman, who will attend the University of Michigan, led Eastern High to three consecutive Group 4 state titles, and the school’s record during her four-year career was 80-2-2, with both of the losses coming in her freshman year. She played on the under-18 National Team last year and will compete on the under-19 National Team this year. WOOD NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – May Wood of The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn. has been selected the National High School Girls Golf Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like May Wood are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best golfers not only in the state of Tennessee, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Wood won Division II individual state titles in 1998, 1999, and 2000 after finishing third in the state as an eighth-grader in 1997. A wrist injury prevented Wood from trying for a fourth state title last fall. However, she competed in the Aerus Electrolux Tournament, the LPGA Tour’s Nashville stop, this spring, and will continue her golf career in the fall as a freshman at Vanderbilt University. Wood also was a two-time All-American in the NHSCA National Open High School Women’s Golf Championships. As a freshman in 1999, Wood finished second in the event to Natalie Gulbis, currently an LPGA Tour rookie, with a 311 total, when it was a 72-hole event. In 2000, Wood followed that up with a 221 total and a fourth-place finish. OAKES NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Jill Oakes of Harvard-Westlake High School in North Hollywood, Calif. has been selected the National High School Girls Soccer Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Jill Oakes are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best soccer players not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Oakes was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year after scoring 21 goals and adding 13 assists this season as a defender, leading Harvard-Westlake High to its second consecutive CIF Southern Section Division IV title. She was named the Division IV Defensive Player of the Yerar as a junior and the Mission League’s Most Valuable Player this season. Oakes, also the captain of the school’s cheering squad, holds a 3.17 grade-point average and earned a scholarship to UCLA. HOLLOWELL NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Alicia Hollowell of Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Calif. has been selected the National High School Softball Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Alicia Hollowell are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best softball players not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Hollowell, who will attend the University of Arizona, became the first pitcher in national high school history to record 2,000 career strikeouts, finishing her career with 2,127 strikeouts overall. Her career record was 126-15, and in four years allowed just one earned run, for an earned-run average of 0.08. The 6-foot-2 Hollowell became the first player to record back-to-back seasons with 600 strikeouts or more, and once fanned 61 batters in a 30-inning game. Her record this spring was 24-7, with five of the losses by 1-0 scores. Sports Illustrated magazine also recognized Hollowell’s distinguished career with a mention in its “Faces in the Crowd” section this year. DESCENZA NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SWIMMING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Mary Descenza of Rosary High School in Aurora, Ill. has been selected the National High School Girls Swimming Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Mary Descenza are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best swimmers not only in the state of Illinois, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Descenza set a national high school record (53.11) earlier this year in her specialty, the 100-meter butterfly, and is ranked No. 6 nationally in that event. She won her third state title this year to go along with a pair of state championships in the 200-meter freestyle. Also an established national and international veteran, Descenza finished fourth in the 100-meter butterfly in the FINA World Long Course Championships and second-, third-, and fourth-place finishes in the FINA World Short Course Championships this year. She also competed in the 2000 Olympic Trials as a 15-year-old – the youngest competitor to qualify for the finals by six years – and finished sixth. She already has qualified for the 2004 Olympic Trials, and earned a scholarship to the University of Georgia. WILLIAMS NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Rankin Williams of Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. has been selected the National High School Girls Tennis Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Rankin Williams are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best tennis players not only in the state of North Carolina, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Coached by Steve Spivey, the NHSCA National High School Girls Tennis of the Year in 2000, Williams became one of the most dominating players in state history. She was undefeated in 94 singles matches during her career, helping lead Broughton High to four consectuive Class 4A dual state titles. After winning Class 4A state singles titles as a sophomore and junior, Williams elected to pass up a bid for a third singles title in favor of teaming with her sister, Hampton, a freshman, to play in the state doubles tournament (North Carolina does not permit players to play both singles and doubles in the individual state tournament series). The sisters went on to win the doubles title. A finalist in the Gator Bowl Festival Tournament’s under-16 division as a junior and a quarterfinalist in the under-18 division as a senior, Williams was selected to the First Team by