2017 Scholar Athlete Finalists

Ben Daniel

A multi-sport athlete who played soccer and golf for the Crusaders, while also spending two years with the basketball program, Daniel kept an impeccable academic record as well. He qualified for the state golf tournament and was team captain on the soccer field. Outside of sports he was involved in Student Council, Beta Club, National Honor Society and Pep Club, all while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average. He already has 50 hours of college credits toward his future at the University of Missouri.

Olivia Voelker

Voelker competed against the boys on the golf course in the spring and did not back down, earning a spot in the state tournament. She also maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and also plays volleyball at Saxony Lutheran.

Anand Patel

Patel was a threat-sport participant for the Eagles, garnering all-state recognition in soccer, all-conference honors in basketball and performing at a high level in track and field. Academically, he compiled a 3.8 grade-point average. Athletic director Andrew Mellies called Patel a “tremendous young leader and representative of our school.”

Jessie Gartman

The standout student-athlete helped Eagle Ridge to a state title in volleyball, while earning all-state individual honors. She also was an all-state selection in girls basketball. In the classroom, Gartman was a leader and just as successful as on the court, posting a 4.0 GPA.

Luke Blanton

Blanton balanced participation in three different sports with the rigors of a high level of performance in the classroom. Blanton played football in the fall, wrestled in the winter and golfed in the spring. He earned a trip to the Class 3 wrestling state tournament. Academically, Blanton spent much of the year ranked No. 1 in his class.

Betsy McConnell

The Bulldogs’ head cheerleader managed her extracurricular activities with success in the classroom. McConnell posted a grade point average in excess of 4.2, which put her near the top of her class.

Craig Beasley

Beasley worked diligently on and off the field to achieve at a high level. He put together a 3.415 grade-point average while playing football and basketball for the Eagles. On the gridiron, Beasley earned his team’s Hammer Award.

Karlie Frazier

An exemplary student-athlete at NMCC, Frazier was involved with cheerleading, basketball and softball for the Eagles. In softball she was a member of the Swing Pink All-Tournament team in 2016. She posted a 3.956 GPA and was involved with the ‘A+’ program, mentoring younger students.

Austin Hicks

A two-sport athlete as a senior, playing both basketball and baseball, Hicks accomplishments on the field stand up among any, leading the Cubs to a third straight state championship while garnering all-state honors. In the classroom, he post a 4.19 GPA and was an honor student all four years of high school. Hicks was also an active participant in National Beta Club, FBLA, FCCLA and Student Council.

McKayla Hunt

Hunt represented the Cubs in cheerleading, volleyball and softball, earning multiple academic and athletic awards throughout her four years at Bell City. As a junior she was the Homecoming queen and as a senior was the Wendy’s High School Heisman Scholarship winner. Hunt was involved in band, Pep Club, FBLA, FCCLA, Student Council and National Beta Club, while also maintaining a 4.24 GPA.

David Sawyer

A standout in both basketball and baseball, as a senior Sawyer led his squad in scoring in the former, while striking out more than 100 batters in 70 innings in the latter. Described as “natural leader” by athletic director Corbin Clark, Sawyer kept busy with extracurricular activities while posting a 3.4 GPA. He will continue his baseball career at Freed-Hardeman University while working toward a career path in the dental industry.

Maggie Crossno

Crossno was an all-district and all-conference player in three sports for Senath-Hornersville — basketball, volleyball and softball. On the softball field, she is among the top five all-time in home runs in the state of Missouri and is set to continue her career at Williams Baptist College. Among her clubs and activities, Crossno is an active member of the National Honor Society and had a 3.7 GPA.

Max Priggel

Priggel developed a strong work ethic by working on his family farm, and it has served him well as a student-athlete. Priggel was the leading scorer on an Eagles basketball team that won a Class 2 state championship, and also participates in baseball. Away from athletics, Priggel has participated in Beta Club and worked in the dual-credit program to make headway at the college level. He posted a 10.38 GPA out of a possible 11.