the National High School Tennis All-American Foundation. Also an outstanding student, she will attend Princeton University in the fall. Sports Illustrated magazine also recognized Williams’ distinguished career with a mention in its “Faces in the Crowd” section this year. MEYERHOFF NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Sally Meyerhoff of Mountain Pointe High School in Tempe, Ariz. has been selected the National High School Girls Track Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Sally Meyerhoff are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best track athletes not only in the state of Arizona, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” Meyerhoff excelled in both cross country and the distance track events during her career at Mountain Pointe. She was a two-time Class 5A state cross country champion, leading Mountain Pointe to the state team title last fall, and won back-to-back state crowns in the 800-meter, 1,600-meter, and 3,200-meter runs as well. Also an outstanding student, Meyerhoff earned a scholarship to Duke University. Sports Illustrated magazine also recognized Meyerhoff’s distinguished career with a mention in its “Faces in the Crowd” section this year. LADD NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. – Bre Ladd of Canyon del Oro High School in Tucson, Ariz. has been selected the National High School Volleyball Athlete of the Year for 2002, the NHSCA announced today. “Athletes like Bre Ladd are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “She has worked extremely hard to develop her skills and has become one of the best volleyball players not only in the state of Arizona, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring her.” A 6-foot-1 outside hitter, Ladd piled up national honors while rewriting her school’s record books. This season, she piled up 428 kills, breaking her own school record by more than 100, and added 110 blocks, 163 digs, and 58 service aces to lead Canyon del Oro to the Class 5A state quarterfinals. She had 21 kills in a match, also a school record, and her career totals include 971 kills, 280 blocks, and 146 aces. A member of the U.S. Junior National Team, Ladd was selected as the Gatorade National Player of the Year and as the National Player of the Year by SchoolSports.com. Ladd also was an outstanding student with a 3.4 grade-point average, and earned a scholarship to the University of Arizona. Sports Illustrated magazine also recognized Ladd’s distinguished career with a mention in its “Faces in the Crowd” section this year. YOUNG NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BASEBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. - Delmon Young of Camarillo High School in Camarillo, California has been selected the National High School Senior Baseball Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Delmon Young has caught the attention of baseball experts across the nation for many years, and it is only appropriate that this tremendous high school athlete now be honored as the NHSCA’s Senior Baseball Athlete of the Year," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "Despite having to deal with an injury that limited his playing time as a senior, Delmon Young continued to display the skills that separate him from the pack and led to his selection as not only the NHSCA Senior Baseball Athlete of the Year, but also the top choice in the Major League Baseball draft." After coming off a remarkable junior season, in which Young batted .542 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI to lead Camarillo High to a state championship, the senior was forced to sit out the first several weeks of his final prep season with an ankle injury. When able to return to the Scorpions’ lineup Young, the brother of Detroit Tigers slugger Dmitri Young, immediately regained his form and batted .544 with seven home runs, 28 RBI and 26 intentional walks received. And amazingly, the 17-year old senior did so in just 22 games played. The final reward for an outstanding high school career came in early June when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays made Young the top selection in the MLB draft. JAMES NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. - LeBron James of St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio has been selected the National High School Senior Boys Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "With so many outstanding young athletes in the United States it is truly an achievement when one player can be such a clear choice as the best in his or her sport - Lebron James is that player," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to honor him as its National High School Senior Boys Basketball Athlete of the Year." In a senior season that brought about a new era in press coverage for high school athletics, James never failed to impress anyone that saw him play. Under the most difficult, pressure-filled expectations perhaps ever seen by a high school student-athlete, the nation’s best young basketball player averaged 30.