Megan Tenkhoff

By pushing herself and taking the hardest classes Oran has to offer, Tenkhoff separated herself as a student. In the process, she earned college credit and posted a 10.824 GPA out of 11. Meanwhile, she participated in cheerleading, volleyball and softball, and was an Academic All-State pick in softball. Tenkhoff will attend the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, and will have a chance to continue her softball career there.

Riley Cain

One of the leaders of a South Pemiscot team that made the Class 2 quarterfinals, Cain is also a Semoball Awards Baseball Player of the Year finalist. In addition, he played basketball in the winter. Despite his athletic commitments, Cain a 3.677 GPA and was a standout leader and mentor for younger athletes.

Kaylee Williams

A junior, Williams posted a 4.2 grade-point average while taking college prep and weighted courses at South Pemiscot. She did that while playing sports year round, participating in volleyball, basketball and softball and earning all-conference recognition in all three.

Gunner Smith

Smith has been a jack of many trades for the Indians throughout his career, including track and football, wrestling and golf, participating in the last two this year as a senior. Smith graduates without missing a day of school since starting kindergarten, and posted a perfect 4.0 GPA as a senior. He is a member of the Kennett Key Club and served on the student council for four years. In 2016 he was presented with the Outstanding Youth Prevention Award for his work with the Missouri Youth Adult Alliance, an organization that prevents substance use in youth. He graduated as valedictorian.

Heidi Shetley

One of the most impressive athletes in Semoball Awards history, Shetley has been a two-sport athlete in tennis and basketball her entire career at Kennett and has garnered five total SBA nominations in the process. This year, she had state podium finishes in doubles tennis, more than 1,800 career points on the court and is a four-time all-conference selection in basketball. In addition to that, she committed countless hours to volunteering and operating as the Key Club president. Shetley boasted perfect attendance K-12 and graduated as valedictorian.

Blake Simmons

With all-conference honors on his resume and a commitment to continue his baseball career at Mineral Area College, Simmons was named the Wendy’s High School Heisman winner at Charleston. Throughout his career he remained involved in extracurricular activities and posted a 3.9 grade point average as a senior.

Madyson McDermott

McDermott stayed busy on the playing fields and courts, captaining both the cheerleading team and volleyball team and earning all-conference honors on the softball field. She will continue playing softball at Mineral Area College. Despite never having a season off, McDermott still managed to maintain a 4.05 GPA during her senior year.

Braden Cox

Cox has been a finalist for just about every award possible in his years on the football field, basketball court and baseball diamond. He set a school single-season rushing record in football, scored more than 1,000 points in basketball and was the conference player of the year baseball; he has all-state nods in multiple sports. Academically, Cox kept the same high standards, posting an 11.02 GPA on an 11-point scale, earned honor roll recognition and numerous all-state academic recognitions. Cox completed 21 college credit hours while posting a perfect GPA in those courses. He earned the Scott City Mr. Ram Award each of the last three years.

Jamie Glastetter

The Rams senior earned both all-state honors and a nod as a Semoball Awards finalist this spring in softball, where she led the area in batting average. There was no dropoff in the classroom though, as Glastetter rolled up an 11.94 grade-point average and graduated as Scott City valedictorian.

Drayden French

French was a four-year letter winner in both baseball and basketball for the Indians. Despite dealing with a busy sports schedule, he maintained a 3.6 GPA and scored a 26 on his ACT.

Lauren Crossen

Called an “inspiration,” by Neelyville athletic director Becky Hale, Crossen stood out on the basketball court, helping the Tigers to district and conference championships in each of her four years. Even off the court she showed outstanding leadership skills and posted a 3.9 GPA.

Levi Strickland

Serving as a role model for his performance both in athletics and the classroom, Strickland participated in track, tennis and swimming, helping the Tigers to their first ever state championship in the pool. He was also active in several school organizations and compiled a 4.194 GPA.

Jarrett Seabaugh

Described by athletic director Alan Horrell as “driven and self-motivated,” Seabaugh was involved in both basketball and cross-country without ever letting his academic work slip. He posted a perfect 11.0 GPA and participated in National Honor Society and Boys State. He earned a scholarship in cross-country and earned the Iron Man Award in the sport.