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and five assists a game. During a high school career in which his team won four state titles, James set a new standard with regard to excellence on a prep basketball court. And in the June the Cleveland Cavaliers made the obvious move official, when they passed over dozens of outstanding collegiate and international talents and made James the first pick in the NBA draft. SOLINSKY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. - Chris Solinsky of Stevens Point Area High School in Stevens Point, Wisconsin has been selected the National High School Senior Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Not many athletes are able to win three state titles in a grueling sport like cross country," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "Chris Solinsky has demonstrated that an ongoing work ethic and continued passion can bring about the greatest of results. We are proud to honor Chris as the NHSCA Senior Cross Country Athlete of the Year." Solinsky was the class of Wisconsin distance racing for the past three years, winning multiple state championships in distance events on the track, and the Division I cross country title in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Then, after a third-place finish at the 2001 Foot Locker National Championships, where he was just 2.5 seconds from winning the coveted crown, Solinsky returned to the Foot Lockers and won the national title by a record-tying 20 seconds. After being courted by many of the nation’s top Division I men’s running programs Solinsky decided to stay at home and run in the Big Ten for the University of Wisconsin. SCOTT NAMED NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL EASTON, Pa. - Austin Scott of Parkland Senior High School in Austintown, Pennsylvania has been selected the National High School Senior Football Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Austin Scott demonstrated what an athlete’s desire and commitment can lead to, when he recovered from a devastating injury in his junior season to set the Pennsylvania rushing record as a senior," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to honor Austin Scott as the National High School Senior Athlete of the Year." After missing his entire junior season to a knee injury, Scott set the all-time single-season rushing record in the greatly respected football state of Pennsylvania this year when he carried for 3, 853 yards. During the amazing stretch Scott also tallied record totals of 53 touchdowns and 318 points scored. The 6-foot, 1-inch Scott, who has 4.4 speed in the 40-yard at 200 pounds, now holds the fourth greatest single-season rushing total in nation’s history. He will continue his academic and football careers at Penn State University. TODD NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS GOLF ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. - Brendon Todd of Green Hope High School in Cary, North Carolina has been selected the National High School Senior Boys Golf Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Brendon Todd capped an outstanding individual career with the ultimate team effort in his senior season by leading Green Hope to the state title," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to name Bendon Todd as the National High School Senior Boys Golf Athlete of the Year." Todd recently concluded a high school career in which he captured three individual state championships and led his team, Green Hope High School, to an overall title as a senior. Todd also garnered numerous awards in independent golf ventures away from the high school season, including winning the 2003 AJGA Rolex Junior’s event and finishing third at the AJGA Chrysler Classic. The two-time AJGA Junior All-American will attend the University of Georgia to further his academic and athletic careers. DALBY NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. - Greg Dalby of Poway High School in Poway, California has been selected the National High School Senior Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "While it is often easier to notice the offensive accomplishments of the best soccer players in the nation, Greg Dalby made a name for himself playing some of the best defense in the country this year," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to recognize Greg Dalby as the National High School Senior Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year." Dalby earned a soccer scholarship to Notre Dame after closing out his senior season being named the California Player of the Year for the second time and being chosen for several national player of the year honors. A defensive specialist, Dalby still managed to score 15 goals and tally 16 assists in his career at Poway High. During his three years with Poway, the team compiled a record of 50-16-9, and his teammates and the program honored his efforts by making him co-captain as a senior and retiring his jersey after the his final game. Dalby, who already has made his presence known on the U.S. National Team, is expected to make and immediate contribution at Notre Dame despite being one of the nation’s youngest players due to graduating from Poway a year early. WEBER-GALE NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR BOYS SWIM ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. - Garrett Weber-Gale of Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin has been selected the National High School Senior Boys Swim Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Garrett Weber-Gale is an example of what hard work and perseverance lead to high school athletics ," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to honor Garrett Weber-Gale as the National High School Senior Boys Swim Athlete of the Year." Weber-Gale has chosen to swim collegiately at the University of Texas, after finishing a high school career that included two state championships and a national record in the 100-yard freestyle (43.49). The future Longhorn also captured three 100-yard backstroke titles in the sate of Wisconsin, including a state record swim of 49.73 in both his junior and senior seasons. Also during his prep years, Weber-Gale was recognized as a five-time All-American by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. TYREE NAMED NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL EASTON, Pa. - Shane Tyree of Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida has been selected the National High School Senior Boys Tennis Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Shane Tyree, who never even played tennis before he was 12 years old, has shown that discipline and effort can make up for a late start," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to honor Shane Tyree as the National High School Senior Boys Tennis Athlete of the Year." Tyree climbed the Florida tennis ladder of success year-by-year and made his way to stand upon the podium as champion in his senior season. Starting to play tennis at a rather late age for the sport, 12, Tyree quickly caught on and earned a spot as the No. 3 player on the Lake Howell High team as a freshman. A year later as a sophomore Tyree became the school’s No. 1 player and one year later found himself at the state meet. Then as a senior, Tyree took the final step in a lesson in learning, by claiming the Florida Class 3A singles title. He is yet undecided on college choice, but Tyree does plan to play tennis collegiately. PARKER NAMED NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL EASTON, Pa. - Earvin Parker of Lewisville High School in Lewisville, Texas has been selected the National High School Senior Boys Track Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Earvin Parker’s performance in the 100 and 200-meters this past year made the selection of him as the National High School Senior Track Athlete of the Year an obvious one ," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. Parker will begin a career at Texas Tech University after posting the nation’s fastest time in the 100-meter dash as a senior at Lewisville High. Parker’s time of 10.29 was over a tenth of a second faster than the next best time run by a high school athlete in 2003. Parker also turned in the nation’s second-fastest time in the 200-meters, a 20.7, which was just one-hundredth of a second behind junior Xavier Carter (20.69) of Palm Bay High School in Melbourne, Florida. PERRY NAMED NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL EASTON, Pa. - Mark Perry of Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey has been selected the National High School Senior Wrestling Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "In one of the stronger recruiting classes that we have seen in some time in the sport of wrestling, Mark Perry distinguished himself as the head of the class at the NHSCA Senior Nationals," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to recognize Mark Perry as the National High School Senior Wrestling Athlete of the Year." Perry, who won two national prep school titles and a junior national freestyle title after moving to Blair Academy from Stillwater, Oklahoma where he was a freshman state runner-up, won outstanding wrestler awards of three of the nation’s largest tournaments this past season. Those awards came at the Beast of the East tournament in Newark, New Jersey; the National Prep Championships at Lehigh University; and the NHSCA National High School Senior Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. Though a native of tradition-rich Oklahoma, Perry has opted to attend rival Iowa University to further his academic and athlete careers. HUNTER NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS BASKETBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAREASTON, Pa. - Brittany Hunter of Brookhaven High School in Columbus, Ohio has been selected the National High School Senior Girls Basketball Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Brittany Hunter’s achievements in the classroom and on the basketball floor define the term student-athlete," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to honor her with this award." Hunter, a 6'3" center, was named Ohio’s Miss Basketball after leading Brookhaven to the state’s Division I Final Four in a season where she averaged 23.4 points and 17.6 rebounds a game. A 4.2-GPA student, Hunter first made a name for herself after following up an outstanding junior season with an appearance at the 2002 USA Basketball Women’s Youth Development Festival. On one of the largest stages for a prep girl’s basketball player Hunter shined as the best of 48 players in attendance. After averaging over 11 points and eight rebounds, and shooting nearly 60-percent from the field, on just 18 minutes a game the recruiters were beginning to stand in line. When Hunter followed up her efforts at the Development Festival with an even stronger senior season at Brookhaven, she found herself with choosing between the likes of Connecticut, Tennessee, Duke, Texas and Harvard. In the end, the 4.2-GPA student selected Duke University as the next step in a remarkable academic and basketball career. HARPER NAMED NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETE OF THE YEAR EASTON, Pa. - Amber Harper of Orem High School in Orem, Utah has been selected the National High School Senior Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year for 2003, the National High School Coaches Association announced today. "Amber Harper’s consistency in winning three state titles demostrates for young athletes that winning never gets old, and that with a consistent work ethic an athlete can reach the top and remain there," said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. "The NHSCA is proud to honor Amber Harper as the Senior Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year." Harper won her third Utah state individual cross country championship in the fall of 2002, and led Orem High to the team title in a close 48-51 race with Mountain View High. Upon winning both the individual title and the team title, Harper’s selflessness and true leadership shined in her post-race comments that focused entirely upon the team effort. "This is the happiest day of my life as a runner," Harper said to the Deseret News. "We're a lot closer as a group this year, and I knew we could do it today." Harper ended her senior cross country season with a second straight qualifying berth and another top 15 finish at the prestigious Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships. The Utah native will keep her career in state by attending Brigham Young University in the fall of 2003. BEANS NAMED NATIONAL
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