Brynn Myers

Myers was a key leader of the cheerleading squad, even getting involved in the Missouri Cheer Coaches Association. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a candidate for multiple other honors. Myers had an 11.3 GPA.  

Ronin Rice

A three-year starter in soccer, Rice was also a baseball standout this spring, earning a Semoball Awards Baseball finalist nod and conference pitcher of the year honors. Away from the athletic arena, Rice was a leader for his fellow Mules. His 11.33 grade-point average was an indication of his success in the classroom.

Lauren Rowland

Rowland kept busy as a four-year letterwinner in both volleyball and soccer, including all-region honors in volleyball this year; she has been recognized for academic all-state in both sports. In addition, Rowland participated in basketball, Mule Barn, FCCLA, yearbook and National Honor Society. A leader on and off the field, Rowland plans to attend the University of Missouri and pursue a career in dentistry.

James Robert Ward

Ward found success in track and field, earning All-SEMO Conference honors for his performance. He also led his student body’s effort in supporting the other Indian teams and boosting school spirit, leading the J Crue student group. He posted a 4.34 GPA.

Nikki Sotak

Finishing at the top of her academic class, Sotak maintained a 4.39 grade-point average as a senior. Meanwhile, she met high standards athletically in both basketball and soccer. In the winner she helped the Indians return to a Class 5 quarterfinal on the basketball court and in the spring was a starter for Jackson’s district title-winning girls soccer team.

Tyler Monier

Despite major injury setbacks throughout his four-year career at St. Vincent, Monier battled through adversity and this year remained healthy enough to be a key starter in three sports — football, basketball and baseball. In addition to his athletic endeavors, the senior was a leader and role model for younger students while maintaining a 4.1 grade-point average.

Faith Kapp

Always willing to lend a helping hand to other students, Kapp wrapped up her high school career with a 4.2 GPA. She played both basketball and soccer for the Indians, helping the St. Vincent girls soccer team win its second-ever state championship this spring, earning all-state recognition and becoming a Semoball Awards Girls Soccer finalist. Kapp plans on attending UMKC and pursuing a career in the medical field.

Jenny Pullam

Pullam kept a busy schedule as a participant in volleyball, softball and track and field, earning all-conference honors in volleyball and softball for the Bulldogs. In 2015 and 2016 she was recognized as the MSHSAA Sportsmanship Award winner. Posting a 4.20 GPA, Pullam was Zalma’s salutatorian, earning college credits and working at the Advance Assisted LIving Center.

Cade Long

A two-time Class 1 state meet qualifier in cross-country, Long also was a member of the Hornets baseball team. His athletic success did not come to the detriment of his work in the classroom, where he was a shining example. Long maintained a 4.53 GPA and graduated as Advance valedictorian. He will study at Missouri S&T and has already earned enough college credit to nearly earn sophomore standing in college.

Alicia Sullinger

A three-year starter for Advance’s softball team in the spring, Sullinger also participated in cross-country. In the classroom she built up a workload that included many dual-credit courses and graduated as salutatorian, with a 4.21 grade point average.  

Evan Landewee

Landewee balanced success in cross country and boys volleyball with high academic achievement, graduating with a 4.14 GPA for Summa Cum Laude honors. He was a Missouri Bright Flight Scholar, member of the Tri M Music Honor Society, member of the National Honor Society and an ‘A’ Honor Roll finalist all four years of high school. He finished is volleyball career as the program’s leader in career assists and digs; single-season leader in assists and single-game leader in kills and assists.

Lindsay Peters

The road has not always been easy for Peters, who suffered serious injuries while pole vaulting the previous two years, but returned to participate in track as a senior, qualifying for sectionals on a pair of relay teams, as well as cheerleading and junior varsity volleyball, basketball and cross country. Academically, she posted a 4.11 GPA, graduated Summa Cum Laude and a member of the ‘A’ Honor Roll. She also was a member of the National Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She plans on studying nursing at Southeast Missouri State, where she is working on earning a spot on the track and field squad.